Today I'm going to talk a little bit more about the trigger point injections I've been receiving from my chiropractor (or rather the nurse practitioner at the chiropractor). My first experience was the worst it possibly could have been, for a first time. My shoulder pain and stiffness from the injections lasted more than a week, and made daily activities nearly impossible. The 2nd round of injections wasn't any better, unfortunately, but the 3rd round was much better.
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As I went in the chiropractor's office for my 3rd round of injections I knew in my mind that it was going to be another painful week with no obvious relief in the near future, but I was determined to suck it up and stick it out. I am willing to try anything for a reasonable amount of time, if my doctor(s) think it will help. So, I walked in, sat down, held my breath in dreaded anticipation and waited for her to come in. After she walked in, did her usual questioning and jotting down notes, she said "Well Miss Hannah, let's try doing half the amount of injections this time". I let out a pent of breath of sweet relief. "Yes! That would be amazing, thank you! I'm so glad! Perfect! Awesome! Good!" The things I kept saying over and over again in true, deep, sincere gratitude.
It was still a burning, stinging, sharp pain when administered. I walked out of there happy that I didn't have to have half as many injections that day and yet still a little nervous that I would still be stiff and sore. For maybe an hour or two after that I was a little sore, but by that night I literally felt like a million bucks!
For the rest of the week I had such relief. The injections really worked this time! I was so happy! Now granted I was still have headaches, but my neck pain was all but gone and I did have a little relief from my headaches. I had more mobility in my neck and shoulders and slept much better at night. I was able to drive with more ease (driving is always difficult for me because of all the turning of your head and sitting in the same position for extended periods of time) and my mood even improved a little.
I glided into my next appointment ready for the next round! Sadly, I only had 3 more weeks of weekly injections and then I was suppose to stop them. For the next 3 weeks I felt great! I still had my usual headaches, but they weren't getting any worse and I wasn't having any neck pain, life was great! Then came time to stop the injections. I literally begged my chiropractor to let me continue them. He said the lidocaine injections I was receiving is suppose to be administered in a set of 4 (1 set each week for 4 weeks), but because they were helping me SO MUCH, he allowed me to continue receiving them monthly for as long as I wanted. Cloud 9 is an actual place!
So ever since then, I have been getting the injections monthly, except for the last 2 months, and let me tell you....I can see a difference! I am going to start them back again in 2 weeks.
*(just a little headache funny to help lighten to mood for the next part)
As for my headaches, they haven't improved a bit. Actually, they have gotten worse....by the day. I was hoping they would take the cue from my neck and ease up a bit, but they are oblivious to the destruction they lay in my life. Now not only are they worse but, once again, I've developed new symptoms/conditions. My neck is hurting higher up in my head. It's just right above my hair line, right at the base of my skull. It's pain like I've never had before. It's intense, sharp, breath-taking, eye blurring pain. And because it's under my hair, I can't get any topical medicine or a tens unit on the area to help relive any discomfort. I'm also constantly dizzy, almost like a vertigo dizzy. The whole world around me is almost always spinning and making me nauseous. My chiropractor said my neck is physically improving. I have a better curve to my neck, the vertebrae are staying in place and my disks aren't as swollen. Which is why he is so stumped and confused as to why my headaches and neck pain are steadily getting worse. Next month I will be doing a bunch of tests and consultations by specialists to see if they can find a problem. MRI's, CAT/CT scans, more X-rays, blood tests, you name it and I will probably be getting it.
I just hope, for the sake of everyone's nerves around me :-), that the problem can be found and the treatment begun. I can honestly say that I would not wish this on my worst enemy. I hope you all are in good health and stay that way!
Blessings & Good Health to You All!
*all photos from google search engine
