Posted , 6 users are following.
I have a 'moderately large disc protrusion at C6/7" I've been seeing a physio for a few months now and althought it has improved it's no where near better. Gp suggested getting another CT scan mid January and then perhaps a cortisone or steriod injection. I wanted to know if anyone has had experiences of injections there
and postive or negatives involved
1 like, 14 replies
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ihavenonickname jane14277
Posted
Steroid injections done properly can give one a lot of relief.
Steroids are great at reducing inflammation but steroids are also great at causing adverse side effects like osteoporosis.
You did not mention what symptoms you had because of this disc protrusion. If we are speaking of pain, steroid injection and physio may be just the thing. But is you have nerve compression which is compromising arm use, you may require greater intervention.
grahammolyneux jane14277
Posted
I have had nerve block injections and facet joint injections but you need to be seen by the pain management team for this type of treatment.
jane14277 grahammolyneux
Posted
Holly1974 jane14277
Posted
I too have a disc protrusion at C6, which is impinging on the C6 nerve root and producing a lot of nerve pain down my left arm, and cauing my fingers to claw. My arm also goes heavy, and numb and gets bad pins and needles down it. I forst got symptoms about 4 years ago, but the MRI scan didn;t show anything. I was at the time seeing a pain clinic consultant for 3 prolapsed discs in lumbar spine, and I told her about my arm, and she said that mild changes in the my spine were still likely to be casuing the problems, so she injected it with steroid under X-Ray.
I have to say that it was the best thing I have ever had done. I had a relpase of it this summer that wouldn;t settle, and now the MRI scan shows the C6 disc bulge and nerve entrapment. I am awaiting an appointment to see spinal docs, but envisage that I will be going for another steroid injection. I was told it was as high up as they could inject without risk of paralysis, so fair to say you need to have faith in your doctor !
I have spent years being offered very little that works for my lower back problems, this is the one thing that was pretty efficacious for me and I would not hesitate in having it done again.
Pain clinic have always told me that you can have up to 2 injections of steroid a year safely. To put into context, I live on morphine for pain relief, so nothing is without risk, but I could not live in this amount of pain for rest of my life.
Good luck and hope you get some relief
jane14277 Holly1974
Posted
And that is what I'm worried about Holly having an injection in my spinal cord and paralysis. I don't know how that all works but I'll be thoroughly investigating it. The nerve pain has settled but I am still very limited in what I can do, as I have attempted a few things and can feel something bad starting to happen. I'm just going a little mental all this time and being restricted in my activities. I'm going to have another scan in a fortnight and see if the physio has helped and if not then i'll have to pursue other avenues
grahammolyneux jane14277
Posted
The injecions only go into the "Facet Joints" google this and you will understand that it isn't actually very close to the spinal cord itself.
jane14277 grahammolyneux
Posted
thanks graham, I did google last night and all I could find was epidural cortisone injections for my particular problem I'll looke for facet joints
jane_73183 jane14277
Posted
Hi Jane,
Just came across your post & this forum. I have jushad my second nerve blocking injection in C5, I have C6 done also about 6 wks ago.
I didn't like the first injection at all, I was really worried what it would do so wise. The injection was the most painful thing I've ever had done, & you've honest I only got around a weeks relief.
Having the second one almost a week ago this one was much better & im having good relief so far which is really encouraging.
I think do what you need to do to manage your pain but I would recommended exhausting all other methods before making the choice. Do you exercise, get massage, use the right pillow/bed etc etc.
good luck 😊
Holly1974 jane_73183
Posted
jane_73183 Holly1974
Posted
Wow can you tell me more about the procedure?
Surgery is the next step for me & it will be multi level so I'm super keen to understand other people's experiences?
Pretty frightening I've never had an operation in my life & of course has to be my spine 😂
Holly1974 jane_73183
Posted
Hi Jane,
I didn;t take the decision lightly, but to me it was clear that it was never going to settle unless I took more permamnent action. I am in the UK, and got an appointment to see a super neurosurgeon in Sheffield. I was in hospital for 1.5 days from admission until discharge. basically I had the disc at C6 removed, and then it was fused with a metal cage. I was told that I could do v little for 6 weeks post op, and at 12 weeks post op fusion has typically taken place, For me the nerve pain down my arm has completely resolved. my neck pain / stiffness is still resolving ( 12 weeks post op now ) but is much better than it was....with this I sort of went backwards before forwards though as neck pretty stiff post op. I didn;t have to wear a collar unless I felt i needed to if there was a risk of me stumbling / jarring it....I have lower spine problems too ! But in the UK neck collars are not rec'd as the neck muscles can weaken so instead I was given strict instructions by a physio on posture / neck position, etc that I had to stick to for those 6 weeks. I was allowed to drive again 4 weeks post op. The pain wasn't so bad post op, my scar across thef ront of my neck was done into my neck crease so isn;t too bad, I use bio oil on it too last few weeks.
