Re: Numbness/Tingling in legs-Sciatica?

Posted By Alva on March 17, 1998 at 01:37:12:

In Reply to: Numbness/Tingling in legs-Sciatica? posted by LSW on March 07, 1998 at 23:06:07:







:      I was diagnosed with coccydynia (coccyx pain).  In addition to the coccyx pain I have constant numbness and tingling in both legs and in my left arm.  I also have intermittent pain in my legs from my buttocks down to my toes.  I've received 3 epidural injections and am taking PT.  I'm back to work after being off for 4 months.  I'm doing a lot of sitting at work and the numbness and weakness has increased more than ever.
      Originally I had an EMG test that was ok, but was told I had diminished sensations in the lower extremities with the pinprick test.  I feel as if the numbness/tingling pain has been ignored with my treatment of coccydynia.  I don't know if the coccydynia has flaired up the sciatica or some other nearby nerves.  I was told the injections would coat the nerves and help with inflammation.  The coccyx pain has decreased with the inj. but after being off work 4 months and now sitting 80% of my working day I come home and lay down and put my feet up.
      I'm wondering if I need another opinion. My brother's neighbor an M.D. told him coccydynia should not ever give pain down the legs and that there is never any numbness produced, as the nerves that run down the legs have exited from the spine long before the coccyx.  
      I'm concerned the increased numbness, tightness, etc. in my legs may mean I'm doing additonal damage to something.
       Any suggestions or comments?
       Thank you.                          -LSW
Dear LSW,
I have been going from site to site, trying to educate the public and let them know what can happen to you, when your doctor gives you a EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTION!!! I have found, that there aren`t many doctors that are telling their patients about the adverse reactions that can come along with this procedure...The most widely used drug that is used is called DEPO-MEDROL...it is a steroid and is also known as Methylprednisolone, Suspension, Corticosteroid, Glucocoticoid...there may be others, but these are the ones I am aware of...These steroids are not supposed to be used in the spine or anywhere near the spine...I was given 4 EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTIONS, I received all 4 injections within 26 days...within a month later I was paralized from the waist down...The following are some of the adverse side effects that have been reported...ARACHNOIDITIS, MENINGITIS, PARALYSIS, SENSORY DISTURBANCES, BLADDER/BOWEL DYSFUNCTIONS, SEIZURES, VISUAL IMPAIRMENT(INCLUDING TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT BLINDNESS) HEADACHES AND MORE...I am a paraplegic...with bladder/bowel problems and sensory disturbances...Like I said that I have been going from site to site to educate the public, because this is not something that most doctors aren't telling their patients...This info appears in the package insert that comes along with the vials of this drug...this info is also available in books that physicians have in their offices...it is called a PDR(physicians desk reference)it`s purpose is to help assist doctors with the interactions of drugs...this steroid is NOT APPROVED by the FDA for the use in or near the spine also...I am going to be mailing info out to anyone that is interest in having this info...I will be letting all know of my meeting...it will be somewhere in the MGH FORUM...if not aware of the site...I will leave URL at this website for all who would like to be there...Thank You for taking the time to read this and hopefully I will be speaking again to you ...Sincerely, Alva