Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi,
I've been given a date to have a nerve root block of L5 for slipped disk causing sciatic down the right leg. I am so anxious about it. Has anyone got any experience having this procedure. Should I be worried. Do you have any tips and when should I expect to be back to normal activities after having the procedure. Any advice and experiences much appreciated!!
0 likes, 44 replies
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jessica_78456 gabriella44865
Posted
Don't let me put you off . As everyone different, I had one last Thursday no benifit what so ever in fact been unwell with fever. Was admitted last night and am now nil by mouth. Got infection but wanting to rule out it's because of injection. This is my 2 no injection in 4 year and the 1st one was a dreadful experience too. I had emergency surgery 6 month after 1st injection as the 2 disc collapsed and popped never been the same since . Hope all goes well
arlene77671 gabriella44865
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I downright refused the injection some years ago as the specialist told me it would hurt! Evil man!!! But I have heard of others that say it was fine. I am now waiting to see a neurosurgeon but will not accept injection this time either.
gabriella44865 arlene77671
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Why won't you try the injection??
arlene77671 gabriella44865
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Because I suffer with health anxiety and have to be put to sleep to have dental work done! So wouldn't be able to cope x
gabriella44865 arlene77671
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In have the same issues but sugary scares me far more than a nerve root block so I'm suprised you are going down this route!
gabriella44865
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arlene77671 gabriella44865
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jessica_78456 arlene77671
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Any amount of time is not good, 25 year for me the last 8 been chronic 😬
arlene77671 jessica_78456
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Hi Jessica I know, I am now in the process of having to give up work and have been diagnosed with fibro too. It's just so depressing I really feel for you x
james82082 gabriella44865
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jessica_78456 arlene77671
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I've not been able to work for 3 year and the little help I do get benefit wise , they harass the life out of u to review u and re assess u . Even though medical it's obvious am in a good way. PAid into the system since I was 15 .
gabriella44865
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How much time should I take off work for the nerve root block please anyone who's had it done?
jessica_78456 gabriella44865
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jodes_26774 gabriella44865
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Hi Gabriella
I had this 3 days ago and I was so nervous going in for it! I am in Australia and it was called a CT GUIDED CORTISONE INJECTION, I payed on the CT scan machine on my stomach and as the pain was horrendous they laid pillows under my pelvis to make me comfortable, they then put markers on my back and put me in for the a little scan, they then bought the table out and started they talked me through every bit, first putting a local anethsetic in and then when numb they put in the next bigger needle following the markers and then slid me back into the CT machine and took more photos, they did this in and out about 6 more times to make sure they had the right spot, as mine is central and pushing onto the spinal chord they did have difficulty and ended up doing tandem, 2 needles either side, I did feel some uncomfortableness with pain in my butt and down my leg but nothing I couldn't handle after the week of excruitaiating pain I have been in since doing this injury, and me saying I had that pain the doctor said was a great sign as it means he's near the spot, afterwards I was told my leg could go numb and this is normal, yes it did and it's a weird feeling and I had difficulty walking so get home fast and you can not drive, my app was 4pm and the numbness lasted most of the night, yesterday I didn't have much pain relief like I was hoping but have been told it can take up to 10 days to work, this morning I have been woken by pain down my leg into my ankle and it's quite severe, let's just say I can't lay still or can't walk without limping so I am up down up down which is how I ended up on this thread, looking for answers for myself, I have had cortisone injected into bakers cyst previously and I do remember it got worse before it got better so that's my theory! Hope all goes well For everyone on here we all seem to be in the same boat! Cheers xx
gabriella44865 jodes_26774
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How's the pain today Jodes? I assume your nerve root block was a bit more complex/risky as it was so close to the spinal cord? If you don't mind me asking and PM me if you'd prefer, have your bowel and bladder been normal since the procedure?
