Facet Injections Today

[Kathi49]

I had them done at C2/C3 bilaterally. And then at L4/L5/S1 left side. Not pleasant of course and I guess pretty inflamed once again. What I found out is something I didn't know. I always thought he used Kenalog but he isn't. The last few injections have been Celestone. I just happened to ask the nurse about it since these injections were more than I usually get so I was just asking in terms of blood sugar. She said he was finding or is finding that Celestone works better. I just assumed it was Kenalog because that is what was used in past years. Anyway, that was interesting.

Then I noticed that some people were getting sedation but I thought they were getting away from that; Versed that is. The nurse said they ARE trying to get away from it in terms of a nursing or staffing standpoint; it just takes people a little while longer to recover. But since he is usually fairly quick with these they would prefer it if you take Valium or something similar. That's NOT to say they WON'T do sedation. I could ask for it I just haven't been.

Anyway, I did take 5mg of Valium before going and felt a little sleepy when I got there. And pretty calm. But he was running a half an hour behind and while I was sitting there I was thinking should I take more Valium just in case. But I didn't. But just the waiting was causing me to get a little anxious.

So, of course he was teasing me when he was done. He asked me how much Valium I had taken so I told him 5mg. He laughed and said next time take 10mg. He said he could tell it was hurting pretty bad although I did my best not to say much. It was the right side C2/C3 and the left S1 where I think I might have moaned or said something. Anyway, those areas were the worst of the ouchies. :) I just don't like facet injections; they always hurt the worst and probably because they are just a mess.

But the good news is is that if these work or whatever, RF it is. That last RF worked wonderfully. I wanted to say...good...nuke those suckers! Oh, but I do have to go back and have the C7 done in another month. But that will be a different type of injection.

And it felt wonderful when done. No pain in my neck or rather the back of my head or left leg whatsoever. Pain was ZERO! No knee pain either! And my left foot felt like a totally normal foot for once...no pain there either! And I know it was the numbing medicine but it felt GREAT to ride home feeling that way. I felt as if I could take a long trip anywhere. Anyway, I was watching to see how my leg felt as I walked around even if a bit strange since it was sort of numb. So, I was a bit dizzy and stumbled around for a bit and held onto my husband.

The funny part is and don't laugh because I don't quite understand it. But since I have pelvic floor dysfunction there is always some kind of pain or pressure. I just had to ask the nurse about it. I noticed it was kind of painfree or numb in that area too. She said something to the effect that by doing the S1 it might have spilled over a bit and that's why I wasn't feeling any pain in that area. But she did laugh. And I just wanted to know because everything just felt better. :)

Okay, well I know the numbing medicine will wear off and there may be an increase in pain for a couple of days. I am really waiting for the jitters to hit. So, that is pretty much that other than I will put ice on everything later on as I did when I got home.

[Mark N]

Kathi, I hope the next couple of days aren't too bad for you as your nerves settle down from the injections. Maybe you will be getting the RF next and have months of good pain relief. Thanks for the up-date.

[slipnslide]

I'm so happy that the injections worked and afforded you such great pain relief! That's awesome:D. I remember when my RF worked on my neck pain, it lasted an entire year on the side they did:). As far as the pelvic floor dysfunction, "don't look a gift horse in the mouth!";)....take all the pain relief you can get even if it doesn't fit the normal outcome after an injection:).

[Kathi49]

Thanks Mark and Kim,

I'll see how it goes for the next couple of weeks. I just meant that the NUMBING medicine felt great for several hours yesterday. Now, I have to wait...you know how that goes Kim. :rolleyes::) This morning I seem to be doing okay. At least my left leg feels somewhat functional for now. I don't get the pelvic floor bit but honestly I could tell a difference. And I should have clarified; the PT helped with that. But sometimes the sacral area or the tailbone will twinge and ache. That's what I meant by I didn't feel that usual pressure. Anyway, as you said...I will take whatever relief I can get. :)

And Kim, I forgot to put this in my story but it will make you laugh. I wore a nice pair of white capris yesterday and sandals. Anyway, the nurse had brought me a sheet prior to the injections because the rooms were freezing. And my feet were blocks of ice. So, I just carried that in with me for the procedure. Since I was face down I couldn't see how they were adjusting the sheets and such but could feel them tucking them in and around. And then of course they scrubbed or cleaned the area. When I was done the nurse said, OMG, I am so sorry but there is Iodine all over the tops of your pants. She said just just thought that my white pants were part of the sheets and just accidently got some Iodine on them. And she was apologizing all over the place. But I laughed... I don't care! If Iodine is the only thing I have to worry about being on my slacks, it is the very LEAST of my worries. :) Now I just have to figure out how to get it out if I can. But I wasn't mad...worse things have happened. ;) Oh, and DH immediately asked...what is that orange stuff all over the back of your pants LOL!

