Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 2/17/2008

Question
Hi

11 years ago i had an epidural during chidbirth. The anetheisist didnt seem to know what she was doing she was messing with my back for ages, the bed was covered in bood it didnt work so she had another go that did work but for 3 days i couldnt feel my legs at all they were getting really worried anyway i got the feeling back but ever since i have severe aches and pains all over my body sometimes it is really bad that i cant walk and now i a have alsorts of problems with my health. could it be because of the epidural?

Cheers

Kaz

Answer
Hi there
At first I thought this was a really difficult one to answer. However on reflection I can say that it is unusual for an epidural to lead to problems with lack of movement in your legs for several days. I would have to say if the doctor involved was inexperienced then they may have placed the epidural in the wrong place (you'll have to trust me on this one but it means it is just put in a little bit further than normal - in the subarachnoid space)and if they used lidocaine as the local anaesthetic then it could explain many problems. Lidocaine in the subarachnoid space has been associated with problems in some people.
So I believe there just could be a link - however I can't state that there definately was.
Hope this helps a bit.
Dr Ian Jackson