Well I am wondering if any of you have had nerve damage after an Epi or spinal block? I believe that is what my problem is, yet after speaking with the Aneathesist a couple of weeks ago they dont agree, yet just said to me to go and see my GP and get a referral to see a neurologist.
For those of you that have not read my birth story -
I will just let you know that I had complications and afterwards ended up with spinal headaches and unable to attend to my baby for most of my stay in hospital. A blood patch was done.
Once getting home, I had back pain, leg and feet pain, headached for 8weeks every day which have now reduced but still some pressure at the back of my head and a clicking sensation when moving my head from side to side. Tingling in my legs feet, arms and hands as well as now some tingling in back and stomach and chest (whole body tingling really) Now my hands and arms seem to be getting worse, feel quite painful and weak. I cant pat my little baby girls back for very long to settle her without this terrible pain.
I will be getting a referral to see a neurologist soon but need to get a ct scan done first. I have also requested my records from the hospital yet wont recieve them for at least 3wks. Only thing is the aneathesist are wiping their hands of this saying the epi is in the bottom of your spine has nothing to do with your head, arms, hands, yet I know it is from the problems with the spinal then epi. I didnt feel this way beforehand.
So my question is:
Have any of you experienced any nerve damage after an epi/spinal. Please share with me your experiences.
One thing I remember having when having surgery was this pain what felt like near or above my bellybutton, it was such a weird sensation which I had never felt before with any of my other c/s's.
hope u find some answers soon and i will be reading your birth story..the only thing i have is a "Numb patch" just where my bra sits on my back since i had my epi with DS and my back and hips get a hell of alot more painful esp lower back..may not be epi related and i havent really asked a doc bout it
I had an Epi with DS and had problems with my neck develop around 7wks postpartum, I had severe pain & stiffness in my neck that got so bad I couldn't move my head from side to side or look over my shoulder - I still can't turn my head very far to see over my shoulders either I literally have to swivel my whole body around just to look behind me - I had clicking in my neck when I tried to turn it, a constant nasty headache, pressure & throbbing at the base of my skull. It took over 6 months for it to start to get better.
I was on really strong painkillers for most of that time too, but never really thought it could be associated with having the Epi, though there was a period of time during the second night after I was induced but before I was fully dilated where the Epi actually slipped by 4-5mm only giving me numbness over half of my body while the drip was left turned up really really high - The midwife who was with me overnight was to blame for all of that as she was supposed to call the anaesthetist ASAP if I started to feel any pain and all she did was read a magazine, turn the oxy drip up and tell me "shut up and stop moaning because you have the Epi in and there were other women on the ward who are trying to get some sleep". The anaesthetist gave her a very harsh talking to the next morning, I'm glad he was there to hold my hand and talk to me and distract me when I had the emergency c-sec, because I don't think I could have got through it all otherwhise.
Oh, and I also had major swelling in my legs for 3 months afterwards as well, mostly in my left leg and my left calf muscle is still enlarged compared to what it was before having the Epi.
None of the doctors I saw for neck problems ever mentioned the possibility that it could be related to the Epi either. All I know though is that I am so NOT going to have it this time lol
Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but it would be great to see other peoples responses too!
Last edited by JennaJayen; March 28th, 2011 at 06:51 PM.
Jenna - Did your headache feel better when laying down, as when they punctured my spine causing a spinal fluid leak it caused a spinal headache where I couldnt sit up without a throbbing headache, so was laying down flat for most of my stay in hospital until they could do a blood patch. Still had headaches everyday afterwards for 8wks but not like they were in hospital. GL too with your upcoming bubs arrival. Cant wait to hear your BA. hugs
Youngmumma - Thanks hun, Ive had the epi before but nothing like this happened. hugs
csab - I still had the throb at the base of my skull when lying down though it was worse when standing up and walking, made for a lot of sleepless nights, but the headaches usually went away when I laid down. Apparently I didn't have a fluid leak (according to the hospy records anyway, as I brought it up with my OB at my 28wk checkup when he wanted my records in so we could find out if I could have a VBAC), though I have had a lot of middle and lower back pain this pregnancy, even now when Little Miss is in the anterior position, so maybe I should bring it up again with my OB and see if it would be worthwhile getting some tests done. I have to find a doctor who will take my left hip/thigh issues seriously anyway and actually refer me to a rheumatic specialist to find out what's going on there, so I might as well combine it all together.
And keep an eye out for my BA between wednesday & friday lol they'll be breaking my waters on wednesday, so it could be any time from then onwards :P
And I love the pic of Chloe in your ticker - So cute and pink and girly!
I really can't wait to start dressing Little Miss in all the little outfits I've bought her lol
Thanks Jenna, your going to enjoy dressing up your little miss. How exciting Wednesday, Im very excited for you, hehehe.
It sounds to me as though you did have a spinal leak by the way your headache went or lessened when laying down, thats how they are whn there is a spinal leak. They told me if I didnt do a blood patch then I could wait for it to heal itself which could take months, and I just couldnt handle not being able to function properly for an unknown amount of time. It was horrible not being able to get up to Chloe while in hospital, I couldnt even imagine how i would have coped trying to tend to a family at home as well.
I have everything crossed for a perfect delivery for you hun, all the best for Wednesday. hugs
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Nerve Damage after Epi / Spinal Anyone !!!!!!
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