I am getting epidural injex in a couple of weeks...dr decided of course...but I was reading online, that there are several types of injex: medial branch, epidural, etc

DOES anyone know how they know which ones to start with? I read that the epidural is for the whole area per se, and that the medial branch helps with specific facets. MY PT thinks it's my facets...of course we all know that the dr doesn't read her reports : /

I'm preparing a list of ? for my neuro to find out why epidurals. And they are a temp solution.

My other ?: I wonder if getting the injex will delay actual 'healing' if there is such a thing after 5 mos.

Blessings still, Vee

My luck with epidural steroid injections hasn't thrilled me but hopefully you will get some pain relief. I've actually talked to people who had it done and they had 3-5 mths pain free.

Also, most docs will do the injections in a series of 3. Some docs schedule all 3 injections one month apart so by the end of 3 mths they are hoping you will get better, more lasting relief.

Mine didn't do that. He did one level, then told me to call him when the pain returned.

He will pretty much know what levels you need doing by doing a physical exam of your neck. If he presses on your neck and you get high pain, he will start with that one.

Also, injections do NOT slow down the healing process, it is done so the patient can get a "break" from their pain (even if it's only a couple weeks).

I know you all have so many post to read and may even feel bad if you can't get to them all--not to mention, 'the new replys to your new post' : O

My neuro said, I'll get a series of 3. I was just wondering why he chose epidurals? I'll ask him I guess. Maybe because my MRI's show 'normal'? I was reading online last night about the diff injx...

I was thinking maybe I'm 'too early' into this to consider facet joints? so the priority is pain relief now...

such an enigma.

Blessings, Vee

Vee, pleasedon't jump into these! These are given (usually) as last ditch efforts to give us some relief. Mine came after 10 months and did no good. As others have pointed out (please make a notebook with your qestions and the answers so your mind will settle down a bit) it is VERY costly! MANY people don't end up getting them paid for and I for one wouldn't want to face that bill!

Also BEFORE you even THINK of these PLEASE, PLEASE consider all the other things you should have been doing for months - things that WILL help you! Muscle relaxers are VERY important with your type of pain and of course massage therapy. Even Chiro (not a fan here) should at least be tested BEFORE getting ANY injections!

Most importantly, find 3-4 days off in a row (since you don't want to drive on vicadon) and take some every 4-6 hours until evening (taking something else to sleep at night) and do this for all 3-4 days. GETTING ONTOP, OR IN FRONT OFF YOUR PAIN IS SO IMPORTANT!

IF you do this, let me know how much difference it makes -- it will be a world apart from where you are!

It will also show that you ARE listening and that you DO want to have some good days. Then you can get muscle relaxers (should have had from day one and better to have for your 3-4 day test WITH the pain meds) and schedule some massage therapy. When you have taken the steps we all take daily you will notice the improvement and understand WHY people are BEGGING you to do it!

If you don't, you will show you really don't want to feel better and you consider our advice to be garbage. You Doctor has given you the pills if you choose not to take them properly, I too, give up!

Is taking 3 days off from all this pain and crap just not worth it or what?

Vee
Once you figure out how your body will react to the vicodin, you will be more comfortable driving and doing your daily tasks while on them. Sky and anonymous are right in that you need to stay ahead of the pain. Take them on schedule every day and you will notice a differance. Yes your body does get used to the dose, but that is after a long long time. You dont need to worry about that, youve only been on for a week. I was on the 5/500 for almost a year before I got upped to a stronger dose. Everybody is differant though, one lady said she was on the same dose for almost 10 years! Just because your body gets used to the dose DOES NOT mean you are addicted. You dont need to worry about addiction. You need to focus on feeling better and getting your pain under control at this point.
Yes, please really THINK about jumping into the injections. I would look into massage and the muscle relaxers. Those 2 things right there are key factors in my life. Well those and vicodin.
You dont want to get stuck with a huge bill. My auto insurance is paying everything for me right now so I have a little more lee-way to do what I think will work. But once that stops, I really need to think long and hard about my options. Please, we are trying to help you here. Most of the people have been dealing with this for years and have been thru lots of procedures. Please listen to what they have to say. Just because your doctor is telling you injections is what you need to do does not mean that is the best thing for YOU. Ask him about massage therapy and about the muscle relaxers and let us know what he says.

Yes Vee everybody is right about the injections.I can tell you right now Ive spent about 30,000 for injections and I am not done.My auto insurance has paid there limit the 30,000 plus is all mine of course health insurance pays some but I also pay alot.My personal opion is epidurals are a waste of thausands of dollars but everyone reacts different to them for me it was a joke that cost alot.Please do listen and try everything before you jump into injections also they are not much fun and can cause lots of problems later in life.Listen to us we know were been down that road.Five months is to early for injections they may just want your money and theyll make you broke.

And a hello to Red, Sky, Marisa & Kay. I know your pain and all I can say is after 6 yrs with some of the best neuorosurgen, pain mgt, good PCP, Pt therapist. All that is out the door. None of them take medicaid so I had to find new docs-my PCP is way out there, nigerian so I can only catch part of what he's saying, but he gives me my meds. Other day I went in there and my blood pressure was
160/100 and said thats' pretty high so he gave me meds (funny but for several months my bp has been high but doc doesn't let me get in aqua therapy which is in the pool.

Sorry to run on and on-I get so passionate reading the posts-I'm dedicated, RED, don't worry I'm not going anywhere. I'm not going away. I need to be on here not only for you guys, but for myself-it helps to talk on her as much as we want and as long as we want and no one will get away from the incident.