C-section

I have had 4 c-sections and each time had lots of problems with my back. The last time I had the spinal migraine and was incapacitated for two months! It very well could be the spinal block. I'm not having one again- general anesthesia from now on.

I had some back issues after my c-section, but I have a disc in my lower back that is almost completely compressed. The cause of my post-pregnancy back pain was the hormonal changes. You know how your joints loosen in prep for giving birth, well it was the returning back to 'normal' that caused my back to return to a 'not-so-normal' state.
If you're up for it, go see a Chiropractor and see if after 1-3 visits they can help. I go to one in Lago Vista that does one treatment (massage & adjustment) and then says I should come back if I don't feel better. Years ago (when I originally hurt my back) I went to one in Lago Vista that had me convinced I had to see them 3 times a week for a year!
You can also try laying on a heating pad and seeing if this will help alleviate the pain. And I'm sure you have already thought of this, but make sure the muscle relaxer and pain meds are safe to use if you are nursing.
Good Luck!

K.
First of all, congrats on your new baby. With my first child I had a vag birth but a few days later my back was killing me. I finally went to a chiropracter and he pressed on the spot where I had the spinal and that was where I was in pain at. After a few times of seeing him it was all better. I would really try it. Good luck
S.

hi well i have had 4 c-sections. i didnt have any problem with my back untill i had my last little one. i had pain so bad and still do. well i went to my obgyn and he told me that it was just from having the c-section well it kept going on so i talked again with my obgyn and he told me to go see a chiopractor so i did and come to find out it was because we they but the needle in my back they hit my nerve. so now i suffer daily with the pain and there isnt anything i can do. so if i was u i would have them check and see if thats what it could be. good luck to u and congrats on ur new little one.

I have had 2 c-sections and a hysterectomy. Local Anesthesia, no spinal block. Never heard of this before. I did have one spinal tap for other reasons that left me with a spinal headache, it was constant total body irrational pain. I had to have a blood patch procedure done for it to go away.
They may have nicked a nerve doing the block. Just a suggestion, hope you feel better soon so you can enjoy your new baby

the same thing happened to me...it is a side effect of the spinal block and went away w/in a week...i'd be a little concerned that he has never heard of this!

K.,
That doesn't sound normal. I had 2 c-sections and never had syptoms like you described afterwards. It never hurts to get a second opinion. If you have a family doctor I think it is important to go in and see him/her. Let them examine you.
Two sets of eyes are always better than one.
Best of luck to you, and congratulations on your new baby!
I hope you get to feeling better soon!
J.
Round Rock

K.,
Call your OB back and get the phone number to the anestiologist who did your epidural. They can answer your questions. Be persistent until you have the reassurance you need! You will be fine, but follow up to give yourself some peace.

Hi K.,

I have had the same problem. I actually started having muscle spasms while still pregnant towards the end. I had them intensely the first few weeks after delivery. I still have them on occasion, but I had assumed they would go away since having the baby...sigh My baby is 5 months old now and I also had a C-section.

I am currently seeing a pain specialist for fibromyalgia and when I talk to her next I am going to bring this up. In the meantime I would strongly recommend you see a good chiropractor. I can recommend Tim Peterson. I believe he is in the northwest, possibly Cedar Park or Leander. I am not exactly sure where he is practicing at the moment, as he left his old practice, but he is an excellent doctor. I think with a little searching you could find him.

He is wonderful with patient care and even children's adjustments. I am doing extensive work with the pain doctor's office or I would be looking for him myself. I think a couple of adjustments would do you wonders and I may go back to chiropractic once I have been given a plan by my pain specialist office. I just don't want to confuse healing modalities. I am supposed be receiving Physical Therapy as well, so it would be hard to see which treatment was doing the best.

Pinched nerves from spinal compression during and after birth can definitely cause muscle spasms. If you see improvement with adjustments you most likely will only need a few weeks of treatments before you are good as new. I would also tell you that a good massage therapist, with natal/pregnancy training would be another really good thing to include if you can find a good person.

Hope this helps!
D. ;)

Hi K..

I'm almost positive that you are experiencing side effects of the spinal block. I had c-scections with my twins, as well as my now 2 year old and had spasms after both. My spasms started in the hospital and I asked to consult the anesthesiologist. He told me it was not the spinal block and really didn't have any answers for me. I was sure at the time that it was caused from the spinal as the spasms started precisely where the spinal was administered. I think the anesthesiologist was just CYA. I have talked to several of my friends who had the same isuue. These spasms can be very scary, not to mention downright painful. However,I'd stop the pain medication-especially if you're nursing. They do eventually stop. I know it's hard to do, but just try to relax when you feel one coming on and let it pass. Mine lasted for a couple of weeks and it was over. If it lasts longer, I think you should call your anesthesiologist and see what he recommends.

