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Epidural Monday!

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 12/10/2009 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
    Hello to all my CP family! PCD called today, and I'm getting my Epidural this next Monday....I really hope this puts my neck pain on the back burner for a while....so I can get through my lower back surgery. I will ask, that I recieve the second one in two weeks, reguardless if it is working or not. I have always been told to get the second one...as it is the one that really sets things on the right path....if it's going to work at all. My appt. is at 2:15...so it may be later in the evening before I can report back to you all here. Just looking for a few well wishes from my friends. Right now I'm only working on a half of a brain cell.......so be gental...if I mis spoke here on the techincal side of things. It's easy to correct me, as I make so many mistakes these days. If you are new here...or for that fact, a regular member....make sure you check out the Koffee Klatch tonight!....come join the fun! :)  Don't be shy...jump right in there!

    Michael

Posted 12/10/2009 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
Good Luck with the epiduals, sure hope they bring you some relief, just make sure to ice the site for the first 24 hours afterwards...and you might be stiff and sore...I'll never get those done to my neck again, lower back stiffness and soreness I can handle but upper neck, no ways....
lots of extra soft hugz for now and good luck on Monday...
((((((((((((((((((((((((Michael)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
keep us posted, when you can, of course...
Posted 12/11/2009 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
Michael,
I hope the epidural helps, too. Like Char said, ice the spot off and on for the first day just to help with the soreness. Now while getting a second one is a good idea (depending on what your doctor says) there may be a time frame you have to wait between injections. Not sure if it's longer than 2 weeks, but just say you want it as soon as possible. And especially get into their schedule! I know when I had them the PM that did them was always booked way in advance.

BTW I have had chronic neck problems for well over 20 years and when I went for my lumbar fusion was really concerned about how my neck would be positioned, etc. I told them that as they were prepping me for surgery, so they were sure to keep my neck in a 'neutral' position during surgery. And I also had my cousin bring my cervical pillow into my hospital room, and boy was I glad. That way my neck didn't get any worse!

Good luck!

Hugs,

PaLady
Posted 12/11/2009 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
Yes my Lady!....I will have to wait two weeks to get my second one.....this will be the 6th one overall, three upper and two in the lower back. I'm loving the new iMac....a very clean running machine! Did you see Stray's post today? Was a long one....she is one tuff woman! Catch you later...behave...and get some rest!......now Scram!
Posted 12/11/2009 5:15 AM (GMT 0)
Michael!

I'm glad you're getting in so soon. Hoping some prayers from Chutzie and others will be heard and you will get some well deserved relief. I've had a 3-some in my lower spine but didn't do what I had hoped and I also was told I had to wait. But as I remember it was longer that 2 weeks. Could be because of the location or whatever. I have issues with sterioid because of being on insulin. It messes things up big time. But if I can get some relief it's well worth a week of whack-o blood sugars.

Oh, if you want someone to correct you then I must oblige. In the evening on Thursdays we have Chat Night, not Koffee Klatches. ;-) Someone had to do it!

Hugs,
Chutzie
Posted 12/11/2009 5:43 AM (GMT 0)
Forgive my total ignorance on the subject, but how does this help exactly, doesn't it wear off and your neck is in the same position--pain-- or is it that it gives you some numbing relief and "heals" the neck for awhile? Just curious. Anyway, good luck.
Posted 12/11/2009 12:16 PM (GMT 0)
Michael,
Good luck w/ the injections on Monday. I'm sure they will be careful w/ your neck during the procedure, it's the nurses that roll you off the table onto the gerney(sp?) that you have to worry about!! Make sure you tell them about your neck before they put you on the table!!!! The can be pretty rough w/ you while your out. Maybe you will wake up right away like I always used to when I had those things done to me years ago! Sometimes I'd wake up during the procedure!!

Being a large person, I don't think they ever gave me enough "juice" to keep me under!! I had about 30 -40 of those procedures done over the years to my back & neck!! Now I wish I hadn't let them do so many!! That stuff can't be good for you in the long run but if it helps by all means give it a try!!

I'll be thinking about you and saying a prayer Monday!!
Your Bud>>
Pete

PS>> Man Hugz comin at'cha!!
Posted 12/11/2009 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
     Hey Petey Boy!....Good to hear from..my buddy! They will be doing my neck this time and saving the back for surgery. The first time I had one they never got me quite out..and I remember the pressure building..and groaning..for worry...wondering if the top of my head was going to blow off. The other 4...I don't remember a thing other than on one of them when I woke up...the nurse looked like she could Kill me...it scared me something terrible...and I strained to get my wits about myself so that I could try and see what I did that was so terrible!....I had never been treated like that before and I was really scarred for myself....she looked like she was madder than hell! When I went back for another one....I asked that she was not to be there when I was comming to....All the nurses knew excatly who I was talking about....and said not to worry...they would not let her within a mile of me. I'm telling you I was horrified of her! I will never forget...as I knew something was wrong...and I was helpless to defend myself. I still shutter at the thought of to this day. Since my PCD moved, he no longer uses that clinic for Epidurals anymore. I'm really hoping this one takes as well as the first two did....they lasted for a little over a year now....and If I can have a successful surgery on my back,...I should be in decent shape for a while....that's the plan anyway.

