First nerve block injection- couldn't find the right nerve??

[ClearSkies]

I should have looked here before going in for my first nerve block injection to know or ask what to prepare for... but I did not.

For some reason the Dr and nurse did not explain anything, so as I was laying on the table on my stomach getting my lower back wiped down and prepped- I guess I kind of freaked out, got teary eyed and said "Whats going to happen?" The nurse explained everything that I knew already, but my big concern was feeling that needle going into my back. She put drugs into my IV (Demoral and something else that started with a P) and said I would be in a "twightlight"- well, I was by no means in a twightlight. I felt EVERYTHING. By this point, there was no stopping the tears, I could sense the Dr was annoyed with me, he was putting the needle in and occasionally hitting my nerve that runs to my leg- causing my leg to vibrate with what felt like electricity and jerk on its own. Finally he found where he was looking for- injected the medicine- and I felt my bladder light up on fire, and then subside. So, I know he must have found the right place.

Well, then he decides to do the left side. More pain as needle goes in, I am sniffling, sobbing, and burying my face in the pillow, and I beg for more in my IV- she gives me more drugs, but I felt like it was nothing at all. This time he hit the nerve that runs down my left leg 8 TIMES. I know because I counted! Each time I called out in pain, my leg jerked backwards out of my control- it felt like an electric current going from my lower back all the way down to my heel of my foot! And my crying was getting worse. I could feel the he was frustrated that he could not get the nerve on the left side- I think he kept trying so many times because he did not want to feel like he was "failing". Finally he gave up saying that he didnt want to keep torturing me. I was transferred onto another bed, and rolled into the recovery area. They asked me if I wanted some juice, all I wanted was some tissues and for privacy to get myself under control! I was SO EMBARRASSED for loosing it like that! Literally just sniffling and crying, not being able to stop. The only thing I can think of is that I was more scared than I really knew- the nurse said that one of the drugs (the one that started with a P) that she gave me does cause people to get emotional- but maybe she was just saying that to make me feel better.

Anyone ever that this problem of the Dr not being able to find the right nerve, and getting your leg nerve poked like crazy?? My lower back is KILLING me right now, how long with that last?? On a good note, my bladder is behaving itself so far (the Dr tried to explain to me that the nerve is like a tree trunk- he was able to hit one of the "branches" so that might be enough)...But at this point, I am SCARED TO DEATH to go back for another try. Also, my friend who took me said that the injection places were already black and blue just 1 hour afterwards, is that normal? I read the other posts about nerve blocks, and wow, they seemed like a snap compared to what I went through!

[mlzippy7]

I am so sorry you went through this. I have had many nerve blocks both sedated and not sedated. If they sedated you they sure did a poor job if you still felt it and knew what was going on.
I have had the bruising and back pain too in the past. I must say the nerve blocks I had done never really helped me but I do know they help many. I found a different pain clinic that had been doing epidural injections and he uses fluoroscopy.
Did you doctor use this to locate the correct position?

Hang in there and if you have any questions feel free to ask!!
Take care

[Bessie]

I have had the nerve blocks too and I also cried. I was sedated but awake enough to be able to tell my doctor when he hit the nerve. I only remember the one time and I know the pain you are talking about. I am so sorry your doctor hit it 8 times. You had every right to cry.....it hurts!! I had relief from my bladder pain for about 4 hours. I have had about 5 nerve blocks and my doctor said that it is not worth it for only 4 hours of pain relief. I did have back pain but it got better with time.
You poor thing.....I am so sorry you had to go through that horrible pain.
Hang in there and I hope you feel better soon :pray:

[Briza]

:grouphug: I'm sorry you had to go thru that. :( I think anyone of us here would be scared out of our minds and crying like crazy...if it hurts, it hurts and the emotions are going to come out. I haven't had this procedure but can relate to your fears and tears....have had other medical things done to me without being knocked out and I was like Linda Blair in the Exorcist (sp? :)) quite literally I'm embarrassed to say, and it took three or four people to hold me down and many tries and even once 10 mg of valium in my IV to calm me down enough for one particular procedure to continue. Even then I was so scared and hurting that I was still putting up a fight...even though I knew the procedure was absolutely necessary and was a medical emergency.
Since I haven't had the procedure you've had, I'm not able to give you any helpful hints on whether you should try it again or not or how you should feel afterwards. But I am sending you big ((((hugs))))) because I DO know how scary it is to not be in control and be in so much pain and wondering why the heck did I commit to this???????? Unfortunately, I have a low tolerance and a VERY long memory when it comes to pain so serious that you can't even explain how bad it is and have a habit of not going back to doctors who have hurt me, whether that was just the way it was supposed to go or not. I'm not sure that is a good or bad habit, but that's the way I have dealt with things. I hope your bladder is still feeling better, that's a good plus:) out of all of that ordeal, huh?
Thank you for sharing your experience...I could just feel your pain as I read your post, but sharing both good and bad experiences is helpful to all of us here...in making decisions on whether a certain procedure is what we want to try, and how well it works, and even if it does work, what are the side effects. Seems there are possible side effects to everything.
Again, I'm so sorry that you had to go thru that...I do hope the benefits to your bladder will make it seem worthwhile in time. :kiss:

[Dolphjoy]

I am so sorry that you had a hard time.

