Epidural steroid injections

[KnottedYet]

I suspect that the epidural will not address the cause. It is a symptom relief technique, and since you are reporting motor issues (that weakness) I'm thinking you need something other than a pain symptom relief.

Yeah, the epidural will take away the pain, but it's not likely to correct the mechanical issue that is causing the pain and weakness in the first place. In fact, with no pain to guide your body's behaviour I'd worry you will go into positions that increase the pressure/impingement on the nerve roots. (so that your motor issues will increase and when the epidural anesthesia and anti-inflammatories wear off you will have more intense symptoms than before.)

http://www.amazon.com/Treat-Your-Nec...1360164&sr=8-5
http://www.amazon.com/Treat-Your-Own...1360164&sr=8-6
http://www.amazon.com/Steps-Pain-Fre...1360164&sr=8-2

I sleep with one of these cervical rolls, but mine is stuffed with buckwheat hulls. I've used it for maybe 10 years now, and it makes a huge difference in my neck pain and the numbness in my left arm/hand. (if I sleep without it, I get all kinds of nastiness: headaches, neckaches, numbness) You can easily make your own roll with a towel, and stick it in your pillow like the diagram if you wish. I keep my neck roll on top of my pillow so I can move it around as I sleep.
http://www.amazon.com/McKenzie®-Cerv...1360164&sr=8-1

A good PT can be an incredible guide as you heal your neck. If you can find one or get a recc for one from someone you know, I'd like to recommend you try good PT before the epidural.

[bambu101]

I agree with what Knot said above. I found that the injections I had caused worse symptoms afterwards, for up to 2 or 3 weeks, and then the pain and tingling in the right arm and hand would revert back to previous levels. They are designed to treat the symptoms only.

As far as pillows, the Mediflow water pillow works great for me. It is like a waterbed for your neck, and you can adjust the level of support by varying the amount of water. I have recommended it to 3 or 4 people who absolutely loved it. I have used it exclusively for over 5 years.

http://www.mediflowtop10sleeptips.com/index.html

The McKenzie techniques were helpful to me, and there is also another book out written by 2 doctors about all the various treatment options which is very comprehensive:

http://www.amazon.com/What-Pain-Neck...1386987&sr=1-4

[Velobambina]

Regina--I can't add anything helpful here, but it sounds like Knott, et.al., have given you good advice. Sending you lots of good healing thoughts. You've been dealing with this for awhile, haven't you?

[7rider]

Thanks all.
My Dr. seems to think the epidural WILL help address the cause - which is the stenosis of the neural foramen. The epi will/should bring down the inflammation that is causing the nerve that exits the C5-6. It's the inflammed nerve that is causing so much issue "down stream" - i.e., in my arm, including the weakness in the tricep. His big question is how long it will be effective - if it is effective at all, which is it may not be - granted. My hope is that it will be effective long enough to have other rehab options (pt, whatever) be effective over the long term.
I had my acupuncturist start to focus more on my neck vs. my arm. A drastic improvement in one day (by my darned lifestyle is still going to do me in....bike riding and computers are BAD for me!). I'd really prefer that route (yeah - 20 needles a week, rather than one big honkin' one).
As for pillows...we have the shaped tempurpedic ones that seem to help me a bit already.
Yeah, VB, thanks - I've been dealing with this since approximately last September. It's a major drag. I understand many folks have herniated discs and are asymptomatic. I really wish that was the case for me!

[KnottedYet]

What caused the inflamed nerve in the first place? Pressure from the disc? What made the disc herniate?

[7rider]

What caused the inflamed nerve in the first place? Pressure from the disc? What made the disc herniate?

Not really sure. Probably a car crash in May '05. I was rear-ended while looking up into my rearview mirror (saying "Please don't hit me. Please don't hit me."). Neck/shoulder/arm pain started in late July or August '06 (It moved from annoyance to major issue by September) when we started ramping up mileage on the bikes in preparation for a Century. MRI finds "multilevel degenerative disc disease extending from C3 through C7" with minor bulging at the other discs and a full blown herniation at C5-6.

[Tuckervill]

Sorry about your pain.

I had those injections in the L4-5 area 10 or so years ago. They didn't help at all. The only thing that helped was surgery. It is a "procedure" and not just a shot, where they give pain meds, IV, etc. You will need someone to drive you home.

My dad had the exact same sort of accident, and ended up having to have surgery as well. I hope you didn't settle with the insurance already. Dad ended up having to get an attorney to make sure he got compensated for what he'd been through.

Karen