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I have been having pain in my right shoulder and down the arm. My pain doctor ordered a MRI which showed a pinched nerve betwene C8-T4. I had a epidural/steroid injection 3/31/25. I am almost a week into it. She said it would take a while for the steroid to take effect. The first day after I just took it easy, didn't see any difference, second day I had a really bad headache all day. I am almost 7 days and I my arm still hurts. I have to say that my whole spine is not in good shape. I have degenerative disc disease, have had lower spinal surgery 2X, Kyphoplasty 2X, several compression fractures that weren't caught in time to fix,(I now am humped) ostoporosis and arthritis. I am scheculed to see a neuro-surgeon 5/1. Let me add I am 88 years young and if it weren't for my spine I would be in pretty good shape. Someone younger without all the other things wrong, the injection would have a greater chance to work. Good luck on you decision.
Replies to "I have been having pain in my right shoulder and down the arm. My pain doctor..."
gramham, so each segment of the spine would have a different area of nerve compression. While the nerve could be pinched at each level, a single epidural wouldn't cover the distance. You didn't even get temporary relief from the epidural which indicates that they missed the pain source.
I'm a little afraid of epidurals, but I did have relief from a brachial branch block with pain resembling yours from an orthopedic surgeon. I hope you have a good experience with your neuro-surgeon on May 1. Let us know.
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I have an 86 year old friend who just had the treatment where cement type of material was placed into her spine to stabilize it because she was in so much pain. She said it was very helpful.