Epidural for back pain follow up

Anticoagulants can rule out typical anti-inflammatories such as NASAIDs. So I had a steroid spinal injection (NOT epidural), trying muscle relaxant, and 4 days low-dose prednisone (a steroid). Hope to avoid epidural. Steroids are a big problem for me, since I have diabetes. So it's all a balancing act and cross your fingers.

[Goldfish_]

do you know what type of injection you had? Was it a facet joint or just an injection into the soft tissues?

[Hidden in reply to Goldfish_]

Sorry, do not remember exact title, injected around bulging disc, but not as deep as epidural.

[Hidden in reply to Goldfish_]

was guided by ultrasound, if that helps

[Goldfish_ in reply to Hidden]

Sounds like it might be a facet injection but that's not used for disc problems. You must have signed a consent so should have been told. Pleased it worked though

[BobD Volunteer]

NSAIDs are connected with onset of AF as well so should be avoided at all costs.

[AFCyclist in reply to BobD]

Bob, can you expand a bit please. Are you saying that anti-inflamatories eg Ibuprofen, can trigger AF?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to AFCyclist]

Never mind trigger.----CAUSE! A study about two years ago (maybe three) in Denmark I believe showed that long term use of NSAIDs causes AF in otherwise healthy individuals.

Anecdotal evidence on here suggest similar in that some report AF starting after periods of NSAID use due to joint pain. I used to live on the stuff years ago but haven't touched ibuprofen for many years apart from occasional use of gel which my doctor assures me does not get into blood stream in sufficient quantity to cause problems for the short time I may apply it.

I know it is a pain (pun intended) but anything we can avoid on our AF journey the better.

[AFCyclist in reply to BobD]

Thanks. This is new to me and useful to know. I need to read the Forum more often.

Could be a small additional factor for endurance athletes to consider. Not sure that this is widely appreciated by the sporting community.

[PeterWh in reply to AFCyclist]

No it isn't - nor actually in the medical community!!!

I think that there was another study in the Netherlands which came to the same conclusion.

Like BobD I took Ibuprofen frequently. Certainly not every day but over the course of a month probably 25% plus of the time. That was for over 25 years following a bad car crash.

I'm sure that adrenaline was another cause for me. I also have a gut feeling / suspicion that these two are also linked!!! I also was mad on sports before my car smash originally tennis in teens and early 20s; hockey (especially indoor hockey) and squash. All intense sports and high intensity and adrenaline fuelled and I was competitive!!!

[tony85]

I dont think it is much of a problem. I have ststeroid injections every 3 months and oral ones when I get COPD bouts. It does slightly affect INR. But not for long. I normally check my INR a few days afterwards. And it is usually ok