i had the epidural put in my back too far

Stacey - posted on 07/25/2011

Hi there Julie. You really should see the nurse or Dr but I experience a lot of pain after i'v been ironing for a while or hoovering. It feels as if that spike is still in my spine. The pain can be excrutiating while doing those things but I also suffer lower back pain which is another very painful thing. I don't know why I get it low down but as for the epidural thing, I'd certainly see my G.P if I were you & also consider suing the Maternity Unit where u had ur daughter. Sorry I can't help you but you're not alone! x

Julie - posted on 07/25/2011

i been going to see a exend socop practitoner and it aint even work she looks at me like im making it up this as been going on for to long now its been a year and no one will send me for a scan or a mri and i still dont no for sure whats wrong its makig me mad now coz its like hey dont want to help me.

Monica - posted on 07/19/2011

the same thing happened to me they ended up missing and having to stick me several of times now ive had this done like 4 times already and a c section and all by far this last baby has been the worse when u get a epidural just look forward to having back pains for the rest of your life thats all i can say

Alisha - posted on 07/18/2011

Call your doctors office and document as much as you can about your pain and that it started right after your c-section. You may need to take this to court if your doctor/anesteologist won't fess up to doing something wrong. You need compensation for that if it is a malpractice case. Don't give up and surround yourself with supportive people who will back you up because court takes years.

Jenny - posted on 07/18/2011

I had a spinal about 15 months ago. This was my second c-section. I have a large white spot at the spinal injection sight (about 2-3 inches) that looks like scar tissue. I never mentioned it to my doctors b/c I assumed I just needed time to heal. Now it's over a year and still there. Had anyone had this problem? I did not have this with my first c-section. If you have should I go to the doctor? I don't want to spend the expensive copay to just be told it will heal over time. I have no back pain whatsoever. Thanks!

Sarah - posted on 07/16/2011

Alexandra - c-sections are like that a friend of mine had one almost 12 months ago and she still has problems although she had a major infection. In that sense i feel lucky that my epidural was simply for pain

Alexandra - posted on 07/16/2011

i didnt get c-section but also had problems with epidural. i went to talk to the doctor, and that is the advice i give you too, to make sure there was no infection. i am feeling better but still hurts - back and right leg all the way to knee. i was told it takes up to six months to heal completely. meanwhile I have been taking pain medication.

Rosaleigh - posted on 07/13/2011

Wow you are so lucky to have only back pain, my mother had to have hip replacement and was told the only way they would perform the procedure was if she had an epidural she didnt want it and when we through all the reasons as to why she didnt want it (which is all of the reasons everyone has posted to you and of course being paralysed) they still said no its this way or no surgery so not happy with this she had to have it, The second day after surgery my mother still couldnt feel from below her breasts down, Guess what the anethatist said standing at the end of her be. Oh well this happens to 1 in 10,000 looks like your the one and walked out, then they shipped her off to another hospital within the hour and never heard from them again, after 10yrs of many medical issues and living with nerve pain my mum passed away from yet another act of medical neglegence. I am sorry to hear that you are in pain but promise you will change your doctor and find one who will listen and take you serious and the most important thing to remember that most people forget is Hello You Are Paying them to take you serious without illness where would they be definatley not in that flash house they have or driving a fancy car Get What You are Paying For. I wish you luck and a pain free life. Congratulations on your baby girl.

Kelly - posted on 07/13/2011

I had an epi with my first child (emergency c section) and had no problems with my back but with my daughter (scheduled c section) they gave me a spinal and I had terrible back pain after wards, now it's way better but I still get the back pain when i get over tired or am doing something where I am hunched over for a long period of time. My doctor told me that unfortunately spinals usually have this side effect. he said it has something to do with being inserted so much higher than the epi. Mine were done correctly so I didn't feel anything suring the procedure but I was very worried that this back pain would last forever. Try everything that these ladies have suggested, start with finding a doctor who will repect you and listen to you after than be open to anything from yoga to acupucture, or acupressure. Good Luck and I hope you find some relief soon.

Bernadette - posted on 07/13/2011

Oh sorry, I just realised you said epidural. My previous comment said that there should be no pain at all, but that was based on my experience and I had a spinal block, not an epidural. They are slightly different and before I had mine the anaethetist explained to me that with an epidural they don't always block all the pain. They can "top up" the levels if it is not sufficient, but even still a lot of people will experience some pain. The spinal block should cut it out altogether. I think the risks are pretty much the same though.

