HELP----Lumbar injections / Leg Weakness

[beaverc]

HELP NEED YOUR BRAINS AND EXPERTISE!, HAD Lumbar L4-5 spinal injection today this morning ( this is 3rd set over the years) ALL with no problems. When I woke up in recovery and laid there awhile one of the nurses came and gave me my clothes ,stating that I could get dressed. I put my pants on in the bed and turned to stand on the floor to finish dressing and immediately collapsed. A panic ensued and 3 or 4 nurses got me into a wheel chair. I feel a couple of times in the recovery trying to stand (with the nurse). My legs would not support me and felt numb.

Any way I sat in a wheel chair for hours and could finally shuffle / small steps with a person on each arm. I was discharged that way. My driver weighs approx. 115 lbs. We stopped on the way home and I shuffled into a liquor store to pick up a soda and my right leg the one originally injured (W/C) and I went down again grabbed the door bar and pulled myself up , shuffled to my ride and went down again. Thank fully a big dude saw it happen and helped me up.

The nurse called to see how I was doing and explained that the weakness should be gone in 12 to 16 hours maximum. Anybody ever hear of this or experience it. Needless to say I have never experienced my leg(s) collapsing on me and am to say the least concerned.

ANY INPUT? THANKS

[Harrison]

Beaver, I'm no expert in such matters, but I will say this is unusual from my perspective in my seven years of supporting this community. How are you today? What support are you getting from your PCP or other docs?

[beaverc]

Harrison, Thanks for the responce. Strength is coming back. Not completely by any means. Especially in the leg that was most effected in regards to my lumbar injury (r) leg. I called both the surgical center where I had it done (Spaulding Surgical Center in "POSH" Beverly Hills,CA) and asked for him , the Dr. who did the epidurals, he didn't even have a voice mail there. I registered a complaint on his nurse's voice mail. And with the assistant of the Dr. that ordered the epidurals office that afternoon. To let them know what had occurred.

Both left and right thigh muscles still feel like i have done a 100 squats still. (which I don't do anymore). When I was discharged I could walk shuffling about four inches at a time and only with two large nurses on each arm. Knees are scared up from the falls. Anyway thanks again and please post this so others can be made aware of this place.

THANKS AGAIN! GREAT AND VERY INFORMATIVE SITE!

[jss]

Beaver,

What a terrible and frightening story!

I do have one "horror" story from the ESI's, but they don't even begin to compare to your ordeal.

Did the doctor every look at you after the mishap? Did anyone ever try to suggest what had occurred? I am very relieved that you are recovering. Do you expect to be able to return to work on Monday?

Good luck (and please keep us informed), Jeff

[beaverc]

jss, thank you for your responce and concern.

While sitting in a wheelchair in the "recovery room" , not being able to stand (no strength) this being hours after the injections I requested to speak with the Dr. I was told by a nurse not to worry! The Dr. walked past at one point and I tried to speak with him, he didn't even stop and only remarked about the "Lidocane". At that time I told him I had fallen twice , that was the only time he seemed concerned (very concerned, it appeared). I have not spoken to any of my Dr.s only left messages with no return calls.

I have had other Epidural injections / blocks with no problems and been around a room of people having them and have never seen this occur. And always the nursing staff make sure you are ambulatory on your own before they let you go (with a driver). Right leg is still "not right" being careful with it , feels somewhat weaker than before. Today is Sunday I will be on the phone Monday morning to the Dr.s

Thanks again for the concern. This site is a God send for people with spine problems, as non-spine people do not realize or comprehend what some people live and deal with. I know there are people much worse off than me and I feel for them.

Thank you

[beaverc]

Jeff, Asked to speak with Dr. who did epidurals, he never spoke with me, made a remark about "lidocane" as he walked past where I was sitting in a wheel chair not being able to walk / stand. Only time he expressed concern was when I told him I fell. That got his attention still never stopped and spoke with me. Thanks