Problems with Epidural

not to freak you out, but you should probably get an MRI to rule out Multiple Sclerosis. my mother had similar problems and it was years before they finally diagnosed her. now she's confined to a chair, and had to get a catheter (sp?). but if you catch it early, you have a better chance of living a healthy and normal life.

I had same problem plus sever lower back pain for 6 years after the birth of my daughter. My Doctor did not know why I have been having the back pain and numbness. A dear friend told me about nutritional food supplement that has given me a pain free life once again. I will be happy to share information, if you are interested.

About Me: A mom of 2 maried for 18 years, love life and what I do each day.

K.,
I had numbness, pain, and pins and needles down through my buttocks, back of legs, and bottom of foot. Only one side. Long story short, I got an MRI and it was a pinched nerve and 2 buldging disks. A friend of mine went to a chiroprator as she was having the same problem and he fixed her. I went the medication and shot route.

M..

Mine was more pain than numbness, and my D.C. alleviated 99% of it - Of course, I don't know that I could have made it through my second pregnancy without chiropractic, so I didn't have to think about postpartum... it was a given.

One thing bothers me though - the intermittent numbness. I would feel better if you did go to a neurologist to be screened for M.S. Assuming that's negative, follow up with your chiropractor as needed.

S.

I had problems with an Epidural and it leaked while it was in and made my butt completely numb, but it cleared up completely as soon as the wires were taken out because there is no longer medicine in your body. I would suggest looking into a pinched nerve before blaming the epidural. I have numbness in my toes occasionally, but it is due to poor circulation not anything else.

Good luck!

Good morning, K.,
It is very possible you have a pinched nerve and since you got relief from a chiropractor before, you would be wise to consult one again. Get a complete nerve scan done and start going for regular adjustments.
If you go to a neurologist, they many prescribe physical therapy, but they will almost certainly put you on medication and may recommend surgery, since that is all most conventional doctors are taught.
Go with the chiropractic treatment first. Be sure to ask about possible complications from having an epidural. Your instincts are telling you something.
Good luck!

Please don't assume that the problems you are having are related to the epidural. Though you may be correct, it's a very dangerous assumption.

I experienced a similiar problem and for nearly a year, I followed the directions of my physician including massage, chiropractic visits, spinal mri's and physical therapy. I was even diagnosed with hyperventilation syndrome...what a joke! I decided to see a neurologist and within one week, I had a positive diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (mri w/and w/out contrast and a spinal tap). Many women who are diagnosed with MS, are diagnosed shortly after having a baby.

Remember, this is probably not your diagnosis, but consider going to a neurologist to rule it out.

I would also consider a neurologist to rule out other problems... Good luck-

A. J

I would definately see a doctor, that sounds scary. They can refer you to a neurologist to rule out a major back problem. But I wouldn't wait or go back to the chiropractor until I saw a specialist.

Wow was reading the responses to this post and I am sadden that a CHIROPRACTOR is not consider a doctor in some's book. It is truly amazing what a chiropractic does and can detect. I work for one! I wasn't a believer myself until I actually seen my dr find cancer in someone that NO OTHER dr had found!
As for the pain in your back K., it could be many things. Miss alignment, scare tissue, nerve damage! You will just have to rule one out at a time. I know I had an epidural with my last child and I now get pain in the site occassionally but never numbing down my leg or other parts of my body!
If you believe in chiropractic care. Get adjusted first, it may not take one or two times to feel better but you should start to see a relief. Then head to the neurologist if it doesn't go away!

I just had an epidural a few weeks ago. The doctor told me that i need to look out for numbness in hands and feet, and if I had that to tell the doctor. I don't know if since it has been so long if maybe this would be unrelated, but i would tell a doctor just to be sure.

Not to freak you out but it may not be epidural related. You need to see your pcp first and then a neurologist. I think you need a MRI. I have 2 friends that have MS and one on them complains about things like you've described. It could also be 1000 other things, but just to be on the safe side, I would talk to your doctor.
J.

