I am on my second injection this time around I have done them before anyway my mom said that everytime that i get a injection i get sick. this time around i have bronchitus for the second time. I was wondering if ther is any merrit to this. I do not know what steroid the dr used.

Has this happened to any fo you?

thanks for any info that you can share with me.

sharon

I have had epidurals and had no problems except some discomfort. I am not sure about the bronchitis so I took a look at spine-health.com and here is what they say.

Risks of an epidural steroid injection
As with all invasive medical procedures, there are potential risks associated with lumbar (lower back) epidural steroid injections. Generally, however, there are few risks associated with epidural steroid injections and they tend to be rare. Risks may include:

• Infection. Minor infections occur in 1% to 2% of all injections. Severe infections are rare, occurring in 0.1% to 0.01% of injections. (this is of the injection site not infections in general)
• Bleeding. Bleeding is a rare complication and is more common for patients with underlying bleeding disorders.
• Nerve damage. While extremely rare, nerve damage can occur from direct trauma from the needle, or secondarily from infection or bleeding.
• Dural puncture ("wet tap"). A dural puncture occurs in 0.5% of injections. It may cause a post-dural puncture headache (also called a spinal headache) that usually gets better within a few days. Although rare, a blood patch may be necessary to alleviate the headache.

Paralysis is not a risk since there is no spinal cord in the region of the epidural steroid injection.
Side effects of an epidural steroid injection
In addition to risks from the injection, there are also potential risks and side effects from the steroid medication. These side effects from an epidural steroid injection tend to be rare. Side effects from steroids are more common when taken daily for several months. Risks and side effects may include:

• A transient decrease in immunity
• High blood sugar
• Stomach ulcers
• Severe arthritis of the hips (avascular necrosis)
• Cataracts
• Transient flushing
• Increased appetite.

Who should avoid epidural steroid injections
Lumbar epidural steroid injections should not be performed on patients who have a local or systemic bacterial infection, are pregnant (if fluoroscopy is used) or have bleeding problems. Epidural steroid injections should also not be performed on patients whose pain is from a tumor or infection, and if suspected, an MRI scan should be done prior to the injection to rule out these conditions.
Injections may be done, but with extreme caution, for patients with allergies to the injected solution, uncontrolled medical problems (such as congestive heart failure and diabetes), and those who are taking aspirin or other antiplatelet drugs (e.g. Ticlid, Plavix).

I hope this helps you. You may have also gotten bronchitis because of the stress of getting the epidural on your body. Next time you get one, stock up on the vitamin C and multi-vitamins.
Good luck.

I think that my mom is saying that the steroids are weaking my immune system so that i pick up every viruse that is around and if that is the case this sucks. I have twin boys that are in kindergarten and they bring home every virus known to mankind.

thanks for the info fibrowendy. you always haev a wealth of knowledge and we can count on you for that.

see ya
sharon

Sharon, glad I could be some help to you. I think that the epidurals do leave you run down and probably open to colds and stuff. With 2 little ones around just try and keep your immune system up.
Good luck.

Of course I just read what I posted a couple of days ago, and lowering of immunity is a side effect. DUH!

Ya I think that is what this is, I am suppose to go get my third one in the series of the 5 on thursday but i am not sure if I am going to go tget it. I am jsut so tired and wore down. but i do not want to mess up the series of shots i am not sure if they have to be every 2 weeks in a pattern or if i can skipp another week or 2 to try and let my immune system build bak up for christmas so we will see. thank again.

sharon

If you feel better from the series so far, take a break from the epis for a couple of weeks. I am sure the doc will understand.
Just from the procdures itself will knock you sideways as you know. Its quite a shock to the system to have that done.
Do what you feel is best for you. If you feel that they aren't working, stop them. Who cares if they are number whatever in a series of 5, do what is best for you.
Good luck.
By the way, I only had two of them and neither worked for very long.

I am no expert, but being run down with two little ones who bring home those little germs may be the issue. get that sanitizer and go at their hands, door knobs etc. Epidurals don't ususallly give those infections. Try to rest more, ask for more help if you can, especially the few days after the injection. Hope you feel better soon. ginnie

If you read the very fine print, you will find that infection is one of the possible dangers. I agree, it is not common but they have it covered in the paperwork.

I never worried about spinal leaks after all the times I had been tested and treated over the years. The last time I had surgery, I had to have the infamous pre-op myelogram. While on the table, the idiot doctor said as many times as I had been "poked", I was due for a spinal leak. I don't know if he was making conversation or had just made a mistake, but the next morning when I got up to go see the surgeon for the results, I got hit with a blinding headace which could only be one thing. I called the office, described the symptoms and told them to have a room ready for me and I would be there in ten minutes. It took three blood patches to get that leak sealed up.

oh man...sorry to hear that!...I didnt have to have a patch as my headache wasnt severe and went away on its own... that is just awful....but i have been doing my homework now and it may be to late, but I am finding out what happened to me!... I dont know what germs or infections ginnie was mentioning, but steroids alone do make your immune system weaken.... I know my cord was hit, just because of the way it felt and the pain I had when the needle was inserted....What I want to know is why didnt my doctor inject the contrast? after I was crying and sobbing he still continued and injected the steroid, but in his report he doesnt say anything about injecting the contrast, but in my pharmacy report, contrast was ordered...Did he not inject the contrast bc he knew he hit my cord? The nurses notes also only list the depo medrol and numbing medication as the medications administered...this leads me to believe that he knew he hit my cord and that is why he didnt inject the contrast, instead he injected half the depo medrol and then withdrew the needle and re inserted it into my c67 and injected the rest... What does everyone think???? why would a doctor not inject the contrast that he pre-ordered from the pharmacy?

I have had nine sets of steroid injections and have had very little pain relief. Don't ask me why I tried nine times! One doctor said that the last doctor just didn't do it right so I gave him the benefit of the doubt and agreed to the treatment. Well, three days ago I had a rhizotomy and am in more pain now that I was before. I am wondering if anyone can tell me how long it will be before I feel some pain relief. Thanks in advance for your info.