Epidural Injection Question

[cogito]

Hi,

I've just joined. I'm not sure if this question is best suited for the surgical or non-surgical forum.

I have scoliosis through C4-T4 and only became symptomatic a few years ago.
The pain has been getting progressively worse and more persistent: pain around my left collar bone, radiating down the arm, numbness/tingling in outer two fingers, muscle tension in trapezius and neck sometimes locks up.

I'm using Ultram ER 200mg and 10mg hydrocodone for breakthrough.

I am considering an epidural steroid injection. I've had one before in my SI joint (due to other medical problems). I found it very very helpful.

However, I've read it is less effective in the upper spine. So, I'm wondering, before I start forking out the money, if others have found it helpful.

Also, I live in the Oklahoma City area. Any recommendations for a scoliosis specialist and/or someone to do the injection would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[amae28]

Hi, I had a few cortisone injections in my upper thoracic spine and the first time around ended up with a collapsed lung because he was injecting the muscle near my shoulder blade and underestimated the effect the rotation of my rib cage had on the position of my lungs! They really did not help even though the next times I had them done under flouroscopy, in fact, probably made the pain worse. Cortisone or "trigger point" injections are different than epidurals though in that they target the muscles rather than the nerves so maybe you would have better results, I guess it just depends on if you are having muscle-like achy pain or shooting nerve pain. good luck,

Abbie

[jrnyc]

dear cogito
am having a series of 3 epidurals now...3rd one next week...most of my pain is lower lumbar, tho i also have upper curve as well...have never heard that they are any more or less helpful for upper or lower curves...am getting some relief, tho not as much as had hoped for...think i've gotten more relief from facet block injections & nerve ablation..but will keep trying...i have been prescribed hydrocodone, oxycontin & morphine...really dont like the morphine at all!

best of luck
jess

[Rodsmom]

Jess~ Noted you have had both facet and epidural. Wanted to ask on pain. Our daughter had facet injections (4) pain was through the roof. They now want to do epidural, was the pain bad for you? Can you give me a comparison? :)

[jrnyc]

dear rodsmom
do you mean the pain during the procedures? i have a pretty good pain threshold, due partly to one & a half years tx for severe Lyme disease( which left me w/plenty of arthritis!)...the epidural injections & facet blocks & nerve ablation hurt momentarily.. the needle sticks hurt & i could feel the fluid going up my back with my last 2 epidurals (final one next week)but it is bareable for me...dont know about younger children, tho really, as a young child i used to go to doctors who caused pain, & i think nowadays doctors use anesthesia, whereas back in the day they didnt...(special place in hell for them, but i digress)....the pain doctors first inject a novacaine before they do any of the injections, including the epidurals....my pain dr waits for the novacaine to take effect, which is nice of him!(not all pain doctors do, as i know by experience..)

i will send you my e mail address if you have more questions...

best of luck
jess

[cogito]

Thanks for the responses.

I phoned a doc. that was recommended by another user on this board.
He had a cancellation next week, so (luckily?) I'm able to get an injection much sooner than I anticipated.

The nurse scheduled a slot for an injection, but I assume the doctor has to look at my MRI's and X-Rays first to see if it is actually appropriate.:confused:

[jrnyc]

they usually do the epidural under a fluroscope so they can see where everything is...my doctor looked at my Xrays but said the MRI was of no use...
i have my last (3rd) epidural july 22 next week...

jess