[StellaLAtella]

I couldn't sleep well last night. Not much different than other nights, but I'm having facet joint injections today. It is supposed to alleviate the pain I have in low back. I tossed and turned, couldn't get comfortable. Looked at the clock a hundred times. This morning, I get up because not like I'm going to get any more sleep. I'm so nervous, full of anxiety. I've read all that I possibly can about this proceedure. I'm just fearing the unknown. I'm one of those that turns white as a sheet and gets faint at just the sight of the needle. I wish I could just NOT worry. That would be too easy. I'm scared of the unknown. I'm alone. I hope I'm just making more of this than is necessary.......I'm hoping that it will be no big deal. But I don't know. I guess I will see soon. I'm leaving here in about an hour. So, for that last couple of hours before the actual proceedure.....I stress out.

Sorry. Had to vent. I'll let you know if I reacted unnecessarily. I'm definitely going to ask for all the drugs they will give me!
~Stella

[greybeard]

Thinking about you. You'll be fine and later I bet you will wonder what all the fuss was about. Please let us know how it went as I'll probably having similar soon.

[twisted_ophelia]

It will be okay and go well for you, Stella. Let us know how you are doing, okay? Sending massive hugs your way!

[pikey]

Hey Stella,

I feel for you honey, well actually I will not feel a thing! I am keeping my fingers crossed for you and hope this procedure will give you the relief you need.

A big hug from Mr Pikey when we next chat as I am sure you have been a brave soldier.

[r47s]

you will be fine

[Trinity]

Good luck Stella
You will be fine, you are ruddy bloody brave. Relax, take deep breaths think of somewhere nice and it will be over before you know it

[qbounce]

Weren't we just talking about needles in the tattoo thread? I didn't know how close to home I was hitting.

Here's to more benefits and less hindrances!!

[nipper123]

StellaLAtella, on Mar 16 2009, 04:25 PM, said:

I couldn't sleep well last night. Not much different than other nights, but I'm having facet joint injections today. It is supposed to alleviate the pain I have in low back. I tossed and turned, couldn't get comfortable. Looked at the clock a hundred times. This morning, I get up because not like I'm going to get any more sleep. I'm so nervous, full of anxiety. I've read all that I possibly can about this proceedure. I'm just fearing the unknown. I'm one of those that turns white as a sheet and gets faint at just the sight of the needle. I wish I could just NOT worry. That would be too easy. I'm scared of the unknown. I'm alone. I hope I'm just making more of this than is necessary.......I'm hoping that it will be no big deal. But I don't know. I guess I will see soon. I'm leaving here in about an hour. So, for that last couple of hours before the actual proceedure.....I stress out.

Sorry. Had to vent. I'll let you know if I reacted unnecessarily. I'm definitely going to ask for all the drugs they will give me!
~Stella

Sweetie you go ahead and vent, this is what we are here for, personally my husband is just the same, I have to hold his hand and tell him to look at me and not the needles. Just focus on one thing in the room and don't take your eyes off of it, before you know it will be all done. Take care and put your mind in a place that is relaxing. Good luck and be brave.

Nipper

[Hapahowlee]

Awe Stella ~ I feel for you. You know how I was about what I had done and I'm usually at ease about procedures. Sometimes we just think too much and it rattles our nerves.

I'll be thinking of you and hope you're resting comfortably and having sweet dreams. Let us know how you are doing.

Sending huge hugs your way,

Hapa

[StellaLAtella]

Many thanks to all the kind words! Well, I had it done. I don't recommend it to anyone unless it's a guarantee of pain relief. I don't know if it helped, my back & right leg are still so freaking sore I don't have a clue.

This is how it went down: I got there and they took me back to the proceedure area. I asked the nurse if I would be receiving a sedative. She said she didn't have me down for one but would ask. I could hear her ask the doctor in the next room and his reply was, " we'll give her one this time, but she won't be getting one in the future. WTF?? So I'm thinking, fine....I'm here, I may as well go ahead & do this thing. So I get my shot of versed (sp?). I don't feel any calmer whatsoever going in. They tell me there are going to be 3 beestings (the lidocaine) and 3 moments of "a little pressure", the actual injection between my vertebrae.

