Question about cervical / and lumbar problems.

It's absolutely possible to only be having the nerve issues when in bed do to the position of lying down and putting pressure in that area.

It's still concerning enough that I would get a MRI and have a Board Certified (Fellowship trained as well) Neurosurgeon to go over the results.

Whenever there are nerve issues, it's important to see what exactly is causing it and for them to get your started on treatments asap to hopefully calm things down. The good news is that close to 85% people with spine issues can be helped non-surgically.

So, they can do injections, traction, PT, etc.

Keep us posted..

Hi AlsoinPain, alot of times people will have either herniated disc or bulging disc if there is narrowing going on, same as usually there is nerve involvement too. I hope the dr will at least order an MRI. That way you will know what you are dealing with.

Let us know how the appt goes next week....Susie

Something else that has been going on with me lately is that on the back of my legs, the back of my calves, and the back of my knee's, I've been getting the feeling like I'm getting stung by a bee. It only lasts for a few minutes though, and it doesn't happen all the time, just maybe once a day, if that much. Do you think that maybe I'm just over thinking things?

My back has been getting pretty bad lately. My hips have been hurting pretty bad as well. (I have Bertolotti Syndrome as well as severe DDD in l3-l4 and l4-l5 to where its almost bone on bone, and severe facet arthritis and bone spurs at those levels).

I know I need an MRI finally, I don't know. I see my PM next week, but is it OK to ask him for the MRI or should I ask my regular doctor? I am also afraid of the results because i don't want surgery, I can't afford to take off work.

Anyway sorry for rambling, and thanks for taking the time to read my complaining. 8-)

As Stray mentioned, your PM is capable of ordering the MRI...I only mention making sure to see a qualified Neurosurgeon to go over the results as they are the most experienced in the details of the spine.

They should be able to work with your PM to figure out the best plan of action.

alsoinpain when you see your PM does he/she sit down and talk with you about your pain, and if your experiencing anything new? I know every time I see my PM he does that. I tell him if something new is going on and ask him what he can do about it. Usually he orders test such as MRI and X-rays first then a follow up visit.  If something shows up then he either orders more test or does a referral or recommends some kind of treatment such as an injection.  You could very well have problems with both your cervical and lumbar area of your spine. Talk to your pain doctor about your symptoms and when and where they occur, and ask him if he can do something about them? Let him decide what he feels needs to be done. But don't down play your symptoms if they are bothering you, which is common for allot of us to do. There could be many things that could cause your sensations in your legs, but to find out you have to talk to your doctor, and have the appropriate test done.  You know whether you talk to your PCP or your pain doctor is up to you, personally I have a better communication with my PM and since he is more familiar with spinal pain problems, I talk with him about most of my problems.  Anyway I do wish you well and hope that you can get your problems resolved.  One more thing I don't think anybody likes to have surgery, especially on their spine, and most doctors do not want to do surgery unless it is absolutely necessary, or they definitely feel the patient will benefit from it. But in the end you are the one that is in control, and makes the final decision as to whether you will have the surgery or not! And that is often a very difficult decision to make! Good Luck to YOU!

White Beard

Around sept/october, I started getting sharp pains in my neck, kept getting kinks in my neck, and then it became like a constant kink feeling, like when you sleep wrong and you cant move your head.

I had tingling down my arm, to my hands. Pinky woudl go numb or tingle on one side (also when I was laying down, trying to read a book, etc.), then the other side started to feel like I had a shoulder injury, then pain started radiating down to my elbow. In January I had a cervical esi, and it was immediate relief. I had a second one last month, still a few sharp pains but so much better then it was.

I did have an mri, and I have 4 broad bulging discs in my neck. Yes, 4. No injury ever. I also have the level of arthritis that would be expected on someone around 70 years old...I also have lumbar issues, so my neck just had to join the party.

Like others said, an MRI is needed. I had xrays before the mri - they showed narrowing, but they give no info on the discs.