Re: Lumbar disc herniation/weird symptoms

Posted By Lori on May 11, 1998 at 22:30:32:

In Reply to: Re: Lumbar disc herniation/weird symptoms posted by CCF Neurosurgery MD/gm on May 11, 1998 at 20:32:17:






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!
Thank you for your response.  I think perhaps I did not make clear in my post that the hand numbness did start before I had the steroid injection,
it was just the neck/shoulder/upper back symptoms that had not been noticeable to me before the injection.  I did take your advice and call my neurosurgeon and he said that I was no longer under his care, that I am now under the care of the anesthesiologist that is doing the steroid injections.  Sound like I need to find another neurosurgeon?????????