Uncontrollable muscle spasms and leg pain after ESI

Question

Had many ESI's in the Lumbar and SI joint area  for buttocks pain ,after the 6th one when the anesthetics wore off ( I was sedated for these) I had severe pain. This pain has gotten worse over the last two years and within a week of this ESI I was given a DepoMedrol dose pack to take for the inflammation and the leg spasms started...they have not stopped since. Many doctors have seen this and they all say....." don't know what happened....but good luck" I need help...I need to know who to see, who can figure this out. The ESI was at L-4-L5, L5- S1 and the SI joint...all the muscles that are in spasms are  coming from this area.

DrSharma · Accepted Answer

Hi there. The result of a pinched nerve due to either of a bulging disc, herniated disc, spinal arthritis, degenerative disc disease and bony spurs is tingling, numbness, muscle spasms and shooting pains travelling from the site of the pinched nerve to the other areas of the body. The severe pain and muscle spasms could just be a manifestation of the nerve roots compression and may be conspicuous after the affect of the epidural local anesthetic and steroid wore off. Consult your neurologist who would recommend special exercises, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medicines, pain medications and of course epidural steroids all have been tried. You might have to undergo a pinched nerve surgery. The purpose is to remove any debris in the spinal column that is impinging on the affected nerves, providing a more permanent form of relief. Hope this helps. Take care.

sophiesmom44 · Answer

Thank you for your response.

 The pain I was feeling prior to the injection was a 2 out of 10. I was  anticipating going back to work the following week, as the doctor said " This is the shot that is going to change your world" well....it did. My only problem was that I could not squat down and get back up without pain the buttocks...now there is 24 hr pain along with the spasms in this right leg...just on the right where the injections were...he did one in the SI joint and the other an hour later in the L4-L5, L5- S1. My sciatic nerve was swollen following these as was the SI joint area..... I did a bone scan which showed  the entire area of the SI joint was inflamed. I believe he hit a nerve either in the lumbar area or the SI joint.... but I can't find out  what to do  to discover this...my MRI"s all show normal.
 My life as I knew it is gone.... my meds are numerous and they still can;t find the combination to provide me with any relief. The spasms  are " unknown" to the many doctors I have seen...I find  it hard to believe that no one has ever seen this before.
Within 8-9 hours after the shot I had this pain and it has not stopped since.
Very frustrating that the doc who did this won't even see me to find out what happened...and he added " I did nothing wrong".  How does placing blame help me? It doesn't.