Hi K....I'm actually a chiropractor in Frisco. I've seen this same exact pattern numerous times in my clinic. I'm glad you chose to see a chiropractor, instead of just popping pills over and over. Many women have back pain after an epidural; furthermore, many women unfortunately experience the numbness you're feeling as well! It sounds like you had success with your chiropractic treatment...and then came back kinda different. Since you did have success with the treatment (apparently temporary), you might have something going on in your low back a bit more involved than expected. Now keep in mind that I have not taken a history on you, nor have I done any kind of examination on you ~ information that is critical in administering care...but I might suggest getting an MRI of the lumbar spine. Your Dr. will be able to tell you if that is appropriate for you. An MRI will show 'soft tissue.' When I say 'soft tissue' it refers to mainly the disc space which is located between the vertebrae. It acts as a shock absorber for our spine and allows for motion in our spine, allowing us to bend. Nerves also exit the spine in that location. Basically, the bigger the disc, the bigger the whole for the nerve to exit. The smaller the disc, the smaller the whole for the nerves the exit, which might put pressure on the nerve; especially if there is a disc bulge or herniation. Please let me know if you have any additional questions...I'd love to help!!

If nothing else works, see a neurologist. My girlfriend went thru this, and most doctors gave her the brush-off. Turned out she had MS which was triggered by the pregnancy. I'm sure yours is not that extreme, but you need to get your problem solved.

I suggest you get it checked with your doctor. It may or may not be related to the epidural and/or pregnancy. I have had issues with numbness in my left thigh ever since I was 7 months pregnant with my now 21 month old. It was worse during the latter part of my pregnancy due to all the extra weight, and took several months to start feeling better, but it has never totally gone away. Pregnancy can wreak havoc on your body, but that doesn't mean you have to sit back and take it, so by all means be sure to get checked out.

It sounds like you have a herniated disk and the epidural is just a coincidence. I have herniated my L3, L4 and L5 and I had the same exact symptoms as you. I also has pain in my back. I would recommend making an appointment with a back doctor (not chiropractor) and having a MRI. Insurance should cover both. This way you will know for sure if there is a different problem or something went wrong with your epidural. A herniated disk is often called several different things...slipped disk, pinched nerve, etc.

It could be due to the epidural, but because the chiropractic care worked, most likely the problem is due to a mis-alignment in the lower back, possibly at L5/S1 region. Low back problems after birth are not uncommon as the body changes it's center of gravity so rapidly. If you just go to the chiropractor for symptom relief and discontinue once the symptom is gone, most likely the actual cause has not been resolved. The wonderful thing about chiropractic is that the majority of cases feel symptom relief quickly, but unless the chiropractor practices corrective care, thier goal has been met when the symptoms are gone. Very few do actual corrective that restores proper function and supportive curves in the spine because it takes longer and more cooperation and education with the patient. Depending on where you're at in Dallas would depend on exactly where I can refer you. Let me know and I'll get you to a corrective care chiropractor if you would like to see if correction is necessary. ____@____.com.

You should go to the doctor ASAP that could be something really bad.

Go to a medical doctor to rule out anything more serious.

I have heard of many women having problems months and even years after having an epidural. I don't think you should rule that out as a reason for your numbness. It makes perfect sense to me. I do think it is a good idea to check out other avenues to rule out other causes such as ms. I have had ruptured discs in my back and they don't cause numbness as much as pain that radiates along the nerve pathway for the nerve that is being pinched. Herniated discs can also cause muscle spasms in muscle groups that are innervated by the nerve that is being compressed by the herniated disc. This isn't something you've described so I think I herniated disc is doubtful, but should still be ruled out. I would suggest going to another doctor besides your obgyn. Start with a primary care doctor and see what he/she recommends. I also would continue to look at seeing a good chiropractor.

I do think you may be on the right track with thinking it is linked to the epidural. You know your body better than anyone else and you should definitly listen to your instincts on this one. Good luck and I hope you get an answer and relief soon! I would love to have your respond back here when you find out what is going on.

I haven't personally had the problem, but I have several friends who have had varying degrees of back problems since getting an epidural. As far as I know, there's nothing you can do with it and just have to kindof "deal with it"... And use your story to encourage others not to get one.
Good luck!!

Hi K.,

It is probably a pinch nerve.

I had my oldest son 5 yrs ago. I was laying down on my left side for a quite a while for the delivery. Since then, there is a spot on my left thigh that is numb. I thought it may be the epi, but I had 2 more kids after that and had no other incidents. The other two deliveries were much faster. My left thight is still numb to this day. =P

Good luck with chiropractor. It works for some people, especially the one done by an acupuncture.

