Lumbar disc herniation/weird symptoms

  I have been diagnosed with two bulging discs at L4/L5 and L5/S1. I had an epidural steroid injection that helped for about two days.  However, after the lumbar pain was lessened from the injection, I noticed that my upper back/neck/shoulders hurt.  I had not noticed this too much before and was wondering if the injection could have caused this, or if it possibly was always there and the pain in my lower back and legs just overwhelmed it and I did not notice it?  Do you think I should contact my neurosurgeon about it before having another steroid injection? Or to have an MRI of the cervical spine?  My hands also get numb from time to time, does this occur with lumber disc bulges?

Dear Lori:
The hand symptoms that you describe do not typically occur with lumbar spine
problems. It is possible that the epidural injection caused this but this
is rare. You should get in touch with your neurosurgeon before you get the
next one and he will recommend a proper course of action.
Good Luck!