Hi all,
Like I have said previously, I am 51 and having surgery November 16th. After my 2nd MRI the RN called me to inform that I will need to get a nerve block on Monday. Has anyone else had to have this? I am nervous. It is a occipital nerve block. She reports it will last two weeks and help with my spasms. Are the spasms terrible? She says my body won't know how to react when the fluid returns to my spine. It's count down and I am really getting nervous. Suggestions anyone? I am having the surgery in NYC which is two hours away from home. I believe I will need to find a local ENT, speech therapist and pain management doctor locally.
Any help would be appreciated.
Laura
Hello tomygirl
I was never given the option of an occipital nerve block. What I did do was small vertebral muscle contractions while pretending to do all the movements that the neck can do with out moving all around the upper neck area both before surgery (so I knew what I was doing and what it should feel like) and after surgery. Immediately after, like as soon as I was partially conscious. When I first started it was like my muscles had taken a vacation and were not responding, but eventually they did clue in. My Neck pain was minimal and I had no muscle spasm. Everyone was very please with my neck control return. What I wish I had been told about was to start neurodynamic exercises ASAP after surgery as well but I did not find out about those until later.
Personally, I would not be keen on a nerve block as it is just delaying normalized movement patterns after surgery and has its own associated risks. Just my opinion. I am sure that they will make you feel bad if you decline the nerve block. Good luck with your surgery.