First of all, I wish that the medical profession would not refer to a shot as a beesting. I'm not 5 years old although, I am sure some of you might think I act it when it comes to medical stuff. Yes, I am a huge wussy......HUGE, when it comes to that stuff. Can't help it. Been through a lot & I guess I can't seem to get past it. Secondly, the "little pressure" felt like my vertebrae were being dislocated by a pair of rusted needle nose pliers. A note to the medical community: Please do not try to diminish my fears with childlike analogies. Please respect the fact that I have genuine fears.....and a reason for them too. Please, when I am in tears from the pain, do not ask, "it wasn't that bad, now was it?"

Do I feel relief from this proceedure? No, not yet. Still hurt like hell (worse than before) clear down to my ankle in my right leg.

Woud I do it again? No, not unless I THOROUGHLY medicate myself AND get spectacular relief from this go of it.

Would I recommend others to get it done? Only if you can handle intense pain for a few minutes. Only if you have excruciating pain and you're most likely going to get relief.

So the nurse upon my leaving suggests that I see their counselor so that she can help me work through my pain issues. I'm thinking, sure, that will be fun. Yet another person telling me that my fears aren't valid. Another person saying I'm making it worse than it is. Thanks. No, I don't need that but hey, I'll appease them. I'll listen to them. Even if they don't listen to me. And this, folks.....THIS is the very reason I delay going to the doctor until I am feeling close to death. I think I'll just stay home and chance it from here on out.

Thanks for letting me vent. My fears were confirmed and thankfully, it's over now and behind me...........literally!
~Stella

[Hapahowlee]

What an unnecessary ordeal you went through! Unnecessary meaning that idiot doctor didn't need to treat you that way. Seems as though your doctor and the one who did my surgery are twins.

I don't understand why your doctor would have a problem giving you a sedative while you are there having a procedure done. Your fears were absolutely legitimate as well as your pain and I'm sure your muscles were tightening up from the anxiety and that can cause the pain to be worse.

My husband told me after my surgery that the surgeon came out to talk to him and of course bragged about how well it went b/c of how highly skilled he is, but he was appalled that when I was beginning to wake up, which I don't remember, they gave me a shot of morphine and within minutes he asked me if I still felt pain and I immediately said, "yes" so I was given another another shot. I can't imagine I would have said yes if I wasn't still in pain. What an ass. He was busy working on his next victim when I actually remember waking up and needed 2 more shots of morphine.

I think some doctors are insulted that you ask for sedatives or pain meds when they are doing procedures on you b/c they feel as if they are so good at what they do, you shouldn't need anything.

Well, so glad yours is over and now you know if it was worth it or not. I hope you are able to rest comfortably and also that the pain of the procedure goes away soon.

[twisted_ophelia]

Hugs, Stella. I too feel that the medical community should not dumb things down for us. I'd rather know it's going to hurt like hell beforehand so I can prepare myself and expect it instead of being taken by surprise. I hope you are starting to feel better.

[greycat]

Hapahowlee, on Mar 18 2009, 09:25 PM, said:

What an unnecessary ordeal you went through! Unnecessary meaning that idiot doctor didn't need to treat you that way. Seems as though your doctor and the one who did my surgery are twins.

I don't understand why your doctor would have a problem giving you a sedative while you are there having a procedure done. Your fears were absolutely legitimate as well as your pain and I'm sure your muscles were tightening up from the anxiety and that can cause the pain to be worse.

My husband told me after my surgery that the surgeon came out to talk to him and of course bragged about how well it went b/c of how highly skilled he is, but he was appalled that when I was beginning to wake up, which I don't remember, they gave me a shot of morphine and within minutes he asked me if I still felt pain and I immediately said, "yes" so I was given another another shot. I can't imagine I would have said yes if I wasn't still in pain. What an ass. He was busy working on his next victim when I actually remember waking up and needed 2 more shots of morphine.

I think some doctors are insulted that you ask for sedatives or pain meds when they are doing procedures on you b/c they feel as if they are so good at what they do, you shouldn't need anything.

Well, so glad yours is over and now you know if it was worth it or not. I hope you are able to rest comfortably and also that the pain of the procedure goes away soon.

yea my doc acts like god after getting my pump he put a numbing agent in mine which put me in terriable pain I went back 2 him and he said something else is wrong with you and walked out and dont wont 2 see me anymore