Good I am glad you called your doctor as each has a different approach. May I ask who suggested this and does this person deal a lot with rsd? Anyhow the point of the TEC was to allow me to do extreme PT. The catheter was just giving me better pain control not actually doing anything by itself if I am correct. I had a few fears from people who had done it and I am not saying you should not but like for me I have delayed pain and I feared after so much PT and when the catheter came out that condition. Also I know people where they had a hard time with getting the right doses etc. I hope you get some answers and direction. I know how hard these choices are to make

My son has rapid cycling bipolar, depression, anxiety disorders & had a epideral steriod injection last week, since the injection he has experienced depression. He had heard that the injections may affect people with bipolar. He is scheduled for another injection next week, so if anyone can help I need to know it these steriod injections can cause depression or affect people with bipolar.
Thank you so very much

Hi Clarice
just wanted to mention that this is our RSD/CRPS forum so you may want to ask your question on the bipolar forum to get more specific answers
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum38.html

I've had two and I'm waiting for my third in June. They make me feel human again. I have not had any reaction at the injection site. If I understand the diff correctly, they go in deeper with the epidural which is why the need for anesthesia. I believe both of mine have been lidocaine and depro medrol(a form of cortisone). I have to go home and lay down for a time with a heating pad on my back and low activity for 24 hours. But it takes 5 to 10 days before I feel the full effect. I have a very slow metabolism. It even alwaysbtakes me longer to wake up than they expect, even though I warn them ahead of time.

Afterwards, I have to be careful to not over do, because my pain level is much lower and my mind is stronger and better able to think. I have a lot more desire to even do small things, like getting dressed, taking showers, doing chores. I still don't wear shoes or socks, but I definitely have much less pain and swelling in my feet ankles for about 8-10-12 weeks.

Hug gently,
pat

I've had an epidural but it was done under sedation because of my age and also because I was having another procedure at the same time. I obviously can't remember anything about what the procedure entailed but it was done with Ketamine.

I got 6 hours reduction in pain (my pain levels went from an 8 and half to a 5 - not as much as i'd hoped for but I was really happy to have less pain!) It soon returned unfortunately but I am now on oral Ketamine and that does help a little (doc wont do any more epidurals as says can cause more harm than good).

I hope it helps should you go ahead

Alison