Experiencing Aftereffects of a TFESI Injection: Is It Normal?
Earlier this week, I underwent a TFESI injection in my lower back on Wednesday morning. Since then, I’ve been feeling quite unusual, and it has caused me some concern. I’m not exhibiting any of the typical symptoms they advised me to look out for—I don’t have a fever, I’m not suffering from intense headaches, nor do I experience any neurological issues. However, I wasn’t informed of anything beyond those symptoms, leaving me unsure about what I’m going through. Here’s a summary of my current sensations: I’m experiencing tingling in both my arms and legs that feels like a continual internal fluctuation of warmth and coldness. It resembles that moment when you’ve slept in an awkward position, cutting off circulation, and then begin to move again. This sensation is relentless. While I wouldn’t classify myself as dizzy, there’s a subtle wave-like sensation of imbalance in my head, distinct from my legs. My tinnitus, which I've dealt with for several years, has intensified dramatically—it’s now a loud, continuous roaring sound. Generally, tinnitus can be bothersome, but this is on another level entirely. Moreover, I’m feeling pressure and throbbing in my sinuses and eyes. My face feels overly warm, yet it doesn’t appear red. Fatigue has set in deeply; it’s not just regular tiredness, but every simple task feels excessively taxing. Walking to the kitchen feels like a daunting journey. I’m also experiencing intermittent waves of nausea. Though I can eat, there are times when I feel as if I might become sick again. I notice a steady but mild headache, with no neck discomfort accompanying it. The only information I’ve found online regarding potential post-injection reactions leads back to severe scenarios that would require immediate medical attention. So, I’m left wondering—is what I’m experiencing typical? Could it be unrelated? Should I simply wait it out? For context, I am 54 years old and currently take 10mg of lisinopril and 300mg of gabapentin.
Answers (1)
9/6/2025, 10:10:38 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned about the sensations you're experiencing following a TFESI (transforaminal epidural steroid injection). While you are not presenting with severe symptoms that warrant immediate medical attention, it's still important to interpret what you're feeling and find relief.
Main Points:
- Post-injection sensations can vary: Tingling, fatigue, intensified tinnitus, and sinus pressure aren’t uncommon after a TFESI, but it's essential to monitor these symptoms.
- Connected symptoms: The combination of your experiences may relate to factors like medication effects, anxiety, or changes in your body after the injection.
- Consider supportive measures: There are steps you can take to alleviate some discomfort and monitor your condition effectively.
Explanation:
The sensations you describe following your TFESI can be attributed to a variety of reasons. While some individuals experience no side effects, others may feel different sensations due to the injection's impact on nerve pathways or medication interactions. Tingling in your arms and legs, changes in tinnitus, and feelings of imbalance can occur and may be temporary as your body adjusts. The sinus pressure and fatigue may also stem from reactions to the injection or stress.
Your current medications (lisinopril and gabapentin) can have side effects that might magnify these feelings but are unlikely to be the sole cause. Gabapentin, for instance, is often prescribed for nerve pain or tingling sensations; it can sometimes also contribute to dizziness or fatigue.
Next Steps:
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep a journal of your sensations, noting when they occur and their intensity. Pay attention to any changes or new symptoms.
- Hydration: Ensure you’re well-hydrated, as this can help overall bodily function and may alleviate some feelings of fatigue and nausea.
- Rest: Prioritize rest and allow your body time to recover. Engage in light activities if you can, but listen to your body.
- Manage Stress: Techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or gentle stretching can help reduce anxiety and potentially alleviate some of the sensations you’re experiencing.
- Contact a Healthcare Provider: While waiting can be an option, it’s wise to reach out to your provider, especially if your symptoms do not improve or worsen in any way. They can offer insights specific to your condition and treatment plan.
If your symptoms escalate or new concerning symptoms arise (like severe headaches, visual changes, or worsening balance), it is critical to seek care promptly. Your well-being is paramount, so don’t hesitate to ask for support if you need it.
Related Questions
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.
INTENSE Spine Discomfort, Breathing Difficulties, Muscle Twitches, and Sweating
To elaborate on the situation mentioned in the title, I’ve been experiencing unusual muscle twitches and spasms for the past few days, along with some discomfort in my back. However, today, I felt an unexpected sharp pain shoot through my spine, which has left my legs feeling numb and made it impossible for me to sit up straight. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with cold sweats for the last hour and struggling to breathe properly. Perhaps I’m just overanalyzing things and it’s a common occurrence, but the intensity of the pain is overwhelming—it's truly unbearable. I’m shaking quite a bit, and unfortunately, my parents aren’t responding to my attempts to reach them for help. I have a history of a chronic heart condition and arthritis, yet I’ve never experienced pain this severe, especially in my spine. For context, I am nearly 15 years old and female. My current medications include pain relievers, anxiety medication, beta blockers, and some vitamins, though those specifics may not be particularly relevant. I don’t smoke; however, I have tried vaping a few times, which might not matter much, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it was requested.
