New Side Effects

[allie3]

Following my first and second lumbar epidural steroid injections, I had symptoms (side effects?) totally different from the underlying symptoms necessitating the procedures, a localized back irritation and buzzing and numbness, tingling, and weakness in my right foot and ankle.  The new side effects (occurring mainly at night, or when I am fatigued) are a buzzing, throbbling, vibrating, electrical feelings in both legs with resulting exhausted and muscle soreness the next day.

One prominent surgeon did affirm the symptoms during an appointment, even stating that they were "common" in people with Type A personalities....thinking he was joking, I kept asking him to confirm, which he did...later, in a conversation with my family physician, he said they were "possible" a result of the epidural having produced further nerve root irritation....

I am tired of trying to find out if these side effects have been documented, I cannot find it anywhere, and a pain management specialist completely denies they exist....Please advise.....

[allie3]

Thanks so much for your helpful comments...It is so good to have people acknowledge that your symptoms do exist resulting from an epidural and to be able to find literature which discusses the problem.  I thank you all for your comments....best, Allie3

[Mollyrae]

I agree with Sandee. It sounds like you definitly incured some type of nerve injury. It is extremely possible when injections are involved. I had the same feelings in both my arms and legs. It was nerve related. Not only were my nerves involved but months down the road my muscles began to hurt. It seems related to me. How are your leg muscles? Please take care and keep us posted.

Sincerely, Mollyrae

[Tuckamore]

It is very sad when you have a procedure that is suppose to ease your symptoms and pain and instead you develop additional symptoms and experience more pain. I am so sorry his has happened to you.
Unfortuneatly I have heard of this extremely uncomon side effect occuring in other individuals. Most likely there was nothing done wrong, this just happens on rare occasions.
In the few cases I have heard sometimes over time the new symptoms subsided, other times there has been very little if any change. You may have another epidural and experience non of these new symptoms, in fact it may improve your pain. Or you may have even more difficulties, there simply no way to know.
sandee1818 is doing some research in this. In the meantime I wish you the very best. Try to stay positive. I hope you are soon feeling better. Please take care and keep us posted. Tuck

[sandee1818]

I will look for some documented cases online but according to my friend who is a Dr , he said it sounds like you have incurred some nerve damage from the injections. He says this is relatively rare and is not from the physician doing the procedure incorrectly but it is a known rare side effect. I will try and find some more information for you.