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Epidural lower back spine injection recovery time/and side effects
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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Have you contacted the physician who gave the epidural?
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3 ReactionsI have had dozens of epidural steroid injections over the last 25 years. They are a great tool to conservatively (compared to surgery) manage pain and acute injuries. Unfortunately, I have become sensitized to them after so many injections and have many side effects when I receive them - irritability, hoarse voice, insomnia, night sweats, increased hair growth, acne, etc. I received two injections over the summer after a crippling back injury. Thankfully, I was able to recover back to my baseline. The side effects were terrible, but injections were the best option available to me at the time. Since I had two injections three to four weeks apart, it took me about two months from the first injection to clear all of the steroid from my system and eliminate the side effects. Drink lots of water!
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1 ReactionI'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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1 ReactionHe is on vacation till January 7
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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3 ReactionsI 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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3 Reactions@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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3 ReactionsNo fever, just body chills and light weakness with anxiety attacks
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
Thanks, witzend! I love your clever wordplay.
WT