Help-terrible low back pain.

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kyma3

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I will try and give just a short history because I know there are still some of the "old" gang still around but a lot of new ones, too. I had L5-S1 360 fusion done last year, March '08. I really never felt 100% better but then the doctor said they didn't think I would but my problem now is---unbearable sciatic pain on the right side (was always on left before surgery). When I am sitting it gets so bad that I scream out with pain and when I try to get up and put weight on my right foot the pain shoots all the way down my butt and my leg. When my left heel hits the floor you can feel the pain. I am having terrible swelling in both lower legs, ankles and feet. I have had this swelling before and my doctors don't know what is causing it. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hyperthyroid, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and severe degenerative disc disease with 2 past neck surgeries along with the lurabar surgery last year. The arthritis doctor thought the swelling was caused by the thyroid, the endocrinologist thought it was caused by the arthritis and my surgeon who did my knee surgery just put his hanRAB up in the air and said "Not me but don't know why". My GP is confused also. The strange thing the swelling comes and goes but it is usually flaring up at the same time my sciatic is severe. I can hardly walk today and I will call my doctor tomorrow and see if I can get in but does anyone have any suggestions? I also have a neurogenic bladder and have had more problems with my bladder since my back surgery but they say everything looks okay on the x-rays but I will feel like I need to pee but when I get to the bathroom I can't go. (Sorry if this is too much information for some). I am so discouraged because I feel so bad and we are planning a trip this week for a wedding in Eureka Springs, AR for my husband's nephew. My husband was actually at the table with me this morning when I let out a scream and I told him it just hits me all of a sudden. This has been getting worse this past week. Any suggestions from anyone. I was told that my L4-L5 disc is now getting bad so could this be causing this problem?

I would appreciate any suggestions because I am so upset with feeling bad again.:(

Thanks
Linda:angel:
 
Hi Linda,

Yes it could very well be the next disk up or below so I would follow up with your surgeon.

I am not a dr but does you leg have any discoloration? Is it warm with the touch? If so, read up on Chronic Pain: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). This last surgery of mine I have been diagnosed with this.

Unfortunately, some of these symptoms are common with the levels you are discussing and sometimes when they operate you end up with new pains that you did not feel before because the original pain overrode these symptoms and now that the original pain is gone you feel/notice the pain in the new area.

Hope you feel better and I am sorry that you are hurting. ((Hugs))
 
Linda, I don't have any good answers for you, but I wanted to tell you I'm praying for you. I'm sorry it's not going better for you. After all you've been through, I know you had high hopes that you'd be much better off by now. I hope someone else on here has had some experience with this and can give you better answers than me. (Pepper might be the most experienced among us, bless her, and she always has good answers!)

Emily
 
Moma Bear - I'm sorry that you're in so much pain and discomfort , hopefully you will get some some relief ! I can't give you much advise on what you should do , besides the obvious and see your doctor (which you have all ready done). I no when my back acts up like it has been , I walk - ice - heat and rest as much as possible.. I will pray that you get your pain under control and can go enjoy your wedding Sorry that I can't help you more than that Linda , I can be here for you to listen too and cheeeeeeer you up though !! I actually got some bad news today as well , if you want read my post..

WISHING YOU NOTHING BUT THE BEST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Hey Pepper, Emily and Billy Boy thanks for your replies and thoughts it is always good to hear from all of you.

Pepper my lower legs do feel warm and are slightly more red color. I did go to the doctor today but it was my GP because I needed my medications refilled for my blood pressure. I had been seeing his nurse practitioner so I had to fill him in for the last two years on all my problems. I think I would have been better off waiting for an appt with the NP since she knows my current problems. The doctor thinks maybe my diuretic is no longer working but he also said it could be my thyroid medication. He has increased my diuretic and wants me to keep a record of the pain (is it muscle or joint) and watch salt intake and water. I wish he would have taken some labs but he didn't. I think I am going to stop my cholesterol medication and see if that helps because he said that can cause muscle pain. He doesn't think any of this is coming from the back but he doesn't want to get involved in that since I have my neurosurgeon.

Billy & Emily--thanks for the prayers also. I am so thankful to have you all here to talk to and I know that you all understand. I am hurting so bad with the sciatic that I can't hardly walk and I hate to have to wait until next month but if it is still this bad when I get back from the wedding I am going to call the neurosurgeon because I can't keep going on like this. How do I use my cane? I know crazy question but you are suppose to use it on the opposite side of the problem leg and my left leg was my original problem child and now it is the right leg so what side do I put the cane on now? I even thought about getting my walker back out but just not sure what to do.

Thanks again everyone.

Hugs to all and Billy I will get over and read your thread.

Linda
 
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