Connie - posted on 07/13/2011

I had one epidural with the first birth. Second and third births were natural. I will NEVER have another epidural because of the risks. So sorry to hear of your complications. Check and see if you have an excellent Naturepath in your area or drive two hours to see one. The best ones are worth the price you pay for them. If you don't know who to check out, go to www.WindroseClinic. com, get their number and call for a referral. They are the oldest naturopathic clinic in the whole country and are very well respected.

Titi - posted on 07/12/2011

C=section could be very painful after but the pain is always on and off but it should be a serious pain but if u feel 7/10 pain then i will advice u see ur Doctor.

Lucy - posted on 07/11/2011

Julie, call your attorney.

Candyce - posted on 07/11/2011

Definitely see your doctor to figure out what's going on, especially if it's been constant for a year. Yoga, acupressure, and chiropractic services may help, but only if you figure out what the exact underlying problem is.

Elizabeth - posted on 07/11/2011

See a doctor!

Cathy - posted on 07/10/2011

Unfortunately back pain after epidural is a very common problem without a solution in most cases. Says a lot for not having one., Unfortunately they are needed often too at times they are over used.and this is too often the result.

Rebecca - posted on 07/10/2011

I'm sorry you are having this pain. I have severe back issues (not related to epidurals) and I know it can take over your life. Ditto to all the acupuncture - massage has helped me a lot too. I see a Back and Spine Injury Specialist and he has been able to help somewhat. IF any doctor does not treat you with respect you need to walk out and find another one. There is no excuse for that. Good luck sweetie.
Rebecca

Nicole - posted on 07/10/2011

Like she said probably nerve damage. This why I will never voluntarily get an epidural. They can even leave you paralyzed.

Nicole - posted on 07/10/2011

Like she said probably nerve damage. This why I will never voluntarily get an epidural. They can even leave you paralyzed.

Callie - posted on 07/10/2011

Shannon, they have you sign a waiver before you get the epidural saying you understand the risks. Unfortunately back pain and headaches are quite common (in varying degrees) after having an epidural done. They just don't tell women how common some of these side effects are. Most European countries don't even offer epidurals unless you are having a c-section (which happens 15-20% less often than US) and then there are other drug options they use as well. If I knew what I know now about epidurals I never would have gotten one. I had nerve pain in my left foot that felt like my foot was on fire. Fortunately it has gone away (18 months later).

Julie, if I were you I'd find a different doctor and see if they can find some way to help you. It may like mine eventually disappear but it could be there forever. After I had my daughter I found out that a women at the same hospital was paralyzed by her epidural from the neck down for 5 months. Fortunately she is recovering and starting to gain mobility back. Good luck I hope you find something that works for you.

Kaley - posted on 07/10/2011

It may be a pinched cya-tic nerve. It's more common in women than men because during labor, the pelvic bones expand. The cya-tic nerve sometimes drops and when the bones come back together, the nerve gets pinched. It will cause bad lower back pains and unfortunately will be there for the rest of your life. Have a doctor look at it for sure. I don't think it's a problem with the epidural though..... I hope this helps!

Sarah - posted on 07/10/2011

i would go speak to your doctor. I've had a fair bit of trouble with the after affects of my epidural (on november 14 2009) for me its hard to say if its made my back pain worse (ive always had backpain) but i do have problems with feeling on the ball of my left foot and my middle toe on my left foot not curling all the way. not to scare you but there was nothing my obgyn could do as it doesnt affect me at all. chances are they will help you with a pain management plan - medication and other useful ways to help with pain. it sucks but these things do happen

Danielle - posted on 07/10/2011

I had a smiliar issue - lower back pain post C-section (and likely improperly inserted epidural). Go to a good physiotherapist - they will help! Good luck!

Kathy - posted on 07/10/2011

I definitely agree!

Shannon - posted on 07/10/2011

My heart is breaking from all these stories! No wonder so many people don't trust doctors and hopitals. Every day, I realize a little bit how blessed I am to have had my c-sections go so smoothly.

What I don't understand, though, is why nobody is suing the hospitals and/or doctors that messed up so badly. If a doctor puts the needle in the wrong place, isn't that malpractice?

Morgen - posted on 07/10/2011

Time for a malpractice suit, I think.

Heather - posted on 07/10/2011

Call and ask your Doctor

Stacey - posted on 07/10/2011

Jes-O. That sounds horrific. How can so many people experience so many different problems. It's not right at all. How do they get away with it. I left the ward with a morphine addiction & in so much pain from the errors they made during the c-section & with my poisonous wound I ended up getting into heroin as I was addicted, thanks to the morphine they were pumping into me in the Maternity Ward.

