An ESI 10 weeks after surgery?

[Domzy]

Hi everyone,

Back in DecemberI had neck surgery, my hardware was fractured and alsdo all the testing I found out that my surgery for C5-6 did not fuse, so he went in and removed the hardware, did a revision and put in new hardware.

Since December I have been in bad pain. The back of my neck hurts, and I also have burning almost crushing pain in my right arm.

My o/s suggesting getting an ESI , he said it was a 50/50 shot of getting relief, at this point I am willing to try anything.

I am having the ESI on Tuesday so we shall see......

In a million years I never dreamed that as a result of September's car accident, I would be going through all this stuff!

Sorry for whining, just getting really tired of it.

Kathy

[Nana4&cntn]

Kathy, I am s sorry you seem to be in a snow ball effect. The more you do the worse it gets. To me, I would see nothing wrong with giving an ESI a shot (no pun intended). I am praying for you to get some relief from it!

My only question is will scar tissue growth from surgery be exacerbated by the steroids? I am not sure I would really care at the point you are now, pain wise.

Good Luck, and let us know how things turn out,
Kathy

[lobelsteve]

I have been consulted in the hospital to perform ESI after spine surgery (24-48 hrs) post-op. The surgeon saw a purple nerve root that was compressed and did not want to manipulate it after pulling a disc off of it. So she called me the next day to ease things off.

[slipnslide]

Kathy,

I'm so sorry you are having to go through all this and having such rotten luck with the ACDF surgery and the revision.:( I hope you are one of the lucky ones who gets awesome relief from the ESI. Good luck on Tuesday. Come back and let us know how it goes and if it works:).

Kim

[Domzy]

Hi everyone,

Well, I had the ESI yesterday afternoon, it wasn't bad.

I am in alot of pain today, headache, neck pain, arm pain, my poor body can't handle much more. I had a headache so bad last night I didn't sleep at all. I'm just glad I don't have to work today. I had to cut down my working hours and it just breaks my heart. I used to be so busy and active and now my favorite past time is looking at the clock to see if I can take my next dose of poison uuuumm lol medication. I have to be more positive! the PM doctor said it would take 3 to 5 days to see if it works or not so I have my fingers crossed. He did tell me I would be in pain. He said that with all the hardware in my neck he didn't have alot of room to put the medication.

Crossing my fingers that this works.

Kathy *smallheart*smallheart

[Nana4&cntn]

Kathy, I am so sorry you are in so much pain! The ESI's typically take a few days to a week to help the pain. I haven't had very good luck with them myself, although others here have had great success. Can you ask your doc for a sleep?

I do understand the clock watching as it happens to me from time to time. Did your doc give you break through meds for times like this? I know probably a dumb question since you are still in so much pain.

I hope you are able to get some sleep today, I am keeping you in my thoughts!
Kathy

[Mark N]

Kathy, sorry to hear of all your pain. I hope you find that in a few days you are getting some relief. I understand your comment about not believing a car accident would have you in this shape. It is too bad that your accident started this with you but hopefully the recent surgery and your ESI will get you on track to healing up.

[Domzy]

Hi Everyone,

Well, I got about 4 hours of sleep last night and woke up in excruiating pain!

I don't know what is wrong with me and I am really scared, I am at the point of not being able to write with my right hand, the pen just drops.

I do have an appointment this afternoon with my o/s and my husband is coming with me. I think sometimes it helps to have someone with you who see's the agony you go through.I am also worried that if he see's fusion starting, I won't have to go back for six moonths for a final ex-ray. My o/s is prescribing my pain medication and has been wonderful about it So I don't know what will happen I have to talk to him and see.

I feel slightly better this morning my headache is totally gone, I just have the regular pain. I would like to ask him about getting breakthrough medication also brcause when the pain is really bad the medication doesn't last the full time.

Thank You for listening to my saga, you guys are wonderful.

Kathy*hoppinstar

[Mark N]

Kathy, don't you just hate waking up from a good sleep with such pain:(. It is good to hear that you are feeling better and the headache is gone. I hope the pain you have now becomes what you deal with during the rest of your recovery because it sounds like the good kind of pain.

I agree it is good to have our spouses go with us. Not only do they see what we go through each day but they can ask questions we forget and help keep things straight as pain interferes with our thought process. Good luck with your appointment and I hope you don't have any more days of excrutiating pain.

[Domzy]

Hi Everyone:

I had my appointment with my o/s yesterday. He did an ex-ray of my neck, he really studied it (made me scared) and I am just starting to fuse and he is not happy with it. He said by now I should be much further along.

As far as the weakness in my arm and hand I have to have an EMG that I will schedule this morning. Then come babk to see him

And WooHoo I got up the nerve to ask for breathrough medication. He gave me a script for oxy IR 5mgs which no one has.....figures. I got a whole list of pharmacies to call this morning and if I can't find it, I will call his office and ask for something else.

He is the nicest man, on the way out he grabbed my arm and said he will see this thru to the end, and he see's in my eyes how much I am suffering.

That's the update.

Take care,


Kathy*hoppinstar