Update on my back and toes situation
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
United States
November 5, 2011 4:45am CST
Hi folks.. I told you I had the MRI I think.. well the results were called to me yesterday that I have 2 bulging discs pressing into the nerve roots. The doc had suggested physical therapy, but then decided it probably wouldn't do much good and since I don't have daily transportation, that this would be an issue. I asked about a nerve block, because I had had some about 15 years ago... and she said they won't help this... so she suggested I go to a pain clinic to have an epidural done for pain management.
The doc is going to set up the appointment for me.. I read that these can be done with IV anesthesia and they can use fluoroscopy to guide the needle. I am really nervous about this.. the only epidurals I've had is for childbirth and for my two knee replacement surgeries... and there was no sedation for them.. they were awful. For my knee surgeries they tried to put a catheter into my epidural space, but they couldn't get it in and just did it with a needle. I'm not sure if they will put a cath in or not.. not sure if they leave a catheter in place or not.
Has anyone ever had an epidural for pain management? How was it done? How did you tolerate it? Please share.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@AmbiePam (120692)
• United States
8 Nov 11
I've had six of them. They aren't that bad at all. They won't be worse than anything you haven't already had done. Just make sure to follow the recovery instructions. They just want you to rest afterward. I made the mistake after one of them to go to lunch out. By the time I got home my back was very sore.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
8 Nov 11
I had a series of 8 nerve blocks... but only three epidurals in my life. Those were for numbing my legs and for childbirth. I remember the pain from having the epidurals done for my knee replacement surgery. They also gave me sedation, but I woke up while they were doing the drilling in my bone... they just told me to go back to sleep and I did.
I'm not sure why the doc won't do the epidural herself, why she is sending me to a pain clinic, I just don't know.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (120692)
• United States
10 Nov 11
The pain clinic is specialized. They have equipment to zero in on the area and get the epidural right the first time. It's fairly quick and I don't think you'll feel any kind of drilling. I'd almost guarantee it. I was not sedated and I did just fine. And you are tougher than me.
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
8 Nov 11
oh poor PQ I never had an epidural so far, I only had these nerve blocks but they were very painful and useless as well so I hopw this epidural will not be as bad as the ones you already had and will of course help you.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
8 Nov 11
Hi RitterSport,
I had 3 epidurals in my lifetime... hurt like the dickens too. I had nerve blocks before and they helped, but the doc says they won't help this time.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
5 Nov 11
I just had an epidural for childbirth but it wasn't that bad. I wish you wll
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
6 Nov 11
I had one for childbirth and two for my knee replacement surgeries... not fun at all..
