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middle branch block?

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Posted 10/30/2010 10:15 AM (GMT 0)
ok so i broke my back two yrs ago in the surgery they hit a nerve and left me with foot drop ive had chronic pain in my back hips knees and foot ever since ive been on tramaol nefopam and fentanyl all of which worked to begin with then gradually stopped being affective. ivealso had 3 lts of facet injections that had no effect whatsoever. 3 months ago i had an appointment with a pm dr he said all he could offer me was some more injections this time we would try a middle branch block i think hats what its called (he didnt want me on opiots because im only 22) i wasnt happy but agreed anyway, and also booked a 2nd opinion with a different pm dr that on the 29 nov. so anyway wednesday i had these injections they hurt so bad and the dr said he would only giv me 2mg anasthetic and that they didnt want to put anyone asleep that day? thought that wa a bit weird but ho hum so i went home was in alot of pain still my back wa and still is quite bruised and a patch just above my bum is very sensitive. its saturday now and i must say again ive not noticed much change in the level of pain im in. i was wondering if anyone had experiences like thisor knows more about these middle branch blocks?
Posted 10/30/2010 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ambrdylz and welcome to Healing Well's chronic pain forum. Wow, what a story you have to tell with this surgery. Yes, everyone here has a story as to what caused them to be living with CP. I think you are talking about medial branch blocks and yes I have had them. The PM dr that did mine only gave light sedation, thats about all any of them will give you if anything at all. If usually takes a good week or more to tell if these will help or not. I know, it seems like some of the procedures these PM drs do seem a bit barbaric, add pain to our already mounting pain. I suggest going to SpineUniverse.com and looking up the medial branch block and reading about it. My current PM dr does not do any of the injections and procedures, her opinion is they are worthless and a way for the drs to pad their bills.

I am sure your age is a big hindrance in getting any kind of medication. Its a shame because pain has no age limit. Drs get on their high horse hollering about addiction and tolerances to medications. Well, the studies show PM patients rarely ever get addicted to their medications, the percentage is very, very low. Now, we will build up a tolerance over time which means either changing the medication or increasing the dose. But we can build up tolerances to any medication taken over a long period of time. We have to change my BP medicines every two years for this very reason.

I think you are wise in getting a 2nd opinion, it never hurts to get one at all. You may like this next one better who knows. If you will look up to the top here there is a section called CP101. In it is a pain journal that you can print off and use. Start a pain journal and take this with you to the dr and get him to read it. This will give him a very good idea just how bad your pain is, and it will help show that you are serious and trying to be responsible in handling your pain.

Anyway, I wanted to pop on here and welcome you aboard. It can get a little slow around here on the weekends, everyone is busy I suppose. Take care and keep us posted on how you are coming along.
Posted 10/30/2010 6:11 PM (GMT 0)

   Hello ambrdylz! So sorry to hear that you're in so much pain! sad

    Here is another link to a spine Health site, that may provide some good reading for you.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/injections/medial-branch-nerve-blocks

   Hope you get to feeling better soon, and please do come back and update us. wink

   SE wink

Posted 10/31/2010 11:32 AM (GMT 0)
thankyou both for your responses it is a very long and frustrating journey trying to find the right help to suit ur needs but its always nice to no ur not on ur own :)
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