Cervical Spondylosis :: Facet Joint Injections - Chronic Neck Pain
I have CS in my neck and am in constant chronic (pain for the past three years). I am sick of being in pain.
My first visit to the NHS pain clinic was interesting, as the consultant informed me that I need to have Facet Joint Injections into the top part of my neck, which he plans to do in April !
I asked the consultant if there are any potential dangers from this procedure and he informed me that me that nothing can go wrong !
I got home ran a web search on Facet Joint Injections and am really horrified to read that there are rare - but very serious potential dangers from this procedure ... I feel that the NHS consultant has not explained the potential dangers to me.
Cervical Spondylosis :: Facet Injections & Dorsal Root Ganglion Blocks
About 3 years ago I saw my GP as my neck started to crackle and my head was veering to the right but I was told that there was nothing to worry about. It got progressively worse and 10 months ago I had a normal style X-ray which disclosed I had spondylosis. Nothing was done except that I had several physio and acupuncture sessions but these did not help the pain. I then tried reiki, head massage and osteopathy and had several sessions of each. Nothing helped. I was then referred to a pain control specialist (PCS) who did 2 procedures:
Facet injections & Dorsal root ganglion blocks
in my head and neck followed by physiotherapy. None of this helped in spite of being assured by the PCS that most people do benefit from these procedures. The pains by now had become quite excruciating and increased day by day and the quality of my life deteriorated even more. I had already been taking Dihydrocodeine, Amitriptyline and Paracetamol combined for my diabetic neuropathy but none of these had any effect on my neck and head pains. The PCS then put me on Fentanyl patches and increased the strength up to 25 mph. With these I found sometimes the pain would increase not decrease. He then prescribed Oxycontin. It did not agree with me and I had unpleasant side effects so I could not continue with this. The PCS then sent me for an MRI and this showed moderate degenerative changes. I also had a CT scan which showed slight calcification which he said was in line with other people. I am now waiting to see a neurosurgeon. I spend most of the time from when I wake up lying down with a hot bag around my neck and an ice pack on my head as any continuous movement increases the pain. When I saw all these therapists the only exercise suggested was to move my head from left to right. My shoulders have really stiffened up now and I feel that I do need some other exercise for this. Having read Catherine's letter to Darren I saw that she was given a tape for relaxation which I would greatly appreciate a copy of if Catherine reads this. I would be more than prepared to reimburse for the cost time and effort of doing this for me. I do not want to leave any stone unturned as I do not know how long it will be before I see the neurosurgeon or even if anything hopeful comes out of it. If I have any good results from seeing him I will post these developments and any advice on this site in the hope that it may help other sufferers.
Cervical Spondylosis :: Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion
I'm 48 suffered with cervical spondylosis for around 6 years, in the last two years it's got so painful. I have tried all meds, last year I had an op foraminotomy where they drilled the left side spurs C4 to C7. But the last year has been a nightmare the pain is worse. I have now had more MRI & CT scans more meds and having two injections next week. I asked the long term affect of my neck I was told I have a neck of a 70 year old. What dose this actually mean? Wheelchair what?? I am also on the list for a anterior cervical discectomy & fusion.
I have a fall time desk job which doesn't help at all but have a mortgage... holiday is taken as sick days.
Cervical Spondylosis :: Anterior Cervical Discectomy/Fusion
I am recovering from Anterior Cervical Discectomy, which became necessary to avoid drastic further deterioration.
I would like to tell you about my experience and what helped me. My problem started quite unexpectedly with a persistent back ache at work (I am an office worker). Within days it was so bad that I was vomiting with pain and had to stop working (I was commuting to London). I was on morphine within three weeks, but it did not help either. I won't list here all the various painkillers I was prescribed, which helped to certain extent, but the pain was so bad that I was suicidal. The doctors communicated with me hardly at all except writing another painkiller prescription. I felt totally abandoned by them. I tried osteopathy, ordinary physiotherapy and Bowen's therapy. Bowens worked the best but nothing would give more than a few hours relief from the extreme pain. My husband then hit on the Tens machine and that was the only thing that really helped. I would recommend it without hesitation. I dropped the morphine, which was a bit of nightmare for me anyway, and managed to live with the Tens machine.
Unfortunately my problem rapidly progressed to me losing strength from my arm and from my fingers and a neurologist recommended the dissection and fusion. It is not an easy fix, but to me it saved my life. I went back to work four months after the operation, seven months after first feeling the pain. I could not say I'm as good as new, but the pain has gone. My neck is stiff, gets tired very easily and a bit uncomfortable. I cannot lift, push or pull anything heavy. But I'm here, enjoying my family and grandchildren. I couldn't ask for more. I'm 63 and now feeling my age, that's all.
