Epidural injection for back pain while on ibrutinib.

[Davidcara]

Wondering if anyone has had epidural injection for back pain while on ibrutinib. Wondering how long the ibrutinib was held, and any other insights would be appreciated. Thank You

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi Davidcara,

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I had several x-ray guided injections in 2018 & 2019 for back pain while on Venetoclax, and had cataract surgery while on Ibrutinib in 2015. My CLL expert was consulted for each.

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I am curious why Ibrutinib would need to be paused for an injection?

Is there a bleeding risk suspected for your procedure?

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Len

[Davidcara in reply to lankisterguy]

Yeah, I’m not 100% sure. I will need to ask my oncologist and the interventionist if ibrutinib needs to be held. I would think, typically they would hold aspirin or other blood thinners. Not sure the size of the needle but, would hate to bleed around the vertebrae space. I think there is very small risk of bleeding and infection, small but still a risk. Anyways, I will need to find out. Than you lankisterguy.

[mnmnewtons in reply to Davidcara]

It's all about your platelets. No shot if under 100, said my pain/anesthesiologist doc. My oncologist did not recommend I go off of Acalabrutinib. I never had a problem with guided epidural spinal injections.

[Davidcara in reply to lankisterguy]

did you need antibiotics for the procedure?

[michaelmac]

The short answer is yes, and no ... David ... your Q. epidural injection ,,yes .. and not to be too specific ,,, I had 3 epidural injections @ left side 4 and 5. they did not work so, they changed to Foraminals at the same location. Those worked and I'm into 2 years of shots every 3 to 4 months. We/They are trying to keep me out of surgery . I point blank refused surgery at first , because my timing was really bad,,,, They/ we were thinking surgery, just as Covid was first surging.To the ibrutinib (280 dose) Q. I spoke to my Hematologist ( Moffitt Cancer Center) and he said to stay on ( REMEMBER this is in MY case ) it. I also talked it over with the anesthesiologist and the pain intervention people . They deferred to my Hemo guy. I don't know if it was because they were off the hook OR if it was a considered opinion! Probably because they thought my Hemo guy keew best.??.I hope this helps but again ,, the above ONLY pertains to me.As an aside, when I was getting the epidurals the pain was bad enough that I was in a wheelchair . Now just a cane for balance and I can ride my electric recumbent trike 7 or8 miles.... So VERY good results.Happy Holidays David and too allMichal--

"Somehow we weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished " Hhuummmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Davidcara in reply to michaelmac]

Thanks for the info michaelmac

[Davidcara in reply to michaelmac]

wondering if you needed antibiotics

[Cindi73]

Hi David, I just got my 1st epidural injection on Oct. 8th. I was told to stop Ibrutnib the day before, day of,and day after. Unfortunately for me it only helped for 6 weeks. It's not as bad as it was before the injection. Wish you the best. Cindi

[Davidcara in reply to Cindi73]

I’ll need to talk to my oncologist. Thank you Cindi

[Davidcara in reply to Cindi73]

wondering if you needed antibiotics ?

[Cindi73 in reply to Davidcara]

Davidcara, I did not need to take antibiotics before or after. I would like to talk with you privately. If you would like. Cindi

[Davidcara]

never had the epidural. But now scheduled for the middle of March. Off of BTKi, so that is good. Wondering if anyone needed antibiotics around the procedure? Thinking no, but forgot to ask my MD.