In constant pain since Epidural Steroid Injection

[ginger725]

Hello, I am a 47 year old female.  I was dignosed accidentally about ten years ago with an ACM.  I do not really have any symptoms from the ACM.  I was recently diagnosed with cervical disk herniation.  The pain was under control after steroid shoots and pysical therapy.  About 6 weeks ago I had a Cervical Epidural injection.  There was a CSF leak.  A few days later I had a blood patch.  Since then I have had:
pain im my hands, arms and shoulders
overall weakness
a whooshing in my head with pressure and vision changes
general fatique
A recent MRI shows a Syrinx from the C2 to the T6 that goes from 1mm at the C1 to 6-8mm at the T5-T6.  An MRI in Nov 08 of the cervical area does not show the syrinx and an MRI of the brain last  week shows no chnage to the ACM.  I think the Epidural caused the syrinx.  I would appreciate any feed back on this plus what the future may hold for me. Thanks Ginger

[AJ29349]

Hi,
Just wanted to let you know that I have C5/6 herniated disc.  My pain management doctor was doing epidural injections because at the time my Chiari was missed on MRI by the radiologist and to them they thought this was causing all of my symptoms.  After another MRI was ordered, the Chiari was there all of the time, he had just missed it.  (11mm).  My pain management doctors said to me, "There is NO WAY I will inject your spine at all with the diagnosis of Chiari malformation."  He felt it too risky and dangerous to do this with the diagnosis.  I know others may feel different, but my pain management doctor stopped injections immediately.  Good luck.  

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the chiari forum.

When posting a thread u may want to check to see if the member is active, otherwise u may not get a reply....look at the date, it may help, and ask for help in navigating, we r all willing to help : )

What u should avoid with chiari is an epidural or LP especially if the technician has no idea u have chiari...when doing a LP if they draw the fluid too fast if can pull down the chiari and trigger more symptoms ....as for the epidural injection, u have to worry about a leak....I had one and it gives u the worst HA ever....lie flat for an hour afterward and even once home, drink plenty of fluids and lie down ...caffeine helps in the sealing of a leak in case u would get one....the risk of infection  is also a concern...but, the people doing the testing or giving the shot should have an idea what u  have b4 they will administer it.

May I ask y r were having testing done, what r ur symptoms?

"selma"

[dworried803]

I had 2 MRi's and they confirmed I have chiari.  I have no idea as to what extent as I go to a GP and he has never really explained the condition other than it is mild.

dworried803

[dworried803]

I have chiari and I am going to have a epdural injection because of a herniated disc.  I am scared to have the injection because I was told by another doctor that is was dangerous.

Please advise

Deborah.Worried

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

May I ask, do u have chiari or just the DDD?.....I am not minamalizing ur pain or condition, but in order to tallu what we have done for pain it may be helpful to know if u might also have chiari and related conditions in addition to ur DDD.

"selma"

[nana1959]

Iam 50 years old and have had back pain pain since age 7 Had back surgery 2005 lumbar. It worked but now have DDD C6-C7 had 2 epidurals with no relief. Pain has actually increased ten fold, shoulder and arm also effected. Original reason to have MRI was for chronic shoulder pain x 3 years. The DDD in Lumbar was horrible but the neck and shoulde rpain is off the charts. Pain meds really dont touch the pain, sleep is affected, every day life is ruled by PAIN!!!! I just wanted to say I didnt not even think there were others like me. Dont feel so alone or isolated. If anyone has ideas for controlling pain, other than surgery please contact me.

[selmaS]

...I know, there r not too many , I also had to travel.I didn't mind as long as the dr knew his stuff.I am not sure of the miles in distance from my home to NY, but depending on traffic....it could take 3 or more hours to get there.

B4 going to NY I also traveled to Philadelphia......not worth the trip....and I do know it was at least 76 miles give or take a few......

I do know there is a Dr Green in Miami.....I know nothing about him, but his name does pop up for chiari......u may want to research him.

"selma"

[ginger725]

I am having another MRI today so maybe that will show more.  I am going to research Chiari Doctors in my area.  I am not optimstic though, I will probably have to travel to Miami to find one. (about 200 miles away from me)
Ginger

[selmaS]

The problem isn't that the PM dr didn't know, most NS have no clue about the effects on chiari.....this is y it is best to deal with a chiari specialist and NL that really understand what is going on.

They briefly go over chiari in Med school and it is forgotten...and what they remember is it is insignificant......bcuz that was the feeling yrs ago...it is the chiari drs that specialize and do research that have found that what is being taught in Med school is wrong.

And in my opinion the false idea that symptoms do not show until later in life is wrong...and is y most drs dismiss chiari and syrinx's ...they say u had it all ur life and u have no issues so leave it alone...

I am sure it was possible for u to have the epidural without an issue, but u can never be too sure.

DO u feel it is a CSF leak?

"selma"

[ginger725]

Thanks for your response.  I see a Neurologist yearly, she is not a ACM specialist but I have never had any problems from the ACM.  A few weird symtoms, but nothing I couldn't deal with.  Since the Epidural there has been no change in the ACM.  The only changes are the Syrinx.  Do you know if the actual ACM would have changed if it was the cause of the Syrinx.
I am so angry about all this because I specifically told the pain management doctor that I had the ACM and he said it was no problem to do the epidural.
Ginger

[selmaS]

HI and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Ginger, it is possible that the syrinx was there, and possibly got larger after the epidural.How often have u had MRI's to monitor ur chiari?

The epidural could also have triggered ur chiari symptoms.Since chiari is congential, it is reported that we remain symptomatic until late 30's or 40's.....I feel, bcuz we always have the symptoms we do not recognize tham as symptoms but normal issues or feelings.

Most important, do u have a chiari specialist?

"selma"