Nerve Block? SOMEONE PLEASE RESPOND

**MakinIT** · 02-18-2004, 05:22 AM

Hi folks

I'm becoming tolerant to my morphine dosage so rather than upping it, my docs all got together and decided that a nerve block (injecting something into my spine ) would be dandy for me. Problem is, I'm nearly vomitting at the thought. I don'tlike it one bit. I've talked to the nurses at each of the offices and they've patted me on the head and told me not to worry. I see the pain doc next week, I guess just to explain. Idon't think he's doing the procedure then. Have any of you done this, and how did it go, what was the preocedure? I had a terrible experience with an epidural during my second childbirth and am shaking just thinking about this. I don't want to do this.

Someone please respond....thannks

**ICNJess** · 02-18-2004, 05:38 AM

I had a caudal block (very similar to a nerve block) and it did absolutely nothing for my pain. It hurt a little but it didn't help at all!

**lisa35** · 02-18-2004, 08:59 AM

I had a series of three injections, one, every other week. I was a bit sore through my mid section the day after but the actual injection process was quite easy for me. They gave me Versed(sp) and I really don't remember a thing. I had pain relief for a few hours after but nothing long lasting. I felt it was worth a try but I believe the relief period is quite short.

Wishing you better days,

Lisa

**Jessica in Arkansas** · 02-18-2004, 10:12 AM

Decnie,
I hope everything goes well and you get the outcome you need.
I already told you I had the Stellate Ganglion Nerve Block and it really did relieve sooooo much pain, I have not worked for 2 years now and I am feeling better and am working on resumes, there are still bad days, I eat naughty stuff and it has it's toll!!!
It has been 4 months since the last block but I would do it again in a heartbeat if my IC get's that bad again!
Much luck to you!
Much luck for a great outcome!
My prayers are with you
Jessica Day
JessicainArkansas
svohboy@earthlink.net

**Dixiefireball** · 02-18-2004, 10:27 AM

I Have had two nerve blocks done threw the spine. it was helpful for me for seven days the first one and the second one lasted 2 weeks. If you decide to do this it could be helpful i was at the point i was sick of taking another pill and was sick of living in pain so i tried it. You may want to give it a shot it might be your answer.
they give you a local before they begin. so you should be relax.
good luck hon and let us know what you decide to do.

**MakinIT** · 02-18-2004, 01:33 PM

I still say they, seriously, are going to have me tie me down to do it. I managed to get my mind off if for awhile today then went back to the boards and am now shaky and sweaty again. Hopefully, they will give me versed. I've had that pre op for other stuff and didn't care what theheck they did with me. Turn me upside down and hang me by my toes, I'd giggle all the way through. There will be some serious fighting in mudville without some sedation if they dont give it to me.

BTW...Did it make your legs feel funny, like an epidural. Thanks for the replies..at least I'm not alone...I slept all day today...that is what stress does to me

**Dixiefireball** · 02-19-2004, 12:34 AM

the first one they tried i walked out of there fine My legs didnt feel numb but with the second one my legs felt numb from my waist to my knees but i still walked out of there i was ready to go.

**MakinIT** · 02-19-2004, 02:52 AM

Okee dokee...we shall see what happens at that moment in time. I will prob be much like my cat was this weekend when he had his 40 stiches and came too, realizing what the heck had happened tohim. (it wasn't pretty)

Where'd the Greamlins go? I miss 'em!!

**ICNJess** · 02-19-2004, 05:18 AM

Tracey,

When I had mine, I had a versed drip and I was very drowsy, they told me I could sleep if I want to.

**Ginny** · 02-19-2004, 05:27 AM

I had 5 nerve blocks done. They were a piece of cake. They put you out. You don't feel a thing. It's done once a week for a few weeks.
Of course, you need someone to drive you home.
They did not help me at all.

If you are this scared you don't have to do it. It is your decision, not there's.

Ginny

**MakinIT** · 02-19-2004, 08:34 AM

BIG SHUDDER.....y'all have to understand, I have an epidural that went horribly wrong. Just thinking about doing this is making me want to down about 4 or 5 of my valium tablets. And I honestly have tosay, I prob. have been through more medical procedures than the average "joeette"....I was paralyzed for a year at 20 years of age, and to behonest, it's been all down hill since in terms of auto immune (it was auto immune that did the paralysis) I'm seeing my shrink tomorrow. Maybe he can give me some help to get past this because I am ready to just toss my cookies. (girl scout, that is...anyone else got a ton of cookies sitting at their home because of a Brownie living amongst them?)

