Did he use a "scope" when he did these injections? By that I mean he should have had the "needle" hooked up to a screen so that he could see where it was going. Or did he do it just by "feel?"

I've had many of these injections thru the years and i've never had a reaction like this. But I've always had it done by the "scope" method. I can't think of the medical name of the thing they use. But it they DON'T use it when the screen where they can see exactly where the needle is going, they can make a HUGE mistake and put the injection in the wrong place. That can cause problems. I would NEVER let a doctor give me an injection only by "feel." If he didn't have the proper equipment, I wouldn't get the injection. No way. Not only that, but if he hits the arachnoid space with that injection, it can cause arachnoiditis, which is a VERY PAINFUL and INCURABLE disease. So if he wants to do any more of these, and he does them by "feel" tell him NO.

Best of luck and God bless. hugs, Lee

I have had 2 epidural injections always with a florascopy (sp?) x-ray so they can see where to put the injection. also have had 2 Nerve Blocks which come in from the side of the spine to get as close to the nerve as possible.. The first two injections were done while I was sitting up leaning over and like you I started to get dizzy and sick and was told to lay down on my side. I think what you experenced is very common. The two nerve blocks they had me lay me on my stomach and they HURT but I didn't get dizzy nor feel sick.
Hope this helps to let you know that you are not alone and maybe seek a different Doctor to adminster your injections....
Lisa

Hun,
I agree with Leeall...... ESI's are supposed to be done with X-Ray guidance also known as Fluoroscopy, so if he didn't use a Fluroroscope to do your shots, NEVER, EVER allow him to do it again! Trigger point shots are done by feel because basically they go to the muscle, but NOT the steroid injections.
He was a jerk, I would NOT go back to him again, and will let him know why! No one should be treated like you were treated, and this Doctor was completely out of line.

I am sorry that this happened to you. Find a new pain management Doctor, www.raceagainstpain.com has some awesome resources and great PM Doc's listed in their website, also www.doctorsforpain.com. I know that is difficult to "divorce" ourselves from our Doctor's, but the way that you were treated is NOT the way that a true pain management professional should treat his patients....

I had these shots and they didnt help, I think they made my back worse then it was before, but everyone is different and some people it has helped. I think doctors have to exhaust all options of pain relief and these happen to be one of these options.

I had it with an xray, some people get and IV and some dont, I had a Valium and that was it and it wasnt even a strong one. It hurt me like heck when he was putting in the needle and my doctor was sort of rude telling me i had to lay still and to keep breathing i was holding my breath because it hurt. I am a bit out spoken so i told him to relax and just do it right and i will breath

He defiantly didn't use any xray or anything to help him. He just scraped my back with a wipe that felt like sand paper and then stuck me.
I feel about the same today, my back is still sore and achy. I'm not dizzy or nauseous anymore though :)

Thank you for all your advice! I'm gonna talk to my mom about switching doctors after this. It didn't help that she's out of town this week.