What do they do to lessen the pain of getting the shot? Someone answered me b4 with local anesthetic. What is that? Do they give you something so it doesn't hurt when the needle goes in? And when you do get it are you numb from the waist down? Would it be a bad idea to go to work right after getting it? Thanks
2007-12-20 15:30:12 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
you will be in so much pain you wouldnt care if the needle was 20 inches long at that point. the needle is the least of your worries. yes you will be numb from the waist down. ahhhh sweet relief!
it will be the happiest day in your life in any case
sorry bad answer--i thought you were talking about childbirth and i was sharing my experience with it!! haha
2007-12-20 15:36:05 · answer #1 · answered by j dddddd 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually what they usually give is a small amount of novacaine to deaden the area where they will insert the needle into the disc space. The epidural shot itself may contain some marcaine which is a long lasting numbing agent that can last up to eight hours.
You will not feel the spinal needle when it is inserted, however, you may hear some crunching. This is normal, but you will not feel anything. Contrary to popular belief, you will not be numb from the waist down.
I would not go to work afterwards, and I would take the next day or two off. The reason being is that you may experience some increase in the pain after the marcaine wears off for a period of about 24 hours and then all of a sudden you will be completely pain free.
I know this as I have had two epidurals and I also worked for an orthopaedic surgeon who used to do these injections in his office. I have probably work with him on 200 or more.
Good luck, you will be so happy you did this. I had one in 1984 and was pain free for four years, then had another in 1988 and have been pain free ever since.
2007-12-20 23:41:26 · answer #2 · answered by Diane B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Me again. No you won't be numb from the waist down. You will need a driver as they won't let you drive yourself for safety reasons. You will be in and out in about an hour or so. Go home and rest and return to work the next day. Walking for the first couple of hours can be a challenge. I wore sweats just to be comfy. They let you keep on your under clothes and socks as this is not like surgery.
2007-12-20 23:55:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they give you a shot of novacaine first to numb area of skin around spine, then they give you epidural with long needle directly into the spine, when they give you an epidural for pain control it is not like an epidural for having a baby, not as much medicine is given so ususally you arent totally numb from waist down, just enought to control pain, I wouldnt go to work right after having shot.
2007-12-20 23:37:17 · answer #4 · answered by Jo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They rubbed a topical anesthetic on my back, then gave me an anesthetic with a needle, then the epidural.
2007-12-20 23:33:57 · answer #5 · answered by HiddenBarb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Local anaesthetic is something that they can just rub on the skin to make it not hurt as much when the needle goes in. The other questions should be addressed to your doctor.
2007-12-20 23:34:23 · answer #6 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