New Experiences
Jul. 19th, 2013 10:09 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ladyspriteSo today I got to add something new to my list of Things I've Experienced In My Life - I had my first epidural injection (in my neck; slightly different from the caudal epidural anesthesia that people think of when they talk about women in labor).
After most of a year of dealing with fairly severe pain and weakness from two partially herniated discs in my neck, today was my first round of actual treatment. I've performed epidurals before, but this was my first turn being on the receiving end of the needle, and I'll admit it was rather surreal.
When you describe it, it's a fairly simple procedure. A needle is passed through skin and connective tissue into the space around the spinal cord, and local anesthetics and anti-inflammatories are dripped in. No fuss, no muss, right?
In reality, while they numb your skin, there's something incredibly disturbing about lying face-down on a table, doing your best to stay perfectly still, and listening as two doctors grunt and shove, trying to push said needle one layer at a time through ligaments and fascial layers, pausing every few minutes to take an X-ray and see how close they are to the target. It's even more creepy to know that each little pop and creak is another step closer to your spine, and no matter how much they reassure you that the pressure you're feeling is normal, you can't help but worry that that's an AWFUL lot of pressure and force directed towards your spinal cord.
But it's done, and I'm home, and under orders to "take it easy" today (whatever that means). It'll probably hurt more before it hurts less, but I've been told that's normal, and that I should keep a pain diary for the next week or so, in order to let them know how I responded when I go back - apparently most people wind up needing two or more injections. The worst part right now is just the psychological conviction that if I move my neck too much my head will fall off.
I really hope this works....
After most of a year of dealing with fairly severe pain and weakness from two partially herniated discs in my neck, today was my first round of actual treatment. I've performed epidurals before, but this was my first turn being on the receiving end of the needle, and I'll admit it was rather surreal.
When you describe it, it's a fairly simple procedure. A needle is passed through skin and connective tissue into the space around the spinal cord, and local anesthetics and anti-inflammatories are dripped in. No fuss, no muss, right?
In reality, while they numb your skin, there's something incredibly disturbing about lying face-down on a table, doing your best to stay perfectly still, and listening as two doctors grunt and shove, trying to push said needle one layer at a time through ligaments and fascial layers, pausing every few minutes to take an X-ray and see how close they are to the target. It's even more creepy to know that each little pop and creak is another step closer to your spine, and no matter how much they reassure you that the pressure you're feeling is normal, you can't help but worry that that's an AWFUL lot of pressure and force directed towards your spinal cord.
But it's done, and I'm home, and under orders to "take it easy" today (whatever that means). It'll probably hurt more before it hurts less, but I've been told that's normal, and that I should keep a pain diary for the next week or so, in order to let them know how I responded when I go back - apparently most people wind up needing two or more injections. The worst part right now is just the psychological conviction that if I move my neck too much my head will fall off.
I really hope this works....
