Can anyone tell me about Epidurals for RSD ?

My PM dr wants to try an epidural and I am really unsure of what it is and what the entail and how they may or may not help.

Thanks so much !

L2L

i have had multi of these both for lumbar and throasic spine.. there is always a risk with this type treatment but they did always help.. do you know what meds they will use. will they do it inpatient or outpatient? i guess to its a big part what meds work best for you

carrie

Thanks for your reply...

I have no idea what meds my PM is planning on using. What meds are typically used ? And what are the risks ?

I have RSD/CRPS in my stomache and legs.

I am told it will be done the hospital and I will have to stay several hours after the procedure.

I am sorry I am clueless.

Thanks--

L2L

From the Neurologychannel website:
Overview
Epidural injection is the administration of medication into the epidural space. It is used to treat swelling, pain, and inflammation associated with neurological conditions that affect nerve roots, such as a herniated disk and radiculopathy.

Epidural injections may be painful and produce uncertain results. Studies show that epidural injection may provide short-term pain relief for patients when conservative treatments have failed.

Anatomy
The brain is covered by three membranes (dura, arachnoid, and pia), called the meninges that extend through the base of the skull and surround the entire spinal cord. The spinal cord travels down the entire length of the spinal column through the spinal canal. The epidural space is located between the dura and the interior surface of the spinal canal and contains veins, arteries, and fat. Epidural injection is the injection of medication into the epidural space.

Procedure
Epidural injection is usually given in an outpatient setting. An anesthesiologist usually administers the injection, but some neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and neurologists are also qualified to perform this procedure.

Here in the US it seems most moms-to-be are having epidurals during childbirth. My first pain doctor gave me two with no results but didn't hurt. My current pain doctor perfers staying out of the spinal column and feels he gets as good results as epidurals injecting in the area but without injecting into the spinal column. Sometimes I get a few days relief, other times nothing. I think is a traditional procedure and millions are done every year. Lynnie "ONE MOMENT CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING!"



Advertising Disclaimer
A mild sedative and a local anesthetic may be given prior to the procedure to relax the patient and numb the injection site. Medications, usually an anesthetic such as bupivacaine (Marcaine®) or a muscle relaxant, and a corticosteroid such as methylprednisolone (Medrol®), are injected directly into the epidural space. (The injection is commonly called a cortisone shot.)

Effectiveness
Approximately 30% to 70% of people who receive an epidural injection benefit from it. Some patients notice improvement within hours of the injection; others improve over a number of days; and others experience no improvement with the treatment. In some cases, two or three injections are given over weeks or months.

it depends on the type that they do .. they have just plain injections and an epidural that they can administer thro a catherder for a longer time.. then the injections.
well the meds depends on what type you are doin.. for the injections they usually use some type of steriod and lidocaine-maracaine it depends on the docs preferences.. with the longer lasting one with the catherder they can use buvupcaine,colinedine, and a mixture of pain meds..

do you know what type you will have
and no question is a dumb question i have no problem explaining.. i know that it can be scary!!!

carrie

Hi I am also new to rsd have had this terriable thing since 07 ,just recentliy started to get epidurrals due to copayment was getting exp.was getting nerve blks and the seem to def help but optid to try epidurals and the seem to work diffrently more relif for my back and both my feet , just finished my 3rd and i am getting relif,not to sure which meds was addministrated but i would ck w/ PM dr and see what might benifit for you. Good Luck

Hi Love2Laugh,

Good Luck with the Epidural should you decide to go ahead with it!! I hope all goes well and that you get some much-needed pain relief!!

I have had an epidural before when my Pain Management Doctor was making a splint for the Dystonia in my RSD leg. Because I am still a child though (i'm 14), I had to be put to sleep for it as my doctor thought it might be too scary for me.

I was under General Anaesthetic when I had the epidural however my Doctor explained to me what they would do. Apparently, they tilted my back forwards whilst I was asleep and then put the epidural (needle) into the area surrounding the Spinal Cord. The drug that my Doctor used in the epidural was Ketamine.

I did get some relief from the epidural. My pain is usually an 8 on the pain scale on a daily basis however when I had the epidural, it went down to around a 5 and half. The affects lasted about 6 hours and then they began to wear off.

I still have some pain now in my spine from the epidural. If I press down at the bottom of my back, I can feel where the needle went in as it is really tender. I mentioned it to my Physical Therapists and they said that it is called 'Remembered Pain' or something and is very common in people who have had an epidural.

Sorry that I can't help you that much. Just know that I care and hope all goes well for you!! Dont be afraid to ask your doctor any question about the epidural ... no question is stupid and it's important that you know what you are going into!!!

Take care,
Alison.

I was suggested and it may be different what you are speaking of but it is called a tunneled epidural catheter. It is usually in for around a month. It has med in it similar to vicodin and also I think a numbing agent. You are then supposed to be able to do a lot of PT. Hopefully they feel though I did not do this that when it comes out you have been able to get moving more and are not as sensitive.

Thanks for all the replies.....

I put in a call to my PM doctor to figure out exactly what kind of epidural he wants to do and with what meds. (My last neurologist treated my RSD/CRPS with Botox, which worked pretty well, but this new dr seems to want to try something new..... )

a few more questions:
1.how long do the effects of the epidural last ?
2. how do the epidurals differ from trigger point injections that have steriods in them ?

Thanks so much !
L2L

1. depends person to person. if its just a block type one then it can hours-days-weeks depends on the person..
tunneled or indwelling it can last a coupel day or weeks mine only lasted after it was taken out very brief due to complacations from the procedure

2.yes they can have steriods. numbing meds, pain meds, what ever the doc chooses

carrie