I did have the rather uncomfortable sensation fo feeling like there is sthg stuck in my throat for 10 weeks after the op, it's quite annoying but it does settle over time, but mine did take 10 weeks ....it;s because they use their retractors to move the oespohogus trachea to one side to operate, and this takes a while to settle afterwards. I found I drank a lot of fluids and ice cream !
I only had one level fused, but for me it was worth it. I am now at the point that I need to enroll in exercise programme to strengthen my muscles. get the facts, have a consult, and then go home and think about it some more.
jane_73183 Holly1974
Posted
Hi,
Wow that's great that you are feeling better, encouraging!
How long have you had the neck issues if you don't mind me asking, what caused your disc removal?
I had a car accident 17mths ago & after about 10mths everything went from bad to worse.
I've been trying all treatments I can to avoid the surgery but every specialist I see tells me the same thing, only way to fix the issue is to operate.
Now that both c5/c6 have been diagnosed as the issues it's now really up to me to make the surgery decision but I am very scared to do it, I'm young & don't want to have to live in pain for the rest of my life & just don't want surgery, but I know it will resolve the issues.
How do you manage your pain outside of the nerve blocking injections? I'm really happy with the last injection I had it's working a treat & I hope it lasts!!
Holly1974 jane_73183
Posted
I had some initial problems with my neck and left arm about 10 years ago for which I vistited an osteopath, and he worked his magic and it settled down. Then about 5/6 years ago once again it flared up but a LOT worse...my left arm would feel heavy and numb, nerve pain and tingling in my arm and hand too....i had an MRI scan but nothing showed up on the scan, but I mentioned it to my pain clinic dr whom I was seeing for my lower back ( 3 bulging discs and sciatica/ muslce spasms ) anyway she said she could do cortisone injection into my neck, which did give me some relief for a good 9 months or so. Then autumn 2016 I was trying to get beack into swimming etc to help my lower back problems and my neck and arm once again flared up, really bad. My GP got me an MRI scan within 2 weeks, and then I saw a neurosurgeon a few months later, who proposed ACDF surgery at C5/C6. the C6 nerve root was trapped, and basically on top of the pain I have to tolerate with my lower back I decided enoug was enough. I am 43 now. I am constantly told that I will have to put up with the pain from my lower back for the rest of my life, so the fact that I could do sthg about my neck/arm pain I decided to embrace it. I am 12 weeks post op now and glad I did.
I have taken pregabalin and gabapentin in the past for nerve pain, but I weaned myself off these 2 years ago due to problems they have caused with my cognitive function and short term memory. Cortisone injections can work on a short term basis, and you may well get enough relief to avoid surgery for the near future, My experience with steroid injections is that over time they become less effective. Hope this helps !
jane_73183 jane14277
Posted
Hi everyone,
Hope all is well out there in ‘disc’ land 😂
It’s been a while since I have been on here so I thought I’d share where I am now as of today, to help others on the journey of our unfortunate condition.
Firstly, I have SO much more empathy for those with nerve disorders- I truly understand your pain & feel so much empathy for the daily life.
Since my last post I have finally had my surgery.
Yesterday I was 2 wks post operative. Yay, but omfg what an experience.
Last night for me was a celebration as I finally after 2 wks of wearing the collar and lay down to sleep- you have no idea how fabulously scary this was.
My dressings had been removed, so I got to see my scar, it looks great two wks out, so I think in the new few weeks you probably won’t even notice it.
So last night I was able to sleep laying down, for the first time in 2wks and I didn’t have to wear my brace.
Happy to report that I was able to sleep like I used too (I use chiropractic pilliows) & my pain was absolutely minimal.
I’ll keep everyone posted, I’ve started walking 20-30mins a day for the last week- you need to move as balance is an issue I’m finding but know it will resolve.
My feet are a little numb and tingling but my right foot has come good, left foot will follow without a doubt.
The first two weeks are the worst I think post surgery, but as always smiling and positive attitude keeps you going!!
??