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I have an interesting update to my neck pain that comes with questions. I am a 74 year old female.My neck and head pain started in July 2022 with acute pain that became chronic.
I have been to multiple docs from physiatrist to orthopedic surgeon to anesthesiologist to neurologist. I have been diagnosed over the months with arthritis of the spine, no herniations, and occipital neuralgia. I've had facet, medial branch, and ESI injections from C1 through C6. No fix. I've had occipital nerve blocks. I've done occipital release therapy and am scheduled for MFR soon.
The last medial branch blocks were done at C3-C6 by an anesthesiologist pain doc. It made things worse so the doc prescribed a Dexamethasone steroid pack. Wow! That has helped. I'm on the next to last day of pills with a medication half life of maybe another 24 hours or so after that. I am hoping the relief lasts.
Here are the questions.....why are steroids not tried earlier? Why are docs so reluctant to use them short term.
Anyone have any experience using steroid packs?
Replies to "I have an interesting update to my neck pain that comes with questions. I am a..."
Most times in my experience oral steroid pack is the first line of treatment. Not sure why they didn't do that for you. When i first had cervical issues radiating my arms the ortho did the steroid course. I was good after that for almost two years coupled with chiropractic
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Doctors are somewhat reluctant to use them because they can cause bone damage for long term use. I get steroid injections in many forms, but they have to space them apart. Steroids can affect many systems in your body as well. They can be a blessing and a curse at times.