Cervical epidurals

[Hoosier]

Yesterday I went to get what was to be a clavicle epidural, according to
orthopedist who set it up. When got there doctor said he thought it was
caused by problem in neck similar to what I have had in lumbar and thought
cervical injection would be best. I admit it, I am scared of that (thinking
paralysis). He admitted there are risks. So he offered trigger point
injections in shoulder and base of skull, did 4 of them. If this does not
work he still thinks the cervical. This morning I feel really rotten,
though shoulder is not worse, my head is about to explode and I have no
confidence it will work. Also, my problem with this is he does not do
injections under fluoroscope and I keep thinking "how does he know is
getting in right place." I have been to an Indianapolis Spine Clinic for
lumbar, but we are talking 75 miles away, and I would have to have more
x-rays or MRI to take, which I would need someone to order here. Then I
think maybe I should be seeing a neurologist - or some other type
specialist.

Would like to hear from others who had cervical epidurals, or any
suggestions from anyone. My primary doctor or many years and rheumatologist
too, who I always could count on for advice, have both retired, and new ones
are hard to get into and do not seem prone to advice, especially out of
their own medical systems.
PD

[A***@giganews.com]

Post by Hoosier
Yesterday I went to get what was to be a clavicle epidural, according to
orthopedist who set it up. When got there doctor said he thought it was
caused by problem in neck similar to what I have had in lumbar and thought
cervical injection would be best. I admit it, I am scared of that (thinking
paralysis). He admitted there are risks. So he offered trigger point
injections in shoulder and base of skull, did 4 of them. If this does not
work he still thinks the cervical. This morning I feel really rotten,
though shoulder is not worse, my head is about to explode and I have no
confidence it will work. Also, my problem with this is he does not do
injections under fluoroscope and I keep thinking "how does he know is
getting in right place."

Is he looking at a screen while he explores? Is that what you means
by "under fluoroscope"?

I have had 3 epidurals, all supposed to deal with neurological pain
in forearm, attributed to pinched nerve during surgery. I was also
apprehensive, but the dr.who did the (cervical 6) epidurals is
supposed to be THE gold standard for that procedure. He looked at a
screen while he was trying to get in and while he injected the stuff.
I'm not sure whether it did any good, as I was on Neurontin at the
time,so which was the effective factor?


\ I have been to an Indianapolis Spine Clinic for

Post by Hoosier
lumbar, but we are talking 75 miles away, and I would have to have more
x-rays or MRI to take, which I would need someone to order here. Then I
think maybe I should be seeing a neurologist - or some other type
specialist.
Would like to hear from others who had cervical epidurals, or any
suggestions from anyone.

My .02 above. If there's any way you could get to a radiologist or
whatever practitioner does it, who looks at a screen while he's doing
the procedure, it might be worth some time and trouble.

My primary doctor or many years and rheumatologist

Post by Hoosier
too, who I always could count on for advice, have both retired, and new ones
are hard to get into and do not seem prone to advice, especially out of
their own medical systems.

--

Aspasia