Loss of bowel function post spinal epidural & CSF leakage

[Zelekha]

I experienced complication after an epidural injection.CSF leakage caused severe pain.  The doctors suggested I get a second epidural injection.  Again, I had CSF leakage and the pain got much worse I thought I was dying.
The pain went away but my bowels stopped working.  The situation became critical and I had to have  manual disimpaction, followed by fluids to clear the bowels. It has been 6 weeks now and my bowels will not work on their own despite eating lots of prunes , drinking lots of fluids.  The only I can have a small bowel movement is by inserting several Dulcolax suppositories. Otherwise, no bowel movement. Doctors believe that the CSF leakage may have caused damage to the nerves leading to the bowel area -- the question is will I recover?

[BRUCECAT21]

MY HUSBAND HAS HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN, WHEN THE DAY AFTER THE EPIDURAL INJECTION, HE HAD BOWEL INCONTIENCE, AND ALSO URINE INCONTIENCE. aLSO HAS WEAKNESS IN LOWER EXTREMETIES. LEGS FEEL WEAK. WHAT IS PHYSIOTHERAPY? AND WILL HE RECOVER FROM THIS?

[InPain4evr]

Do a search for Cauda Equina

[Dr Rajgopal]

Hi,
The loss of bowel function is due to trauma to the nerves that control the bowel and bladder function during injection  . The nerve usually takes 6 months to 1 year to regenerate . Please go for physiotherapy and take well balanced diet containing multivitamins , multiminerals and Omega 3 .You can take Cap . Renerve – 1 daily for as long as you require . Please consult a neurologist for symptomatic treatment . Hope this helps you . Take care and regards !