Understanding Atrial Fibrillation and Thyroid Issues: Variability in Cardioversion Decisions
Hello everyone, I’m reaching out for guidance regarding my mother’s current health situation, and I’d greatly appreciate any shared experiences or thoughts. **My mother's background:** - **Age**: 55 years - **Weight**: Recently dropped to 116 kg from 118 kg in just two days, likely due to diuretics. - **Health history**: Previously an underactive thyroid, undiagnosed and untreated, now presenting as overactive. - **Medications**: Currently taking thyroid medication and a beta-blocker (Rapiblock). **Current health status:** My mother has been hospitalized since Tuesday, experiencing **atrial fibrillation with heart rates exceeding 200** beats per minute due to her thyroid's hyperactivity. - The plan for cardioversion was initially settled on Tuesday. However, the following day, the medical team advised postponing it until her thyroid levels could be stabilized, believing that her heart rate would return to normal once her thyroid condition was managed. - Her **obesity** precludes her from undergoing a transthoracic echocardiogram, and due to her thyroid concerns, she cannot handle contrast dye (this has been a consistent issue for over four years). Therefore, the only feasible option was a **transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)**, which has yet to be performed. - She has been prescribed various medications including beta-blockers and thyroid treatments in the past. - On Friday, a doctor proposed proceeding with cardioversion; however, the attending senior physician objected. - Today (Saturday), another clinician has expressed a desire to move forward with cardioversion, having initiated a new medication, as the senior physician is unavailable. - **Communication has been unclear**, as we were notified of developments by a nurse rather than the physician in charge, causing confusion and anxiety. - Currently, only a **chest X-ray** is scheduled, and the TEE remains unaddressed. **My inquiries are as follows:** 1. Is it common for medical professionals to have varying opinions and frequently revise medication or treatment plans like cardioversion? 2. Is it safe to conduct cardioversion in the absence of a TEE? I presumed that this was a standard procedure to exclude the presence of blood clots. 3. Is it usual practice to have only a chest X-ray prior to moving ahead with cardioversion? 4. How typical is it for patients or their families to not be directly informed about treatment changes and learn about them through nursing staff instead? I recognize that this cannot substitute for professional medical advice. I’m simply trying to discern whether these circumstances are typical or if we should express our concerns more assertively with the healthcare facility. Thank you for your insights!
28-Year-Old Male Experiencing Scalp Sensations Post-Amitriptyline Treatment
I am a 28-year-old man in generally good health, without any cardiac concerns. Approximately a month ago, I encountered intense pain localized to one side of my head, which was unresponsive to paracetamol. However, a single dose of a migraine treatment provided substantial relief. Following that, I began a regimen of amitriptyline, starting at a nightly dose of 10 to 25 mg. While my head pain has diminished significantly—by about 90 to 95%—I now experience occasional uncomfortable sensations on my scalp. These feelings include pins and needles, a cooling sensation, and some crawling feelings near my hairline and ears. There are fleeting moments where I feel brief throbs lasting a second, but I do not have any persistent headaches. To clarify, I do not experience any of the following: - Nausea - Weakness in my limbs - Numbness - Changes in my vision - Coordination difficulties - Seizures The symptoms I have are transient, shifting around and often intensifying when I become conscious of them or as the day progresses. I would like to know: Is it common to experience these sensations during the recovery stage following episodes of neuralgia or migraine-like discomfort? Additionally, could the amitriptyline potentially be causing these temporary paresthetic sensations? I am seeking some reassurance or advice on what is typically observed during this healing process. Thank you.
Strange Stomach Sensation Leading to Waking Up
Greetings. I'm a 36-year-old male, standing at 172 centimeters and weighing 90 kilograms. I don't take any medications, nor do I smoke. I've been living with diastasis recti for several years now, and I may also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additionally, I deal with fatty liver and kidney stones, though I assume these last two conditions are not related to my current concern. Occasionally, I experience a peculiar sensation that jolts me awake; it feels like a quick pulsing in my stomach. I’ve noticed it tends to affect the left side when I’m lying on my left side and the right side when on my right. Remarkably, it can occur even when I’m on my back. This strange feeling often escalates into a surge that fully rouses me. Alongside this, I sometimes feel prickling sensations throughout my body and fleeting lightheadedness. When this sensation disturbs my sleep while I’m turned to my side, shifting onto my back or the opposite side might alleviate it, but not always. In instances where I awaken while lying on my back, I discovered that gently pressing my hands on either side of my stomach can help, as can rising to a sitting or standing position. However, during my last two episodes—one a couple of weeks ago and another tonight—those techniques weren’t effective right away, which made me feel a bit anxious, prompting me to seek advice. Does anyone have insight into what might be going on? By the way, I’ve undergone routine ultrasound examinations of my abdomen by two different physicians during check-ups, both of whom assured me that everything appears normal, including my abdominal aorta and internal organs. They didn’t identify any issues at that time.