Cervical spin injections

[snapdragen]

I am trying to do what they say. The only thing that gives me pause is I've a few friends who have been long-time orthopedic surgical nurses and they keep making encouraging sounds about how far cervical spine surgery has come in repairing such injuries. Hopefully they aren't trying to tell me something, but at least if the injections don't work I will have tried a more conservative remedy first...

Which is exactly what you should do, IMHO. I had surgery as a last resort, and I'm glad I did, but I think exploring all options is the way to go.

[Catrin]

Which is exactly what you should do, IMHO. I had surgery as a last resort, and I'm glad I did, but I think exploring all options is the way to go.

I am really dreading tomorrow, (sedation is GOOD), but I would be dreading surgery more. Hopefully we won't need to go there but time will tell. It is my hope that getting the inflammation in muscles, disks, and bone to go away will solve the problem. Who knew that bone gets inflamed?

I am hoping this "conscious sedation" will be like when I had the colonoscopy....no memory.

Meanwhile I am watching my posture at work, which does seem to help a bit.

[OakLeaf]

IV sedation is like you might get for a major dental procedure. No memory of the procedure or a couple of hours afterward. The person who's supposed to be with you may have all kinds of amusing stories. If you're sent home with pain meds (? I have no idea), they should make sure you take them, because you will neither remember to take them, nor remember having taken them.

Oral sedation is often Halcion or a similar tranquilizer. I don't know anything about that.

[Catrin]

Thanks for the tips - I will actually be home by myself, someone will drop me off but it should be fine. I was fine after my colonoscopy, I imagine that would be the same type of sedation, at least I hope!

I just noticed that I misspelled the name of this thread, but it is too late to change than now!

[Catrin]

This is a post-injection/happy juice post Thankfully I don't remember a thing about the procedure, for which I am deeply thankful. I am not allowed to drive at all today, and I won't. I certainly don't want to risk a DUI or hurting someone. I've good books and music to occupy my time today. I will also take a break from the trainer, just relaxing today.

I got what I consider good news from the specialist. In his opinion almost everyone my age has bulging discs and that is not where my pain is coming from. He also doesn't think I really have nerve impingement. He made an interesting comment, he said if all of the symptoms on my right side were moved to my left that it would be signs of a heart attack.

He thinks that the cervical spine arthritis was happily doing its degenerative thing without bothering me until the fall when I snapped my neck so hard and that really caused it to flare. In his opinion everything is from the arthritis and all of the apparent neurological symptoms are actually referred pain from the arthritis. Treat the arthritis, do some physical therapy to target specific places, and he thinks I will be good to go and back on the mountain bike/normal activity level long before spring.

I will do the PT, but it will have to wait until January 1 so I can use my flexible spending account to pay for those $35 co-pays since he wants me to go 2-3 times a week for a time.

[Crankin]

Yay! So nice to hear a surgeon who understands your lifestyle and that being over 40 doesn't mean you are ready to give in and give up.

[snapdragen]

That is awesome news Catrin!! I am doing a happy dance.

[redrhodie]

Great news! Don't try to bunny hop today.

[Catrin]

That is awesome news Catrin!! I am doing a happy dance.

Thanks Crankin and Snap, I am as well I admit it was the apparent neurological symptoms that had me so concerned, I never dreamed that it could "simply" be referred from the arthritis (if referred pain could ever be called simple).

Hopefully it won't hurt to put the PT off until next month but I've not much of a choice there...

LOL Red - thankfully I've not yet learned how to do that

[OakLeaf]

That does sound like good news - hope the injections relieve your symptoms!

[Catrin]

That does sound like good news - hope the injections relieve your symptoms!

He thinks it will take the combination of the injections plus physical therapy. He said that specific muscle groups need strengthened that aren't normally focused on in normal strength training (outside of those who compete in body building). This doctor seems to know his stuff, hopefully it will work out that way. There is a chance that further injections won't be necessary.

[indysteel]

I'm glad it went well. I'm even more thrilled that you're seeing a doctor that wants to take a broader view of your treatment. Hopefully you'll be right as rain soon.

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks for the update. It sounds like the best possible news you could have received, given everything. And glad you don't remember anything from the procedure itself. (I felt sure you wouldn't after having similar sedation for my first colonoscopy this spring.) Keep us posted!

[Catrin]

My neck feels better this afternoon than it has in some time...of course there are likely still drugs in my system. I am hopeful though, it isn't even making noises when I turn my head

I don't FEEL drugged, but am also not chock full of energy...it is good that I am just spending the afternoon curled up on the couch reading "The Lost Continent" by Terry Pratchett, listening to a radio station, and checking email and TE every few hours. That is about as active as I feel like being.

[smittykitty]

Thanks for the update. Was thinking of you today. Sounds like you're on the right track with the right health care pros. Take it easy for a few days and let the injection do its thing.

The New Years PT sounds like a great plan, so long as they feel you can wait. And really, it only a few weeks away

Take care of yourself. Happy couch time.