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got my first injection in my back today

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Posted 7/27/2011 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
I was so scared all last night and got more and more apprehensive the closer we got to the doctor's office. I sat in the waiting room, for what felt like, FOREVER... This gave me time to try reasoning with myself lol... I had to talk myself out of getting up and walking out! Then they finally brought me to the room... The entire thing was nothing like I expected... The doc really didn't have a whole lot to say, he asked me if I had any questions, then we began. I was so nervous coz he didn't give me direction on how to lay, I was freakin myself out by wondering if I was doing any harm by breathing while the needle was in my back lol... Anywayz, I noticed the injection felt like it was off-center, and I knew it wasn't in or too close around my spine... He finished, pulled the needle out and begins numbing the other side, I was like ***?! Nobody told me I was gettin stuck twice!... But the 2nd injection HURT!!! The 1st one I could deal with..... The 2nd one I had wayyyy more pressure and it shot straight down to my hip... Nooooo fun!!!
Posted 7/27/2011 4:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hi SoSickandTired

I bet you're really glad that those injections are over. I've never had any and I really don't think I want one. I'm sorry that the 2nd one was so painful. How do you feel now? Is the pain better? I wish you so much luck with those injections helping your original pain and I hope that the pain you were in after the injections will get better really soon.

Please keep us updated on how you're doing.

love and hugs
Loretta
Posted 7/27/2011 5:08 AM (GMT 0)
I was very sore for the first few hours, then it gradually eased up. Then I was moving around too much (instead of resting like I was instructed to do)... So I'm pretty sore still. Too much movement causes slight muscle spasms. The doc said I'll feel worse b4 I feel better, not to mention that there's a chance the injection won't even work... So I'm crossing my fingers and hoping it works...
Thanks for your positive thoughts,
Kayla
Posted 7/27/2011 7:50 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Sick and Tired

I've had quite a few shots in my back, so I know exactly what you mean. Unfortunately

none of the shots I had worked for me. When I got the shots they gave me about 4 shots and the last time I went the doc gave me 6 shots just to make sure he covered everything. I think it's like alot of things, some docs are good giving shots and some aren't Anyway I hope the shots help you and it all turns out to be well worth the effort. Take care.

                                                        .Stingray

Posted 7/27/2011 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I agree with requiem_aeternam, in that sedation is the better way to go when getting
injections, all was all but sedated once and that was more injection than yours it was a nightmare
the one time I had no sedation and I still have ptsd from it...(had eight facets and two nerve blocks
without any sedation and I remember them telling me to keep still several times, I never went
back to that doctor ever....)
well wishes and I hope you get relief from those injections...
Keep us posted
Posted 7/27/2011 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Like requiem-aeternam and Chartreux when I had my shots my dr sedated me. I'm not sure if it was kindness or to shut me up but either way it happened. And just like you did, I started to move around before I should have. Didn't take you long to stop did it? Here's hoping that the shots work for you! Good luck!
Posted 7/27/2011 2:06 PM (GMT 0)
I have had 5 shots I get 1 every week, the drs are usually very gentle and use alot of freezing so I do not usually feel pain. If you are tender tell dr they can use more freezing, I hope you get relief from your shots I know I have been much happier being able to move without excruciating pain.
Posted 7/27/2011 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
Kayla,

I got my first shots a few weeks ago, and they were pretty uncomfortable. I also was not sedated, and I think I'd do it again without sedation now that I know what to expect, but I'd be happy to be sedated too. I was sore for a few days, then started to feel better. They've definitely helped me enough for me to be more active and complete the physical therapy I need to do. Hope you have success with yours, and be sure to rest!
Posted 7/27/2011 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
SoSickAndTired,

I've had those injections both with and without sedation. I'm all about the sedation, but some doctors just don't do that. (A neurosurgeon did the ones without sedation, and my PM dr did the ones with sedation). The "good" news is that, according to my PM doc, the one that REALLY hurt "hit the spot." YMMV, of course, but I have found that the ones that hurt when I come out of sedation are the ones that last longer and work better.

