nerve blocks?

Hi i have had 2 nerve blocks in the past 6mths. I had damage to lower back after an accident at work. I had slipped disc and severe muscle and tissue damage. This was 20mths ago now and i still suffer with horrendous pain to lower left side of back and leg my bowel and bladder are also affected i need crutches to get about and am registered disabled.

I was sent to Ely hospital at the request of my consultant from the pain clinic at Addenbrokes hospital where i first recieved an Epidural. This procedure was fine and although i was extremly scared i did not need to be. The injection itself i did not find painfull and it was extremly quick.

After you have to lay in bed on a ward just until the doc deems you ok to leave. This injection can be instant regards pain relief or can take effect later.

This did not work for me but that is not to say it would not work for you...Horses for courses as they say!!

The second injection i was given was called a Dorsal root block this time i was injected into either side of my lower back. Again the procedure was fine it was not painfull and was over very quickly.

At first it did not appear that this injection too had not worked for me but about 2 weeks in to recieving it i did notice a difference in myself and the pain i experienced. It was still apparent i had pain but it was so minimal and did not affect me like before. Also you probably know but these are not long term fixes they are short term just to give some respite from pain and are not a cure unfortunately. I was told they can last up to 3 months if successfull.

This respite lasted about 15 days for me and i was GUTTED when i went back to my normal self....i will add however that although i have pain all day everyday it is differing in its intensity. Some days i can cope quite well with it and get about and other days im stuffed it really is HORRENDOUS!!

I was told i was being given these injections because my consultant belives my nerves to be shattered these injections are meant to shock the nerves into doing there job correctly thus reducing and stabalising the pain i get...i hope im making sense??

Anyway i would say go for it obviously there are risks involved with this kind of procedure but they are minimal and the impact these injections can have far outway any risks...well they did to me as i would do anything to stop the suffering!!

I will say i am back to my old ways and at this present time they are not allowing me to have anymore and want to give me a full MOT before they continue with treatment in case they have missed anything underlined. And im also aware our injuries are different but wanted to share my experience with you as i do feel in the right circumstances these injections can be extremly benificial to people.

Good luck with whatever you do and let us know how you get on Kindest regards Jaimie x x PS il warn you before they allow you to leave the hospital you have to eat toast and drink a hot drink...my toast was soggy and disgusting!! Also you are probably aware of this but you MUST have someone with you at all times and to drive you home.

thanks for that, if my pain specailist thinks this is the right route for me then i will definatly go for it. and i will make sure my boyfriend will look after me, he can do al the housework for a change.

i am sorry to hear that you are still in pain and i hope that someday you can be in a lot less pain all the best

and thanks again

heather x

Hi heather your more then welcome my love and you sound like you already have thr right idea by getting your boyfriend to do the housework....GOOD GIRL ha!!

I just hope and will pray for you that you have success with yours. And like i say they are nothing to worry about infact the soggy toast is more of a worry thren the actual injections!!

GOOD LUCK KEEP SMILING! :D Take care Jaimie x x xx