For those patients who have an appointment already scheduled, here are some instructions for you to follow before your appointment.

Please arrive at the appropriate location 30 minutes before your scheduled procedure. This allows time for registration and check in. Please note that there are several locations where these procedures are performed. If you are unsure of thae location that your appointment is scheduled, please call the office at (919) 470-6186.

Once you have been seen and evaluated by the doctor, the epidural steroid injection usually takes about 15 minutes to complete. You will be required to stay for a 20 to 30 minute recovery time following the procedure. You will not be allowed to drive a car for the remainder of the day because of the potential effects of the medications that you will receive. This will require you to have a ride from the hospital arranged.

NPO: You should not eat or drink anything after midnight the day of your procedure. If you take daily medications or have diabetes, see below.

If you disregard this requirement, your procedure will be delayed or cancelled.This is for your own protection, as rare but serious complications can result.

Medications: Blood thinners such as Coumadin, Lovenox must be stopped for at least 5 days before the procedure or until clotting times are within normal limits. Please let our office know if you are taking Coumadin so that appropriate tests can be arranged prior to your appointment.  Ticlid, Plavix, Persantine, Pletal, Aggrenox and other anti-platelet drugs must be stopped 7-10 days before the procedure.  Other medications can be taken as usual up to and including the morning of the procedure with a small amount of water. Aspirin and NSAIDS such as Aleve and Motrin should also be stopped for 7 days prior to your procedure if possible. Other prescribed pain medications should be taken if needed.

Diabetics: If you are an insulin dependent diabetic, it is usually best to remain NPO and not take any insulin on the morning of the procedure.

If you are a brittle diabetic and you do not think that this will work for you, call our office and we can make special arrangements for you. We will check your blood
sugar when you arrive for your procedure and administer insulin if necessary.

If you have additional questions, please feel free to call our office at (919) 470-6186.