Facet Injections.. Why?

[imelton2]

I have been seeing an anesthesiologist for a couple years, getting low back epi's for ddd.

I also sustained a severe neck injury 22 years ago. Recently the headaches have become too much, too often. When I asked him for help, he sent me for an MRI.

The results are that there are bulges from C4 to C7 with C6/C7 being a "diffuse disc bulge" with all sorts of things with it, like narrowing, compomise, and spurs.

So, as a jumping off point, the doctor gives me bilateral facet injections at C2/C3.

Why?... Why facet? Why C2/C3? Why did he not send me to a specialist? Should he have?
How loudly should I be screaming... as loud as the pain? Telling him nicely that I HURT!! is certainly not getting me anywhere! I don't express my pain, I talk about it... is this the problem???

[imelton2]

No one will talk to me here, and I am not sure what I am supposed to think about that.
Regardless, I thought I would update that I will be seeing a neurosurgeon on Nov 11.

I came to this website and registered because even though I could not relate to some of the procedures many of you have endured, I myself have endured a long list of procedures that should have done something. But instead, the doctors end up just shrugging their shoulders at me when I ask "Why?" or “What now?” They won’t take the time to answer. Maybe it’s because I am a Medicare/Medicaid patient.

I am completely alone here… completely. I live 2000 miles from my nearest relative and have no one to talk to about any of this.

I know it may seem strange, but I am always very disappointed by the "Well, good news, there isn't anything we can do for you" speech.

WILL SOMEBODY, PLEASE, tell me it can get better… even if it is a lie?

[Harrison]

Thx for your post and sorry about your situation. Yes, this community is here for people just like you. Occasionally, some posts may go unanswered. As the administrator, I observe that the posts with specific questions generally get the past responses; but that doesn't mean we don't care or don't want to help!

Tell us a little bit more about your appointment with your neurosurgeon in a few days. How did you find him/her? What expectations do you have? How recent are the imaging studies you have the doc will be referencing? Was it from September?

[imelton2]

Thank you for responding and confirming that I am in the right place, I was starting to wonder.

I finally went to my GP (instead of the anesthesiologist), he had not seen the report for the cervical MRI done in September. It wasn’t a pleasant visit; we had a nice yelling match where I demanded some help….then he read the radiologist report I brought him. He did apologize after reading it and agreed I needed to see a specialist. Much to my surprise, he referred me to the neurosurgeon.

The question pertaining to what are my expectations: I have no clue. I seem to get upset easily, which means that my ability to communicate effectively goes out the window and therefore any benefit of the visit is gone. I have PTSD and am disabled on Medicare/Medicaid. All these things make me a very difficult person I guess.

If you could please tell me what it is that I can do to help myself? What questions should I be asking?

Twenty years ago, someone tried to break my neck. Some years have been better than others but this year makes all the others seem like a day at the park. Last week I had a true “10” that started as a headache in the early evening just like any other night, but this one…. I actually went crazy and when I came back from the hospital my house looked like a burglar had ransacked it. There were blood stains on the walls from my pounding my head and there on the floor laid the hammer that I was using all over my body to get the endorphin rush. I was desperate. The old adage, my hand hurt so I stomped on my toe! I am not sure I can go through another night like that all by myself. I feel like I am actually hanging by the fuzz that is at the end of the rope.

Do you have any answers for me as to why I got those facet injections at C2/C3? If not, I will ask neuro guy on Wednesday.

One last thing… All that information that you all provide about what you have been through is very helpful. After reading many of them, I really felt like I was not alone in this.

Thanks,

Pam

[Jack]

A person that I see regularly is a Phd psychologist that specializes in chronic pain. He takes the time to answer my questions without having a financial incentive to perform a procedure. He also provides coping mechanisms to help deal with chronic pain. They can also give you information on what type of care is available in your community.