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[lsyorke]

First and foremost DO NOT return for the second epidural! I have NO idea why her lawyer told her to go back to this doc. By going back for a second time you are implying that you were satisfied with the initial epidural. It makes no sense to return to the doc that botched the first one.

Find a new doc and find out how many epidurals he has done total. The more the better.

 

[poohandwendy]

Then when he jabbed her with the epidural, he went into the wrong spot and she started screaming (while digging her fingernails into my hands) for him to stop because there was an extremely sharp pain shooting through her right hip and all the way down her right leg..

OMG, this actually made my stomach upset...I went through this exact same thing with the epidural I received with my son's labor.

No lie, this is why I went 'natural' with my next labor. Honestly, it was so painful and scary, I did not want to risk that happening again. I thought I was going to end up paralyzed. And I got the same "Oh honey, you are fine...this should not hurt" patronizing pat on the head crap. It took a few rounds of doing it over and over to get it right and even then, it only worked on the one side. I had residual pain for a few weeks afterwards.

(FWIW, I had a great epidural with my first DD, I know they are the norm. I just was not risking it again. People do not realize that a good epidural is great and a BAD one is really, really BAD!)

She has my total sympathies. Sorry she went through that. BTDT...argh.

(ETA, I know the medication isn't the same as what they use during labor and delivery...I am talking more about the administration of the epidural)

 

[LBAK]

C.Ann, if I was your daughter I would not go for that second epidural (just my opinion) I finished my 3rd epidural last week for 3 herniated discs and I have to say that I had a good experience. It was uncomfortable but not painful. I don't think a needle in your back is ever comfortable! I have received a great deal of pain relief from this proceedure. I would really afraid to go back to the old dr. if I was her though. I hope she finds relief soon. Hugs to you both.

 

[C.Ann]

I love people who aren't intimidated by doctors! I hope the other doctor can help her and that she can avoid surgery!

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In my 56 years of life - and a family with many, many medical problems, injuries, etc. - I have seen far too much to ever be "intimidated" by doctors.. As far as I'm concerned, "A passive patient is a dead patient.." - and I make this known right from the get-go with every doctor I have ever used.. They know up front that while I won't be "difficult" just for the sake of being difficult, I also won't "assume" they are "Gods" and blindly follow whatever they say.. I feel I have an obligation to be an "informed" patient in order to help my doctor do what's best for me, so I always research conditions, medications, etc.. Over the years I have probably had maybe two doctors that couldn't deal with the fact that I wasn't intimidated by them and believe me, they didn't have my business for very long..

 

[AZKathy]

Does your DD have foot drop? I don't understand why she is in crutches for herniated disc. Why have they not sent her to a neurosurgeon with that amount of pain or why has not pain management prescribed proper medication to control her pain? Tylenol is not something to take; she should be on NSAIDS to control the inflammation and doing ice packs a few times a day. She should be given muscle relaxants for spasms in her back! She probably needs a stronger pain med than NSAID can give.

I have two herniated discs and my docs have given me proper narcotics to control my leg pain and antisiezure medication to control the pain/numbness in my legs and prescription NSAID. I have had epidural injections (12). Before I changed my pain manangement anesthesiologist, I had them without any sedation and it hurt a lot(shooting pain down to the back of my legs...just horrible) and the pain a few days later was bad. When I changed to another pain management anesthesiologist, he gave me Versed and the injection was a breeze and I felt great immediately. I don't know if it has to do with being relaxed or just having the injections so close to the initial herniation that made it worse. I much prefer my new pain management anesthesiologist and regret going to the first one. I have also finally seen a neurosurgeon and he is planning surgery (UGH), but I have been battling this for 2 1/2 years with pain/numbness down my legs and feet.

I think you need another doctor and please watch out for bladder/bowel control loss. If that happens, immediately go to the ER. Best to your DD. Plus, I worry that it is too soon for another injection? I had to wait a month. I certainly would not go to the first doc again if he/she was the last one on earth (wonder if it is the same one I saw the first time????)

 

[Pooh67_68]

 

[Skylarr29]

I hope your dd feels better soon. I would be very concerned though. My boss juat had the same procedure about a week ago and felt no pain and was fine the same day. He said he feels so much better now. it must be horrible to see her in pain and not be able to do anything about it. Is tehre someone at the hospitol/ office that you can report this to. Hang in there.

 

[escape]

C. Ann and daughter -

My DH just went for his 2nd epidural yesterday for two bulging discs in his lower back. The shot was administered by his neurosurgeon. He used a flouroscope (like a live x-ray) to guide the needle to the right spot. DH is doing great today.

I so wish your daughter can find a doctor like the one my DH has. It makes all the diference in the world. I realize that the epidural may or may not work for your DD but at least the right doctor can get the shot in the right spot.

