A.S.A.M.S. - EPIDURAL PROCEDURES

Epidural steroid injections are administered throughout the world.  Although a common procedure, questions still remain as to their safety and effectiveness.  While reviewing the many studies about Depo Medrol at the National Library of Medicine, it's clear that there is indeed a growing controversy regarding their efficacy as well as disturbing reports of serious neurological damage to otherwise healthy individuals.  Arachnoiditis and Chronic Peripheral Burning Syndromes are just two of the many reported adverse outcomes.   

Patients, for the most part, submit to epidural steroid injections trusting that there will be no severe adverse reactions.  Reports to ASAMS support groups indicate that many persons who develop Arachnoiditis or other attributable neurological ailments as the result of their epidural procedure, were not fully informed of the risks. 

 

 

 

THE ADHESIVE ARACHNOIDITIS SYNDROME & DEPO-MEDROL

This article aims to give an overview of this complex and relatively uncommon condition, so that patients and their physicians have a clearer understanding, and can work together to combat the devastating effect it can have on people's lives.

Arachnoiditis is a chronic, insidious condition that causes debilitating, intractable pain and a range of other neurological problems. It has been regarded as rare by the medical community, but Burton reported as early as 1978(i) that it is "common in patients with severe back and/or leg pain and functional impairment due to the failed back surgery syndrome." Arachnoiditis is the third most common cause of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS), after stenosis and recurrent disc problems. Arachnoiditis was previously the second most common cause. This was largely due to the adverse effects of oil-based myelography. The incidence has decreased, but a high proportion of cases of clinically significant adhesive arachnoiditis is now found to be due to the adverse effects of epidural steroids such as Depo-Medrol (Depo-Medrone).

 

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Dr. George Douglas Gale Kills One Of His Patients
TORONTO

Allegations

It is alleged that Dr. George Gale committed acts of professional misconduct, in that:

• he failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession;
• he prescribed, dispensed, or sold drugs for an improper purpose;
• he engaged in conduct or an act relevant to the practice of medicine that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional.

It is also alleged that Dr. Gale is incompetent in that he displayed in his professional care of patients a lack of knowledge, skill or judgement or disregard for the welfare of patients of a nature or to an extent that demonstrates that he is unfit to continue to practise or that his practice should be restricted.

Response to Allegations

Dr. Gale did not accept the allegations.

Findings

On May 14th, the patient received a series of nerve blocks at the pain clinic. The events, as documented in the nurses' notes on the Anaesthetic Recovery sheet and other supporting documents, showed that shortly after Patient 1 arrived in the recovery room, her blood pressure and pulse suddenly disappeared and became unrecordable. It was also noted that the oxygen saturation had dropped to zero and that Patient 1 was taking only a few short breaths. 

Yes, this poor woman died shortly afterwards.  Wish to read more?  Here's the link.

http://www.cpso.on.ca/Publications/Discsum/2003/disc0303.htm

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And the follow-up story:  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/13512934.cms

 

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Go to this site if you wish to file an online MEDWATCH adverse drug reaction report with the United States Food & Drug Administration.  It's held in complete confidence from the drug maker, (if you check the box at the bottom of the form when finished, but we feel it would be better for the FDA to let the company know what happened.)  Once you are at the site, read their instructions, scroll to the bottom and open Form-3500, ( not 3500a ) by clicking "BEGIN".  Please, fill out the form with your story.  The more they know about what has happen to us, from our perspective, the better it will be for them to act on our complaints.  Please, don't be shy.  It's not only the right thing to do, it's our responsibility to report this to the FDA!  That's why the form exists!  The doctors aren't going to do it for you!  We need the FDA's attention if anything is ever going to change.  Thank you!  

 

If you wish to have a  printable version of the form so you can fill it out at your leisure and mail it back, then click onto this link instead.  Remember to click only onto Form 3500 -  Voluntary Report,  Not Form 3500a - this one is for drug manufacturers and professionals only.  http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/getforms.htm

 

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Check out this Google's research study on Pfizer's Depo-Medrol by an EDNC member

 

 

 

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