A Bit of a Nerve Root Block Update

This morning I had my second nerve root block procedure, only this time it was a little different

Last time the doctor ran a catheter from between my shoulder blade up to the C3-C4 area of my cervical spine where they then introduce some anti-inflammatory steroids directly on the nerve root. The idea was to reduce the swelling of the nerve that was causing my pain, and therefore positively identify the spot for a possible surgery in the future.

Because I was looking to verify the results of the last nerve root block, the doctor told me that this time around he was going to do a slightly different method that would be a little more precise, and that would give me immediate results. This time he injected the medications going in directly through the side of my neck, and along with the anti-inflammatory medicine he included an anesthesia that would literally numb the nerve thereby giving me immediate, if only temporary relief from the pain.

After the procedure I was wheeled into recovery, given a juice box of apple juice, and waited for the doctor to come check up on me. When he arrived he asked me how I felt, and I was happy to report that I did indeed feel less pain! It wasn't 100%, but it sure was damn close. He told me that the effects of the anesthesia would last about an hour, and then the anti-inflammatory meds would kick in anywhere from today until a few days later. At least we know for sure that the spot that is giving me so much grief is at C3-C4, and should I elect to go under the knife I have a good chance of finding permanent relief.

Now, you would think such a decision would be a no-brainer, but then again I bet you have never had a anterior cervical discectomy with fusion before, either. Let me tell you from first hand experience that is not a surgery you want to take lightly. It was incredibly painful, and the next three days I spent in the hospital were brutal. I couldn't swallow, eat, or talk, and I was terrified that I would drown in my own mucus should I fall asleep. I have a condition known as dysphagia, which is, simply put, a difficulty with swallowing. What I didn't know going into my last surgery was that this trouble, at least in my case, is brought on by an extra large piece of cartilage in my throat. We all have this particular piece of anatomy, but in my case it is abnormally large, so when they intubated me they ran into this piece of cartilage over, and aver again. It caused some swelling and irritation in my esophagus that prevented me from swallowing just about anything, including liquids. I tried to drink some water when I woke up from the anesthesia and the water literally bounced off the back of my throat and went up my nose.

Hopefully that won't happen again this time around because the doctor's will be aware of the problem, but as I said before, it is a very painful surgery, and I will need to overcome that fear of pain before I can commit to gong through with it.

Another difference between this surgery and the last is that last time I had the benefit of my wife staying with me in my hospital room 24 hours a day. At the time she worked at the hospital in the oncology wing admitting patients, so they bent the rules for her so she could sleep in the room with me. Should I go ahead with the surgery I am afraid having there with me won't be possible. I have hinted here on Athenamama before that my marriage sort of hit the skids a few months back, and while my former wife and I are amicable toward one another, I believe it would be asking a lot of her to stay with me like she did before.

The first time I had surgery I don't think I fully understood how had the recovery was going to be. I was pretty nonchalant about the whole affair right up to when they put me under, but when I woke up some three hours later I had a whole new perspective concerning neck surgery. I had initially told my wife she wouldn't have to stay with me in the hospital, but that first night after she fell asleep on the portable bed they provided for her I was very grateful she did. I honestly don't know what I will do this time around without someone there with me 24 hours a day. But, I guess that is what nurses are for.

In any case, we'll see how much relief this injection brings, and for how long it brings it over the next few days. Thanks again for all your kind words of support. It really does mean a bunch to me.

Posted by Jeff at January 21, 2008 1:52 PM