Good luck to your daughter. I hope the next time will be better for her.

 

[anewvance]

I am so sorry to hear she is having such trouble with it. This is the reason I said no way when it was offered to me for my bulging/hyerniated discs and now i'm SO glad I said no.

Her issues with her car accident sound so familiar to mine... hope it all gets worked out. I guess if the lawyer thinks she needs to go in for the 2nd epidural then I guess you have to do it. My lawyer is telling me to do everything the doctors and PT are telling me to do to a T.... better for the case.

 

[C.Ann]

...........

 

[4nana]

I feel so bad for your daughter. Suffering for yrs with bulging/herniated dics, I can so sympathize with your poor daughter and feel her agony and pain . I agree, definitely seek another opinion C.Ann. The crutch part really worries me, as any sway is not recommended for back injuries.

After going to many different specialists and therapists for yrs, I started seeing a chiropractor and having traction that praise God, thus far, has kept me out of surgery. Granted, they can't help everyone, but for me they have been a life saver and help keep me med free. Every so often I do something to stress my back I'm not suppose to do and pinch a nerve that puts me in bed in excruciating pain until I can get traction. So I know exactally where she is coming from and feel your grave concern. It's difficult to think positive and see light at the end of the tunnel when you live in terrible pain. My prayers are with her for proper care and improvement soon. God Bless ^i^.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

To answer some of your questions:

The epidural was done by an anesthesiologist at a Pain Management Clinic.

The type of epidurals being used are steroids - not the kind you receive during childbirth.

The anesthesiologist did not wait for the numbing shot to take effect before he went ahead and jammed her in the wrong spot - twice.

She has already received massage therapy; accupuncture; and physical therapy - all to no avail.

This was supposed to be the next step in an attempt to avoid surgery - at least for the time being..

----------------------

I'm not sure what she should do now.. Maybe if the Darvocet gives her enough relief she can put off the 2nd epidural on Monday until she gets in to see the new doctor on June 7th..

I know she's 33 years old, but she's still my "baby" and I can't stand seeing her in pain and being treated so poorly.. Add the "move" to that, and she feels about as useless as dirt..

Did they use an ultrasound machine while they were giving the shot? Mine had an ultrasound going while they put mine in, so they'd know where to put it.
It definitely sounds like this doctor is a fruitcake. Your daughter needs somebody a lot more professional! I hope the next doctor is.

And, even though they don't like to prescribe many narcotics these days, fortunately my DO didn't have a problem with that. My regular doctor seemed to have a problem with it, but not the orthopedist. I have the Darvocet here and a muscle relaxer. Luckily even despite some pain, I've been able to stay off the meds lately. (Crossing my fingers it will continue that way )
Tell your daughter good luck from me.
Kim

 

[YourMajesty]

First and foremost DO NOT return for the second epidural! I have NO idea why her lawyer told her to go back to this doc. By going back for a second time you are implying that you were satisfied with the initial epidural. It makes no sense to return to the doc that botched the first one.

Find a new doc and find out how many epidurals he has done total. The more the better.

Your poor DD. Please do not take her back to a Dr that can not do his job. I can not believe they will not give her some real pain medicine. Darvocet is for mild pain. My friend with a a couple of buldging disc was given a patch for pain (very strong meds). She did the epidural shots with versed before each shot. She had to stop those becuase of a pregnancy. Right now she takes lortab for pain. The darvocet did nothing for her.

I also wanted to comment on her epidural experience. With my first birth I had a "bad" epidural experience. Honestly, I think the Dr faked the numbing part. The needle felt like a HUGE ice pick going into my back. I also had some pain in my hip/leg. Over a three hour period he stuck my back six more times trying to get a successful epidural started. After the last time he said he was done. They had to call a second Dr up as after all this I needed a c section. The next extremely rude dr had a perfect epidural working in one try. Its been almost nine years and I had tears in my eyes as I read your post. I can still feel the pain of that needle...the guy was a complete moron. Almost in a sadistic way as I later learned. Good luck with your DD...please find another Dr.

 

[lookingforward]

It is so comforting to hear how everyone is concerned and offering their experiences. I feel that it is such a travesty that they are not taking care of your DD's immediate pain. There is just no excuse. If the epidural did not work then they need to help her, pills, patches, or whatever that works. I am not an advocate of taking pain meds for a long time but life in pain is impossible. I herniated two discs and my doctor gave me the appropriate meds when I was having trouble. Careful monitoring and physical therapy helped me to overcome the pain with time and stop the medications. But those pills allowed me to function. Recently I had surgery and my doctor gave me the appropriate meds for a few days after. I ran out and he refilled the prescription with a less strong medication which was perfect for the pain I was experiencing five days out from the operation. He took the time to work with me and now I am down to just one a day, and will be done when I return to work next week. Empathy is so important.