Thanks for your support...I will definately demand very politely that I get the versed and make sure he knows my hx with the epidural gone bad.

you are all great....as my Yoga instructor says...breathe all the way to your diaphragm... Oh yeah..exhale too! Ha, ha...

**Jeanine** · 02-19-2004, 08:53 PM

I know how stressful new procedures can be. You feel so miserable at the time that you want to do anything to make the pain go away but then....

I was diagnosed with IC this past July and had bounced from doctor to doctor two years prior before I was actually diagnosed. My biggest complaint is the pain in my right pelvic region but I also have suffered from lower back pain and leg pain.

After doing much research I decided to go to a Pain Management Specialist to discuss my pelvic pain. After scheduling the appointment, his nurse called and said the doctor would probably do a procedure so I should bring someone to drive me. I could not sleep the night before because of the anxiety but let's face it...if you have IC you have a hard time sleeping anyway.

I went to see this wonderful doctor and discussed my pain with his nurse, his nurse practioner and to the doctor also. He had me fill out a diagram to show where the actual pain was. After doing so, they discovered that the back pain was from leaky bulging discs (I had brought a ct scan of my back, just in case.)and that the pelvic pain was due to damaged nerve tissue.

They decided to do two procedures instead of one. I was not to excited about the idea but the thought of being pain free or at least comfortable sounded too good to be true so I had to try it.

They did trigger point shots into my pelvic ileolinual nerve and then moved me to another table to do the epidural. I have had three of these epidurals with each birth of my boys so I knew it was not going to be fun. At least when you have a baby you know you get a great gift after it is all over.

Well, I have to tell you that the procedure went very quickly and they did not put me under at all. I have had three procedures since....once every other week. I am amazed at what a difference this has made in my life. I finally have found the hope that I might be able to regain some existance of a normal life again.I spend the majority of my life in bed with my trusty companion, my heating pad.

After the procedure, they bring you into recovery and have you rest for about an hour. I felt a little nausea so they gave me crackers and water to relieve that problem. I had to have a little support walking for the first hour after I came. I iced both areas and stayed in bed and rested for the next day.

The first time I had the procedure I felt like I had been completely cured because I was numb in my pelvic area, my back and my legs. I did not feel any pain and could not have been happier. Unfortunately, after the numbness wore off two days later , I was back to the terrible pain I had before. He warned me that this might happen. He said it could take a complete round of many visits since I have had this for such a long time.

I went yesterday for my third round and he was so impressed with my mobility and the amount of function and feeling I am having again in my back and legs. The knotty feeling I have in my pelvic area is slowly becoming soft like a marshmallow. He told me he has given several IC patients epidurals with great results.

My hope for you is that you find peace and painless happiness in whatever you decide. The last two times I have went, I have taken my pain med, tramadol, about thirty minutes before I arrive along with a little nibble of crackers. That has made my procedure experience go so much better.

I am sorry you have had such negative experiences in the past. If they are good health care providers, they will do all they can do to alleviate your fears. Just make sure you express them the best you can.

You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please let me know what you decide.

Sweet Thoughts,

Jeanine

**Ginny** · 02-20-2004, 03:16 AM

That was a lot to go through at such a young age. I hope you explained that to the doctor that wants to do the nerve blocks. I can understand why you would be so scared.
Ginny

**ICNJess** · 02-20-2004, 05:09 AM

(((((((((Tracey))))))) that is just awful.

What a lot to go through!! I hope you are able to get past your fears--though I understand why you have them.

Hugs to you,
jess

**MakinIT** · 02-21-2004, 07:16 AM

I go to a counselor who specializes in chronic pain patients. I scored high on a "potential to harm self" exam so not only do I get to see him frequently , but he calls me most every day. (guess to make sure I'm still breathing) I told him about this procedure. He knew what it was, but, bless his heart didn't poo poo my fears...(I guess that's why he's a counselor.) He said I had Post traumatic Stress from being stabbed in the back 15 times and the resulting spinal headache. So, he is going to talk to the doc, and discuss different things to help me relax, and maybe make it so I won't even remember the procedure. (I love versed) He also wants me to work on guided visualizations, which works great for me. I just have to be calm before I can start so I do some of the Yoga. (Geez...I am becoming a regular PNW gal...Iswear I'm gettingme some Birkenstocks!)

Thanks so much...Wierd but the spot where the epidural was messed up hasreally been hurting the last few days...it's all in my mind but my chiropractor actually popped it and massaged out...it still hurts!

T