    Chutzy...you are sooo right! ...I did mess up, but my intentions were the best. I caught it yesterday, but forgot to correct it while I was thinking about it.

Lucy! How in the world are you doing these days? to answer your question,...an Epidural is a high powered Steriod...they they inject into your spine.....and is supposed to reduce any swelling...in therory it should help relieve the pain. You are right is acts like a mask for the pain...but I don't think it really is a pain med...so it works a little different. Petey Boy...may have better input on it than I have for you...and of course Straydog is knowledgable on almost everything...and generaly know what she is talking about. Period!....I would never argue with her! :)

   Chartzy...and My Lady...always good to hear from you both.....wonder bunch of friends! Palady...wish you were here to help me with this learning curve on the iMac! Quite a machine...but lots to learn. Even though they very rarely get a virus...I did load a anti/virus software called Intego....and is suposed to be the best one for the Mac's

  This will be my last weekend to shoot Sports Photogeraphy as owner of the company...and ironically will be finishing up with the league I started up with 15 years ago....I'm pretty happy about that!....It was a hell of a ride! :)

 

Post Edited (Screaming Eagle) : 12/11/2009 7:58:56 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/11/2009 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
Now Michael, there are Mac magazines you can get if you need help with your imac...they sell the magazines at borders and barnes and nobles..
and more well wishes on those injections...
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Michael))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
hugz and hey up date on kitten please..is he being a good boy, still full of energy????
you got a cute lil puff ball (saw the pics)
Posted 12/11/2009 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck Michael. I will be thinking of you. I hope it gives you the relief you need. Take care friend!!!
Posted 12/11/2009 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
    I just love you all!....Thank You!....don't know what led me to this site...but I'm glad I found it!
Posted 12/11/2009 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
Michael,
Good luck on Monday I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. It will be a relief to ease the pain for awhile at least through the holidays until surgery. Keep your chin up my friend. Take care cuz I care.
Posted 12/12/2009 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
Michael,
The fun of a mac is finding your own way around! LOL Seriously, it's so intuitive most of the time, you can't do much serious damage (or I'd have done it long ago! LOL).

Have a good time with your new toy!

PaLady
Posted 12/12/2009 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
Best of luck Michael!

skeye
Posted 12/12/2009 6:07 AM (GMT 0)
Michael,

Is it something like a trigger-point injection into your spine? I hope you have a good relaxing weekend and that everything goes well on Monday!

Jenna
Posted 12/12/2009 11:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hey, Michael, what time is your epidural on Monday? I'm having an injection at L-5/S-1 at 12:30 on Monday. Maybe we'll be in la-la land at the same time. I hope this helps me out. I've been having radiating pain through my right leg all the way to the ankle now. I thought it was the knees (have alot of arthritis & bone spurs in the left due to 60% of meniscus removed due to surgeries 9 yrs ago) but right one showed none on xrays done recently, so pain has gotta be from the lower spine. My injection is to see if I'm a candidate for RF.

Maybe it's good that your lumbar fusion is set for early in the year. If you end up needing surgery on your cervical area maybe you can get them both completed in the same calendar year. It really helps out with insurance co-pays & deductibles.

Hope you get some relief from the epidural.
Posted 12/14/2009 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
     Ok...today is the day. I'm at work, but will leave at 1:00. The nurse who called said they don't use sadation there...I was horrified to hear this...as I have never had one done without it. I will report sometime this afternoon. Just  a little worried now.
Posted 12/14/2009 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Good Luck, Michael. I have to be at the docs at 12:30 & injection time is 1:00. This PM doctor does use anesthesia but this is the first doctor I've ever been to that did. Normally the doctor has used the freezing stuff or nothing at all. You will be fine. Myself, I think all this anesthesia stuff is kind of a waste. Maybe I'm just one tough cookie. I think after living with pain for so many years you get used to it. I remember having amniocentesis (where they draw amniotic fluid from the stomach during pregnancy) now that one made me woozy & I almost puked. I've had some very long needles put into the bursa of the hip and that doctor only used the freezing stuff. It wasn't bad, not something I'd want to do everyday but it was tolerable.

Just remember to keep breathing and try to concentrate on something else.

Let us know how your injection goes later & I'll do the same.
Posted 12/14/2009 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
    Good Luck to you too Jag! Take care....I will meet you back here in a few hrs! :) Jag....I'm a guy!....one big ***** when it comes to pain! :) ...why....I even cry like a baby if I nick myself shaving! :) Mine is at 2:15pm cst Gota be there at 1:45 to check in.

Post Edited (Screaming Eagle) : 12/14/2009 7:18:55 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/14/2009 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
   ...sorry for the poor choice of wording there! :) my mistake...I will have to make a note of it...and delete it out of my mental dictionary.
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