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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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davidtrevino | @davidtrevino | Dec 26, 2024
In reply to @gravity3 "Have you contacted the physician who gave the epidural?" + (show)
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Have you contacted the physician who gave the epidural?

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He is on vacation till January 7

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witzend | @witzend | Dec 26, 2024
In reply to @willbt "I'll be following you closely as i have a lumbar epidural coming up to treat chronic..." + (show)
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I'll be following you closely as i have a lumbar epidural coming up to treat chronic lower back pain caused by spinal osteoarthritis. An epidural is my second-last plan before giving up completely. I'm getting desperate

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I feel your desperation. I had 6 epidurals within the past two years. Unfortunately none of them has worked for me. After the New Year Im planning on seeing a different doctor. I wish you much luck. Hopefully they will work for you.

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Profile picture for irene5 Irene Estes
irene5 Irene Estes | @irene5 | Dec 26, 2024
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 am so sorry you have this. I am a frequent flyer for these shots and have minimal side effects. You might want to call your doctor and inquire about it. When the steroid releases which happens after a few days you may get some facial flushing and an increase in your appetite and blood sugar levels, but other than that what you are experiencing sounds odd. Give your doctor a call and ask ! Good luck. irene5

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Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Dec 26, 2024
In reply to @davidtrevino "He is on vacation till January 7" + (show)
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He is on vacation till January 7

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@davidtrevino It is worth contacting the doctor's office and talking to the assistants. They can advise you if you need to seek medical advice on the effects from the epidural injection. If you have an infection, it may require timely treatment. You may also contact your primary care provider or an emergency room if you feel that is needed. Do you have a fever?

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davidtrevino | @davidtrevino | Dec 27, 2024
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@davidtrevino It is worth contacting the doctor's office and talking to the assistants. They can advise..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor @jenniferhunter

@davidtrevino It is worth contacting the doctor's office and talking to the assistants. They can advise you if you need to seek medical advice on the effects from the epidural injection. If you have an infection, it may require timely treatment. You may also contact your primary care provider or an emergency room if you feel that is needed. Do you have a fever?

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No fever, just body chills and light weakness with anxiety attacks

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davidtrevino | @davidtrevino | Dec 27, 2024
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@davidtrevino It is worth contacting the doctor's office and talking to the assistants. They can advise..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor @jenniferhunter

@davidtrevino It is worth contacting the doctor's office and talking to the assistants. They can advise you if you need to seek medical advice on the effects from the epidural injection. If you have an infection, it may require timely treatment. You may also contact your primary care provider or an emergency room if you feel that is needed. Do you have a fever?

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Yeah last night I was feeling brand new, I slept all through the night with no symptoms at all. This morning the body chills came back an light weakness in arms and leg..now I have arthritis in my neck that hasn’t been treated, maybe that’s an issue

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willbt | @willbt | Dec 27, 2024
In reply to @witzend "I feel your desperation. I had 6 epidurals within the past two years. Unfortunately none of..." + (show)
Profile picture for witzend @witzend

I feel your desperation. I had 6 epidurals within the past two years. Unfortunately none of them has worked for me. After the New Year Im planning on seeing a different doctor. I wish you much luck. Hopefully they will work for you.

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Thanks, witzend! I love your clever wordplay.
WT

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Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Dec 28, 2024
In reply to @davidtrevino "Yeah last night I was feeling brand new, I slept all through the night with no..." + (show)
Profile picture for davidtrevino @davidtrevino

Yeah last night I was feeling brand new, I slept all through the night with no symptoms at all. This morning the body chills came back an light weakness in arms and leg..now I have arthritis in my neck that hasn’t been treated, maybe that’s an issue

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@davidtrevino I had an adverse reaction to an epidural injection. It caused me a new burning nerve pain that stabbed me randomly for about 6 weeks. That's how long it takes for the steroid to be dissolved by the body. I think I was allergic or sensitive to a component in the injection and my guess is that it may have been polyethylene glycol or PEG.

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davidtrevino | @davidtrevino | Dec 29, 2024
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@davidtrevino I had an adverse reaction to an epidural injection. It caused me a new burning..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor @jenniferhunter

@davidtrevino I had an adverse reaction to an epidural injection. It caused me a new burning nerve pain that stabbed me randomly for about 6 weeks. That's how long it takes for the steroid to be dissolved by the body. I think I was allergic or sensitive to a component in the injection and my guess is that it may have been polyethylene glycol or PEG.

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Symptoms seems to be getting better now, but still alittle weak in legs. Hopefully that’s a sign of recovery I had a shot called Depo-Medrol/Dexamethasone. These are 2 different meds, I think it was just the Depo-Medrol. But all in all I’ll soon be seeing my doctor again, hopefully he can share more light into this issue. Thanks for your input though, god bless you and yours

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Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jan 1, 2025
In reply to @davidtrevino "Symptoms seems to be getting better now, but still alittle weak in legs. Hopefully that’s a..." + (show)
Profile picture for davidtrevino @davidtrevino

Symptoms seems to be getting better now, but still alittle weak in legs. Hopefully that’s a sign of recovery I had a shot called Depo-Medrol/Dexamethasone. These are 2 different meds, I think it was just the Depo-Medrol. But all in all I’ll soon be seeing my doctor again, hopefully he can share more light into this issue. Thanks for your input though, god bless you and yours

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@davidtrevino That sounds hopeful! Sometimes, it may start out a little rough, but as some of the injection wears off, you can have some benefits of reduced inflammation. That may tell your doctors what they may be able to help when making a surgical decision. Thanks for your kind words.

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