Disc problem PAIN

Hi all,

I'm still in a lot of pain since I wrote about this last Friday morning.     Sharp pain in the sacral area, numbness all the way to my feet, (mostly left), charleyhorses in my calf - I'm pretty sure it's a disc thing, probably a rupture, from what I've read.  Talked to my doctor and he said if the Tramadol and Flexeril don't cut it, maybe I should see a neurosurgeon.  And more than likely, they'll want to do another MRI.

Well, I can't afford any of this.  We're going to cheaper health insurance in a couple of months, but at the moment, I really can't...at least, not if I can possibly avoid it.  So I'm going on the assumption that I know what's going on.  I gather that people can get by with this, and that the pain will eventually subside (after 6 weeks or so) even without surgery.

And a weird thing - my doc said, looking at my 2 &1/2 year old MRI, that all the significant disc damage is on the right.  Well, almost 100% of my pain is now and has always been on the left!  I know pain can be referred, but - - to that degree?

Should I keep walking?  Once I'm up and moving around, it's not any worse if I walk.  In fact, sitting seems to aggravate it the worst.  And if my muscles atrophy any more I won't have the capacity to walk at all!!

Anybody been through this?

Debbie 

   

Thanks for your kind thoughts, Robin. I won't let it get to the point where I can't function. I did notice my left food wanting to drag a little today. What exactly is a laminectomy - is that laser surgery?

Debbie

Robin,

Thanks for your story. I really hope I don't need it, either, but who knows....

I may not be posting as much for awhile. The pain is too distracting to focus much, I hate to pull back but I may have to until I get a handle on it.

Debbie

Thanks, Sherrine... have a good day.

Debbie sorry you are going through this, hope your appt tomorrow goes well and you do not get probed and tortured. There are days I can barely walk and then others where I can but the bad days are coming more often than the good ones.I would think that ibuprofen and tylenol should be a benefit but if you are in doubt ask doctor or pharmacist. I take motrin for headaches because oxy does not help them.

I'll be praying for an answer from the neurologist tomorrow.  I know all about thse shooting "electical" pains.  It brings you to your knees!  But you hopefully will get help for this tomorrow.  One day at a time, Debbie.

 

Sherrine

Be sure and let us know what you find out tomorrow, okay?  We really care a lot about you. 

 

Sherrine

Debbie, I'm thinking about you...and hope the visit to the neurologist

gets you on the path of getting pain relief quickly.

Hang in there my friend...we will be waiting for an update.

Hugs, Robin

Well, had the mri yesterday and now I'm headed to urgent care because I'm having loss of bladder control, and trouble having a bowel movement (not constipation, things just don't "push" right.

And it's my birthday!!!

Thanks for always being there,

Dabbie

Debbie,
What you wrote about bladder/bowel issues can be related to nerve damage so it is wise to see a neurologist or neurosurgeon.
A few months back, I was having debilitating pain in my lower back, and sciatica, just unrelenting pain. I went to see an orthopedic spinal surgeon who took an Xray, then an MRI and told me I was an excellent candidate for a two level fusion. I was ready, but scared to death to have the surgery. The pain had me in such a depression, it was horrible. I did go to the Chronic Pain Forum and asked for advice. One thing you need to remember: Most of the people on the forum are people whose surgeries were not successful; as one person put it to me, the successful ones are out enjoying life, not spending time on the forum. I was prepared to get a second opinion before doing anything. During the course of my searching for another doctor, and trying to decide whether or not to go with an orthopedic surgeon versus neurosurgeon, I noticed the pain began to lessen...this was about 4 weeks later. I am now a few months out and "knock on wood"...I am okay...it has NOT gone away, but I am handling it. You asked about walking. I was told it's the absolute best thing you can do for yourself, as long as it doesn't cause you more pain.
I don't know if there are any easy answers here, but it sounds like you are doing the right thing by seeing a neurologist. I wish you well
Miriam

Well, I feel better about things for the moment. They didn't find any bladder problems at Urgent Care, but while I was there, I did get 2 glowing recommendations for another neurosurgeon (I couldn't stand the one I saw yesterday, btw, arrogant and personality of a toilet seat!) and made an appointment for 3 weeks out. Maybe in that time, things will improve anyway. Hopefully, Norco will keep the pain down to a dull roar in the meantime.

My MRI (that was lucky, getting it so fast) shows that I do have a ruptured disc and some spinal stenosis. But, apparently, not in the area where it should cause bladder problems. Anyway, I'm assuming no news is good news there :) I haven't had any more leakage.


Robin and Sherrine, I'm sorry to take so long updating you (and thanks for caring so much!) but I've just been wrung out till now. Whew.


Robin, your pain must have been awful! I can definitely see how, if this kept getting worse, I'd end up with my left leg and foot not able to function...and it seems like the Sciatica is the worst pain so far. My back doesn't actually hurt at all, it's my butt, leg & foot.


Rose, the doctor didn't torture me at all, thankfully! It is weird how different meds work better on different pain, isn't it? I'm wishing you more of those better days!


Alcie, I googled that cauda equina, (scary!) & that's why I was so worried about the bladder issue. I'ts great that you've been able to avoid surgery so far.


Miriam, yes, that's what I'm realizing - no one-size-fits-all answers for this. I'm glad your pain has diminished so much! Thanks for the reminder - I do need to get on the Chronic Pain forum soon. So far walking is something I can still do, which is good, because that's my only real exercise.


And Screaming Eagle - I'm bushed tonight, but tomorrow I'll hop on over to the C.P. forum. Thanks! Hey, you can call be Dabbie - esp. if that's how I sign my name! :)

XOXO Debbie

Morning Debbie,

Just another thought or two...about the personality of the neuro...of course, it's your decision, but..just my two cents worth. The ortho spinal surgeon that I saw, in my opinion, had the world's biggest ego, was SO arrogant, so full of himself and I had to practically hang onto his shirt to keep him in the room. This is NOT the kind of doctor I want, at least for an ongoing relationship. But...truth be told, most surgeons are VERY arrogant...they think they are gods and why not? People put them up there on the pedestal. I worked for a surgeon for over 12 years so I speak from experience. All I am saying is hopefully you will not have an ongoing relationship with this man. If he's good, if he's ONE OF THE BEST, then I'd go with him and not be concerned about his personality. I want him to think he's better than most. I want the best...he's working on my spine!!

The other thing I wanted to mention... you said your disc bulge is on the right and all pain issues are left, or visa versa, not sure now. From what I was told years ago when I had C5/C6 microdiskectomy, a neurosurgeon did it then, he told me that whichever way the disk is bulging, the pain issues would be the opposite side, so what you are feeling sounds like is normal. Not sure if that is making sense, hope so.

As far as spinal stenosis...there are degrees of it. From the MRI I had, he was able to show me how severe mine is, there is only a very small pathway open for the sciatic nerve to travel so he was not surprised at the pain I was experiencing...but...as I said...so far so good...knock on wood... I'm not telling you not to have the surgery. That is your decision. Hope this helps a little,

Miriam

Robin,

Both my parents had degenerative spine problems too - and my nephew, at 24, had to have the surgery for the same disc (L4-5) as me.

I've barely sat at the computer at all today, because within a few minutes, the pain comes. And I have so much to look up!

A friend took me to the grocery and I had a bad episode - pain so bad that I gasp out loud, and I know if it kept on, it'd make me pass out!! Luckily, it usually goes away within a few seconds - the worst of it, anyway. I can take chronic pain, but those zaps are just about impossible to bear.

It helps to know people can get better...as you say, not perfect, but you can function anyway.

XO Debbie