Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 4/4/2009

Question
I am having a terrible time diagnosing my problem. All the bloodwork I have taken is fine. BUT, I am having a terible time with pain. It starts where I had an epidural with my second child. I was stuck 4 times. (I had an MRI done and they say it is normal) Then the pain radiated to my arms and fingers ( WEAKENING THEM) and down my legs so bad I have a hard time walking and keeping up with my family. I have 3 little boys and i need to get better. This pain keeps on getting worse through the years. Can there be other problem I should ask about associated with a bad epidural? I thought it could be a pinched nerve also but my  doctor says that wouldn't radiated through my body???
Thanks,
Stacy

Answer
This doesn't sound like a problem from the epidural because there would be no reason for it to affect your arms. The leg pain MAY be associated but it is unlikely that there are 2 separate problems going on here so I would look elsewhere from the epidural. The epidural is placed too low for it to affect your arms (assuming your MRI is normal. I would get evaluated by a neurologist to make sure there is not another problem going on (e.g. Multiple sclerosis, or myasthenia gravis).

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston