epidural steroid injection
 

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.

re: Epidural steroid injections, caution
 

Greetings

I am new here, but by browsing for more info. regarding paraylisis and epidurals- I came across this site-

my mother is currently in ICU and paralyzed below the waist as the result of an epidural for back pain, it was her second..her first had went well

during the second, she suddenly got shooting pains in her back, ribs and legs..then everything went dead-, she was transported to via ambulance with no musclular control whatsoever. Now she has some control of her upper body but is completely paralyzed from the waist down, of course the dr. said it had nothing to do with the epidural but c'mon people, look at the facts...so i research and what i find is frightening, simply by hitting the wrong nerve the epidural can and does cause complete paralysis which may or may not subside. no one knows if she will regain use of her legs at all and will be leaving the hospital in a chair.

please, please think twice before someone tells you there is no harm in an epidural and serious side effects cannot happen, they can and they do and with far more frequency than the md will admit.

I am off to the ICU to visit her now...keep this in mind before letting anyone preform an epidural injection- google paralysis as a result of epidural and see what the mda has to say- it does happen...

blessings
Aimee
:(

Aimee I totally agree. Epis are nothing to fool with. You made a very good point, make sure you know all about the procedure you are getting done BEFORE you get it done. Reading the paper the doc gives you sometimes (not on purpose) doesn't state all the facts.
Be knowledgable and be your own advocate.

Aimee,
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR POSTING. I GOT INJURED FROM MY PREVIOUS EMPLOYER WHICH RESULTED IN A HERNIATED DISC (L5 S1) AND ONCE I GOT AN EKG DONE, THAT PARTICULAR DOCTOR ADVISED ME TO GET A STEROID EPIDURAL INJECTION OR SURGERY. I AM SKEPTICAL OF BOTH AND RECENTLY I THOUGHT ABOUT THE SHOT [SINCE I HAVE BEEN TAKING MEDICATION (TRAMADOL 50 MG) SINCE 2006 IN WHICH I'VE NEVER TAKEN PILLS CONSISTENTLY BEFORE IN MY LIFE UP UNTIL THIS INJURY]. WELL I AM SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR MOTHER'S CONDITION AND IT APPALLS ME TO KNOW THAT SHE IS IN THE ICU/PARALYZED FROM THE SHOT ITSELF WHICH REALLY SCARES ME. I REALLY APPRECIATE HEARING YOUR STORY B/C NOW I HAVE DECIDED THAT THE SHOT IS NOT FOR ME, ESPECIALLY SINCE DIFFERENT PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT REACTIONS (GOOD/BAD). I WILL PRAY FOR YOUR MOTHER THAT SHE WILL REGAIN HER ABILITY TO USE HER LIMBS AND AT THE SAME TIME...I WOULD DEFINATELY LOOK INTO SUEING THAT DOCTOR WHO PERFORMED THE SHOT ON HER FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND I WISH YOU THE BEST!

MICHELLE

I guess I should be thankful
 

I had my 2nd injection about 2.5 years ago. I have pain from the injection site as well as intermittent numbness down my leg and in my large toe. I have been searching for info on nerve damage from the proceedure, but all I can find is that there is a .05 risk. well I am that .05. It can be misserable, but not as misserable as the pain it prevented. It was so severe it made me cry the pain was horrible. There is no such thing as a completely safe proceedure. The risks were explained up front and I dont feel the Dr was negligent only trying his best to help me. People so often forget that fact. Would I do it again? Yes! The discomfort felt now is just a tiny fraction of what I was experiencing. And Now I realize it could have much worse. I hope your mother gets better soonth and may God Bless

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.

Stop the epidural injections!!!!
 

I have had more than anyone i know 34 in 2 1/2 years!!! They do not tell you that they can and do cause more nerve damage !!!!
Look up the term "arachnoiditis"
it is a inflamation of the nerve roots and adhesive arachnoiditis is a scar tissue that starts growing and and destroying the mylen sheath that protects the nerve root the studies have shown that even sterile water causes scaring of the nerve root!!! Please look up the terms and do not have anymore done they may help in short term for pain but long term effect is a hell you do not want to know !!!!

