Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 4/19/2010

Question
Hi I had my son 13 months ago via c-section. I am a 20 yr old female i weigh 130lbs and 5"2. while pregnant my wieght got up to 198, but i have always been thin even now after. I was waitressing the whole pregnancy and my son wieghed almost 9 lbs. I had an epidural twice while in labor because it stopped working. I now have leg pain constantly along with lower back pain, and its so hard to take care of my son because of my pain. My legs feel numb sometimes and everything just aches. The doctors dont seem to really care and they keep changing different pain medications, they give me muscle relaxers now and they dont work i cant even take them because for one they dont take my pain away and for 2 they put me to sleep. I went there crying in pain because the medicine she gave me before worked and now I dont know why she wont give it to me anymore. She just tells me to take the muscle relaxers and go on with my day. I am getting an mri done within a week, but I am just tired of the pain and tired of being scared about what could be wrong with me. And to make matters worse shes trying to get me to take cymbalta because since i was crying (from the pain and the run around) she now thinks im depressed! I am not depressed, I just want her to listen to me and understand and give me back the medicine that worked. Please help! thank you

Answer
There are a number of reasons for low back pain after delivery (most of which have nothing to do with the epidural). Most likely you have a herniated disc (so going for an MRI is a very important diagnostic tool). If that comes back negative, I suggest you see a neurologist or an Anesthesia pain specialist for a complete evaluation. No one should suffer in pain but to just give pain meds only hides the problem, it doesn't treat it.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston