nerve conduction study/EMG results - please help me understand!

[tnquilter]

I got the results of my nerve study & EMG today. Here is what it says:

Impression: Nerve conduction study showed prolongation of terminal latency and decreased CMAP amplitude in the right peroneal nerve which is a non-specific finding and can be secondary to EDB muscle atropy, peroneal neuropathy, sciatic neuropathy, L5 radiculopathy. EMG showed increased insertional activity, posiive sharp waves, fibrillation potentials in the right L3, L4, L5 paraspinal muscles. In patients who had lurabar surgery EMG findings of denvervation in lurabar paraspinal muscles withouth evidence of denervation in muscles of the lower extremity are considered non-specific and might be secondary to trauma on muscle, old radiculopathy, persistence or recurrence of radiculopathy.

I had a decompression surgery last July, during surgery he placed a jelled sponge between a disc and untangled a nerve. but even before he did he surgery, he was not sure it would help. It did not help the pain I had in my right hip, which runs down to my ankle. The pain started Dec 2006, I had been going to the doctor since then. Now 4 orthos, neurosurgeon, neurologist, as well as family doctors and 3 times to therapy. Nothing has helped. Up til now, they have acted like it was in my head but now it seems to late.

After the nerve study, th neurologist said it was permanent damage and I must treat it with heavy pain killers like hydrocodine, etc.

Is there any change that I can reverse the damage and rebuild the nerves?

I go back to the ortho that ordered the study next Thurs - any suggestions for the questions I should ask him?

Also, I go to my endo on Wed (my thyroid is enlarged and with nodulars). Could this have anything to do with having low B12 or low vitamin D? I have battled with these for a while.

 

[lynn1961]

hi....

Sorry you are having nerve issues. I am not real familair but I have had an issue with severe nerve pain after I had my fusion surgery. What I was diagnosed with after my surgery was S1 radiulopathy. That is 1 of the things listed on your report. Well, yours is L5 radiculopathy. It was severe agonizing pain that led me back into the hospital to get the pain in control. Idonot think there is anything that can be done for nerve damage. I take lyrica for my problem. I also am taking oxycontin and roxicodone which both are heavy pain medications. Are you having bad pain in your leg>? And which nerve is the issue? Mine is the sciatic nerve. Has your doc prescribed you anything for the nerve pain such as lyrica? Your pain runs from your hip down to ankle.....is it in back of your leg? I am so sorry you hurt.......I am telling ya, the pain I had with that, was agonizing! Keep in touch and maybe someone can chime in and help more than I can help.

LYNN

 

[tnquilter]

It is the sciatic nerve and it runs from right side of my hip to the ankle on the outside of the leg. When I try to walk up stairs, even the front of my right thigh hurts.

I have tried Lyrica, but it did not help only made me eat and sleep. I tried gabapenten and it also made me eat and sleep. I would fall asleep in the middle of a sentence. Right now I have been taking elaviel for the neuropathy in my feet and ankles, but it does not help.

The neurologist said I would have to take oxy or hydrocodine for the pain but I have to drive kiRAB to school in the morning and pick them up in the evening. These meRAB make me very dizzy. I try to take tyenol but it does not help. I have taken so much moltin that my stomach messed up and now I am on nexium trying to repair it. Had to have an upper GI before Christmas.

I have been really bummed - I closed down my business yesterday. After over 2 years of trying to stay going, I have give up. I am so tired all the time from the pain and lack of sleep because my leg hurts at night. I was a custom machine quilter and had my business for 15 years. Now I can't stand or sit for long - and I am always so tired. I can't even teach classes anymore.

Thanks for talking to me, maybe someone will shed some bright light on this for me.

Mary

 

[10sox]

Mary-
I am so sorry to read about your pain. I had two large disc herniations at L5-S1 which resulted in very bad nerve damage. I had an EMG test done was well, and i have been told is "it looks to be permanent". This is what five doctors have told me. They have offered me medications and a spinal cord stimultor. I am trying the medication route first because i have a 2 and 4 yr old at home and no family around to help me heal from a back surgery (the first two were hard enough on me and my husband). I am also praying that the nerves will start to heal, but it's been 16 months and they are not getting any better.

I tried Lyrica and it made me very sleepy. I am on Nueronitin, but it's not really doing anything for me. The only thing that takes a little of the pain away is my hydrocodone. I am fortunate that it does not make me dizzy in any way.

I also just had to stop working. I was a freelance graphic designer and I gave up my last client a few months ago. Sitting at a desk is just too much for me. It causes the nerves to flare up soooo bad!

I wish I had something better to tell you, but I myself am searching for something...ANYTHING, to help heal these nerves. It just doesn't seem right that they cannot fix them. Mine were not even compressed long at all. Both surgeries were within a week of the compression.

Good luck!
10sox