spinal fluid buildup
 

So I want to start I just had my daughter Jan 21st of 2014 and that's when the pain started in my back. I had a epidural during labor and they messed up which caused me immense pain when they inserted it and it never worked. So I delivered my daughter and as the weeks now months have went by my back pain right in my spine has gotten worse.

My doctor first thought a pinched nerve gave me pain meds and had me go to PT. But that hasn't helped she just had a MRI done on my back and they called Mr back to tell me that there is a buildup of fluid on my spinal canal. They want more images and me to see a neuro surgeon and she said I would probably need the fluid surgical removed or it could cause permanent damage. I am so nervous now I don't know what to expect I'm only 26 and back surgery sounds very scary. Any advice??

The prospect of surgery is always scary, and should never be taken lightly.

I think what you need first is information. Is there someone (husband/partner/SO) that you can have come with you to appointments? This helps in remembering (both ways—what's said, and what you want to ask/say), clarifying (sometimes we're in too much shock to think clearly and ask pertinent questions at the time) and notetaking. As you collect information, you can research your condition, ramifications, procedures (surgery), etc. The more you know about it, the better equipped to handle & make good decisions.

Then, before agreeing/committing to any surgery, it might be best to get (at least) a second—and possibly more—opinion(s).

Doc

If it is fluid, maybe only a needle aspiration would be done, like a day surgery, not a major open you up type of thing..

[They want more images and me to see a neuro surgeon ]
I would definitely do this and see what comes of this next step and the info they find.

Spineplanning on going to the surgeons with my husband and he is pretty good about asking questions but yes I do not want surgery if I do not need it. But I also want this pain to go away so if they can fix me without surgery that would be great.I just didn't know if anyone had heard of having fluid buildup in your spine after a epidural.

I have not. I have heard of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak following puncture of the dura (as in an epidural). I searched for (as I'm sure you did) any mention of CSF buildup following this procedure, and couldn't find anything, which suggests to me that it is a rarer occurrence.

You might ask on the Arnold Chiari Malformation & Syringomyelia or Hydrocephalus forums, only because those conditions deal with CSF abnormalities.

Doc