Effect of epidurals on bone density

Posted by skdooley1 @skdooley1, Jun 9 7:12am

Has anyone had experience with analysis of epidural pain relief on bone density with transforaminal stenosis?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

Forgot to mention another thing to connect with is diabetes with these injections. My A1C has gone back to normal after not having them and limiting my activity to control pain. I will need to ljmit calories more now but effect on blood sugar is a worthwhile question I think.

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I had an emergency shoulder replacement five years ago due to a fall. It is still holding up fine but I don’t pull up w all my weight or lift myself out of the tub. I got a walk-in tub because I could not exit the tub mostly out of fear, but still … some get showers put in instead.

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Profile picture for ou14mejc @ou14mejc

@cman55 My endocrinologist told me to avoid all steroid injections with my osteoporosis, as they weaken bones. When approaching back surgery, bones need to be strong enough or the screws will not hold. I also need a shoulder replacement and the surgeon told me it would not "take" due to my severe osteoporosis. (two years of Forteo injections improved my osteoporosis to osteopenia in my spine and I am now taking a year of Evenity injections to see if my hips will improve.)

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@ou14mejc Thanks for relating your experiences. Going from Osteoporosis to Osteopenia seems like a huge accomplishment to me. My Girlfriend took Evenity shots for the first year after we discovered after a fall that she had osteoporosis. However during that year she was receiving SI joint injections, and 1 epidural. She got little progress on the osteo. Almost zero pain relief from the injections. Now I can guess why she got little relief. Too bad nobody told us before the injections so a informed decision could be made.
She is getting HRT pellets every quarter, and takes high quality calcium, vit D supplements. With no injections this year maybe some progress will be made. Thanks

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The advice for osteo is so very confusing. Take this, but it may do this. Do this but it may result in this. All treatments seem to be a long commitment until the extreme reactions set in and then?

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Did not have problems w Forteo during the two years, or the Reclast after. The other things, I don’t know yet but it is an interdisciplinary challenge.

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Profile picture for skdooley1 @skdooley1

@curlylocks7 thank you yes, asking first this time exactly what is in the proposed injection and systemic or localized effects on bone. It is possible all epidurals are not alike. Trying to break it all down, no pun intended. Was on Forteo for two years followed by a year from infusion based Reclast to maintain the gain. I really don’t know if my response to Forteo was blunted a bit. The question is worth asking. This seems to be an area of differing medical opinions. The Tymlos will be once per month at a provider office or center, if covered by insurance. Working with a recertification. It is worth noting that there is some degree of cardiac risk w Tymlos to balance against the falling risk. So I must be more careful w diet, etc.

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@skdooley1 mistaken the new one will be Evenity

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Profile picture for skdooley1 @skdooley1

@curlylocks7 thank you yes, asking first this time exactly what is in the proposed injection and systemic or localized effects on bone. It is possible all epidurals are not alike. Trying to break it all down, no pun intended. Was on Forteo for two years followed by a year from infusion based Reclast to maintain the gain. I really don’t know if my response to Forteo was blunted a bit. The question is worth asking. This seems to be an area of differing medical opinions. The Tymlos will be once per month at a provider office or center, if covered by insurance. Working with a recertification. It is worth noting that there is some degree of cardiac risk w Tymlos to balance against the falling risk. So I must be more careful w diet, etc.

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@skdooley1 Wow, I was on Tymlos daily and the side effect Wake Baptist was most concerned was bone cancer. There was no mention of cardiac risk. However, I was told that if I didn't take Tymlos daily, my bones were so thin, the osteoporotic model demonstrating bone loss showed better bones than I had. It would only take one fall and that scared me. To cover all bases, I would definitely ask about the strength of steroid epidural and then check with the doctor treating you for osteoporosis.

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Are you asking if epidurals cause bone loss? I was confused, but I will answer this question. You do not need to worry as a periodic injection is released into a "cavity" and is low enough dose not to be concerning. HOWEVER, if you have cortisone injections and also take prednisone you can start to be concerned and you should discuss with your doctor. I did!

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Profile picture for loriesco @loriesco

Are you asking if epidurals cause bone loss? I was confused, but I will answer this question. You do not need to worry as a periodic injection is released into a "cavity" and is low enough dose not to be concerning. HOWEVER, if you have cortisone injections and also take prednisone you can start to be concerned and you should discuss with your doctor. I did!

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@loriesco what I have learned pretty much today as well, thank goodness

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Profile picture for cman55 @cman55

@4myhlth Do you mean 2 times, and never again?

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eman55
I don't know about never again. I believe after several years you could get it again.

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