[slipnslide]

LOL...Kathi, I thought for sure you were going to say that you bled through the bandaids they applied to the injection areas;). I had that happen to a new pair of white undies I had worn to one of my abdominal RF procedures.:o Wow, iodine? I'm thinking you may have to just wear a shirt that covers the section with the iodine if bleach doesn't take it all out;).

[Kathi49]

Washing those slacks now Kim. :) But you are probably right...I will either have to wear a shirt over them which I do anyway. Or just trash them. It was funny though. Well, sure, I didn't like the fact that they got stained but c'mon if that is all I ever had to worry about, I would be happy. Nah, this was just a minor thing. And I know the nurse felt bad. But no biggie. t think I was just happy that the ordeal was over with. :)

And about the bandaids. Nope, I have never bled through them. When I took the bandaids off last night there were just one tiny little speck. Sooo, maybe when we have these procedure we should just wear something old where we won't care if it gets ruined. ;)

[Spiney]

Those few hours after a procedure are pure extacy for me...........xylocaine etc. Don't be alarmed if you experience a bit of a flair for a few days. After all, the doc did slip a needle in there and root around and the nerves tend to get a bit annoyed. Hopefully, things will quiet down quickly and you will begin to notice some improvement. Fingers crossed and best wishes.

[Spiney]

BTW, remember that you are a customer as well as a patient. YOUR needs and desires are to be taken very seriously. My dear pain doc used to use minimal sedation with me................something close to a bullet to bite on. After all of these years, my back appears to be made of cast iron and I tend to quietly put up with all sorts of nonsene.

Eventually, I announced that age has its priviledge and if he wanted to go rooting around again, he was to use the greatest amount of lite anesthesia and just make certain that he doesn't kill me. Is he pleased? Not particularly but what is he to do with this patient that he has had for nine years who has never tossed a red flag? I work my butt off in therapy and have never been late for an appointment or asked for some sort of med. related favor. Nope, he just does what it takes to shut me up.................short of killing me.

[Kathi49]

Spiney,

LOL! Don't worry I am used to these injections; have had plenty through years. That's probably why I don't ask for Versed anymore. Not that I am stoic or anything but I can tolerate them even if they do hurt. It was in the beginning...8 years ago or so that I really did cry with them. But, I had Residents doing them with the Director overseeing it all. Oh boy, that was pure torture but I guess they have to learn somehow. They just took longer. Too bad I was the guinea pig. And btw that was at the IU Medical Center; a teaching/research hospital.

And you are right..pure heaven when going home. I never feel a thing. So for those short few hours I feel pretty darn good. The nerves are a little ticked off today but not too bad. And, yes, I can ask for Versed but just don't feel it is really worth the effort. But if it is an RF, YES, give me everything you have in your arsenal LOL! I guess because it is over with in a short time I just feel I can kind of bite the bullet and deal. Not pleasant, but not horrible. :) Actually, I think my PM felt kind of bad and he did use plenty of numbing med it is the getting there as they go deeper...you know what I mean; guess that's why he said to take 10mg of Valium and not just 5. But this was different yesterday...I usually get one or possibly two injections but not this many. So, he just knew that it hurt and I know I tense up a bit. Anyway, it was just enough to say ouch a couple of times especially when he got down deep and that split second of a pain response.

Kim,

The pants came TOTALLY clean by the way. I used some Spray N Wash and it all came out. So, if anyone ever gets Iodine on their slacks or whatever, it will come out. :)

[Nana4&cntn]

Kathi,

I am wishing you long lasting relief from these injection!

Also happy to hear the spray n wash worked on you pants.

I guess I am a wimp as I always as for the versed! I just don't want to feel anything and I get so tense it is harder for the Doc to get the needle in.

Take care............Kathy

[Kathi49]

Kathy,

Thank you. :)

Believe me, I love Versed LOL! I have nothing against it at all. And trust me, I was REAL wimpy at first...in the beginning stages of all this. Case in point...when I went for the first time to see my newer PM, my sister had to hold me up I was shaking with fear so bad. But...when he was done, I was amazed! It did NOT hurt as badly as the previous ones did. It is kind of hard to explain I guess. Sure, I get anxious because no one that I know loves these things...including me. :) But I have been with him so long now I kind of know what to expect. I DO tense up...but there has been only ONE time that he had trouble doing an injection on the right side of my neck; facet it was at that time too. He did offer to stop and have me come back but I told him...no let's just get 'er done. And there have been times when he has done injections and it didn't hurt at all. I think that kind of surprised him since he said the SNRB's people hate the most and that facets were usually easier on people...something like that anyway. But for me it is the opposite...probably because my facets/nerves are inflamed most of the time. I don't know it is just odd...sometimes it is pretty painful and at other times not too bad. So, maybe it all just comes down to what is actually going on and truly who is doing it.

