Epidural nerve block

@karolyn Dear Karolyn, and @cak11555
I have had epidural injections with and without sedation and I have had the procedure done by at least 5 different doctors (my husband was in the Navy so we moved a lot.) I have had "nerve blocks" also. The epidural I did not find painful. The first shot will be with a small needle used to numb the skin. At most it felt like a bee sting. So then you are numb and don't feel anything. You might feel a little pressure from the steroid medicine filling the area but ask the doctor to slow down. After the injection, you cannot drive that day and it's best to rest as much possible until the next day.

See if you are allowed to bring your phone or iPOD into the room with you. Play some relaxing music. If you like essential oils, put a couple drops of Lavender oil on your wrists, behind your ears or on your temples. I totally understand how anxious you are feeling and I think one or all of these ideas may help you.
I am expecting to be needing an epidural within the next two months myself. I'd really like it if you both would come back and let me know how you did after your injection. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Jen

What great ideas, @sandytoes14 . I've been delaying steroid injections but your ideas have provided me with some hope. If you don't mind sharing more, what area of the spine have you had the injections and how long does the pain relief last?

I had two within a month and a week and it is not working though my disc hernia is 6 mm. The pain is horrible and it's been since the 18th of october. Any help and advise would be highly appreciated

I went to a specialist in epidural and pain. Spoke to her this morning, she said that the injection straight in the nerve takes time as it is cortinose and anesthetic product. It needs a few days before the relief starts. But she gave me Lyrika 75 twice a day,sopeldeiun twice a day and Triptizol 10 mg before I go to bed. The last is an antidepressant used to calm the pain and help feel better

What great ideas, @sandytoes14 . I've been delaying steroid injections but your ideas have provided me with some hope. If you don't mind sharing more, what area of the spine have you had the injections and how long does the pain relief last?

@hopeful33250 Teresa,
I'm happy that I could help. The areas I have had injected are the cervical and lumbar spine.
With the preferred steroid, (described further in this post) relief has been up to 18 months. @jehane - I have found the type of steroid used in the epidural injection makes a difference in how much, if any, relief is obtained. Dexamethasone seems to provide the greatest relief.

@karolyn
Thank you for your kind words.
Honestly, my pain had gotten so SEVERE, that no matter what, I was ready for just about anything that would help!
Ronnie

@karolyn Dear Karolyn, and @cak11555
I have had epidural injections with and without sedation and I have had the procedure done by at least 5 different doctors (my husband was in the Navy so we moved a lot.) I have had "nerve blocks" also. The epidural I did not find painful. The first shot will be with a small needle used to numb the skin. At most it felt like a bee sting. So then you are numb and don't feel anything. You might feel a little pressure from the steroid medicine filling the area but ask the doctor to slow down. After the injection, you cannot drive that day and it's best to rest as much possible until the next day.

See if you are allowed to bring your phone or iPOD into the room with you. Play some relaxing music. If you like essential oils, put a couple drops of Lavender oil on your wrists, behind your ears or on your temples. I totally understand how anxious you are feeling and I think one or all of these ideas may help you.
I am expecting to be needing an epidural within the next two months myself. I'd really like it if you both would come back and let me know how you did after your injection. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Jen