Pain 10 months after Spinal Epidural

[flamenca1]

Can this forum please Dvise. I had a Spinal Epidural 10 months ago and I am suddenly experiencing pain in my back going down the back of my leg. Does this mean it is wearing off? Also would it be best to see a Physiotherapist or go to a Chiropractor.

Thank you for any advice.

[Shakou]

I have just had one, yes it is wearing off 10 months is awesome! Have you not done any physical therapy over the 10 months? That is the only way to heal the prolapse. You need to do specific exercises to allow this to heal.

[flamenca1 in reply to Shakou]

Hi Shakou

I do exercises each morning before getting out of bed. A physio showed me them but nothing specific after epidural. I am always worried to get physio again in case it moves anything. Silly but don't want that pain and spasms back.

Thank you for replying.

[Shakou in reply to flamenca1]

No worries it hurts like hell doesn't it? I don't blame for not wanting to move, the injection has reduced my pain a bit but not to zero. You need to see a descent sports injury therapist & start moving again to get your body working correctly that is the only way you will heal. No pain no gain is true here I'm afraid.

[Jenharri]

Sorry you are suffering again. Unfortunately ESI shots do not last forever. I've had 3 recently in February and they have worn off. I've recently gone into such severe pain that it had broken through the Butrans patch I wear for chronic pain.

I have not returned to the numbness in left leg & Sciatic pain down my left leg. Now experiencing severe lumber pain & sciatica in right buttock & leg.

At this moment in time I am laid up in bed with severe pain & back to urinating over 30 times a day where nerve has been damaged affecting my bladder.

A doctor appointment for me this evening see what he can do to help, at present taking Cocodamol & Ibuprofen. Waiting to see spine surgeon but wants to see another MRI, 1st confirmed L4L5 rupture plus L5S1 nerve pressure Spinal Stenosis also C3/C6 narrowing arthritis facet joints.

I also have psoriasis & biLateral Arthritis.

Take care I hope you don't get all your original symptoms back. I didn't so that was a slight bonus 😃

[flamenca1 in reply to Jenharri]

Hi, thank you for replying. I have sciatica down my left leg from buttock. Do you think this means the Spinal Epidural is wearing off. Just hope I don't get the pain and spasms back.

I am so sorry you are in bed, I hope you see a Surgeon/Consultant soon as they seem to know best what to give you for pain etc.

I also have Osteoarthritis and since I had the Epidural it made it worse, the Consultant could not get the needle in my spine as it had all closed up so he had to go in another way.

My back cracks a lot now and is painful and my knees are really bad. I guess that is what happens when you are past 60.

I still take Baclofen, Pregabalin, and Imipramine daily, tried to stop them but the pain came back and I could not walk.

I do hope the doctor gives you something better for the pain. Get well soon.

[Jenharri in reply to flamenca1]

The spasms in my right leg have not returned that was some pain. I could not move when I woke. It got so bad on waking I found myself wailing in pain. Thank goodness it hasn't come back.

Let's hope the same goes for yourself wishing you much luck.

[flamenca1]

Thank you.

[earthwitch]

I would absolutely steer well clear of chiropractors - the last thing you need is someone to crunch your back and run the risk of severe spinal cord injury. If its wearing off, then go back to your doctor and ask for a reassessment, and while you are waiting, see if you can get to a physio who understands spinal problems to get some appropriate exercise that won't do further damage and will help relieve the pain.

[flamenca1 in reply to earthwitch]

Thank you for your advice. I will stay clear of Chiropractors. I am trying to ignore the pain if I can as I am not sure about another Epidural yet as I know they are not very good for you long term. Having said that if the spasms return I will be begging for an Epidural.

I will look at seeing a Physio for massage and exercises.

This site has so many good people offering good advice.

[Jenharri in reply to flamenca1]

Have you tried the Butrans patch? I still need to take meds for break through pain but nowhere near as many.

Here's hoping the severity of your pain does not come back. Hard to live with. 🤕

[mcpip]

Hi!

I have had a spinal surgery lumbar L4/5 s1 before this i had epidurals etc, its very likely it wearing off 10months is amazing to have the pain come on, is it different from your pain before? they say epidurals can worsen or cover up a condition because its wearing the area or you can damage the area from not releasing moving in a certen way etc, i would think it would be time for a top up and try that first if you have pain after this i would ask them to look into whats causing you the pain.

for me epidurals didn't work at all same for my partner and many people but its good thing in a way that your feeling some pain now its also likely because epidural is to numb nerve pain and the pain your describing sounds like it is, have you changed medication lately also?

all the best Xx

[flamenca1 in reply to mcpip]

Hi, thank you for your advice. I have not changed meds. I was told by consultant if I want to be pain free I would need to stay in meds. I did try recently to come off and I could hardly walk so had to go back on as I was going on holiday. They definitely help.

I am trying to get work through pain as it is bearable if I take a Naproxen. I know Epidurals Are not good and you can only have a few.