nerve block

What is your condition, that you need a nerve block?

I injured my back and was in so much pain that I would do anything for relief. I had the nerve block while I was waiting for the FDA to approve the artificial disc replacement. My block was in the area of L4-L5.

They had me lay on my stomach on a table where they had an x-ray machine that allowed the doc to see exactly where the needle was going. The purpose is to put the medication as close to the nerve as possible without touching the nerve. They injected 3 different nerves. I felt a lot of pressure with the 1st 2 injections, much more than an epidural injection. But the 3rd injection hit too close to a nerve. It was like an electric current shot through me, down my hip and leg. I raised up off the table and screamed and cried out in pain. After the procedure they tried to move me to another bed, but my legs were numb and I couldn't stand. Within the hour the numbness wore off and my husband took me home. I was told to stay in bed a couple of days. While in bed, my legs would involuntary jerk and I had shooting, stabbing pain in both legs. I called my doc, he said to call him back in a couple of days if this didn't go away. It didn't go away. The jerking continued to move though out my entire body. That was in 2004, and I am still having jerks in my upper body. Not only do I have the back pain, I now have stress headaches due to the tension in my shoulders and neck. I have seen several neurologists and movement disorders doctors. I have even been to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. All doctors agree the procedure caused my problem, however no treatment has been successful. I can't have my back surgery because the jerking will dislodge any hardware. I know all Nerve Blocks don't end this way. But you do need to know the risk involved. I wish I had not had it done.

I have had two, the first one was bad because the doctor didn't know what he was doing and that was back in the 80's. The last one was an answer to my prayers. Some time you have to have more than one to completely stop the pain but I only had one and that has lasted for more than 10yrs. The main thing about anything being done to your body is to be able to talk to your doctor. Ask questions and if he/she doesn't have time to answer them, find you another one that has the time you need.

Hi!

I had nerve blocks done twice in the last  years for what my Dr calls Meralga Peristhtica (not sure on spelling) It is a pinched nerve on the groin and makes my leg burn whenever i walk or stand. I read on WebMD that it is caused by pressure or weight gain in the belly and the cautatious nerve is being pinched. The block worked for about 2 years the first time I had it done but I also lost all feeling in my leg for about 2 days. I had the second one done and it didn't last as long as the first one. It really did help, I didn't have pain in my leg until it began to wear off. I have my own hteory and my dr kinda agrees that the nerve can re-grow around the block. It seems to hurt worse after it re-grows. I hope it works for you, don't worry, if it works the way it did for me you will feel like you have never had pain at all!

Good Luck!

Nightstar

do you have the wires inserted into your spine or into the nerve in the side of your leg? My Dr says that the one in your spine doesn't work well for foot pain so I'm thinking about having it put in the sciatic nerve in my leg so that it goes down to the pain in my foot. The controller for it will be surgically implanted into my calf of my leg. Please write back and let me know about yours.  LB in WI

I have had several nerve blocks.  Some have worked and some haven't.  The last one was a Nerve Root Block on the occipital nerve.  It has been very helpful.  The procedure itself was not bad.  They put an IV in my hand and then when I was in the procedure room the gave me some demerol and visterol or something to sedate me a little.  The needle went onto my neck to the third ON.  It wasn't painful really.  I have also had  blocks that were more close to the surface to the lesser ON's.  They were helpful at the beginning but became progressively less.   I have also had several in my neck and lower back.  All being very helpful. 

I'm not sure I've had the block, but I have 10 needles inserted into the nerves in my

lower back and electricity pulsed into them to burn which temporarily deadens the

pain (about 5-6 months). It takes 2 drs and a radiology tech 1.5 hours, but I swear

I wouldn't be able to walk without these treatments. I'm all for whatever takes this

horrible pain away! Good luck with your experience, Ann