Worsening of pain one week after an epidural injection for sciatica.
 

I had an epidural injection one week ago to treat painful inflammation of spinal nerve roots (sciatica). This was my second injection; the first seemed neither to help or hurt. There was considerable discomfort during the procedure. I was told to expect discomfort for a couple of days, but one week after the procedure, my pain symptoms seem to have worsened. My oral temperature is normal. I called my physiatrist and he suggested I take my oral pain medications and get some rest. Has anyone else out there had this experience?

Yes, I have had the same experience. I had a little discomfort while having the procedure done but also a week later I was in severe pain. I took my oral medication for it, but it didn't seem to help much. After a couple weeks, the pain started to subside. I was very thankful for that. Since that incident, I have not had anymore procedures done like that.

He probably hit the sciatic nerve with the injection -- which would really irritate it more than it already was! I've had an injection like that too, and when he put the needle in, I thought I was going to die!!! I've never had pain like that before. :eek: It did take awhile for it to settle down -- unfortunately I didn't get any "relief" from the injection.

If you didn't get relief either, don't let them do another injection. If the first one doesn't work, any subsequent ones won't work either. Best of luck & God bless. Hugs, Lee

Re injections
 

[Sorry you are in so much pain. I agree with posts. If this hurt you more than helped you, I wouldn't do it again eithor. I have said NO to a number of treatments, and it is OK to do that. Most of the time your doctors understand if you don't want to try again. good luck to you. I hate needles to begin with, so I have to be in considerable misery to do this kind of thing to begin with. I hope you find relief. ginnie

I also had one in June and as soon as the needle went in I was in really bad pain, super bad for the next few days and developed lots of nerve symptoms in my left leg and foot. Had to take Medrol....and all my pain meds....they wanted to do another, but I said no! It took me over a month to have the pain go back to the same level as prior to injection. They took no responsibility.
Hope you all get some relief and healing,
blessings,
Chris

Epidural Pain?
 

That sounds like the person doing the epidural wasn't skilled in what he was doing. The guy who did my 2 used fluoroscopy to make sure the needle was placed correctly, there was no issue with that. When he put in the solution, there was a feeling of pressure, but no pain. But, I had 2 injections (one Transforamenal, the other Caudal), and neither helped. When I went for the third, he said since the first 2 didn't work, the third would be meaningless and that surgery was my best option (for what I had, it was). Surgery WAS the best option.

Remember, Epdural means "on the outside" or "above" the dural sheath, so the nerve should not be hit directly! The goal is to bathe the area in an anti-inflammatory agent to hopefully lessen the swelling and thus lessen the pain.

I did a lot of research on the guy who did my Epidurals, and asked a lot of questions. He was VERY happy to see a patient so interested in their Dr. and was more than pleased to answer all my questions.

ouch
 

I don't think they are supposed to hurt that much. My initial stick ouched, then pressure, and he used that type of equipment to watch every move he made. there were no mistakes and it did help. I had Katamine infussions also and again there really wasn't any pain like you are describing. I am sorry that happened to you. It sure makes you not want to try something else doens't it? I did wind up in surgery, as there was a point, nothing did work. It was the right decision for me, and I am alot better. I hope for the best for you. ginnie

epidural injection
 

I had my first epidural injection yesterday and it was by far the worst and most excruciating pain of my life! I am now in a world of pain and keep having muscle spasms and shooting pain in area of the injection..does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do..I've been taking pain medication and icing it and trying to rest as much as I can. Not sure if I should go through with the next 3 I have scheduled..

Judging only from the other responses in this thread, I would venture... no.

HOWEVER.... If a nerve is hit accidentally, would that be a mitigating circumstance to the injection not working? :Ponder: IOW, mightn't/would the injection have worked if the nerve had not been hit, and hence worth a second (pun intended :rolleyes:) shot?

Doc

I had one done in the cervical area. It can take up to 4 weeks for improvements so my doc told me. A year later still having issues. Sometimes it works sometimes it does not for some.