When I had mine, I was not sedated at all, there was a nurse who held my hand and talked me through it. I did have a lot of pokes and bruises, actually my legs kind of stopped working and I needed help getting up and walking out.

Hope you feel better soon.

Stephanie

[ClearSkies]

Thank you all for your replies- it makes me feel less like a baby about it. I saw about 3 people coming from the same procedure leaving who were looking drugged/sleepy/groggy- and my friend was shocked to see me boo-hooing and jacked up on adrenaline! I was not at all like those other people, I could have ran around the block if not for the pain in my back! All I can think of is that the IV drugs were not strong enough or perhaps I was too scared for them to work (next time I will take a Xanax about 20 min before- IF there is a next time)

To one of the questions, yes, he did use a fluoroscopy- I asked him specifically about that, "Can't you see the nerve with that x-ray machine?", he replied, "No, we don't see the nerve, just the spine, which guides me to where the nerves might be".

I iced down the injection sites last night, which helped alot. This morning the pain from that is about 1/2 less than yesterday. And I am trying not to think this too loud or type it too loud (I don't want to jinx myself, or have my bladder overhear this, hehe!!) but so far-- still my bladder remains very calm and very pain free--and should I dare to type it-- Normal??!!! No mad scramble this AM for the daily long acting drugs- but I took them anyways- just in case. But I will be interested to see if I will taking a Percocet for breakthrough today. Keeping my fingers crossed- maybe that little shop of horrors yesterday might have been worth it!!

Thank you all again for helping me not feel like such a weenie-and your comments meant more to me, as usual, than you will ever know--
:grouphug:

[marsi4]

Hi Clearskies,


I had a very similar experience as you, but I have had much worse than that done to me. Don't worry about it . The back pain will get better in a week or so. The nerve block did nothing for me and it wasn't pleasant. If it didn't help you I wouldn't recommend you have anymore done. That's what my doctor told me. I was happy that I didn't get any nerve damage when it was all over.

Marsi4

[jen74]

My pain doc mentioned getting these spinal injections, but I am very leary of it since it involves the spine.
Jen

[ClearSkies]

Marsi- So sorry to hear your experience was worse than that! I can't imagine! Actually, yes, the injection pain went away after about 3 days... and I actually think I have experienced some benefits!! I wanted to wait a little longer to post how I have been feeling (my period is due any day now, wanted to see how that would feel)... so keeping my fingers crossed!

Jen- I was leary of it, too! If he had not poked repeatedly on my left side, it would have been tolerable. As I said above, I think I am seeing some help from it, will post an update soon. Don't totally dismiss the idea, cause there have been people who get benefits from it! But just ask questions and don't go in emotional like I did! If there are any questions that I can answer about it- please feel free to pm me!

Will post an update soon- probably after next pain appt this Saturday--

Good luck to all,
CSkies

[sweetpea_ae]

Boy did I think I was crazy until I saw your post!!! Thank god you had some kind of sedation and pain meds. I had the same thing done fully awake and listening to docs argue about what exactly they were going to do as I was being prepped. I have never been so scared in my life!! I had a panic attack coming out and they acted as if I was the biggest hypochondriac they had ever seen. But just how do we know what is normal or not if this has never been done to us? Guess I should of researched more. It is so humiliating to ask for meds when they act like there is no reason for it. Needless to say I will never be back to this doc and I am still searching for adequate pain control. Feel blessed once again that you are getting help with the pain. Some of us can only pray for it. But thanks for being so candid with your post. It helped me realize I'm not alone.

[ClearSkies]

Sweetpea-
Sorry to hear that you had to go through that :( I, too, felt under-informed going in. I knew what the procedure was basically, but I think every smart person starts to have doubts when it concerns long needles, your back, and a "guess" of ANY kind. I hope that you find someone else for your pain, soon! My Dr was arguing with the nurse, as well, it makes you feel like you are a small child- and without control. There is hope for you to find someone skilled, many have found good doctors- btw- I didn't follow this rule myself, but I will next time... Schedule your appointment to be the first (or close to the first) of the day. I was the LAST one, and I think that was part of his frustration. Good luck to you!

[CarolinTexas]

I am so sorry that happened to you! I always have a twilight with Versed, Fentanyl and an anti-nausea medication. No idea what you received. I've never had Demoral in about 30 similar twilights at various hospitals with different docs.

Did you find out the name of the nerve they hit? I'm curious.

Incidentally, I am trying the spinal epidural methods at the moment. My first night was a nightmare like yours.

It's awful because when you are in a hospital or surgery center, you expect to have your pain treated. Instead you had to have felt trapped!

They should have stopped if it was hitting your leg, what if you spasmed so badly their needles moved and damaged something? What a betrayal of trust.

Better luck next time,
Carol