Facet injections this afternoon

[Nana4&cntn]

Hi All,

Today is the day for my facet blocks. I have never had them before, but the doc doing them says I should have immediate relief for the next 2 days. The I will have to wait for the steroids to kick in. I have meant to ask for info from others who have had these done. I will be injected in the L3/4 and L4/5, he is not sure he can get into the 4/5 as there are cages in there, not much mobility. I will also be having a trigger point injection in my Rt shoulder as the spasm is still there and is a huge area. Kind of like where wings would be if I were an angel. LOL I am definitely NO angel!!

Take care, I will post the experience when I get back.
Kathy

[Kathi49]

Kathy,

Good luck with these! :)

I know others have said they didn't work or don't help. But for me...they normally work wonderfully! And, yep, you should be numb for several hours and then as you said, it takes awhile for steroid to kick in. You may be sore after the numbing agent wears off. What I usually do is to put a cold pack wherever they are done (neck, lumbar have had both areas done) and keep them on for about 20-25 minutes. Just kind of alternate back and forth for awhile. Then in a couple of days or so you can use heat IF you need to. I hope you can get some relief and I am jealous right now LOL! Just kidding. But, yes, post back about your experience as soon as you feel up to it.

[Mark N]

Kathy, I hope all went well today and you are getting some relief tonight. I haven't had any success with ESIs but once it determined that I had IDD it was no wonder they didn't help me. Rest up and post to us when you are up to it.

[Bobbi]

I hope that the injections work as well for you as they have for me.

As Kathi did mention, you might possibly feel a temporary worsening of symptoms prior to feeling better... after the 24 or so hours and the numbing agents wear off.

[Kathi49]

Kathy,

Come out, come out wherever you are. :)

We are all hoping you did and are doing okay. So, please post when you can. :)

[Nana4&cntn]

Alleallactonfree!!

Or how ever it goes, easier to say than type!!

Well, I had the Facet's or half or them. The doc had told me he wasn't sure he could get the L4/5 as I have those cages in there. He tried just could do it. The L3/4 went well, and I am glad as there is some pain relief that was generating from there. I also had 3 trigger points in my Rt sloulder, that has been the best of all. We shall see what happens tomorrow after all the pain med is gone and then when the steroids kick in.

OK, now the scary part, when I was going to get dressed my right leg wouldn't hold any weight.:eek: It just crumbled under me, the poor nurse was a bit worried. Called the doc in and asked him to explain what might be going on. He said it is very possible he nicked a nerve trying for the L4/5 facet.

I got home and was able to get up the step using the left leg and my mom bless her soul helped the right one up. I had a banister on 1 side and the cane on the other. I finally got full feeling back late last night.

I am sore, but other than that I am doing okay. I am sorry I didn't post afterward as I was a bit freaked out also and just needed to stay in one spot. If I ever get wireless router set up it won't matter where I plop my behind.

Thank You All for you support and concern, you folks have been the best thing to happen to me in a long time. Aside from my grand children. I don't know where I would be without you!!

Take care and thanks again!!
Kathy

[Kathi49]

Kathy,

Glad you are doing better and I don't blame you for finding a spot last night and just plop. :) My husband had something similar like that happen today but I will post that in a different thread.

[Nana4&cntn]

Kathi,

The pain is back full force, maybe when the steroids kick in I will feel better. No sleep tonight. The trigger point injection in the shoulder has worked wonderfully. I really was hoping to have results faster, I know I am being impatient.LOL The pain I am feeling is probably the L4/5 he was unable to get to. AAARRRGGG. I really despise these cages, sometimes they feel like they are trying to push themselves out.

I am going to be patient, I am going to be patient, my new mantra!! I should know if the steroids will work in the next few days?

Kathy