I have a question......

Ok, I know that none of us are doctors and I know that for a correct/accurate diagnosis, I need to have an MRI or the like. That being said, I would really like to see if any of you have had the symptoms I'm going to describe - and what the ultimate diagnosis was. At this point in time, I can not see any specialists, nor have any tests done. Within the next 6-8 weeks I am hoping that will change, but for now I would just like some ideas on what I could be facing.

I have had issues with DDD for many years, mainly in my cervical and lumbar spine. My neck has been my biggest problem for a very long time. My dad (R.I.P.), my mom, and my sis were all diagnosed with DDD and stenosis at a young age also. about 5 years ago I had some x-rays done on my lumbar spine. I can't find the CD with the report on it so I need to call the ortho and get another copy. From what I remember, it listed the DDD, stenosis, and foraminal something - sorry I can't be more specific than that. I can't remember the vertebrates involved. Anyway, I'll explain my symptoms the best I can. If I bend my head to my chest, the fronts of my thighs (and to some extent, my ankles and tops of my toes) feel 'numby, tingly' (sorry, the best way I can describe it! Lol). I can walk from my room to the kitchen, start rinsing dishes to put in the dishwasher - and then the pain starts. This pain is kind of hard to describe. First of all - it is a seriously 'hard' pain. It feels like there is a crushing weight pushing down from right above my hips - it is a very 'heavy', crushing feeling. When I go to the grocery story, the pain gets very intense within a couple of minutes and it does not let up, only worsens. I try to force myself to stand upright because I hate walking all hunched over. I really don't have an increase in pain if I bend over forward or backwards. I do both while trying to make the pain ease up a bit. It actually helps a bit to bend over and stretch it. Now when I say help, I mean brings it from an 8 to a 7 1/2, for example. However, if I stay in that position too long, the pain intensifies. And any relief is gone when I stand back straight again.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

Post Edited (Splashdancer) : 2/27/2013 1:54:47 AM (GMT-7)

Thanks, RM! I also was thinking along the lines of nerve-involvement because of the 'numby/tingly' sensation. It just hurts so bad and I'm getting so depressed. I could handle one painful condition, even two - but I'm dealing with 7 or 8 separate issues that cause pain. I mean I'd rather have no diseases, syndromes, or conditions - but if I'm going to have to live/deal with something, why can't it be something that doesn't cause PAIN?? I hurt ALL the time. If it's not my lower back, it's my neck; if it's not my neck, it's my adhesions; if it's not my adhesions, it's my knee(s); and on and on and on. Most days it's a combination of 3 or more things. And on those REALLY special days - everything hurts! I keep everything to myself most of the time. I don't complain, moan, or groan (well hardly ever, anyway) - at least not where anyone can hear/see me. I've always been that way but for the past year I've tried extra hard to just suck it up. Ever since my fiance was diagnosed with cirrhosis and liver cancer, my focus has been on him. My problems just seem so inconsequential, compared to his. Then he had the liver transplant in November and even though he is doing very well, he still has some issues from it. It just never seems like the right time to think/complain about me. Oh well.

Sorry for the vent! Gotta let it out somewhere, right?! Have a peaceful day.

Post Edited (Splashdancer) : 2/27/2013 2:32:27 AM (GMT-7)

Any tingling/burning/shooting type pain that radiates down a limb is nearly always going to be the result of a pinched/injured nerve. What nerve it is, and what's causing it can be a whole set of things to rule out altogether.

A mild adjustment of your posture which provides temporary relief usually is a misalignment of the vertebrae or ligaments of the back. This could potentially be corrected with exercises, or some kind of bracing if severe enough. The stenosis mentioned could play a role here. Stenosis meaning a narrowing of the canal the spinal column runs through, and if those vertebrae are out of alignment, that could narrow and pinch the spinal cord itself. But remember, there is a college football player coming out of the University of Georgia who will probably play professional football with a known case of spinal stenosis. He's also just shy of superhuman, so take that with as many grains of salt as needed.

If I were to suggest something to your doctor, after doing my own research for my own condition, there are a bunch of collagen related disorders that can be tracked with genetic markers. That collagen makes up the connective tissues in the body, including the ligaments and tendons which are really what holds the spinal column together. A potential thing to ask the doctor about, and depending on your healthcare, just a lab test for antibodies or genetic markers.

My .02

I was just talking to DD about the pain thing.

If I could JUST have ONE painful condition I'd be okay...but so many things hurt, and its so many different kinds of pain, that I feel like I'm going to lose my mind sometimes.

And on those days when everything acts up at once, its all I can do not to scream and cry and throw a temper tantrum. Of course doing so would just make me hurt that much worse, so I only do it in my head!

Thank you, everybody! SE, I am going to try that tonight. The 'heavy crushing' feeling is SO irritating and painful. It feels as though my whole back is pushing down and it feels 'thick'. Is the doc going to think I'm nuts for describing it in these terms? I mean are these normal descriptors? It's a whole different type of pain from anything I've experienced.

Skeye, you mention L4/6 - I vaguely remember these being talked about during my follow-up after the x-rays were done, but I just can't be sure. I'm hoping to get the CD from the Ortho next week. And you're right, I need to get an MRI done. I'm having some 'issues' with Medicrap (oops sorry, Medicaid) right now - in their infinite wisdom, they switched me to a program that NO one accepts. I've appealed, but who knows how long that will take!

Lexi, I feel ya girl! I am a strong person and I can handle pain fairly well. But when the pain is in various places and varies in intensity and 'type', it becomes overwhelming. It's like, "Body, STOP - one pain at a time, PLEASE!" But body doesn't listen.

LC, I've heard about that UG football player and yes, I think 'superhuman' is a good way to describe him. You hear about these players all the time (especially pro) who are playing with broken hands, ribs, fingers, etc. Geez, aren't we a bunch of whimps! Just kidding. But it is amazing what they can play through. I know they are wrapped up good and loaded up with anti-inflammatories, but still!

Alsoinpain, I'm fairly certain that I have some type of disk issue(s). Besides the early-onset DDD, I was also in 6 car accidents in a 4 year period (only 1 was my fault!) - of those, two were very serious. I was ejected during one and ran up the rear of an 18-wheeler in the other (that would be the one that was my fault). Once I was released from the hospital, I really didn't get proper treatment for any length of time because of lack of insurance.

I'm just getting so frustrated. I just want to be normal. Oh well, THAT train already left the station!

Have a peaceful day.......

Post Edited (Splashdancer) : 2/28/2013 6:33:21 PM (GMT-7)