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Suggest Treatment For Severe Lower Back Pain

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Posted on Fri, 11 Nov 2016
Question: After my epidural block injection on my lower back pain, my pain increased. What should I do? Pleas tell me it's side effect.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
cannot say precisely without an examination

Detailed Answer:
There are a lot of possibilities. Certainly getting a big needle in the back can cause pain due to the injection. This is of short duration and mostly is pretty easily to identify the minor aspect of it (it is right on the outside and if you poke the surface it produces the soreness).
Of course, epidurals are poking around near the nerves and spine and it is not rare for the needle to hit one of these structures. The pain is severe, it occurs right after the injection it usually feels like a nerve and the pain shoots in the direction of where the nerve runs. AND it is usually pretty temporary (hours to a few days) with longer lasting relief.
Theoretically at least there can be bleeding, infection, bruising, or harm to the nerve structures. More severe problems have more symptoms and more of them. Also there can be a spinal headache from the leakage of spinal fluid out from the hole. This migraine like headache improves in about a day.

Overall, some pain after an epidural injection is quite common but lasts a short duration. More pain, other symptoms, ANY loss of movement, sensation, bowel or bladder function are severe symptoms requiring immediate attention.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (22 minutes later)
Should I take another injection in 2weeks time or I should wait for a month? My pain might get better in few more days. The Doctor who performed the epidural block inaction is one othe best back surgeon. I read the review and the injection nidle was quite thin.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Nuts, it lost my answer... You'll know better than I will!

Detailed Answer:
For the minor causes of pain, the duration will be small, and there are no other symptoms. And their will be some benefit from it. For many people injections do not relieve pain. If it did not work in the first 2 to 3, it doesn't work. Ok, mostly if it doesn't work the first time.

But if after the pain subsides, things work better, then that would be a reason to repeat it.

Ask if over the counter aleve might be helpful for the pain. It can be dangerous in some situaitons like bleeding.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Lower Back Pain

Brief Answer: cannot say precisely without an examination Detailed Answer: There are a lot of possibilities. Certainly getting a big needle in the back can cause pain due to the injection. This is of short duration and mostly is pretty easily to identify the minor aspect of it (it is right on the outside and if you poke the surface it produces the soreness). Of course, epidurals are poking around near the nerves and spine and it is not rare for the needle to hit one of these structures. The pain is severe, it occurs right after the injection it usually feels like a nerve and the pain shoots in the direction of where the nerve runs. AND it is usually pretty temporary (hours to a few days) with longer lasting relief. Theoretically at least there can be bleeding, infection, bruising, or harm to the nerve structures. More severe problems have more symptoms and more of them. Also there can be a spinal headache from the leakage of spinal fluid out from the hole. This migraine like headache improves in about a day. Overall, some pain after an epidural injection is quite common but lasts a short duration. More pain, other symptoms, ANY loss of movement, sensation, bowel or bladder function are severe symptoms requiring immediate attention.