Trigger Point Injection Mishap - & Temporary Solution

[Guest guest]

Hi, all.

I just wanted to share some info and the good news. I went to see the pain

management doctor today who did the trigger point injection gone bad (the

triamcinolone acetate, steroid, caused an indentation, numb finger and loss of

grasp).

The good news is that he was caring (like he's never been before) and really

seemed like he was genuinely concerned. He said this was the first mishap for

him, ever. (No comment). He also said he would do everything he could to make

this right for me, to make the numbing of my finger and pain and stinging at the

injection site better or go away. But, that since it's his first mishap he is

going to have to do some research himself on how best to handle this.

Meanwhile, before my visit, I did some research that said the steroid liquid

(the suspension fluid used to carry the steroids) disburses in about a week,

after that only the drug (crystallines) stays in the area of the injection.

And, that saline injections at the site can dissolve these crystals. This is

not a perfect or agreed treatment, but at least it's benign, and can't hurt if

it doesn't help.

I asked him to perform the saline injections. And he agreed, to do as many as I

want, while he researches and finds a resolution for his error.

I had my first sodium chloride injection today. And within 20 seconds (and I

have to asterisk this, I'm sorry) *the numbness was gone* and I had the full

function of my finger back!

I know this is only temporary, or until my body dissolves the saline, but it's a

start. What it means (which is also subject to further investigation by the

doctor), is that my muscles and nerves are/were working correctly (per EMG test

I took other day) and that my brain is receiving the message!

What the problem was/is that indentation caused by the steroids. The nerves

under the skin were no longer having their fat cushion, and the skin no longer

was sliding easily along. So, the rubbing sensation (along the pathway of my

nerves - from my finger to my brain) had this 'distraction.'

It's like two people having a conversation (my brain and my finger) and then

someone comes and starts talking. The two people talking are distracted and

lose train of thought and get mixed up or hear incorrectly.

It seems that this indentation is causing this distraction or crosstalk between

my brain and my finger.

So the saline puffed up the skin and is keeping it looser and no crosstalk.

Anyhow, I am so grateful for the doctor taking accountability. Because if he

did not admit that there was a problem, then obviously it would not be fixed.

I'm happy because he was willing to even try the saline. And even happier that

it's working. But, happiest, that my finger reacted so quickly to the saline.

My full muscle grasping strength has returned, also! Yay! And, I looked in the

mirror (again I know it's only temporary until my body absorbs the saline) but

the dent is gone and the discoloration/irritation color of the skin is gone,

too! Like it never happened.

I do hope that this doctor can research a permanent version of this current,

saline injection, solution.

Thanks for letting me share.

Jade

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