u/ashleymichael2009

Had this SPECT done for my neck to see if I’d benefit from a posterior cervical fusion after ACDF x 2 failed to fuse. And I see very close in the first picture my mid back is lighting up with pain generators and darkened in the second. There is a very far out there theory that because my neck is unstable (only front is back has movement) it has changed my posture and trying to overcompensate and that is why I have mid back pain. Almost 4 years of hell.

So I am no stranger to injections, in fact I loathe them but I needed a diagnostic facet block to see if my PCDF would be a good path for me having not fused at all.

- I arrive on Valium already, then randomly at some point they say they’ll be back to do my IV. This is my first injection with this new practice - so I’m like why are we doing an IV? Apparently they require all patients to have versed and fentanyl.

- I need a C4-C6 medial branch block (I have order from neurosurgeon) pain doctor says well I can only inject one level today that’s too much steroid.

- I get to the OR, he’s sitting at a computer saying good news we are doing a C6C7 epidural instead that will be better for you - lots of arguing later like the whole OR staff is witnessing this he settles all he can do is a C5C6 nerve block (still not what I need) - I am half sedated at this point agree to it. He says come back next week and I can do what you need (are we all okay here wtf??)

- never had twilight only full sedation. Him or another male has me in a football hold I can only remember screaming loud thrashing around from severe pain of it never had that before only light ‘motherfucker’ during past injections. He struggles a lot to get left and right side but the versed has me present but I can’t advocate for myself at all. I also have PTSD from the navy so none of this helped. I never had a doctor hold my head and around my neck like that during an injection.

-it’s all done but X-ray tech tells me I’m bleeding a lot so it will be a extra min

All I needed was a block and now I’m in the flare up of nightmares. I did talk to my therapist about this I just am stuck in this failed back surgery syndrome shit and I want to get out but I’m being suffocated by bad providers.

And no he isn’t as wide as this appears lol

I am reaching my limit with constant severe pain and being damn near housebound. But like most of us I am worried things could go either way if I tried to do a fourth surgery C4-C6 PCDF. Anterior was brutal to me but by the third approach I felt it got easier I just knew it was gonna suck bad for a few months. So what was different to you, how long did you take off work or need help in general? The first operation I had was a failed adr experience, so I’m extremely fearful of what it could do to my life if things could get worse.

I asked to try this med months ago maybe for one week out of the month to have more relief and they told me no. In the middle of agreeing to 10 mg oxy increase they changed their mind and offered Journavx to me. Had no prob with insurance as they suspected I would have. Tried my first two tablets today grocery shopping in person with my husband I usually cannot do at all.

Maybe it’s placebo? But I feel some pain relief, 100% I do feel the tingly leg feeling side effect. It’s like 100 sewing pins stuck into me but bearable. Anyone else using it like this one week a month? Picture of my view 99% most days.