HTH

You could be low in minerals, like calcuim, magnesium and potassium. This is common after child birth. Don't forget your body has been through some big changes and surgery. I own a nutrition shop and hear things like this often.

From what you are describing it seems like you have a case of gas which is common when you have a c-section. Gas pains can feel like you are having a heart attack they can be so severe. I had gas and it was all in my back and my neck, it hurt so bad I got sharp shooting pains.

Hi
I had a similar problem after my c-sec/spinal block with severe neck pain. Whenever I sat up, it was like someone was kicking me in the head. My only relief was when I was laying completely flat. Luckily, I was still in the hospital when it happened. I had a CAT scan, was given countless pain drugs and nothing worked. Then they thought I was seeping spinal fluid from having the spinal block so they did a "blood patch". Basically, they do the spinal all over again but put blood over the spot to stop the leaking. It worked for 24 hours and then I woke up with the same problem. Finally, a neurologist actually saw my neck going crazy with spasms and prescribed flexeril, some sort of medicine patch, caffeine and some painkillers. I guess that with the combination of the blood patch finally fixed me cuz I was out of the hossy shortly thereafter with no residual problems. I only took the drugs for a couple of days. That was almost 2 years ago. Good luck!

There was a recent post about someone with air trapped after c-section. They had pain radiating up into the shoulder area.

Wonder if it could be that? It would be great if so. Seems an easier fix.

I'll keep you in my prayers that it gets much better!

Hi there,
I have 2 children & I have had 2 c-sections & never had this problem, if I were you I would have my back/spine looked at just to be safe, they can do an x-ray just to make sure there is no problems/blockage. I was working contract when I had my 1st & I only took off 1 week of work, and I was fine, with my 2nd child I was able to take 2 mos. off since I had a job that was going to pay my maternity leave which was great !
Have a nice day !

I would definitely have any issues with the epidural ruled out first. Also, have you been lifting anything heavy? I had this after I have my twins, but was a few weeks after my C-section and was my muscles refusing to carry around the weight of the babies. I almost dropped one of the babies going to the changing table because I have a back spasm right when I pick him up. I had to start taking it way easier and they went away. I hope you feel better soon!

I had a c-section and a spinal block in January.

I personally did not have any side effects.

I did have a csection with one of my children but that was nearly 10 years ago and had no issue like that. BUT I presently have those issues and I went to a spine specialist and turns out I have a hernated disk in my L7. The Dr. I saw is in Katy Tx at the Christin ST. Catherins Hospital, he is the lead in his field. I can not pernouce his name the nurses call him Dr.Z, ###-###-####. That office also has an Ortho dr. in there. Because your csection was so long ago I would go see someone that deals with those parts of your body. Good Luck!

it is most likely gas pain. I have had 2 c-sections and both times the shoulder pain and back pain were VERY intense. take the gas meds before each meal.If it is sharp stabbing pain that explains why..cuz the gas bubbles rise .
( the air/gas gets in thru the open abdomin.)
Why your Dr. doesn't know that can happen is odd...quite odd.
I have had a few pals have c-sections too and they warned me to take the anti gas meds because the shoulder/neck back pain can be so severe.
...just chew up the tablets 3 times a day or so.

It will go away within a couple weeks if that is it. ( I believe by 2-3 weeks post surgery.)
I recall feeling too weak in my arms to hold my baby ..but it was just the soreness of my neck and shoulders...like the digging in pain of carrying a too heavy purse ...or wearing a too tight bra.
Good news: the "strength " returned and I did not have to hunch over by week 3-4.
pain meds seem to help the incision pain...
gas meds , heating pad perhaps and time will help the cramp type upper and back pain.
Best of luck!!!

I had 3 c sections. I had pain each time but especially with the first. I was given an epidural that didn't take effect in time so I was put under. I was told that having to have that much meds was slowing down my healing time. I had upper back and neck problems espeacially up to 2 years. My upper back would hurt especially when I was tired with this burning sensation. It should go away and with my other two c sections I did not have as much problem, one reason they had more time to be planned. We would try for natural birth each time but things didn't work out, but the first one was a rush rush lets hurry up and get the baby because we were going to lose her. I would give it sometime if the dr checked you out and doesnt seem to think there is a problem and the relaxers might help you relax those parts and help you heal. Just be careful when you take them, you don't want to be able to keep and eye on your baby.