Oh, and I have to add this. My husband had his first SNRB done not too long ago. He told me later it hurt like heck! But what made me feel good and not making of light of how he felt. He did say, "I never really knew why you cried with those shots sometimes because they never hurt me and I don't live in your body so how could I really know. But now I know why and about came off the table. How you get them in your neck I will never know but at least now I can feel your pain." So, he gets it now. :) But see...all he ever had done was ESI's until this last one. He said the jolt down his leg was bad! :eek:

[Pike]

I am glad they helped you, I get instant relief for several months or until I do something dumb …

For sedation I really like it when Propoful is used, if my spelling is correct.

I am knocked out and awake – with recall in 17-20 minutes, I am a little giddy or off would describe it better, valium and some of the others … can … make a person sort of drunk with the same behavior traits of an intoxicated person causing issues if you wake with a needle still in your back.

No Dr wants a patient squirming around trying to dance or sing with a needle so close to the spinal cord :)

Pike

[Kathi49]

Pike,

LOL! I know! I have NEVER squirmed or danced around...believe me! I was too afraid to even breathe practically. I KNOW...one false move and look out! :eek: But you are right the giddy feeling causes me to walk around like I am intoxicated but sort of dissipates after awhile. Guess that's why they tell us we need a driver when doing the neck in particular. ;) Honestly, all I said that day was...oh, that one hurt! So, I think he just felt bad because it hurt and why he said to take a little more Valium. I just thought 5mg would be enough. But the wait was longer than expected so sitting there just made me anxious...sort of like hurry and wait when in fact if I had just gone straight in I probably wouldn't have been so anxious. Plus, the fact that these were more than usual was playing on my mind. So, the next time I will just dope myself up and not care LOL! Just teasing but you know what I mean.

Yesterday, though either I had some "roid rage" or something but I was easily ticked off by people. No one here LOL! Just edgy with everyone I was talking to. And it didn't help for daughter of mine to tell me of her crisis moments which weren't really crises at all. Ugh, just trying to get through to her about certain things just brought out the "tough love" in me and then I felt sort of bad for coming down on her. But, oh, well, she knows I meant well...it was just bad timing. ;) All is well now though. :)

[Nana4&cntn]

Kathi,

I am sorry your Hubby had to go thru the pain, but, at least he now understands just what you go thru. I am hoping you both get long term pain relief.:D

Have a great Day,
Kathy

[Kathi49]

Thanks Kathy,

I am doing just great today. Still have a little of the roid rage going on if that is what it really is! It is just an edginess really. But I did get out with my best friend today for lunch and we shopped around for a little bit. It was fun; I vented, she vented and we just laughed our tail ends off. So, yep, it did me good to just set everything aside for a little bit and get out and have some fun. And there is not much pain at all in my left leg or my neck. But let me see how it goes and how long it might last.

And, yes, hubby understands it. He did get a wee bit testy last night because he worked late and was tired. He was upset that I didn't take the trash out. So, once again, I had to explain that I had just had those shots and I wasn't doing ANY lifting or hefting. But he apologized this morning. He just sort of unloaded because of his own work stress. Plus, he had just been told a few hours before he came home that he had to fly out to the Pentagon today. So, I know that didn't sit well. I shouldn't even be talking about this LOL! I only mention it because yes he does get it, but at times he forgets. ;) Oh, well, it is just a lot of give and take...you know how marriage is. :)

[Spiney]

My first block was over 20 years ago. It was done blind by an anesthesiologist who put you out. My daughter took me and on our way home, she went into labor........and the car broke down. I sat there in the front seat laughing my arse off. Thankfully, her father-in-law happened to drive by and found us in that state and took charge.

[Jo6]

this is one for the books! lol:D I'm glad it all worked out for you as well as daughter.:)

Kathie, I'm glad you are doing well. Just hope its still going good this morning. Take care and stop that dancing until tomorrow. Especialy the Shag.:p I know its fun, but who knows what damage I would have doing that one anymore:p Jo

[Kathi49]

Spiney,

I mean to answer you yesterday...I am so sorry. :o OMG! That is one for the books! I can just imagine the confusion and stress. And I can just imagine laughing too; sometimes that happens in moments of extreme stress...how well I know. I, too am glad that it all worked out okay. :)

Thanks Jo,

The injections are working just great! However, I am having thoracic spasms that are about ready to take the wind of out me. At least that is what I think they are. It is really more muscular in nature but my PM wanted to do some facet injections there too awhile back. I should have had him go ahead but at that precise moment in his office they weren't occuring so I told him to hold off. I think I will just lie down while I can and just rest. And don't worry about any dancing LOL! There is no way! Well, I could if it weren't for these spasms but I am not risking it. ;)