Cervical spin injections

[Catrin]

My injections have been scheduled for next Tuesday morning. I can opt for conscious sedation (if I can find a ride both ways). Has anyone had these with just a local? How bad was it? Just trying to decide how hard I need to look for those rides...

Sadly I've got to stop taking the prescription anti-inflammatory 3 days prior, so I am afraid my neck is likely going to be swollen before we ever do anything... I just missed one day earlier this week and the effect was pretty apparent even to other people.

[Biciclista]

wish you lived closer. i drive to the hospital every day. i could take you.

[Catrin]

Thank you for your concern, and for the offer of a ride My original post may have been misleading. I was trying to decide if I really needed the sedation, and wondered how bad it would be to get just the local...but of course we are talking about the spine in my neck here and it WILL be quite aggravated with me after 3 days of no anti-inflammatory medication.

I've already found a ride there from someone who lives very close to me (thanks Winding Road), and will spread my net to all of my cycling and church friends, surely someone will be free to pick me up. I think it will be far less stressful under sedation and make me more likely to return for more should it be necessary.

[indysteel]

One of my coworkers gets regular shots to deal with chronic lumbar back pain. She's gotten them with both sedation and a local and been fine either way. And by fine, I mean that there is some discomfort later after sedation/the local wears off.

[Pax]

I've had lumbar injections done with a local, it wasn't too bad... but lower back is a long way from the head.

[indysteel]

I've just asked my boss what his wife does. She gets shots in C5 and C6 on a regular basis. I know she takes a Valium ahead of time, but that's for her high level of anticipatory anxiety. I'll let you know what he says.

[emily_in_nc]

I would definitely opt for the conscious sedation if you think you'll be anxious. I have used it for dental procedures (crowns, root canals), and it is the bomb! I basically slept right through the procedures -- or that is how it seemed b/c I remember nothing.

You have to have someone there who will drive you home or they will not perform it, though. I'm not sure if just saying you have a ride who will come pick you up is good enough; I think they want to see and talk to the person ahead of time to make sure they understand their "duties", so it may have to be the same person who takes you to and from.

Good luck!