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Any risks for pre-surgery epidural injection?

Posted by rono2410 @rono2410, Sep 15, 2023

I have nerve impingement in the L4-L5 area resulting in weakness and pain in my quad muscle. My neurosurgeon has suggested an epidural injection to confirm the specific nerve that is being affected by impingement and to accurately address the problem in surgery. Has anyone had this procedure done and has anyone experienced complications or harmful effects from this procedure?

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willbt | @willbt | Jun 30, 2025
In reply to @weinssh "Minimally Invasive Surgery- Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion. Then 2 means I had it two months after..." + (show)
Profile picture for weinssh @weinssh

Minimally Invasive Surgery- Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion. Then 2 means I had it two months after the last epidural. Fusion at L5-S 1 . Ruptured disk, spondylosthesis (not sure on spelling but it’s a common issue), arthritis, scoliosis, yada yada. I tried everything for 18 months but when the mid April shot didn’t work and, more importantly, I couldn’t walk :-), I had surgery. Honestly, no where near as bad an experience as I thought— and appears to have worked, still sore from surgery but I’m walking normally ,

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Thanks!

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linda6101 | @linda6101 | Jun 30, 2025
In reply to @weinssh "I had 3 epidurals with no side effects. You need to let your pain doc know..." + (show)
Profile picture for weinssh @weinssh

I had 3 epidurals with no side effects. You need to let your pain doc know about your reactions. Ultimately, they did not work for me: first was “eh”, second one 3 months later was great- I thought I was cured, but the third shot did nothing. I ended up having MIS-TLIF 2 months later. I’m 12 days post op and can walk again!

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What is MIS-TLIF?

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Lee | @leeb123 | Jul 2, 2025
In reply to @davidtrevino "HELP PLEASE! I got an epidural spine injection and my lower back L4 and L5. At..." + (show)
Profile picture for davidtrevino @davidtrevino

HELP PLEASE! I got an epidural spine injection and my lower back L4 and L5. At night time I get cold arms and thighs with cold chills and slight body aches. It’s been a week so far with these symptoms, it’s weird I don’t get them during the day just at night. I get dry mouth all day too, how long would these symptoms last I read it supposed to be two days and other places 2 to 3 weeks, can’t get a straight answer. My legs feel slightly weak and slight discomfort, but at night time I feel really sick for about 5 mins and sometimes sick all night. Hot flashes too, any idea if this is a serious concern or just side effects that will go away ?

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I went from receiving my back injections in the morning and was floating in my kayak by afternoon.
I get great results from bilateral L 4/5 injections.
Im grateful and fortunate for the relief.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 3, 2025
In reply to @davidtrevino "HELP PLEASE! I got an epidural spine injection and my lower back L4 and L5. At..." + (show)
Profile picture for davidtrevino @davidtrevino

HELP PLEASE! I got an epidural spine injection and my lower back L4 and L5. At night time I get cold arms and thighs with cold chills and slight body aches. It’s been a week so far with these symptoms, it’s weird I don’t get them during the day just at night. I get dry mouth all day too, how long would these symptoms last I read it supposed to be two days and other places 2 to 3 weeks, can’t get a straight answer. My legs feel slightly weak and slight discomfort, but at night time I feel really sick for about 5 mins and sometimes sick all night. Hot flashes too, any idea if this is a serious concern or just side effects that will go away ?

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Hi @dd560a, I'm sorry to hear about the pain you continue to edure. Finding the underlying cause and getting treatment that works can be so hard.

@archie2, you're right that cause and effect are slippery concepts. In many cases, there is no known cause for arachnoiditis. Cause and correlation can be hard to prove.

- Adhesive arachnoiditis following lumbar epidural steroid injections: a report of two cases and review of the literature https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6357879/

Lumbar epidural steroid injections are commonly used for managing lower back pain and are generally considered safe. According to this review, adhesive arachnoiditis is a very rare complication that is frequently cited in the literature. Because it is frequently cited doesn't make it a common side effect. Doctors and patients should be aware of the potential complication when considering treatment options.

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srquser | @srquser | Jul 19, 2025
In reply to @brotherchuckles80 "It is hard for me to empathize with so many of you. I have had these..." + (show)
Profile picture for brotherchuckles80 @brotherchuckles80

It is hard for me to empathize with so many of you. I have had these injections since about 2008 and I have never had a negative reaction. I have had injections and ablations in my lumbar, thorax and my cervical. I have received pain relief from as little as 3 months to as lengthy as 18 months. I am beginning to wonder how much is dependent on the doctor who is doing the procedure. As far as cost, Medicare and my supplement pays for it; except Medicare will no longer pay for the anesthesia.....it costs $100. I was going to say no to the anesthesia but my pain management doc recommended that I not do that. He said that it would be quite painful and that I would be moving around quite a bit. And that would make it difficult for him to guide the injections.