It didnt happen to me (even though the anasthesiologist was watching the american idol finale and poking me) but Ive heard of it happening to others. I would see a doctor (not a chiropractor) but a real doctor to see if he/she can eliminate other causes--like a bulged disk.

I had the same thing happen to me but it only stayed on the right side of my leg.I have two children and each time i received the epidural i had the same thing happen on my right leg.At times it would feel like someone was sticking with little needles. There were times when i couldn't feel at all and if i leaned on it in a certain position it felt like my leg was asleep and it would hurt.I was scared but eventually it went away. I want to say it took about six months before it went away and sometimes after if i leaned just right it would bother me a little. Hopefully this will help a little and your symptoms will subside like mine did. Good Luck

I also agree it probably has nothing to do with the epidural, but more likely maybe doing to much after having a baby. Same thing happened after my daughter was born and I ended up having a pinched nerve. I felt pretty good after having my daughter (had a c-section) and over-did it too much after she was born. Definitely have your regular doctor check it out, since they can have X-rays done. Its probably nothing that rest wont cure, but like other posters said, definitely get it checked.
I hope you feel better!

I doubt it has anything to do with the epidural.
Do you excercise? It could very well have to do with your circulation. How's your weight? It is important to be within a healthy weight range for your height. As we age, things slowly but surely will start changing...one thing at a time...it is important to be proactive with your overall health (as it appears you are trying to be.) Have you been to your doctor for a physical and bloodwork? Hope it gets better very soon! Take Care, K.

Go see a doctor--not a chiropractor; you may need a spinal study; or this could be something with your brain. neurological problems as you describe are not to be ignored. C.

It probley has nothing to do with an epidural, it sounds more like a bone spur, youll need to go to the doctor they may take an exray or an MRI. I have one and thats what happen to me I had to go in and get a cortizone shot. But I am great now.

K.,

I'm sorry that you are feeling this. That is not fun. After I had my first baby, I had numbness in my toes on my left foot. I went to the dr. and when he rubbed on my lower back on that side and made it better. The muscles were really tight in that area surrounding the nerve. What works for me is that I get my heating pad and put it on my back for several minutes. Also, stretches will help, and see if your husband will massage the area for you.

Good luck.
G.

I had numbness in my legs and feet until my daughter was over 12 m old. I don't remember when it went away exactly, but I don't have it now and she is 15 months. I never thought about it being the epidural... but maybe. I think a lot of it was from carrying her around all the time and my posture.

I would see a medical doctor, preferably a neurologist or an orthopedic spine Dr. You may have a disc bulge or herniation that is compressing on your spinal cord. This could have been due to pushing during delivery if you had a vaginal birth. If you begin having problems with bowel or bladder (unable to void) you need to get to the ER right away as that is a medical emergency. It sounds like you area describing "saddle paresthesias" which is numbness/tingling in the perineal area (the areas that would touch a saddle if you were sitting on one) which are extending down into the legs. That is something that requires medical attention. Good luck.

I had my 1st epi to try and turn my daughter from breach and then a few weeks later when she was born via c-section. For almost a ear after her delivery I had weird back pains and tinglings only in the area it had been. Finally it just went away..I never bothered to try any treatment because it would come and go.
With my others I had a spinal instead and would highly recommend it over an epi any day. I never had problems afterwards. The way I felt while it was in and in recovery was better and my recoveries were quicker...I was also up a LOT faster.

I would go to a physician to rule anything other than spinal out and would also see nother chiropractor and find one with an accupuncturist in the office.

I had three epidurals and had no problems with numbness. You are bending and lifting in ways you should not even if you try to be kind to your body caring or your children. It is very common for back pain to develop and highly unlikely to be related to your epidural.

I did have sciatica after my 3rd child was born but I also have scoliosis and arthritis in my back. I experienced chronc pain for 6 years until I had one accupuncture treatment and deep tissue massage. Have not had any problems since, and that was three years ago.

You may have a pinched nerve or a bulging disc. These are not uncommon and resolve with time. This most likely is not due to your epidural. Problems with epidurals usually happen very quickly and not months down the road.