Today, you should probably become close, personal friends with an ice pack. That always helps me.
Posted 7/27/2011 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
I was hoping for sedation when I went in, but, I knew when he started spraying the "freezing" spray, that was all I was gonna be getting. He was pretty good about letting me know what was about to happen, before it happened...
As for those of you getting 4-6 shots at a time... I couldn't do it!!! I can handle my 2 every 1-2 months! I can handle no sedation (even tho I'd love having it)... But there's no way I'd willingly walk in there knowing I was getting 6 shots at once! Nope! I'd rather be in pain I guess lol.
I really wish the office my father-in-law goes to accepted my insurance! That place has a hospital setting, and they take your blood pressure, (ect), before and after. The sedate you and all that good stuff. I was very impressed while I watched it all be done (in comparison to my pain doc's office).
Posted 7/27/2011 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
I've had injections in my back many times without sedation. The most the surgeon said he could do at once is four. Only four? Which four spots out of about 50 can one choose? That is tough. The effects lasted a couple of hours at most so did nothing for me. However, they do help some people so it is worth a try!
Posted 7/28/2011 11:21 AM (GMT 0)
I also got all of my injections without sedation under the flouroscope. Although unconfortable, I would first get a tiny numbing prick and then he actual injection, usually 4 at a ime for the ESI. A few times I had facet in jections and at that was a total of 16 needles ( 8 numbing and 8 injecions). The last injection he did for my was a caudal injection. I had so much scar tissue and pain that he had to stop part way.

I think for the most part it depends on the persons tolorance, I was fine with this method. Up and reasy to drive home on my own within 15 minutes. Unfortuentely, the injections didnt work for me. Like Chanterele said, how can you pick four spots out of 50 and expect to be able notice relief,lol?

Best of luck to you sosickandtired!
Big Hugs,
Shell
Posted 7/28/2011 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
If you tend to be panic prone, then by all means ask for sedation!

Personally though, I don't want it! I find it relaxing to watch the fluoroscope screen. I've had years worth of spinal injections, some of which worked and some which didn't, and they all hurt, despite local anesthetic, to some degree. Some hurt a lot, but those were the ones that worked the best. My caudal has been the best!
Posted 7/28/2011 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
The first pm doctor I had was injection crazy, I had more than what shell had done
on her max...it was the only time he did those without sedation and I didn't
know they were going to be done without sedation until two minutes before I was wheeled
back to the flouroscopy table they strapped me down extremely tight, after wards
in recovery I needed to use my xopenex inhaler...I still have nightmares, telling me " to hold still"
I wrote to this hospital saying this doctor should be fired and I still believe he should..
I was not informed in any ways no sedation would be used, the numbing stuff didn't work good
or he didn't give it time as I felt all the injections, I bit down my arm even...always ask if sedation will be used
and make sure to get an answer...it was hell for me, one injection I can take, but not the amount he did to me
I never went back to this doctor and no one will ever touch me again without sedation...
Posted 7/29/2011 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
OMG Chartreux how horrible!!! I had another shot today and it was by far the worst one yet normally the shot takes about 5 minutes this time it took 30 and hubby says the bandage is very bloody. Usually there is barely a dot of blood on bandage but the Dr had a hard time finding the right location today. I did the biggest NO NO when they were finally done the dr said ok sit up your done I said I would if I could feel my legs, oooops he stopped in his tracks and said what was that are you OK I said sorry just joking and the assitant said bad joke. I wanted to see if they actually pay attention to people because we are herded in and out in such a hurry. Tonight I am very sore I am using ice and that isn't helping, hopefully I will feel less sore in the morning.
SoSick I am also envious of a place that checks you vitals and seems like it a sterile environment, I guess I'm more old school than I thought.

Take care
Posted 7/29/2011 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
  Hi everyone  Havent been on line for a few days  Been having a hard time  I had 2 epidural shots with somekind of sedation  But I am very leery of doing it again Once the sedation wore off it was back to PAIn  Also I was at the hospt from 11 am to 6 pm  The dr said I had a "leak" into my spinal cord  I coldnt move or feel my rifght leg for hrs  and was short of breath  Had to be put on oxygen  When my leg woke up and I could pee they sent me home  No florascope was used and I was sitting up bent over for procedure. When i went to see my dr a few days later her report said the procedure went well and I was discharged after 1 hr  hmmmm ?? So now I am afarid to try again and the dr thinks I should  She didnt have much comment on the report that they sent..
Posted 7/29/2011 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
I would be afraid to go again too kimshee, I would not have agreed to this without the floroscopy. I would insist the record of this was correct and would have told my Dr what actually went on. My back is still sore today from yesterday's procedure in fact so sore I did not sleep last night and am writing this laying down. I am watching 2 of my grandchildren so can not drift off today.
Posted 7/29/2011 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
I have had that shot several times. My Dr. toldme thereason why it hurt so much was they do it in a fanning direction. They put it in,inject, pull out alittle then re-inject, they dothis several times. The first time they gave me a numbing shot but not the oterh 5 times. So I feel the pain. Dr. told me heat wpild help distribute some of the pain. Others ice may work better. just am FYI. Hope you feel better. ((((((soft hugs))))))) to you.
Rhonda
Posted 7/30/2011 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
I've never had injections in my back. I'm scared of something happening like hitting the spinal cord and leaking fluid. No thanks. I wish you all well that have had their shots the last few days. I hope they are successful at lessoning your pain and I hope you feel better. Take care.

love and hugs
Loretta
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