Epidural for Spinal conditions causing foot numbness.

Nathan

Nathan

SF VIP
Location
High Desert- Calif.
I had gotten an MRI not long ago, the results read like a 'what can go wrong did go wrong" scenario of my spine, stenosis, osteophyte bulges all kinds of terms I had to Google. Anyway, I had a phone visit with a Pain Mgmt MD, and it looks like we'll be doing an epidural at my L5-S1, with the hope that the Corticosteroid will reduce inflammation and swelling, and relieve the numbness in my Right foot. I'm looking forward to seeing if this works, as the original diagnosis for the neuropathy years ago was "idiopathic".

One thing that the Pain Mgmt MD wants to do that I'm not in favor of, is putting me on Gabapentin. Perhaps the pharmaceutical sales people have convinced him that Gabapentin works for numbness, but I've taken it before and it didn't work for me, nor did it for any of the many people that I've talked to.
 

Nathan said:
I had gotten an MRI not long ago, the results read like a 'what can go wrong did go wrong" scenario of my spine, stenosis, osteophyte bulges all kinds of terms I had to Google. Anyway, I had a phone visit with a Pain Mgmt MD, and it looks like we'll be doing an epidural at my L5-S1, with the hope that the Corticosteroid will reduce inflammation and swelling, and relieve the numbness in my Right foot. I'm looking forward to seeing if this works, as the original diagnosis for the neuropathy years ago was "idiopathic".

One thing that the Pain Mgmt MD wants to do that I'm not in favor of, is putting me on Gabapentin. Perhaps the pharmaceutical sales people have convinced him that Gabapentin works for numbness, but I've taken it before and it didn't work for me, nor did it for any of the many people that I've talked to.
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well firstly, gabapentin has never workked for me either.. and I know so many people who say the same.. I wonder why it's still on sale.

I don't know about the cortisone in your back relieving the numbness in your foot, because whenever i get a cortisone injection in my lower back..it's job is to numb the pain in my back.. and it does it's job, but it doesn't numb anywhere else..
 
Spinal epidural did nothing for numbness in my feet, didn't help my back much either.

I do take Gabapetin but it also does nothing for the numbness in my feet. What it does do is help stop my restless leg issues, which lets me sleep a bit better. I take 300mg. when I go to bed, I think that may be the lowest dosage.
 
In my time I have had several epidurals, in low back, as well as
other areas,.....the shots worked the first two times and that was
all, because the disks and vertabrae became more eroded and
just useless, so they stopped giving me them abt 6 yrs ago....good luck..
 
Nathan said:
I had gotten an MRI not long ago, the results read like a 'what can go wrong did go wrong" scenario of my spine, stenosis, osteophyte bulges all kinds of terms I had to Google. Anyway, I had a phone visit with a Pain Mgmt MD, and it looks like we'll be doing an epidural at my L5-S1, with the hope that the Corticosteroid will reduce inflammation and swelling, and relieve the numbness in my Right foot. I'm looking forward to seeing if this works, as the original diagnosis for the neuropathy years ago was "idiopathic".

One thing that the Pain Mgmt MD wants to do that I'm not in favor of, is putting me on Gabapentin. Perhaps the pharmaceutical sales people have convinced him that Gabapentin works for numbness, but I've taken it before and it didn't work for me, nor did it for any of the many people that I've talked to.
Click to expand...
If the Corticosteroid reduces the inflammation and swelling that's disrupting the specific pathway to your right foot, then you could get feeling back in that foot until the chemicals wear off and/or the inflammation and swelling comes back.

It can happen, but the odds aren't great. It depends on your trigger guy hitting the nerve root just right, injecting the ideal dosage, and whether or not it reduces the inflammation and swelling enough to matter. In any case, the effect is temporary, lasting anywhere from a couple weeks to several months.

Pain relief is hit-or-miss as well, literally. But when your trigger guy does manage to hit just the right spot, the relief is freaking amazing! I've had this procedure 3 times. I had nearly complete pain relief for 9 whole glorious months the first time, minimal relief for about 3 weeks the second time, and about 75% relief for around 3 months the third time.

Hoping you get fantastic results, Nathan. It's totally worth going for it.
 
Murrmurr said:
If the Corticosteroid reduces the inflammation and swelling that's disrupting the specific pathway to your right foot, then you could get feeling back in that foot until the chemicals wear off and/or the inflammation and swelling comes back.