From what I understand (and it's not MUCH) the injection is supposed to 'BATHE) the nerve in the solution -- it's not supposed to HIT the nerve directly. Now I'm probably wrong, but that's my understanding. It's' much like the morphine pump where the drugs "bathe" the nerves in the morphine.

So the injection is placed in the tissues AROUND the nerves, and 'bathes' the nerve(s) in the steroid solution. That's why it's NOT supposed to be so excruciating when it's done. And that's why the pain isn't supposed to be so horrendous afterwards -- the nerve wasn't HIT. So again -- I may be wrong, cause I've been wrong plenty of time before, but that's my understanding.

Someone correct me if I am -- please. Hugs, Lee

I had an epidural inection in my cervical spine, which is the neck, right when the dr stuck the needle in my c5-c6 i had spiderwebs of pain radiating everywhere! I was screaming crying, sobbing it hurt so bad, I could barely talk to tell him what was hurting! the next day my pain was so much worse, and I lost the full function of my right arm, I could not feel it or use it at all! I called him and told him what was happening and he told me there was nothing he could do for me that I needed to go to pain management. He shunned me away b/c he either hit my main nerve and now I have nerve damage, or he hit my spinal cord, we are not sure yet, but my pain has been worse ever since, I did get the function back in my arm after about 2 weeks, but my pain has never subided, my injection was in feb, it is now july... My 3 fingers on my right hand do still have a pins and needle feeling that never goes away like they are asleep. So, my point is if you are experiencing this, most likely your nerve was hit, and everyone is different, so there is no telling if it will get better or not, or how long it will be that way. sorry you are dealing with this, I know it is frustrating, just being in pain is frustrating, and having no answers makes it alot harder to deal with!

Hello Hmarie
 

Did a pain specialist do these injections to you? I am so sorry this happened. I had several kinds of injections before my last fusion. I did not have the trouble you are experiencing. In fact there was no pain at all. I had a pain specialist do my injections. If the shot hurt, like you said, I am not sure I could have done as bravely as you did. I may have belted the guy and jumped up. I am such a wuss when it comes to stuff like that. I wish there were some help for you. I now have a pain specialist that is new. I had to change as surgical pain was not covered by my doctor, or the surgeon, so what is patient to do? I found a new gal who is a physiasist. This is a branch of medicine that deals with you in a cellular level. I have RSD in my ankle from former surgeries. We are trying to help the pain with suppliments, pain meds and creams. My spinal fusion is not just too bad with the pain, but then again I have the pain meds. Please try to find someone who can try to help you with the nerve pain. I have no doubt from what you said that some nerve was touched or poked. I am here for you any time. My PM box is full right now and I am having trouble deleting. So just post to me through the thread if you need to talk. I am fused C3-7, so I do know about the pain you have experienced. I send you my best wishes and prayers. ginnie:hug:

Hi Marie,
 

I'm curious what kind of doctor this was too, and did he not use a fluoroscope to guide where the needle was going?

Doc

Yes fluoroscope
 

I agree with doc. My shots were with the fluoroscope. I didn't know docs. did the injections without this device. I have you in my prayers right now. ginnie

No pain? During ESI
 

Hi,
I had 2 epidural injections with fluroscope done buy my pain management doc. During the procedure each time I felt a strong " electric" shock down my leg. The shots were in lumbar region. I dealt with it and did remember reading prior to having it done this was a normal feeling.

The other day I had an appt with neuro surgeon. In conversation he mentioned that the I should not have felt the " electric" shock sensation.. But he didn't elaborate ... Now I am scheduled for a discogram and am worried what I might feel something that I shouldn't feel during this test!! Did anyone else feel the shock thing during ESI??

Hi grouchy
 

I don't think the shocks should have been felt with the epidural. The disogram is not such a good injection. It is more of a test I think. Ask more of the site on this one, and look up the proceedure on google. I would also ask your doc. if it is absolutely necessary. I run for the hills at this kind of stuff. I also had infusions, that didn't hurt. Those tests that cause pain, I am a wimp over. Others do just fine. I am a wuss sometimes....ginnie

I did
 

Ihad the pain and "shock" but they told me it was a good sign that they got it in the right spot.

