I had another epidural today. That makes 4 since the beginning of the year, and I'm scheduled for a 5th in 2 weeks. It's 5 so far if you count a double epidural as 2 (2 needles at the same time, one on each side of the disk).
Anyways, after the first epidural for a herniated disk at L5/S1 I got over my fear - so I thought. The next 2 went smoothly, I knew the drill.
Then I got a herniated disk in my neck in March at C4/C5. Here's where things got scary. In order to do a cervical epidural, they had to put the needle and catheter with guide-wire at around T2/T3, and then thread it up all the way using the guide wire to navigate through my spine. I didn't think too much about it until a doctor told me that some of the possible risks are nicking an artery or a stroke. I was thrilled to hear that.
So, anyways, I get in to the procedure center today and there is a lady ahead of me for the same thing. A cervical spine epidural. I'm waiting for my turn when all of a sudden things turn south. The poor lady crashes on the table and they have to isolate her while they debate how to get her to the ER at the hospital across the street.
Then... they call me in. Mind you, they haven't yet gotten her to the ER. While they're doing my epidural, they're all arguing in the room about how to get her to the ER. I'm laying there wondering how much they could possibly be concentrating on NOT sending ME to the ER TOO when they're arguing instead of concentrating as the needle, catheter, and wire gets shoved into my back.
Anyways.... all ended up fine I think. I'm pretty sore, but at least I didn't end up like that poor lady. That had to be the scariest epidural ever, possibly the scariest procedure I've ever had, second to my bowel resection surgery.
I thought I'd share as you can probably imagine what kind of terror came over me while on the table. It's a neat little story I guess.
Anyways, after the first epidural for a herniated disk at L5/S1 I got over my fear - so I thought. The next 2 went smoothly, I knew the drill.
Then I got a herniated disk in my neck in March at C4/C5. Here's where things got scary. In order to do a cervical epidural, they had to put the needle and catheter with guide-wire at around T2/T3, and then thread it up all the way using the guide wire to navigate through my spine. I didn't think too much about it until a doctor told me that some of the possible risks are nicking an artery or a stroke. I was thrilled to hear that.
So, anyways, I get in to the procedure center today and there is a lady ahead of me for the same thing. A cervical spine epidural. I'm waiting for my turn when all of a sudden things turn south. The poor lady crashes on the table and they have to isolate her while they debate how to get her to the ER at the hospital across the street.
Then... they call me in. Mind you, they haven't yet gotten her to the ER. While they're doing my epidural, they're all arguing in the room about how to get her to the ER. I'm laying there wondering how much they could possibly be concentrating on NOT sending ME to the ER TOO when they're arguing instead of concentrating as the needle, catheter, and wire gets shoved into my back.
Anyways.... all ended up fine I think. I'm pretty sore, but at least I didn't end up like that poor lady. That had to be the scariest epidural ever, possibly the scariest procedure I've ever had, second to my bowel resection surgery.
I thought I'd share as you can probably imagine what kind of terror came over me while on the table. It's a neat little story I guess.