Hi everyone. Sorry for my absence lately...it's been a rough month (well...let's be honest...it's been a rough year) and I just haven't felt up to posting much because I really hate posting stuff that is less than positive.

I had my 2nd cervical epidural a week ago. After the first one I was sore and stiff for about a week. This time things feel much different. During the epidural I felt pain in my left elbow...kind of like the pain of hitting your funny bone...but it doesn't go away. My back also hurts really bad and I can't move either of my arms without pain in my back between the shoulders. I vaguely remember complaining about the elbow pain during the procedure (they use twilight sedation) and then afterwards during recovery as well. The dr came out to check on me which he didn't do the first time. A nurse called the next day to check on me...which also didn't happen after the first epidural...and told me if I was still hurting in a few days to call back...I told her about the back and the elbow. On the 3rd day after the epidural when the pain was still not getting better I called the drs office and was told to just take motrin and use heat and call back Tuesday if it still wasn't better. Today is Tuesday and still no change so I called the drs office again. Again...I was just told to keep taking motrin and using heat and basically not to call back and just wait until after the 3rd epidural and see what happens.

I'm all for waiting and seeing...there's nothing else I can do and I don't want any pain meds...but I can't shake this feeling and worry that something isn't right. It's not just sore and stiff...my back HURTS and this elbow pain is like what I was having intermittently before but now it is constant and non-stop. Makes me worry is getting a 3rd epidural is a good idea. It's not scheduled until March 7th...so it's also over a month away and I'm not scheduled to see the dr before then...and its not like he chats with you the day of the procedure...probably another month after that before I follow up again.

I guess I will wait it out a week and see what I feel like...and then try to schedule a regular visit if its still not better. Sigh...it just seems to be one thing after another...

I am so sorry that you are going through so much. Please don't worry about not being able to post anything positive. Sometimes it helps to just vent.

I never had an epidural so I can't really comment on that. You know your own body, so making an appointment for before the next one sounds like a good idea. I hope things settle down for you soon. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Shay

Hi Catra,

So sorry to hear about what happened. You've already had so much to deal with. Anyone would be worried but I'm hoping this is something that will resolve quickly. A quick search of articles turned up these case studies, all of which resolved, two of them in a matter of days. All 3 ended up taking a round of oral steroids and one a combo of steroids and gabapentin. The thought was there was nerve root irritation owing to the position of the needle and underlying compromise in the area. If you don't improve soon it might be worth considering the meds to help get things calmed down. If it were me I would certainly try to get in sooner. They need to answer your questions about this and manage the care you need for the reaction.

Neuropathic Pain following Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection | Anesthesiology | ASA Publications

I hope things settle for you soon. Please do feel you can come for support when you need it. We all hit bumps in the road.

Hi Catra- I've been looking for you and hoping things were better. I'm sorry that you're in more pain and worried about your procedure. I believe you need to be able to trust yourself and how you know your body and get the MD to take the time to speak with you. I'm still praying for you, 🦋 hotfoot

Hope you feel better soon Catra. Praying for you.