Diagnosed Cervical Spondylitis Not Cervical Spondylosis
I was diagnosed with cervical spondylitis when I was 27 ( had a severe fall when I was 16 yrs old...fell 2 stories), am 48 now and moved to Wales almost 2 yrs ago from South Africa and since being here, my pain has increased in intensity. Used to get steroid injections and am aware that I won't get that here in the U.K. I now suffer extreme nausea due to the pain and can only dry retch, as the valve below the oesophagus was tightened yrs ago and now prevents me from throwing up. I would appreciate if others with this condition could tell me what the maximum dosage of Ibuprofen one can take. Taking the normal dosage (2) does not alleviate the searing pain or spasms.
I am also very confused. After x-rays, all dr,s have said cervical spondylitis and not cervical spondylosis. Been told that I don't have arthritis and yet this is not ankylosing spondylitis, which 1 dr said it was..(he never saw the x-rays)...really confused even after numerous x-rays and dr,s. I am almost on the verge of giving up hope of getting effective painkillers from dr,s here. Do the exercises, use heated neck bags and nothing much helps, especially when I get a flare up.
Need to know if increased dosage of Ibuprofen would help.
Cervical Spondylosis :: Cervical Spasm, Neck Pain, Left Arm Pain, Numbness, Heart
I dont know i have cervical spondylosis , but MRI said i have a cervical spasm < now even after eating food my heart rate increase some times and there are weird feeling all day long in the chest ,pain in arm .. i feel tingling numbness, in legs ,arms , shouledrs some time. disbalance when i just stand up
Mty Doctors are sending me to neurologist,Cardio , Rheumatologist,Internal medicine .
nothing solved . Heart is ok , ECG is ok, x-ray of heart is ok.Blood test was ok ...
Cortisone Injections In Knees Causing Swelling?
I had cortisone injections in both knees 5 days ago and both of my feet are really swollen. Is this a normal side effect of injections in knees?
View 1 RepliesArthritis :: Cortisone Injections - Pros And Cons
I am thinking about having cortisone injections in my feet for arthritis pain and I've heard 1 good and 1 bad report about the success of it. Can anyone who's had it let me know how it went.
View 9 RepliesShoulder Problems :: How Many Cortisone Injections Per Year
I'm just doing some research at present regarding Cortisone/steroid injections into the shoulder joint within a 12 month period.
How many injections in a year is classed as too many without any noticeable improvement in the symptoms?
Injections both in clinic and in theatre as part of an MUA or EUA.
Osteoarthritis :: Cortisone Injections Make You Put Weight
Has anyone found that these injections make you put on weight. I have had a fair few and due for some more next week. In the beginning I had a spine injection and then in the leg - I am on Pazital and Lyrica but a lose dose. But looking back, the injections have been the best as I walk quite a bit.
I know the UK have a maximum - but can't remember how many. I last had the injections about 3 years ago, 4 in one thigh and 3 in the other. I suppose it depends on the strength too but I haven't ever been told the strength.
Acne :: Just Had Cortisone Injections For Cystic Pimples
I went to a dermatologist today and i was told my face had a good deal of acne. I have my acne or my forehead and a lot around my jawline area that are cystlike. I have a few of them and those are cystic pimples. The dermatologist recommended me to do acne surgery ... extraction she mentioned and i kinda did not want to do this b/c i had a bad experience with a an esthetician many years ago plucking my face. The difference was that was in a salon and not a dermatologist. I remembered when i did it, i had holes and my acne was really bad right after it so I said I didn't want to do it.
However i asked if i could get cortisone shots done in my jawline where i have cystic pimples that doesn't seem to go away. Dermatologist did the cortisone injections and it was not painful at all. There were 3 of them done when i checked by bill. Anyways i came back home and then i saw i still had the cystic pimples there... I made the mistake of actually thinking these shots destroyed the cystic pimple on the spot... found out recently it takes a few days or close to 1 week for it to flatten.
Well I got prescribed epiduo for my acne and also solodyn as an antibiotic. I'm told to follow the same regimen i have but use epiduo at night and take solodyn once a day.
My question is should i even start the epiduo cream now after i got the cortisone injections? Should i wait a few days first till it flattens a bit and then use it? I'm worried using it might make it worst. I called the office and one of the reps there said it didn't matter you could start now but im thinking i shouldn't use this product on the area of my face yet right after the injections? Should i put anything on these spots where i got the injections? Because im thinking all i should do is wash my face like normal and put aloe vera gel on it or nothing at all and don't put any acne cream on it till few days later?
