Author Topic: My new 'most favorite thing' (Read 870 times)

capt. apathy · « **on:** October 30, 2003, 04:03:21 PM »

I had an cervical epidural today.

basicly they inject steroids and some local anistetic, into the joints of your neck.

as some of you might know I was injured at work last spring. one of the symptoms was the 'headache from hell', for the last 5 months or so I've had it 24/7, no breaks at all, on the good days it is mearly excrussiating. on the bad days it's the worst pain imaginable. a give-up and lay in bed all day kind of pain, sea-sick, loss of balance, partial blindness, 5 or 6 percocete in as many hours, no sleep for days on end sort of thing.

anyway, at 11:00 I got this injection in my neck. I have to stay in bed for a day or so to see how it goes.

but as of now I'm 3 hours without a headache. this day rocks.

Udie · « **Reply #1 on:** October 30, 2003, 04:05:55 PM »

THAT'S KICK ASS!!!

I've had those kinds of headaches for years. Never knew about this treatment!!!! Next time I get one be expecting an email.....

mrblack · « **Reply #2 on:** October 30, 2003, 04:07:23 PM »

MAN I hope it keeps going well for you:aok

lazs2 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 30, 2003, 04:11:38 PM »

I heard that stuff was made out of dolphins.
lazs

capt. apathy · « **Reply #4 on:** October 30, 2003, 04:13:58 PM »

I'll let you know how it goes.
they say my initial results are incouraging, but that the anisthetic will wear off to day and I may not feel as good(possably even worse pain for awhile) until the steroid has a chance to work.

but considering the pain I've had so far this year, the prosedure would be worth it just for the break I've had so far today.

it's like my brain has been set free.

I'm gonna have a hard time doing the bedrest thing (I'll do it I just wont want to), I feel like just getting out of the house and doing/experienceing as much as I can incase the pain comes back.

I still have my other symptoms (neck pain, arms, ect), but this is liturally the first time I've felt good all year.

udie-I've got some pamphlets on the procedure. if your interested I'll scan them later and send it over to ya.

capt. apathy · « **Reply #5 on:** October 30, 2003, 04:17:03 PM »

Quote

I heard that stuff was made out of dolphins.
lazs

I don't know exactly how to word my responce but it would be very simular to the responce from my daughter (3 at the time), after making the conection between the bambi movie she watched that morning and the venison on her plate that evening.

"this is a deer? like babmbi?", "Bambi tastes good."

Udie · « **Reply #6 on:** October 30, 2003, 04:26:43 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by capt. apathy
udie-I've got some pamphlets on the procedure. if your interested I'll scan them later and send it over to ya.

Please do! I've been lucky and only had a 2 week headache this year and that was about 8 months ago. Mine are caused by 2 pinched nerves in my neck 2nd and 5th Cervical Vert's. I get cluster headaches from my neck across the left side of my head to behind my left eyeball. I've had the spotty vision, but never gone completely blind from them.

Keep us informed with how this goes please.....

capt. apathy · « **Reply #7 on:** October 30, 2003, 04:33:14 PM »

sounds very simular to mine. I get the headaches from c1 c2 c3, and other neck and arm pain (temors and spasms too) from c5, c6.

it doesn't really cause a complete blindness, it's closer to a tunnle vission (but not quite). usually I can focus on one object clearly if I consentrate and don't try for too long, but everything else is so far out of focus that I jsut see a swirl of colors around the object I'm focused on (kind of like an art photogragh, where they set the central object in the field of focus and everything else is a blur)

they inject between the facet-joints(sp?) at the root of the nerve where it comes out of your spinal cord.

I'll scan that and send it over after I get a nap, (now that the pain isn't keeping me awake I feel like I can catch up on some missing sleep)

3 1/2 hours and I'm still a fan.

Rude · « **Reply #8 on:** October 30, 2003, 04:37:43 PM »

I hope you come thru this without incident and you no longer have to suffer like that....lifes tough enough.

lazs2 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 30, 2003, 04:45:03 PM »

your daughter is a very bright girl apathy.
lazs

DiabloTX · « **Reply #10 on:** October 30, 2003, 05:08:55 PM »

Apathy, man, I can't imagine that kind of pain and especially for that time duration.

Hope it ALL goes away, pain sucks.

capt. apathy · « **Reply #11 on:** October 30, 2003, 06:49:14 PM »

thanks for all the good wishes guys.

well the anisthetic is starting to ware off. my necks getting a bit stiffer and I'm starting to feel a bit hungover. but almost 6 hours and still no headache.

Udie, so far I'd highly recomend this procedure. I've got the pamphlet scanned for ya. (both sides total 2 mb) what address do you want them sent to?

the pamphlet doesn't really go into every detail but it covers the basics and shows some pics of where the needles end up. it'll let you know if you are interested in getting more info from your doctor.

btw- 5pm I'm still feeling better than I have in months. and here's the kicker, no percocet today.

mrblack · « **Reply #12 on:** October 30, 2003, 06:58:27 PM »

I Am looking at rotator cuff surgury.
My dang shoulder hurts all the time and If I move it the wrong way foreget about it.

I also have a cervical injury.
c4-5
I know it will need work in the future.
I feel your pain bro good luck I hope tha BEST for ya:aok

Sundiver · « **Reply #13 on:** October 30, 2003, 07:20:16 PM »

yeah, capt. Please please PLEASE email me said pamphlets. I've suffered those kinds of headaches since I was 13, stiff neck shoulders and intolerable headaches just like you describe. Makes it hard to live.

In the ER coupla times a month for the pain.

I'll try anything to get rid of them well...except for a spinal tap.

Well or Dowding..

Udie · « **Reply #14 on:** October 30, 2003, 07:25:38 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by capt. apathy
thanks for all the good wishes guys.

well the anisthetic is starting to ware off. my necks getting a bit stiffer and I'm starting to feel a bit hungover. but almost 6 hours and still no headache.

Udie, so far I'd highly recomend this procedure. I've got the pamphlet scanned for ya. (both sides total 2 mb) what address do you want them sent to?

the pamphlet doesn't really go into every detail but it covers the basics and shows some pics of where the needles end up. it'll let you know if you are interested in getting more info from your doctor.

btw- 5pm I'm still feeling better than I have in months. and here's the kicker, no percocet today.

Cool thanks man! You can send it to smcnulty@b-ainc.com that's my work addy. Longest one I ever had was in 99 I had one that lasted a month then got a week off followed by another that lasted 3 months. I think that was what started the depression I just got over at the beginning of this year. Glad to know you've lost the pain it really can drive you nuts.