Dr. Smith
 

Can you tell me if shocks with those injections are the norm? What I read says it isn't normally happening with the floroscope? ginnie:hug:

I had electric type feeling during the procedure as well and have been in worse pain ever since... i can find anything anywhere that says its normal! everything about it says it is supposed to be comfortable and you just feel pressure...

I have had quite a few epidurals. I felt brief nerve pain durring the procedures.........nothing like you described and when it was over, it was over. I may have been a bit tender for a day or two but I must emphasize that it was not a big deal.

Are you in the pre-op mode? The only time I have had a discogram was just before surgery when the neurosurgeon wanted to confirm which level was the problem. This is a test, not a treatment. BTW it is one nasty, painful one. Do not allow anyone to do it w/o a snoot full of Versed. The first time I had one it was w/o Versed. I don't know how I stayed on the table. Best wishes.

Hi Hmarie
 

I just don't think that amount of pain is normal after epidural. suppose to bring relief, not more pain. ginnie

Dozens of epidurals
 

I've had dozens of epidurals over the past 5 years by a very skilled pain management doctor. Sometimes I have just felt pressure, other times they have been very painful. I wanted to note that not every injection has helped. I get them in both the cervical and lumbar regions. Every cervical has worked except for one, but none of the lumbar ones have. I've had varied recovery times. I am usually in more pain for a few days, but my last lumbar was extremely painful both during the procedure and nearly a month after.. it did get better with time. Even though the lumbar haven't worked, I keep trying because to me, more pain for a few days or weeks is worth trying to relieve the pain I've been in for 8 years. I figure I don't have much to lose, but my doctor has the best reputation in the state and I trust him completely. He has been a miracle for me in many ways, but it took years to find the right doctor to get me walking again and I'm even able to work full time.
I have had to learn what's best for me as far as recovery. What I've learned is that for me, if the shot doesn't hurt, it generally doesn't help. If I don't rest after, I have a longer recovery, but if I stay in bed too much, recovery takes longer. Its important for me to take it easy, but move somewhat so the medicine can work its way through the area. I guess I wanted to share my experiences because for me, increased pain is normal, but the first few times it really scared me and I wondered if something had gone wrong. I have to take more meds and can't return to work for at least a few days. Have patience with the process, make sure you are seeing a reputable doctor, and I also use ice to help both numb and reduce swelling. Its a lot of fluid they inject, so increase in symptoms is normal as there is even more pressure on already aggravated nerves.
Best of luck to you.
Berta

Thanks BerDuH.
 

Your post has give me some hope after the pain I am feeling 2 weeks after my 3rd epidural steriod injection. The pain from the medicine feels like pressure like when the medicine was first injected. I also started to experience very unpleasent pins and needles in my left hand and foot. I would be happy to know if you Dr. is in New Jersey, so that I could see him/her for a second opinion.

Im in hell
 

I have mild to severe spinal stenosis and got my injection 6 days ago and now I can barely walk let alone work. I don't know what to do because my pain meds aren't touching this level of pain.... Please somebody help.

Hi Chadly
 

My complications aren't as severe as yours seem to be. But I can let you know what I am doing so far.

1. After I had my 3rd injection I had new pain, Pins and Needles, and some calf cramping
2. 2 weeks later I had an MRI done with a strong machine
3. I got the report back but it didn't have anything new.
4. I went to another Pain Mgmt / Neurologist that had great reviews and was even on TV, but he just seemed to think I needed another injection. He also did an EMG that he said didn't show anything unusual.
5. I reserached Kenlog and discovered that Bristol Meyers recommends not to use Kenlog in the Epidural Space. My Dr. did.
6. I discovered that Arachnoiditis is a disease that can come from injections with bad results.
7. I am currently researching someone who can rule out Arachnoditis because it scares me.