I had an injection in my cervical spine over 6 months ago...It was the worst decision I made!...I thought I would share this with others so that everyone is well informed of this procedure and what it can do. I had a herniated disc at c56 and bulging at c67, the pain was awful, so my dr told me he wanted to do this, it was very safe, there are possible side effects but they rarly happen and are not serious and he said he only had to tell me that for the same reason asprin has to put it on there label, but that it would go fine and is no big deal... When he inserted that needle into my spine the pain I felt was horrifying, worse then the pain I was already in by 100%, it was electrifying lines of pain everywhere!, the next day I lost the complete function of my right arm and hand, dropped my infant baby, couldnt even open the fridge etc. plus the pain was now way worse. I called my dr and told him and his response was oh thats not from the injection, u had weakness before hand, however in his notes there is no weakness indicated! he told me i needed to go to pain managment and i never saw him again...well this is over 6 months later, I did regain the full use back of my arm and hand but the pain is still worse then it was before! well ive been doing research and come to find out, the steroid he used isnt even fda approved to be used for injection into the spine! as well as the manufacturer has on the label not to inject it anywhere near or around the spine...now why was I not made aware of that? this specific steroid that was injected into my spine also causes a disease when injected into your spine (which is why it is not fda approved for injection into the spine) called arachnoiditis, which has no cure, and I currently have all the symptoms...The steroid is called depo-medrol...look it up, if anyone is getting a steroid injected into their spine they need to be sure to ask what steroid the dr will be using and look it up first!!! my life has been a living nightmare eversince and I have 3 small children to care for!...I would def. not recommend!

I've never had any relief from these injections either and I agree they can cause more damage than good. if ONE doesn't work do NOT let them do ANY MORE. Any subsequent injections will NOT WORK if the first one didn't so you're risking a whole lot of trouble by going ahead with more injections. Tell the doc NO if he wants to do more. Just don't let him. Arachnoiditis is a very REAL possibility and it's INCURABLE.

Best of luck and God bless. Hugs, Lee

Re: run down
 

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. :mad:

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?

dyskinesa risk for steroid lumbar shots
 

Hi, I have a L5 S1 protruding disc. I was given a epidural shot in Oct. The shot was painful and left my parkinson much worse off. I started having moderate tdyskinesa a week later.
It sounds like their might be a connection .
Would like to hear from others.
Happy new Year to all,
john

Dont belive the stats.Ive heard figues everywhere from 0 to 100% for dyskensia.You can trust themjust your own experience

Epidural lumbar injection
 

Hi
I have just had an epidural injection for chronic low back pain, it was the most horrendous experience I have ever been through:( right from the start it was agony, but when he was pumping the fluid in it was the most horrendous pain ever it went all down my leg .
When I had to stand I couldn't as my leg was numb, when I told him he said that has nothing to do with what you have just had done !
I am still in pain if not worse, I feel so traumatised with it that I can't stop crying.
I don't know what to do, has anybody else experienced this? I hope not ad I wouldn't even wish this on my worse enemy, I have had three children with no pain relief, so I know what pain is! This was terrible experience.
Thanks
Nicola

Welcome nickc. :Wave-Hello:

epidural space injections BAD
 

another thing...you can get arachnoiditis from steroid shots...they use depo Medrol also and this in the epidural space can GLUE the nerves together making pain the worst ever!! Never allow this!

Epidurals and fusion
 

I was wondering if anybody had an spinal:confused: epidural done after having back surgery?

I had a laminectomy with fusion at L4L5 done last November. My upper spine, the thoracic T4-5 have been giving me a lot of pain lately. I feel it is from the surgery, considering the upper spine now takes on the load.

Can steroids harm the fusion, is what I am asking.

Thank you and here is a hug for you all!:grouphug:

Steroid medication can lead to bone loss, osteoporosis and fractures. That is why these meds should be used to the minimal.
Prolonged or long term use further increases the long term, irreversible side effects.

There are times these meds has a great benefit and can be used during severe flare ups, especially for inflammations in some autoimmune diseases such as MS and rheumatoid arthritis.

I had 2 epidural steroid injections many years ago for herniated cervical disc, (C6-C7) which was brought on by a automobile accident where I was hit from behind by a car.

The injection did not help at all. If you ask me, I do sincerely believe that these procedures are over rated, and I do believe they are a big money making thing.