How long did it take for the cystic pimple to get smaller after the injection? Does it flatten fully or does it not? How soon can you do it again on the same spot if it didn't work? I assume if it doesn't flatten in 1 week, then it didn't work? I read online that ppl mention 2-3 days it should flatten and the cystic pimple should be gone...
Costochondritis :: Cortisone Injections Side Effects?
Anyone have experience with cortisone injection for costochondritis - positive or negative - benefits or side effectS?
View 7 RepliesChronic Costochondritis - Cortisone Injections Are Helpful?
I was diagnosed with costochondritis when I was 14 and have had it for five years now.
I can manage the pain when it isn't flaring up but for the last few months it has been very bad to the point where I can't sleep. My job is quite physically demanding sometimes which causes the flare ups.
I recently went to my gp and requested x-rays as I haven't had any taken since I was diagnosed. Last year I had a bone scan but nothing showed up.
Last week the doctor said that I also have mild thoracic scoliosis curving to the left which may give a reason for the costochondritis, finally!
I have decided that the time has come to get cortisone injections as other medications/treatments don't relieve the pain. I will be seeing a specialist in a month's time.
Has anyone else had the injections? Did they help you? What was the whole procedure like for you?
Flying After Cortisone Injections To Coccyx Under General
Flying after anesthetic for cortisone injections to the coccyx?
I was told by my surgeon that I could have my cortisone injections ( under general anesthetic ) to my coccyx before taking a 8 hour flight in 8 weeks time. He said he would get me in. 4 weeks later no letter. Rang his office and was told he's away until mid April and there was no way I could have it done before I flew in 4 weeks as I was having a general and you CANNOT fly for 6 weeks after a general!! So confused as to why the surgeon would say it's ok but receptionist is adamant I can't have it!
Can I have a general anesthetic and fly 4 weeks later? Any info would be much appreciated. I have googled it but I'm finding that I should be able too!
Ischial Tuberosity Bursitis - Cortisone Injections Every Six Months
I've had this nasty problem for almost 5 years now. I was in a severe vehicle collision where I fractured my L1 vertebrae, and then about 6 months later, I started getting this nagging pain in my left sit bone and down my leg.
I was misdiagnosed for the first 3 years of it. At first they thought I had piriformis syndrome ( which is most doctor's first diagnosis since it sends pain down the sciatic nerve. I did 6 months of rigorous physio/chiro/needling to attempt to fix the pain, but nothing helped.
Then they thought it was a bulging disc radiating pain down my back from the injury.
All the while, my pain was getting worse and worse. Taking more and more pain medication. Getting heavy into the opiates. Then after losing my career in the military, and after a year of wasting time. I finally got in to see a spinal specialist. one who teaches around the world and after 5 minutes of asking questions and a couple of manipulations, he diagnosed my with Ischial Tuberosity bursitis.
While I was happy to finally KNOW what it was. It hasn't been fixed. I get cortisone injections every six months, and unfortunately the relief is is not the best. I am taking a Fentanyl patch for consistent pain relief.
It sucks that a pain in my butt is a constant in my daily life. It's depressing and it makes it so i can't live like a normal person....doing normal things....movies, dinners, socializing, driving... etc.
All I do, is try to keep on moving......moving....trying to stay flexible...doing my stretches....trying to keep in decent shape and health.
If anyone wants to chat about their issues with Ischial Bursitis, I'd be glad to. Or if anyone wants to know about treatments etc....ask away.
Sciatica Pain - Bulging Disc And Cortisone Injections
I had bulging disc over two years ago and i was sent for mri scan a while later i got cortisone injection into L5 disc worked ok and lasted for a few years,two months ago it returned and is very painful the doctors gave painkillers and said to exercise couldn't stand up never mind exercise,,i'm confused on why they are asking me to see a spine specialist which is taking months and why don't they just do the injection like they did a few years ago ,anyone any answers?
View 3 RepliesArm/Wrist/hand Pain :: Cortisone Injections? Horror Stories
My husband has been suffering with a pain in his right arm for a few months now. He saw the doctor and he diagnosed it as tennis elbow, he did do a lot of fence painting in the summer, the doc has suggested a cortisone injection in the elbow, just wondering if anyone has had one and are they of any benefit as I've read some horror stories where the pain has been twice as bad afterwards?
View 8 RepliesCervical Spondylosis :: Has Anyone Tried Reiki?
Has anyone tried reiki?
View 2 RepliesCervical Spondylosis :: Narrowing At C4-C5
After a fall at tennis, I am 71 y old lady, very fit normally walk 5 km each am. I thought that it may be due to my balance. feel a little dizzy when stretching to pick up the ball. has anyone had any help with spondylosis. exercises or medication.
View 3 Replies