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What Causes Light And Sound Sensitivity After Taking Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection?
Question: I had 2 courses of epidural steroid shots in my neck. First one at c6-7 and the second shot at 2 levels c5-7. I got a bad sinus infection about 2 weeks after and took antibiotic s. But I felt good besides that. All of a sudden 2 months after the shot I got extreme sensitivity in my teeth and doing normal things like a painting project were grueling. At first I was thinking maybe the shot wore off. So I scheduled a second shot. 2 weeks after that shot another sickness laryngitis and sinus infections and z pac. I also have hasimotos. The sensitivity continues, to touch and sound. I feel like even my skin hurts. My doctors seem to not think it a side effect from the steriod of from my back discs. All I can do is cry. I have 2 young children, even my daughter laying next me me biting her nails hurts me. What causing this????!!!!
Brief Answer:
Not due to the shots.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I must say that I do agree with your doctor in saying that the epidural shots are not the cause of that increased sensitivity that you describe. They are not related to their effect wearing off, those symptoms have nothing to do to the neck, those areas are not innervated by the spinal cord but the brain.
I do not think it is a side effect of the medication. Corticosteroids at times may cause anxiety but when given epidurally they act only locally. Even if some quantity was injected in a blood vessel or was absorbed by a blood vessel it would be a small quantity and anyway side effects would manifest at the time not after 2 weeks.
Those symptoms are look more likely to be in the setting of anxiety. Anxiety is often a companion of hormonal or metabolic alterations, in particular thyroid ones. So I would advise to have an evaluation of thyroid hormones levels and electrolyte levels as the first step.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Not due to the shots.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I must say that I do agree with your doctor in saying that the epidural shots are not the cause of that increased sensitivity that you describe. They are not related to their effect wearing off, those symptoms have nothing to do to the neck, those areas are not innervated by the spinal cord but the brain.
I do not think it is a side effect of the medication. Corticosteroids at times may cause anxiety but when given epidurally they act only locally. Even if some quantity was injected in a blood vessel or was absorbed by a blood vessel it would be a small quantity and anyway side effects would manifest at the time not after 2 weeks.
Those symptoms are look more likely to be in the setting of anxiety. Anxiety is often a companion of hormonal or metabolic alterations, in particular thyroid ones. So I would advise to have an evaluation of thyroid hormones levels and electrolyte levels as the first step.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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