Stacey - posted on 07/10/2011

Thanx for your wordws of wisdom. I can actually get Acupuncture for free, so I think I'll start going as after walking for 10mins I'm bending over in agony. Thank you again. Staceyx

Julie - posted on 07/10/2011

thank u all for getting back to me i will let u all know how i get onim only 28 year old but maybe thats what i need carrie my doctors look at me like im making it up i feel silly about going doctors again and again but maybe one last trip wont hurt

Marat - posted on 07/10/2011

I've heard of epidural headaches, and this may be what you are experiencing? I would contact my Doctor and see what they say. If it is an epidural headache it can take a while to get rid of.

Stacey - posted on 07/10/2011

I had a really bad experience with a c-section too. They left the epidural tube & needle hanging out my spine for 4 days. It wasn't until the auxillary nurse who noticed it wen I got out of bed for the 1st time to take a shower when she noticed it & ran away to get a Dr in a panic. That was 10 years ago & I'm in constant pain every day of my life ecause of it. As u know after a c-sect they want u mobile asap but I'd to stay in bed as they were a lot of complications. My date to be induced was Fri 13th Oct 2000 so I went in for my 1st inducement ge the previous day & I was in labour until I had my wee Abbie on 12mins passed midnight on the Sunday. Abbie's heartrate dropped really quickly & they'd to rush me into theatre. Once they'd cut me the realised the baby was half way down the birth canal so they'd topull & twist to get her yup & out of my stomach. That big theatre bed was rocking from side to side, almost coming off the ground, they pulled me about so much. I lost 3 pints of blood & needed a blood transfusion. I lost part of my bladder. The list goes on.

Bernadette - posted on 07/10/2011

when you say you felt the c-section being done, do you mean you felt pain, or that you felt all the movement - the pushing and pulling, etc, as they took your baby out? That bit is normal, it is a very weird sensation, but you do feel it all. If you actually felt pain at being cut, and having the baby pulled out of you, that is not supposed to happen obviously. But you do feel everything else, minus the pain, it if is done properly.

Della - posted on 07/09/2011

Omgosh I thought I was the only one I had a spinal block after 5 hours of labor and 2 1/2 hours of pushing and my precious baby girl wasn't moving so I had to have a c-section. I didn't feel them put in the spinal probably because I was concentrating on not pushing since the meds they gave me didn't kick in fast enough to slow the contractions but about 2 weeks after I got sent home I noticed that I would get sever back pains where my spinal was placed and it would radiate down my legs and they'd feel like a stabbing but numb pain. I have a few nurse friends and all have told me that I need to go see my ob or family practicioner to get it analyzed because you shouldn't have to take anything more than motrin (I still have some percocet left over and I have to use it and even then sometimes it doesn't take the pain away) Listen to the people who are saying to go see a dr because even though they say that its normal to still have some pain months after having a spinal/epidural you shouldn't have to take anything more than a simple motrin or have pains that travel any where or excrutiating. Get more than one advice to because if one dr can't take you seriously you dont need them!

Jennifer - posted on 07/09/2011

Not sure my experience relates to yours or not. I had an epidural where the tip of the needle nicked the spinal canal. That created a pressure change in the fluid that lubricates the spinal canal resulting in extreme pain. If I leaned my head forward or even in a normal position I had pain. Real fun trying to nurse with head tilted so far back you can't see the baby latching. Due to my symptoms I had to have a CT and then they patched the leak by placing a blood patch (literally blood from the patient and then inserted over the spot). I would definitely talk to a specialist (mine was a neurologist) and you may want to consider a CT scan or MRI scan if doctor advises such. Not sure what treatments are available since you state epidural was back in 2010. Definitely agree to find a doctor that takes your pain seriously and can help you get to the bottom of it all.

Libby - posted on 07/09/2011

go and see your doctor

Denise - posted on 07/09/2011

I'm so sorry your hurting. i had an epidural too. I still felt the contractions real bad and then my legs started jerking around like I was in a seizure. I remember being so scared but at that point I just wanted the baby to be out. I'm sure what you're experiencing may be common. I would speak to my doctor about it or see who the person is that gave you the epidural.
Best of luck to you

Carrie - posted on 07/09/2011

i had very bad back problems after my c section in 07. in feb i had a hysterectomy and the pain stopped. i hadn't healed right and my uterus was attached to the abdomen wall. no pain since then.