It can happen, but the odds aren't great. It depends on your trigger guy hitting the nerve root just right, injecting the ideal dosage, and whether or not it reduces the inflammation and swelling enough to matter. In any case, the effect is temporary, lasting anywhere from a couple weeks to several months.

Pain relief is hit-or-miss as well, literally. But when your trigger guy does manage to hit just the right spot, the relief is freaking amazing! I've had this procedure 3 times. I had nearly complete pain relief for 9 whole glorious months the first time, minimal relief for about 3 weeks the second time, and about 75% relief for around 3 months the third time.

Hoping you get fantastic results, Nathan. It's totally worth going for it.
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Yes, that's the game plan but of course it's a roll-of-=the-dice thing, but I've never been settled with the "Idiopathic" diagnosis, so we'll see how it goes. As for the Gabapentin, I hope I won't have to battle this MD if he insists that it is to be an integral part of my treatment.
 
Nathan said:
I have not, curiously the MD asked me the same thing. Have you had successful acupuncture treatment?
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Yes, at least to some degree... my issues are different that yours, but when he did work
for the area that you seem to be talking about, it was much more successful.

Perhaps it would worth you giving it a try?
 
Nathan said:
I have not, curiously the MD asked me the same thing. Have you had successful acupuncture treatment?
Click to expand...
I have. Results were fairly significant but very short-lived. I get similar but longer-lasting results from meditating, and you've mentioned that you use meditation, yes? For me, meditation works better. But, as you probly know, only lasts for a matter of hours.
 
Nathan said:
Yes, that's the game plan but of course it's a roll-of-=the-dice thing, but I've never been settled with the "Idiopathic" diagnosis, so we'll see how it goes. As for the Gabapentin, I hope I won't have to battle this MD if he insists that it is to be an integral part of my treatment.
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I'd be pist-off with an idiopathic Dx. IMO, there's a whole lot more doctors need to learn about the spine and nerve roots and all. But I'm sure they will.

I'm convinced the FDA would like to see Gabapentin and other reuptake drugs totally replace opioids...hydrocodone, Oxy, morphine, and all those. Two recent in-depth studies showed that Gabapentin causes dementia. Sorry, I forget which 2 universities did the studies and what dosages were used, but both papers said there's a definite link bx Gaba and dementia.

I'll see if I can find them if you want...let me know...but I assume a google search, or whatever, will pull them up.
 
Murrmurr said:
I'd be pist-off with an idiopathic Dx. IMO, there's a whole lot more doctors need to learn about the spine and nerve roots and all. But I'm sure they will.

I'm convinced the FDA would like to see Gabapentin and other reuptake drugs totally replace opioids...hydrocodone, Oxy, morphine, and all those. Two recent in-depth studies showed that Gabapentin causes dementia. Sorry, I forget which 2 universities did the studies and what dosages were used, but both papers said there's a definite link bx Gaba and dementia.

I'll see if I can find them if you want...let me know...but I assume a google search, or whatever, will pull them up.
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I read that recently, when googling "Gabapentin side effects". I won't sweat it If I rub this pain mgmt MD the wrong way with my rejection of Gabapentin, all I want is to see if the epidural works. Surgery is not an option, if the numbness progresses to the point where I can no longer safely drive, I can outfit my vehicle with hand controls for the accelerator and brakes.
 
Ted01 said:
Yes, at least to some degree... my issues are different that yours, but when he did work
for the area that you seem to be talking about, it was much more successful.

Perhaps it would worth you giving it a try?
Click to expand...

I would, I am open to trying Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese medical remedies, particularly since my Yoga and Taichi practices are part of them.
Murrmurr said:
I have. Results were fairly significant but very short-lived. I get similar but longer-lasting results from meditating, and you've mentioned that you use meditation, yes? For me, meditation works better. But, as you probly know, only lasts for a matter of hours.
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Meditation is incorporated into my Yoga and Taichi practices, and is beneficial to the extent that lowering anxiety and quelling the overactive mind(monkey mind) contributes to lowering the experience of pain.
 
I don't know your age or your over all health condition, but at some point, your option may be very limited. Every medical treatment or medication bears risks and side effects.
 
Nathan said:
Meditation is incorporated into my Yoga and Taichi practices, and is beneficial to the extent that lowering anxiety and quelling the overactive mind(monkey mind) contributes to lowering the experience of pain.
Click to expand...
That seemed how acupuncture worked, too....for me. I did several sessions and the positive effects diminished each time. But I'm pretty sure the effects vary from person to person.
 

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