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