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Has anyone had a bad reaction to a spinal epidural?
Has anyone had a bad reaction to a spinal epidural? I had one 4 days ago. I seem to have lost my appetite, and have to take long naps during the day. I've had several epidurals over the years and never had a reaction like this.
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Thanks!
Jennifer I'm concerned about your statement "and the steroids are not FDA approved for injections into the spine." when in fact cortisone is a common steroid injected into the spine for pain?
@jenatsky Here is the information about steroid epidural injections and the risks from the FDA website.
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-communication-fda-requires-label-changes-warn-rare-serious-neurologic-problems-after
I know this may bring more questions than answers and most patients may not know about this.
Are you considering and epidural injection? Have you discussed the risks with your doctor?
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1 ReactionI also read cortisone injections in the spine for pain are not FDA approved . Does anyone have a date this was FDA approved. I understand it is common and is paid for by some insurances. But, What date was it FDA approved? A pain clinic suggested this for my pain, and seemed shocked when I asked if it was FDA approved. Like they didn't know? Also, my brother had this done at a radiologist clinic..... didn't help a bit. Ended up having surgery.
Read this info you posted from FDA. Very interesting. That warnings have to be posted on the drugs. Since this drug is injected, and the patient never sees it, this doesn't say the patient has to be given a written warning. I know someone who had the injection and wasn't given any list of warnings about the injections. Very scary. And very scary warnings provided from the FDA to the person doing the injections, but not the person getting the injections.
The article explains the risks associated with the drug but it does not state it is not FDA approved. I presume that all physicians performing this treatment would have reviewed the chances of side effects as required by hospitals when consenting patents for surgery. It is for this reason why I questioned your statement. It’s good information but not usually presented to patients in this detail before a surgical procedure.
@jenatsky Here is the FDA's text that states that steroids are not FDA approved for epidural injections into the spine. This excerpt is in the safety paragraph at https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-communication-fda-requires-label-changes-warn-rare-serious-neurologic-problems-after
"Injectable corticosteroids are commonly used to reduce swelling or inflammation. Injecting corticosteroids into the epidural space of the spine has been a widespread practice for many decades; however, the effectiveness and safety of the drugs for this use have not been established, and FDA has not approved corticosteroids for such use. We started investigating this safety issue when we became aware of medical professionals’ concerns about epidural corticosteroid injections and the risk of serious neurologic adverse events."
As a patient, it is very important to ask these questions and make an informed decision if you are willing to accept those risks. We really can't assume a doctor understands the risks unless we ask. They are human and can make mistakes.
Funny this question is raised. Last August, I had a back issue, and due the Covid backup in healthcare, my back surgeon referred me for PT and a steroid injection in my spine. It was scheduled about a month out. During physical therapy, I was recovering and was almost 100%. When it was time for the injection, we said, it can’t hurt. The injection seemingly went fine, but during the next 3 weeks, I lost almost all balance in my legs and my legs became super weak. I was referred to a neurologist who sent me immediately to the emergency room for MRIs. I’m told I had 5 with and without dye. I was medicated through them. They found a cyst in my spinal cord, and I was referred to a neurosurgeon for removal. The surgery was a success with 2 unusual findings. 1. My spinal fluid was grey instead of clear, 2. The cyst was like leather instead of the expected tissue paper consistency. So here I am, 3 months after surgery, after rehab, home visits, and back into external PT, and tiny improvements every week. Healing and strength and balance will take months, but I’m expected to make a fairly full recovery. My surgeon suspects that the cortisone injection got into the spinal cord. Of course there’s no proof, and I was warned that there’s always the chance something could go wrong. Yup.
@kjs1964 I am so sorry. I will pray for you. I had a tumor removed from inside my spinal cord, and it took time. I go to acupuncture and strain counter strain, cranial, fascial release therapy. They are all drug-free . I have had many motor vehicle accidents walking and in my car alone with osteoporosis. I fractured another vertebra I did not have the injection into, so I was afraid of the side effects.
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1 ReactionBless you. I wish this never happened, but so many people have had worse problems.