Back problems and Epidurals

So I have terrible sciatica at the minute and its a real bugger because I have to lean down constantly with the kid, and the dishwasher and the washing machine etc etc...so I go to Boots the Chemist to buy some painkillers and the pharmacist lady says to me...did you have an epidural when you had your baby, I say, yes I did, so she says, well that can lead to back problems, so I say, well that was 11 months ago and she says well it can take that long to develop. Anyway, someone had to come and pick my jaw up from the floor because my back hurt too much to pick it up myself.

So my question is this...has anyone had back problems after an epidural that only surfaced a year later???? I swear that this is caused by the way I am sleeping at the moment...(new bed being delivered on Monday) So what do you think???

Re: Back problems and Epidurals

from the day I had my c-section,,I have had pain in my spine...if you touch where I was given the epi...it kills!!

My back aches all the time and it feels stiff...

Message edited 12/8/2006 2:59:56 PM.

Re: Back problems and Epidurals

Hmmm... this is interesting. Since being pregnant my back has been horrible and still to this day (2 years later)... somedays it's worse than others - I never thought it had something to do with the epidural, I just thought it was because I had regular preggo back problems and then just from doing stuff with Michael that it never healed. This is interesting to know though.

I hope you feel better soon!

Re: Back problems and Epidurals

I know exactly what you're talking about. I had a nasty, drop you to your knees shooting pain in my lower back on my right side. 3 advil/ibuprofen and sleeping with a heating pad tucked into my pjs did the trick.
That's some visual huh?

this happened 11 weeks pp (4 days ago) and hasn't come back yet

{{knocking on wood}}

Re: Back problems and Epidurals

I had an epidural and hope I don't end up having back problems. I would be really ****** since the epidural didn't even work for me and I still felt the pain!

Message edited 12/8/2006 3:13:31 PM.

Re: Back problems and Epidurals

Posted by bedda26

I had an epidural and hope I don't end up having back problems. I would be really ****** since the epidural didn't even work for me and I still felt the pain!

Re: Back problems and Epidurals

My back pain is definitely related to my epidural from my 2nd son. It took FIVE attempts to get the epi to work (one idiot had four shots at it, and then my "hero" got it on the first try).

What are you taking to ease the pain? It's so awful at times.

Re: Back problems and Epidurals

I had an epi and i wouldn't call it a back problem necessarily, but i have this painful tickle that shoots up my spine into my neck at times.

I asked a friend of mine who's an anethesiaologist and he told me there's so many nerves around your spinal cord when the did the epi he could have knicked one. When i press on the epi site it still tingles, i am 7 month pp.

Nobody tells these side effects!

Re: Back problems and Epidurals

I get this too, and I had an epidural. I just assumed I had residual "back damage" from going through 15+ hours of back labor, but who knows, maybe it's related to the epidural instead

Re: Back problems and Epidurals

Wow I'm glad I'm not the only one. I'm not sure if mine can be attributed to the epi - but my lower back has been killing me for about 3 weeks now. I am so mad too b/c I almost didn't get it and I will be really PO'd if this back pain doesn't go away!!!

Re: Back problems and Epidurals

I am really happy beyond belief that this post was posted! (not happy that you're suffering from back pain that is.. just glad to know that what I'm feeling is NOT uncommon!)

I'm 8 wks postpartum. I didn't have an epidural, but I did have a spinal given me towards the end of my labor to take the edge off. My back had been feeling fine up until this past week when all of a sudden I starting having the WORST lower back pain... one day this week I could hardly walk it was so bad. I too thought it was just straining from carrying around my chunky monkey 24 -7 but I'm starting to think its stemming from the spinal ..

Either way, my back hurts like the dickens

Message edited 12/8/2006 5:32:23 PM.

Re: Back problems and Epidurals

Posted by tiki03

Posted by bedda26

I had an epidural and hope I don't end up having back problems. I would be really ****** since the epidural didn't even work for me and I still felt the pain!

It didn't work for me either.

Message edited 12/8/2006 7:03:49 PM.

Re: Back problems and Epidurals

I had back problems prior to being pregnant so I don't feel much different with that pain. However, since about 2-3 months post partum I have surface pain at the site of the epideral. It hurts when I bend over and my spine stretches the skin on my back, when I touch it and when I'm lying down in such a way that my skin is pulled. I wonder if I should see the doc or if it just goes away after a while.

Re: Back problems and Epidurals

I have residual back pain at the exact site of the epidural almost 9 months later.

Re: Back problems and Epidurals

I had a not so good experience with my epidural-developed a spinal leak and had to get a blood patch (but it worked fine- I felt nothing during labor). I have had awful back problems since giving birth and it's been 2 years now

Re: Back problems and Epidurals

oh geez..I feel like running out and starting a bradley methold class asap.

I am so sorry that you guys are going through this.

Re: Back problems and Epidurals

Have you tried a Chiro?

My pelvis was all out of wack from the fact that epidural didn't work, pushing for 3 hours then a Vaccum assist and the weight gain and loss.
I go about every 6 months for an adjustment and it helps so much!

Re: Back problems and Epidurals

I had a spinal with my c-section and had back problems before the pregnancy, but they have been so much worse after the pregnancy/c-section. I don't know if it's related, but I do get sharp shooting pains at the site of my spinal, that feel like I'm getting re-pricked in there but worse, and to this day (14 months pp) that spot is sensitive to touch.

It took the doctor a good 20 minutes to get the spinal in. FInally he called another doctor in and as the other doc walked in the operating room he finally got it.