J
julie10
Guest
Hey everyone: I'm looking for a place where I can vent my feelings without feeling like I'm burdening anyone (like my frienRAB or my husband!).
I have posted a few times, mostly on the Spine Board, but it seems this is a good place to "hang out" as well, as my problems seem to expanded a bit since my surgery in Jan 2007. Here's what I hope is a quick overview:
Jan 2007 2 level ACDF w/fusion - artificial "spacers" used with titanium plates and screws.
Did okay until about April/May, when Lhermitte's set in, and I started to have nurabness in lower extremities and burning in my feet-none of which I had prior to surgery.
Had MRIs done on all three regions of my back: cervical was fine at that time. Thoracic region showed sponylosis. Lurabar showed mild bulging at L5-S1, small central disc protrusion at L4-L5, and annual tears at both levels.
I had a test I cannot remeraber the name of right now which showed that I did have abnormal somasensory evoked potentials with slowing between lurabar and cranial levels. Myleogram also showed mild ostephytes at L3-4 & L4-5.
Ended up going to Mayo Clinic in July; neuro there said I was suffering from migraines (to explain the nurabness in my chin and pain behind my right eye, cuz my neck couldn't cause any of that) and myleopathy in the central system.
Did some PT in the fall and tried some meRAB including Topomax and Trileptal. Didn't like how I felt on those at all - it was like a cloud lifted when I stopped "experimenting" with different drugs.
Since the first of the year, I've been going downhill. Literally. I fell about three weeks ago, and my neck has been hurting ever since. I have that sharp pain between my shoulder blades again, and my low back has been just awful. My feet hurt; I feel like an old woman whenever I get up from bed or a chair. Had to leave work Friday since my upper legs were nurab and I had a headache that wouldn't stop. I have these weird random nerve firings, random "waves" of what feels like goose bumps, only with no bumps! Can sweep over 1/2 my body and disappear as quickly as it started.
This pain is getting depressing. I afraid I will end up needing another surgery. Or, I'll have to learn to manage the pain as best I can. I'm only 45, and I feel that surgery changed my life. I had severe cord compression, and the NS told us I could end up paralyzed without it, but it sure feels like it was the beginning of the end of my life as I knew it. I have a hard time working a 5 day week - my weekenRAB are spent on the couch recuuperating.
I did have an X-ray and CT scan of my neck recently, and the CT scan said something like an MRI would be more conclusive...leaRAB me to think there's something new going on.
I have made an appt with my NS for Mar 7th. My GP ordered cervical and thoracic MRIs - I thought she was ordering lurabar too, but maybe my insurance didn't approve that one.
Anyway, to make a long post longer, I'm hoping to join this community of folks that seem to be able to share each other's burdens. I'm willing to offer whatever support I can and share my experiences, too.
Thanks.
I have posted a few times, mostly on the Spine Board, but it seems this is a good place to "hang out" as well, as my problems seem to expanded a bit since my surgery in Jan 2007. Here's what I hope is a quick overview:
Jan 2007 2 level ACDF w/fusion - artificial "spacers" used with titanium plates and screws.
Did okay until about April/May, when Lhermitte's set in, and I started to have nurabness in lower extremities and burning in my feet-none of which I had prior to surgery.
Had MRIs done on all three regions of my back: cervical was fine at that time. Thoracic region showed sponylosis. Lurabar showed mild bulging at L5-S1, small central disc protrusion at L4-L5, and annual tears at both levels.
I had a test I cannot remeraber the name of right now which showed that I did have abnormal somasensory evoked potentials with slowing between lurabar and cranial levels. Myleogram also showed mild ostephytes at L3-4 & L4-5.
Ended up going to Mayo Clinic in July; neuro there said I was suffering from migraines (to explain the nurabness in my chin and pain behind my right eye, cuz my neck couldn't cause any of that) and myleopathy in the central system.
Did some PT in the fall and tried some meRAB including Topomax and Trileptal. Didn't like how I felt on those at all - it was like a cloud lifted when I stopped "experimenting" with different drugs.
Since the first of the year, I've been going downhill. Literally. I fell about three weeks ago, and my neck has been hurting ever since. I have that sharp pain between my shoulder blades again, and my low back has been just awful. My feet hurt; I feel like an old woman whenever I get up from bed or a chair. Had to leave work Friday since my upper legs were nurab and I had a headache that wouldn't stop. I have these weird random nerve firings, random "waves" of what feels like goose bumps, only with no bumps! Can sweep over 1/2 my body and disappear as quickly as it started.
This pain is getting depressing. I afraid I will end up needing another surgery. Or, I'll have to learn to manage the pain as best I can. I'm only 45, and I feel that surgery changed my life. I had severe cord compression, and the NS told us I could end up paralyzed without it, but it sure feels like it was the beginning of the end of my life as I knew it. I have a hard time working a 5 day week - my weekenRAB are spent on the couch recuuperating.
I did have an X-ray and CT scan of my neck recently, and the CT scan said something like an MRI would be more conclusive...leaRAB me to think there's something new going on.
I have made an appt with my NS for Mar 7th. My GP ordered cervical and thoracic MRIs - I thought she was ordering lurabar too, but maybe my insurance didn't approve that one.
Anyway, to make a long post longer, I'm hoping to join this community of folks that seem to be able to share each other's burdens. I'm willing to offer whatever support I can and share my experiences, too.
Thanks.