Back Pain Support Group
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. In fact, about 3 in 4 adults will experience back pain during their lifetime! The term back pain includes pain affecting the neck, midback and low back. Acute back pain may begin suddenly with intense pain but typically lasts fewer than three months. Usually, chronic back pain is persistent, steady, and...
So I went Monday for the Medial Branch Nerve Block Injection. The doctor said they would not be using steroids. I still signed the consent form under duress like I had planned. With my allergy history, I was really worried I would react to this shot in a bad way. My ride told me I wasn't "acting right" afterwards and that I seemed really "off".
That evening my friend called to check on me and I asked her to come over because I felt off. I didn't feel right at all. She came over (she is a CNA) and took my b/p which was 84/54. My son immediately got me a glass of gatorade to drink. (It raises blodd pressure). Two drinks and b/p checks later and I was at a safe number. Actually, I was higher than my normal b/p but I felt SO much better. My blood sugar was holding steady and she made sure I was comfy and said to call for ANYTHING!
I wish that was the worst part of it. I laid down and dozed off for a little and when I woke up, I felt like my lips were swelling. I went into the bathroom to check my face since I have had angioedema attacks and I know how serious that is. My lips were HUGE, my eyes were swollen and my whole face looked puffy. I sent my friend a text to come get me NOW! and take me to the ER and immediately called the on call doctor and had my epi-pen at the ready.
When they answered, I tried to explain what was going on but it turned out, my tongue was twice it's size and I could barely talk well enough to be understood.
I went outside and my friend must have flown here because she pulled up in record time. At the ER, since it was after hours, I had to pick up the phone to let them know why I was there. All I could think of to say that they would understand was "ALLERGIC REACTION!" They buzzed me in before I got to the second word and got me in the back immediately.
I got a shot of benadryl in the butt (ouch!) and the swelling was down in 5 minutes. By the time I got to the ER my throat was slowly swelling shut so we got there just in time. Before anyone asks... an ambulance here would take too long to get to me. I would've died if I called 911. No drama there. Totally serious. I would have died.
So the doctor talked to me a little bit about what happened once I could talk normally. I was actually impressed. I usually won't go to this hospital but when I needed them, the doctor was awesome. He wasn't going to release me unless I has 24 hour care for the next 24 hours. My friend dropped me off at my other friends house and I stayed there. I had to stay awake until 2:30 in the morning but once I took that dose, I was okay to fall asleep. My friends had someone sit up and watch me through the night and all day.
I have been on benadryl every 4 hours (sometimes 3 1/2) to keep from swelling. What really impressed me is that the ER nurse called me yesterday and asked how I was doing. I told her how often I was taking benadryl and how much. She suggested I start taking Zantac once or twice a day with it since it is also an antihistimine. Benadryl is type 1, Zantac is type 2. So I took that advice and today I am up to every 5-6 hours.
The severe abdominal cramping has stopped (YEA!) and the only thing that is still poofy are my eyes.
And now, if they want to do another injection, my lawyer can tell them no. I found out that the non-compliance stuff doesn't count for invasive procedures. Now I am mad!
But at least I am alive. Haven't been able to take care of my youngest kid this week though. He's been with a friend this whole week. I got him back last night.
My back is in a lot of pain and very stiff now. I'll never do that again.
That evening my friend called to check on me and I asked her to come over because I felt off. I didn't feel right at all. She came over (she is a CNA) and took my b/p which was 84/54. My son immediately got me a glass of gatorade to drink. (It raises blodd pressure). Two drinks and b/p checks later and I was at a safe number. Actually, I was higher than my normal b/p but I felt SO much better. My blood sugar was holding steady and she made sure I was comfy and said to call for ANYTHING!
I wish that was the worst part of it. I laid down and dozed off for a little and when I woke up, I felt like my lips were swelling. I went into the bathroom to check my face since I have had angioedema attacks and I know how serious that is. My lips were HUGE, my eyes were swollen and my whole face looked puffy. I sent my friend a text to come get me NOW! and take me to the ER and immediately called the on call doctor and had my epi-pen at the ready.
When they answered, I tried to explain what was going on but it turned out, my tongue was twice it's size and I could barely talk well enough to be understood.
I went outside and my friend must have flown here because she pulled up in record time. At the ER, since it was after hours, I had to pick up the phone to let them know why I was there. All I could think of to say that they would understand was "ALLERGIC REACTION!" They buzzed me in before I got to the second word and got me in the back immediately.
I got a shot of benadryl in the butt (ouch!) and the swelling was down in 5 minutes. By the time I got to the ER my throat was slowly swelling shut so we got there just in time. Before anyone asks... an ambulance here would take too long to get to me. I would've died if I called 911. No drama there. Totally serious. I would have died.
So the doctor talked to me a little bit about what happened once I could talk normally. I was actually impressed. I usually won't go to this hospital but when I needed them, the doctor was awesome. He wasn't going to release me unless I has 24 hour care for the next 24 hours. My friend dropped me off at my other friends house and I stayed there. I had to stay awake until 2:30 in the morning but once I took that dose, I was okay to fall asleep. My friends had someone sit up and watch me through the night and all day.
I have been on benadryl every 4 hours (sometimes 3 1/2) to keep from swelling. What really impressed me is that the ER nurse called me yesterday and asked how I was doing. I told her how often I was taking benadryl and how much. She suggested I start taking Zantac once or twice a day with it since it is also an antihistimine. Benadryl is type 1, Zantac is type 2. So I took that advice and today I am up to every 5-6 hours.
The severe abdominal cramping has stopped (YEA!) and the only thing that is still poofy are my eyes.
And now, if they want to do another injection, my lawyer can tell them no. I found out that the non-compliance stuff doesn't count for invasive procedures. Now I am mad!
But at least I am alive. Haven't been able to take care of my youngest kid this week though. He's been with a friend this whole week. I got him back last night.
My back is in a lot of pain and very stiff now. I'll never do that again.
I am so very glad that I refused to do those injections into my spine. I am so very glad that you are able to refuse any more.
Sometimes, insurance/WC/SS forget that we are NOT guinea pigs but, actual humans who have a right to decide what is best for us and, what is reasonable for us.
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences...you may be able to save someone else.
HUGS to you!
Do you have liquid benadryl on hand? I have hubby drink from bottle as we drive to ER. It keeps the throat from closing so he has no traciotimy.
I refused these shots because of this type of reaction. Thanks for sharing. It confirms my decision. Although today, I wonder if it would be that bad to just slowly swell up and stop breathing and this torture would end.
Hope you feel better.
I have always had a adverse reaction to nerveblock and steroid injections and I won't ever consent to one either. I do hope and pray that they find a procedure that you can use that will help you though. I will rememeber you in prayers.