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LOL - My Pain guy told me most people do this without anesthesia. I said "I'm a baby with pain" and he said "Do the anesthesia!" He didn't want me moving at all when he did this. Shot #1 did nothing at all - except the 1st 2 days were almost pain free. BUT - that was the Lidocaine, not the steroid. Yesterday he did the shot caudally, telling me it works better. His post procedure instructions say pain could be worse for a day or two - He Was Right! THe caudal shot has no Lidicaine - he said that would cause numbness & possible paralysis in legs. This has to work, and last at least 2 months, as I have a much anticipated trip to europe - 8 hours on a plane, and getting up to the Arctic circle to (hopefully) see polar bears. If pain like this, I don't know that I can handle the trip. Cancelled this same trip 5 years ago due to COvid.

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healthalain | @healthalainl | Jul 20, 2025
In reply to @davidtrevino "HELP PLEASE! I got an epidural spine injection and my lower back L4 and L5. At..." + (show)
Profile picture for davidtrevino @davidtrevino

HELP PLEASE! I got an epidural spine injection and my lower back L4 and L5. At night time I get cold arms and thighs with cold chills and slight body aches. It’s been a week so far with these symptoms, it’s weird I don’t get them during the day just at night. I get dry mouth all day too, how long would these symptoms last I read it supposed to be two days and other places 2 to 3 weeks, can’t get a straight answer. My legs feel slightly weak and slight discomfort, but at night time I feel really sick for about 5 mins and sometimes sick all night. Hot flashes too, any idea if this is a serious concern or just side effects that will go away ?

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I’ve had the same issues but more so after that Paid, my legs are so weak. The pain doesn’t hurt in my leg but my knees buckle. I don’t know what’s that about. I’m going back on the first week of August. I’ll let you know. I’m thinking it’s the steroid that they put in there because I also had a reaction from the steroid knows itchy all over.

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srquser | @srquser | Jul 20, 2025
In reply to @davidtrevino "HELP PLEASE! I got an epidural spine injection and my lower back L4 and L5. At..." + (show)
Profile picture for davidtrevino @davidtrevino

HELP PLEASE! I got an epidural spine injection and my lower back L4 and L5. At night time I get cold arms and thighs with cold chills and slight body aches. It’s been a week so far with these symptoms, it’s weird I don’t get them during the day just at night. I get dry mouth all day too, how long would these symptoms last I read it supposed to be two days and other places 2 to 3 weeks, can’t get a straight answer. My legs feel slightly weak and slight discomfort, but at night time I feel really sick for about 5 mins and sometimes sick all night. Hot flashes too, any idea if this is a serious concern or just side effects that will go away ?

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Now 48 hours past the steroid shot, and my pain is certainly no better. Unfortunately, it is worse. Dr did say it could be worse for 1 - 2 days, so I am hoping I am still in that
2 day" period. I've got to be better in 2 weeks to make this long awaited, very physically active, trip.

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witzend | @witzend | Jul 20, 2025
In reply to @davidtrevino "HELP PLEASE! I got an epidural spine injection and my lower back L4 and L5. At..." + (show)
Profile picture for davidtrevino @davidtrevino

HELP PLEASE! I got an epidural spine injection and my lower back L4 and L5. At night time I get cold arms and thighs with cold chills and slight body aches. It’s been a week so far with these symptoms, it’s weird I don’t get them during the day just at night. I get dry mouth all day too, how long would these symptoms last I read it supposed to be two days and other places 2 to 3 weeks, can’t get a straight answer. My legs feel slightly weak and slight discomfort, but at night time I feel really sick for about 5 mins and sometimes sick all night. Hot flashes too, any idea if this is a serious concern or just side effects that will go away ?

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Unfortunately, I had 5 rounds of steroid shots in my back, and it didn't work. I also had 2 spacers placed in my back, and again, it didn't work. I have given up on my local pain doctor and now have a request for an appointment with the never and spinal hospital in Huntsville, Alabama. I also recently had a nerve study done on my legs and feet, and found out I have a pinched nerve that is making it difficult to walk.

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elizamoore | @elizamoore | Jul 21, 2025
In reply to @healthalainl "I’ve had the same issues but more so after that Paid, my legs are so weak...." + (show)
Profile picture for healthalain @healthalainl

I’ve had the same issues but more so after that Paid, my legs are so weak. The pain doesn’t hurt in my leg but my knees buckle. I don’t know what’s that about. I’m going back on the first week of August. I’ll let you know. I’m thinking it’s the steroid that they put in there because I also had a reaction from the steroid knows itchy all over.

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I've had the steroid epidurals many times and all have helped tremendously. I'm sorry you are experiencing pain from the steroids and yes, you are most likely allergic to cortisone. You can get a test just to see what you are allergic too. Blessing to you for relief of that pain

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fiddleflyer | @fiddleflyer | Jul 22, 2025
In reply to @elizamoore "I've had the steroid epidurals many times and all have helped tremendously. I'm sorry you are..." + (show)
Profile picture for elizamoore @elizamoore

I've had the steroid epidurals many times and all have helped tremendously. I'm sorry you are experiencing pain from the steroids and yes, you are most likely allergic to cortisone. You can get a test just to see what you are allergic too. Blessing to you for relief of that pain

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I have had steroid epidural injections 11 times, and they have never taken any pain away. I’m glad they do for some people but we are all different. Love talked to quite a few folks who are like me and get zero pain relief from epidural injections.

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