A friend of mine had a baby same time that I did (Aug '08). She recently had to have back surgery for tumors. I don't know the specifics but she is experiencing them in the area where she recieved her epidural. She didn't have any problems before the birth of her daughter and it all sounds as if it could be related. Her medical team says no but I'm wondering if it's a possible side effect. I know i practically signed my life away to get my epidural and I was in so much pain, I couldn't really pay attention to the medical disclaimer I was given. I heard only bits and pieces. Luckily, the tumors aren't life threatening and I don't know that she's having any more complications. I'm curious to know if this might be common.
Thanks for your input!! (well, most of you) I'll have to check with my friend and get some answers to the questions that I have
PS- to all of those who say that it absolutely cannot be related because a doctor says so are misguided. Doctors do not have all of the answers. The body is complex and as we all know, what is true for one person might not be absolute for another. Just think of all of the medical condtions that we don't have information about... and if you still believe that doctors are all knowing just ask someone who knows in their gut that they, or their child, is sick but are told over and over that they are perfectly healthy; nothing that the doctor can find.
Are they "fatty tumors" or lypomas? If so, I'd say coincidence is likely. I got one in my back before having kids, and they seem to run in my family. My brother and dad have also had them.
They are annoying but not painful or threatening.
Dear R.,
I'm sorry for your friend. But, I'm not sure exactly what you mean by tumors, if there is a difference between that and scar tissue. I've had more nerve blocks in my spine than anyone you've ever known. I got such a severe case of shingles when I was pregnant with my son that I spent the last trimester in the hospital with a needle in my back. Actually, they tried to let me go home for a bit with a portable infusion pump, but I was too ill. I was a pin cushion and I have no problems with my spine. And, I'm small framed also.
I'm not a doctor, but I honestly don't think the tumors could be caused by an epidural. My son is 14 and I haven't developed a single lump in all these years.
All I'm saying is that I'm not ready to think that epidurals cause tumors. I don't think anyone should be afraid to have one if they need it.
The epidural did not cause tumors....your friend should get a second and third opinion. The epidural saves women a lot of pain and will continue to do so.
Some people (men and women) are prone to tumors....actually even animals are when they are older.
While some feel it is best to go ALL natural, that is their decision. For me, pushing an eight pound baby out of a very small space, after twenty-four hours of labor, I took a little help and make no apologies.
My baby was healthy, with no side effects to me or him.
Blessings.....
R.,
I did not have any thing like that with my epidural. I only had nerve pain that went all the way across my back vertically where the epidural had been. That is why I opted not to have them for the other two. I can say that I have had several fatty tumors removed because of the locations.
I have been told that my grandfather has them also.
W. m
I developed a white, benign mass at my epidural site after my oldest son's birth as well. It was surgically removed, but not long after I came down with viral menengitis, which is an infection in your spinal cord and brain fluids. Coincidence? I believe it can happen.
Yikes! I haven't heard of that and fortunately didn't have any issues with my two epidurals. I'm wondering if maybe your friend is prone to producing a lot of scar tissue? I recently had a minor surgery and the incision formed what I was told was a cheloid scar (that I then had to get steroid injections to reduce). Anyhow, I'm wondering if maybe something of that nature happened with your friend, only the scarring was internal? I'm curious to read any other responses to your question.
Oh no, your poor friend. I just wanted to say I had no problems with my epidural and it was in me all night since the anesthesiologist (sp?) had gone home. I had to sleep with it.
My sister had terrible recovery for one of hers though. Just pain at the sight of it. I've never heard of tumors caused by it before.
I am a small framed woman who has had 7.5, 8, and 8.5 lb. babies. I thought I was smart by my 3rd delivery to decide on using epidural. After the delivery, my tears and incisions hurt but I distinctly remembered that my back, where the epidural area was, hurt even more! I have back pain for many years since, but until now, I have never related it to the fact that the epidural had injured my nerves as I have a small frame...
I agree with Catherine. That would be my take on it as well. Scar tissue "tumors".
Anytime you stick a needle into the body tissues there is a chance of infection and bringing foreign material/organisms into that area.
Scientists and doctors have found MANY things inside some types of tumors. It has been said that the body surrounds foreign material with tumor tissue as a way to encapsulate the foreign invader/tissue.
Utube shows a doctor who took a tumor out of a baby's brain,and inside the tumor was a tiny perfectly formed foot.
Dr. Hulda Clark found liver fluke worms. Other scientists have found viruses and bacteria inside tumors. The Amoebiasis organism can form granulotomatous masses in colon and rectums often called cancer. And STD viruses are blamed for cancer. Fungus has been found inside the center of cancer tumors.
It is widely known and accepted that CATS get tumors at vaccine injection sites.The adjuvent used in vaccines has been found inside the tumors.
http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/pdf/96.pdf
It has been an ongoing debate about what needles to use in injections/epidurals, because some doctors claim that standard needles can carry "core sample" tissue into epidural space which can develop tumors. See page 2 of this document:
http://www.pedsanesthesia.org/meetings/2007winter/pdfs/Ep...
if the above link is broken, you can locate the article by typing in the following on yahoo search:
"workshop:pediatric epidurals" ... it should be the first pdf file to come up.
Gail
Here's the answer to your question: "Her medical team says no...". Don't you think we might have heard about it if epidurals were suspected of causing tumors?? I know there would at least be a few lawyers preparing lawsuits! If someone on this site who's not a doctor tells you that "it could be related," who ya gonna believe? Check your sources!
