I’m scheduled for an upper back nerve conduction study, then a lower back nerve conduction study, then a ‘medical branch block’ over a 10 day period at the end of this month.
I had 3 epidural injections scheduled years ago with another doctor. The 1st injection went okay. When I returned for the 2nd injection I told the doctor I didn’t have pain relief from the 1st epidural. The doctor was obviously frustrated with me for saying that. When he proceeded with the 2nd epidural, he didn’t prep my back with a numbing agent, or what ever is used and it was so painful I screamed so loud that people waiting in the lobby told me they could hear me when I left the facility. It was so painful, I was devastated! I never went back for the 3rd epidural or to that doctor. I don’t know what the difference was between the 1st and 2nd injections, but I wouldn’t wish that pain on anyone! Based on the doctors behavior after I told him the 1st epidural didn’t provide relief, I felt he changed or simply didn’t provide the prep I received for the 1st epidural. Now I’m afraid of and have anxiety about the prospect of injections in my back.
What has your experience been with the facet and nerve block injections? Are the procedures themselves painful? I’ve been told the nerve conduction studies are similar to acupuncture. I’ve had acupuncture and tolerated it well. It’s the injections I’m wondering about!