Maureen - posted on 07/09/2011

i had 2 c sections after my first i starting having alot of back aches dotors says one thing doesn't have anything to do with the other but i think having a needle put in your spine some nerves get damaged it got no worse after my 2 nd but still get them i don't think it is anything to worry about just the price to have that baby good luck

Jamie - posted on 07/09/2011

I'm feel kinda similar....i have my 2nd csection on mya 23rd and they had tried to do a spinal block but they kept hitting bone so the went with an epi which went in with no problems but went they got about 10mins into the surgery I started feeling EVERYTHING I frealed out screaming bloody murder they gave me a local and it was a little better but not much kinda just delt with it....here it is 2 months later and it feels like I had sergery yesterday! And if I move a certin way I get a sharp pain right where they tried to do the spinal block....i asked my OB and he said they must have damaged a nerve and I will probably have that pain form here on out!

Constance - posted on 07/09/2011

Julie way befoe pain management you need to do everything else. You can try with a Nuerosurgeon that specializes in spinal. Let them know what your concern is and how you ae feeling. You probally will get an MRI and the doctor will give you the advise of the best way to go about it. If the MRI does not show damage then they will give exercises and send you home.

Pain pills are no joke and you really need to be in a place where there is truelly no other options.

Christine - posted on 07/09/2011

Please go and see a Pain Management Specialist. They often are able to control pain.

Kamille - posted on 07/09/2011

Yes, when the epidural, is done correctly, you would not have had any pain, whatsoever.....the reason you felt pain, the administrator of the epidural, did not place it in the right spot. That is plain and simple.......

Sara - posted on 07/09/2011

The two epidurals i had with both my girls left my back in a world of pain! I dont know what to do neither!

Kim - posted on 07/09/2011

I have had 3 epidural's. First one 30 yrs ago, last one was 26 yrs ago. There are exercises you can do to help and ice packs.
Let your Dr know about this problem and see if you can find some help with physio therapist to help you with exercises to help.

Shereen - posted on 07/09/2011

Not inserted properly...

Victoria - posted on 07/09/2011

Oooh July 19 my Bday. Well epidurals are rough. I had 2. Then I had a spinal tap for my 3rd daughter; which was a Csection. A lot of my friends and family warned me that the spinal would have lasting effects on my lower back. Do see a doctor so they can document your discomforts.

Dee - posted on 07/09/2011

I had my first epidural with my forth child after 9 hours of labour. The epidural only worked on the left hand side the right hand side felt all the pain especially in the lower back. After the birth of my beautiful daughter 24 hrs later I had a terrible pain in the left side of the neck which ended in a horrific headache every time I sat up. So I was told to lay flat then I started getting panic attacks because I wasn't allowed to move I had to lay flat. Doctors or nurses couldn't give me a reason why this was happening to me and had to stayin hospital for another week, so the next day I signed my self out and called my local GP to visit me at home because I couldn't walk, he explain there is an air socket in my spine were the epidural must of leaked. 7 days of laying flat and a friends mother who did reflexology on me, I was slowly up walking again after 7 days. Sometimes I still have weakness in the neck and headaches on that side but at least I got an answer....

Heidi - posted on 07/09/2011

You may not want to hear this, but I had an epidural for my child's birth 8 years ago, and ever since then have had the same lower back pain at the base of my spine. It's never gone away. Currently I'm in physical therapy for my feet and calves, and some of the exercises to build my hip strength result in the pain again. Over the years, I've done a lot of yoga. But I never had that back pain until I had that epidural. I am positive the two are connected. Mine was done at a military hospital, and I won't go into the gory details of what happened ... suffice it to say, they royally botched it, and after 21 hours of labor, I still had the C-section b/c they didn't know the baby was face-up.
I've just managed the pain over the years with a heating pad and stretches like "child's pose." I also stretch my calves when the pain kicks in, which helps. Reading these other responses here has given me encouragement to check into acupuncture now.
I hope you find relief soon! If you don't, just know that there are people out there who have managed the pain ... it's not a picnic, but it's something I've just learned to live with. :-(

Laural - posted on 07/08/2011

A former doctor of mine told me a serious medical condtion was all in my head. Once I got properly diagnosed and treated by a competent doctor, I sent a letter firing the doctor that was a poor excuse for somebody practicing medicine. Doctors are not gods. They don't know everything. A doctor who gradulated last in his/her class is still a doctor. Be your own advocate. Never hand your health over to somebody else to decide -- especially if your gut tells you they don't know what they are talking about. Good luck.