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l4 & l5 nerve block
I’m 74, female with degenerative disc disease with some spinal stenosis. I have severe arthritis in my lumbar L4 and L5, causing debilitating pain. I’m told I need a nerve block. If that doesn’t work a procedure called an ablation. My problem is pain. I don’t tolerate pain very well and I am scared to death of experiencing any sort of pain during the block. Please advise on anything that might help me.
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I have had the shot for nerves in my back. The shot doesn't compare to the pain in my back every moment of the day. The shot is tolerable and they numb the area first.
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2 ReactionsAsk your pain doc to give you a one Percocet 1 hour prior to your shot; it really helps. Then, make sure someone drives you home afterwards.
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2 ReactionsThank you.
After the MRI's, my doctor referred me to physical therapy twice a week for 6 weeks. St the same time pain mgmt first gave me a shot to deaden the nerves. That was good for 2 days and all the pain came back. Next, was a joint block shot. It did not help at all. So now I'm scheduled for disks to be rebuilt on L-2, L-3,
L-4, L-5 and S-1. It's been a long road that I hope is almost over.
It was a process of elimination to see what was causing the pain. If yours is from arthritis, I would ask him about a joint block.
It says that if the nerve block removes 50% of the pain, then you are a good candidate for ablation. I'm 70 yrs old. I hope you have someone to be your advocate if necessary.
She can do it under anesthesia if she chooses.
At least it was offered with my doctor.
I am a 74 male with the same L4-L5 bulging discs with arthritis. A lot of pain the last 4 years. Since 2021 I have had the injections of cortizone about every 10-13 months depending on my pain. First time was a spinal block I think but not sure. The cortizone shots worked better for me. I was very happy with the shots and they lasted longer than average. I always was put under sedation for the shots.
Each year though my spine looked a bit more crooked. My last MRI showed a significant bend in the spine almost like a letter L. My last shot which was in June helped with the pain but not as good as the previous shots. My next discussion is my doctor wants me to talk to the surgeon to straighten the spine with pins. That is a big operation and long rehab afterwards. But I have read there is not guarantee that the pain will be gone after the operation and rehab. I have other health issues that might prohibit me from doing the operation at all.
So I am still pondering what to do.
I think, if it were me, I would see the neurosurgeon for a consult.
Your surgeon, cardiologist, and PCP must all be in agreement that you are a good candidate for the surgery.
Be @ peace.