jodes_26774 gabriella44865
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Hi
The pain is not any better on day 3 and 4 after needle! Had a very down day thinking it's such a waste but I am assured it can still take up to 10 days so I need to stay positive, I have numbness down leg to toes now on right side and some funny feelings like things crawling in my skin in right leg, I went back to hospital and they said it's all nerve pain because of the compressed nerve, bowel and bladder is fine no difference at all! Though the hospital said if that changes I need to get back immediately! I have decided to go to a chiro today to get a different opinion, wish me luck he reckons he can help
gabriella44865 jodes_26774
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jessica_78456 gabriella44865
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Each to there own , I've seen a chiropractor in the past and he said if it was my discs he would not touch me , to be fair I am in so much pain I wouldn't allow him to ether . Just be careful as manipulation is not always the answer . And there exspensive
jodes_26774 jessica_78456
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Hi Jessica
I should not have said chiro, he is actually like a Bowen therapist, I had a treatment and I had immediate relief of the nerve, my pelvis was out and rotated forward, the disc back pain is practically gone I just have sown muscle pain and the sciatica nerve pain! Having another treatment tomorrow! For the 1st time in 12 days I slept for more than 45 mins last night, I woke up in a bit of pain as I didn't have any pain meds through the night, am moving much better and have more range and motion! Very positive so far but I am not expecting miracles just small improvements are a gods send!
jessica_78456 jodes_26774
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jodes_26774 jessica_78456
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Hi
I have had 2nd Bowen therapy treatment and can say I have no disc pain at all, I honestly can not believe it, the nerve's jumping and crawling over my legs has gone too, I still have a small percentage of pain in the sciatica, that's no way annoying because if that was ok I would be pain free, I have taken less pain killers in the past 24 hrs, I honestly am in shock considering 2 days ago I couldn't walk more than 5 steps without crying my eyes out, I was told by the doctor in the hospital that I should be seeking a referral to specialist to see about surgery, good luck everyone but this little black duck is going to do everything to avoid surgery! Xx
jessica_78456 jodes_26774
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jodes_26774 jessica_78456
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Hi Jessica, Bowen therapy is a type of massage therapist, it's very light manipulation, pressure points etc I don't even know the whole way to Describe it! If anyone has a complicated history that would be me too! I had tonsils, appendix and 3 knee ops by the age of 15, I had my gallbladder out at 18, I had hysterectomy at 22, I had blood clots in lungs 16 days after hysterectomy, I had tests which caused an aneurysm in the artery in my groin, I have degeenerative disc disease since the age of 24, and 1.5 years ago I have been diagnosed with an auto immune disease called Psoriatic Arthritis, I am on immune suppressants and a low dose chemo drug! I have bakers cysts in both knees, and have a tumour in my salivary gland that was supposed to be operated on today! But i cancelled due to this injury and am in pain most of my days, as you can imagine this bloody disc protrusion was the last thing I needed, I have known so many to have surgery on backs and have no relief or made worse so even though a doctor told me last week to get a referral to a surgeon, an operation is the last resort for me, I paid $693.10 for that CT guided cortisone, and got no relief i even think it was worse, I paid this therapist $70 for first consult and $60 for next treatments and I am 90% better, I know it's not the money side of it I would have paid anything to get out of pain, but he explained about the pelvis being out that made so much sense as why the disc bulges out of the vertebrae and compresses nerves, my pelvis was also rotated and I can't believe the relief he has made by some soft massage and very light manipulation, I was so scared about the nerve and doing more damage but he has done the opposite and taken the pressure off so now it's not doing permanent damage as my leg had gone numb and had feelings of spiders crawling on me! That has subsided too! So he has stopped the nerve being compressed it's just amazing!
jessica_78456 jodes_26774
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gabriella44865 jodes_26774
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gabriella44865 jessica_78456
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jessica_78456 gabriella44865
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R u a nurse ? I don't just have fibromyalgia I have other health issues to. I was told by a chiro he would not touch me because of my health problems. The treatment would not stop my disc from drying out or rehydration the ones already gone affecting the nerves . Some Tiny nerves sit in are disc too.
jodes_26774 jessica_78456
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Hi Jessica
No it wouldn't really, it was very gentle and seriousky i felt a calmness come over me! I have a painful disease with the psioratic arthritis and it did not hurt!