myclonus
 

A week ago,my husband had an epidural in his upper back around the 5-7th vertibra(sp).In less than 36 hours,he began twitching in his left shoulder that lasted about 20 seconds.It progressed over the next two days and became more frequent.By the third day it would not stop.He was hospitalized for several days,with a possible diagnosis of myclonus.The twitches are under control with Klonopin.The Klonopin keeps him drowsy,making it hard to walk or stand on his own.Drs. say the twitching will go away;that there have only 5 reported cases in the world to have occurred after an epidural.Question...could the epidural caused this reaction?

I had a look for you and find that although fairly rare, there are documented cases of myoclonus following epidural injections, so in answer to your question....yes, the epidural injection could have caused your husband's condition.

There was also a discussion here on NeuroTalk around 2 years ago about a similar situation. Hopefully those posters will still be around to reply to your thread.

Here's the link for you to have a read.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread2376.html

Hi Wandawalker1,

I'm sorry that I am only just seeing this post. I have been on Vacation and haven't been feeling too well lately so haven't been on the computer that much.

I'm SO sorry to hear that your husband is having to deal with all of this!:hug: I really hope that he can get some much-needed relief real soon and I am keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.

I never had any problems with an epidural but I have had an ingrown toenail removed and my Doctor did a nerve block as I have a chronic pain condition in that leg. I was under general anaesthetic when I had the procedure done because my leg is so hypersensitive and also because of my age (i'm 14). When I woke up from the procedure, within about an hour, my leg started thrashing around all over the show. The spasms first appeared to be "minor" but they then progressed and progressed into awful, myoclonic spasms.

Here is a link to a video of the spasms in my leg if you would like to see what they look like!:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE_OwuilOew
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIXakErNBpE

I really wish that I could help you and your hubby more but please know that if you ever want to talk, I am here for you and will try and answer any questions you may have!! I'm SO sorry that your husband is having to deal with all of this ... please send him my love and tell him that I hope he gets more relief real soon!!:hug:

Alison.