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Just Wondering Who Else Has Heard of Joint Stiffness as a Side Effect of an Epidural?

by admin

I had my emergency c-section almost 8 months ago. I was going for my nursing degree, but now I think that I must switch. My back spasms if I bend over for too long, especially while lifting something. My legs stiffen up, but if I walk 3-4 hours a week I can usually avoid that. But when I do heavy lifting and pivoting, like when shoveling heavy, wet snow... my joints get sore in my knees and my muscles in my legs also get very sore. I have shoveled snow all my life and done heavy lifting, but since the epidural, my muscles will stiffen and spasms painfully, sometimes I am even 'locked' and cannot stand up straight until my back muscles relax. I have seen a chiopractor after the birth, and she did all she can do and said that nerve damage is more common than the doctors admit. But would joint stiffness be from this as well?

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jaffacake March 10, 2009 at 4:52 pm

Hmm. Haven't heard of this before, but find it interesting, so thanks for asking! I've had 2 C-sections – when nursing the second baby, about 3 or 4 days after her birth, my back spasmed, just while sitting. The nursing staff told me it was just a common after effect. I've had them ever since, normally whilst sitting, especially if stressed / tense eg. when driving on motorways for a long time or if something stressful happens generally. 17 years since my last epidural now, still suffering knee / ankle/ hip and lower back pain. Had a ruptured disc last spring. I've never linked it before, but have been curious why only my joints below the waist are affected and never my shoulders, elbows etc which are all fine. I watch with interest!

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