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Post by bethann on Apr 3, 2008 10:48:07 GMT -6
Hi, Well I had my appointment yesterday at Michigan Pain Consultants! Over all the appointment went well I think. The doctor who took care of me Dr. Growney had heard of Dr Jallo. He was very interested in this site. Most doctors I have gone to only care about what they are about! This Dr said he thinks most of my pain is due to the syrinx that I have still remaining in my cord. I received a Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection. I can not tell you at this point if it has helped. I guess it can take as long as 72 hours to help. Right now I can tell you I do not feel so great. A little nauseous, dizzy and it hurts where they injected me. But if I feel better in a couple of days  it will all have been worth it. Dr Growney also said that he thinks my tremors and my exaggerated reflexes in my legs are because of the syrinx. He told me to stop taking the neurontin (I am on such a low dose and have side effects) then he gave me a Rx for Klonopin (for the tremors) He said to only take it when the tremors are bad. It felt great going to a doctor who truly seemed to know about what a syrinx is and he said he has never had a patient that had had a tumor in the spinal cord though. (that is ok because mine is gone now) He thinks with the injections he can help me. Also he looked at my back and told my husband and myself that just looking at my neck and back he could see how tight it is! He also said he thinks my shoulder pain is stemming from the neck area but if it did not feel better with the injections he would order an MRI of the shoulder....So time will tell! But for now I am going to bed to rest. So tired and hurt so bad! And I have to go clean the Dentist office tonight!  Talk later! Beth |
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Post by Joel on Apr 3, 2008 12:37:05 GMT -6
hey, I'll keep my fingers crossed Beth. Did you get a general anesthesia for the steroid shot?
Joel
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Post by chickiet on Apr 3, 2008 19:45:09 GMT -6
Beth - keep us all posted on how the epidural injection works for you. I sure hope it provides some relief for you!
Chris
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Post by bethann on Apr 4, 2008 6:17:48 GMT -6
Well I am feeling much better today! I can even turn my neck to the right! It still is tight and hurts but not as bad! So I think this is going to have been a good thing!
They did sedate me just slightly before the injection. I remember some of what went on it is all a little foggy!
What they used was Depo-Medrol / Methylprednisolone
I was concerned because I am unable to take steroids packs I had a reaction (heart racing itching). With this my nose started to itch and they gave me Benedryl in the office and I felt better. This could have been from the Fentanyl Citrate / Sublimaze that said a side effect is itching it was used to Decrease pain and the Duration of Action was only 4-6 hours They used Versed / Midazolam Hydrocloride Too decrease anxiety and to increase patient relaxation during the injection, this was to last 2 hours but the effects may persist for up to 6 hours.
So now the test is on!! I hope this works! It would be so great to have found something and someone!
Beth
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Post by tyler1212 on Apr 4, 2008 7:26:46 GMT -6
bethann, very glad to hear your feeling better today! I too have a syrinx in my cervical area, along with residual tumor ( subependymoma ) from a surgery last December. I'm still trying different things through my regular Doctor to help with my pain, hypersensitivity, but I probably will have to see a pain specialist sooner rather than later. I wish you the best with this procedure and thanks for posting your expierence with it. Tyler
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Post by bethann on Apr 6, 2008 14:11:26 GMT -6
Well I would say I had the best sleep I have had in a long time last night! I am doing better. Had a rough morning at church standing and reading. My neck is quite weak feeling. It often is anyhow but I think this injection did something to make it more so. I am sure that will get better in time! I stopped taking my neurontin now (I was still taking it before bed because just quitting it cold it was causing me to have anxiety at night) I took Klonopin last night (Dr Growney gave me this for my tremors) This helped me be able to relax! So each day has been a little better!!
I go this week for PT and I know once David works on my tight muscles I will feel even better yet!!
Beth
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Post by bethann on Apr 12, 2008 20:04:38 GMT -6
Well it has now been ten days since my treatment at the pain clinic and honestly I would tell anyone it is worth checking out! I can now look to my right with out spasms! My neck is no longer as weak feeling! I think that was some kind of reaction from the treatment itself. I still have some pain but not as bad as before. I have had some days in the past ten that I have felt a little down because I was hoping it would all go away. Honestly though I realize that it will no doubt take more than one treatment to get the full results. So next month should be even better yet!
Beth
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Post by chickiet on Apr 14, 2008 9:24:46 GMT -6
Beth - that is great news. I'm so glad to hear that you are feeling better, lower pain level, etc. I know I keep hoping something's going to completely take away the pain in my feet and legs - so I guess that's a fairly common wish through our group.
I hope the injection lasts long and continues to provide improving mobility and less pain for you. Keep us posted!
Chris
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Post by bethann on Apr 20, 2008 16:15:45 GMT -6
Well it has now been 18 days since my Epidural Steroid Injection.
I do think it was worth it! I was able to turn my head with out having a stabbing headache. Now I have been not able to turn my head to the right again. I do not have an appointment until May. I think I am going to call them tomorrow and see if maybe I should get in sooner. I want this to work forever!!! And if I am starting to hurt again I think it is wearing off. I have read that if the first shot helps somewhat then the next may even be better and sometimes it takes three time. So.... lets see what the Dr says. In the meantime I am going to keep exercising on my bike and try to build up my strength as best as possible and I have been doing great with Weight Watchers I have lost over 20 pounds. I think the loss of weight and the exercise is going to help me feel better now if we can just work on my upper back neck and shoulder!
I have been so impressed with everyones exercising on this site! I am trying to keep up!!!
Beth
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Post by bethann on May 8, 2008 8:35:27 GMT -6
Hello!
Yesterday I had my second injection. Today I feel much better than I did the day after my first injection! I asked the doctor to cut down on the Meds used to sedate me. They did and I think that is what made this better! Also I have some relief today already! Last time it took a couple of days! I can once again turn my head to the right with out hurting so bad (Honestly it not only hurt but it would not turn much to the right at all and now I can almost put my chin on my right shoulder!!!)
I had talked to the doctor about a couple of other issues I have been having (I will post them on another site to ask you all what your thoughts are!)
I just want you to know that if anyone was thinking about getting these injections it is well worth it! Last time it only helped me for two weeks. This time it should last longer! We will see!
Beth
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it will all have been worth it. Dr Growney also said that he thinks my tremors and my exaggerated reflexes in my legs are because of the syrinx. He told me to stop taking the neurontin (I am on such a low dose and have side effects) then he gave me a Rx for Klonopin (for the tremors) He said to only take it when the tremors are bad. It felt great going to a doctor who truly seemed to know about what a syrinx is and he said he has never had a patient that had had a tumor in the spinal cord though. (that is ok because mine is gone now) He thinks with the injections he can help me. Also he looked at my back and told my husband and myself that just looking at my neck and back he could see how tight it is! He also said he thinks my shoulder pain is stemming from the neck area but if it did not feel better with the injections he would order an MRI of the shoulder....So time will tell! But for now I am going to bed to rest. So tired and hurt so bad! And I have to go clean the Dentist office tonight! 
