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Anyone else have bone density damage from epidurals?
I recently had my first bone density scan done (I'm 56). My lumbar spine was -3.3. All my other numbers were stellar. My doctor couldn't figure out why this was. I mentioned I had two epidurals 10 years ago for Fibromyalgia pain - (The shots didn't work and I've since cured my Fibro). I looked up bone density issues from epidurals and it is a known problem.
My friend had 3 epidurals in her life and she just had her first bone scan done and her lumbar spine is -3. Anyone else experience low lumbar spine numbers and have had epidurals?
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wow, something I never thought of. I just looked it up and from what I can see, an epidural is a steroid injection so I guess that it the correlation?
If you are 56, you are likely in menopause (?) and bone density naturally decreases during that time. First loss is in trabecular bone which is the spine, followed by loss in cortical bone (sometimes years later) which is the hip.
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1 ReactionThanks Teb, yes, I believe the steroid is the issue. This definitely doesn't seem like natural decrease. My hip was -0.3, Left femoral neck -0 and Forearm was -0.1. I have no other reason other than the epidurals, to explain as to why my Lumbar Spine was -3.3. I've started hormone pellet injections, Bone and Marrow supplements, weightlifting, vibration plate therapy and meditation. I also eat right and am doing posture alignment therapy. I'm hoping these will help make a difference.
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1 ReactionThat epidural (steroid ) connection is interesting , something I never thought of. @heidih sounds like you’re doing a lot of great things to help your situation naturally. Good to have caught this hopefully not too far off from menopause. Good luck to you!!
What are hormone injection pellets?
Hi, @heidihh . I'd like to invite @ingridbergman to this discussion as well as they posted about not wanting to get an epidural due to concerns about the steroids. @ingridbergman, did you discuss this concern with your provider and what did you learn when you shared your concerns about the steroids and having osteoporosis?
@heidihh, Here is an article that may be worth looking at that discusses some of what you shared, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29304236/. There are also quite a few linked studies along these same research lines included below the article as well. Did your provider take your question seriously about the epidurals? Has there been any follow-up?
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1 ReactionHi @judy58 , I had been using hormone creams with no increase in estrogen, so my doctor, a DO, suggested hormone pellets. They've been around since the 1930's - Who knew?!
Here is a link to the ones he used. The one recommendation he did make was to have this done through a doctor's office and not a spa. https://pellecome.com
I go in every 3 months for a new injection. I did my research and it was the right option for me. Good luck!
Hi @JustinMcClanahan , my injections were done about 10 years ago and I had no idea the damage they caused until my first Dexa scan, which was done last month. I have a post above that shows all my numbers. My doctor is on board with everything I'm doing. I've seen several articles as you mentioned, as well as several attorneys who list 'bone density damage from epidurals' on their websites. I'm trying to get the records from my original shots. I never would have had the shots had I known the dangers...