Trigger Point INjections, do they help you?

jess18 · 10-07-2009, 07:05 AM

I will soon be getting a call as my dr sent a referral to one of the Centers for Neuromuscular Therapy around here in Charlotte, and a Dr that does trigger point injections.
I suppose I am somewhat confused. If the pain is miswired in our brain, as the CNS is hypersensitive with nerve signals, the brain is telling us that we have heightened pain, but does that mean our muscles are not sore?
Anyhow, back to topic.
Has anyone had these done for tirgger points? I go back to Physical therapy next week and am looking forward to the myofascial work she will do.. but I have never had any injections and dont want to make matters worse.
If they work for you, how often do you go for them? How many shots are given at a time? Where do you get yours done, and how long does it take for you to feel an effect and also get over the soreness of the injections?
Thank you. Most of my pain is in the back of my thighs ( very tight) and my feet.... but I want the thighs first.
I appreciate any help. thank you.
jess

Jo*mar · 10-07-2009, 12:02 PM

Quite a few with thoracic outlet syndrome have had trp inj. -you can do a search on that forum or even the whole site to find posts about it.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum24.html

many aren't able to post regularly anymore so a search would be a good way to find the info.

Have you had any "hands on" or manual TrP therapy?
If not I suggest that first to see if they can be resolved without injections.

or possibly acupuncture?

do you have specific little knots that are very sore to pressure ?
where are they located all over or just certain muscles?

PS - I just noticed your siggy- that you have MPS - I was thinking FMS only.

here's one of my threads full of therapy links and more-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post388-1.html

jess18 · 10-07-2009, 12:59 PM

Thank you for replying and also giving me all of the links. I have had manual trigger point therapy for something else last year, but I will be going to the same PT as she was excellent. When I thought the problems were over,
this was finally the diagnosis, so I pray that the myofascial release will help and am considering injections, I just dont want to make things worse.
ONe of your links showed the best place in the US for myofascial pain was Pittsburgh, and the drs there. That is my hometown!!! My parents live there. I have to do more reading, but am planning ongoing to the pain mgt clinic at the mayo.. so. I just want to read it and gather some more info.
Thank you again. Jess

bubber5 · 10-07-2009, 06:23 PM

I have had trigger point injections to my upper shoulder. They were extremely helpful for about 1 month; but did not last.

I had no side effects nor did it hurt.

Rooberri · 10-24-2009, 05:56 AM

Hi Jess18,
I'm new to the board and this is my first post.
My daughter has been diagnoised with Cervical Myofascial Pain.

We live in Charlotte also and she has trigger points done at the Southeast Pain Center on Randolph Rd. Dr. Munez is excellent.

You can have up to 9 or 10 shots at a time. You can only have some much of the lidocane or procane as it will become toxic if you get too much.

My daughter has had the best relief from these. She has reduced her meds and is starting to have pain levels reduced from 6-8 down to 2-4. Sorness lasts about 3 days for the injections but the pain you feel before you get the shots will get worse after the shots and last about 5-7 days and then it will subside.

Excellent tool for treatment.

Hope you get relief soon.

Sheri in Charlotte

dreambeliever128 · 11-21-2009, 07:23 PM

I have had so many triggerpoint injections, if the holes stayed, I'd look like a strainer.

I swear by them. I have had them for the Fibro, Pelvic pain, RSD, and chest pain.

They do work. I think at times it takes more then one in areas, you almost need a series of them in certain areas to calm it down completely.

My PCP gives them to me. They don't hurt when he does it but at the U of Colorado Hospital the needles were too long. My PCP said they don't have to be big needles to do the job.

Mine are mostly lidocaine and ketamine injections. I've only had about 3 steroid shots in the 10 years of dealing with the pain.

Ada