Mri On Spine, Results Not As Expected.

[divegirl]

Good Morning all,
I finally received my results just before Christmas and though I thought it was going to be another prolapsed disc it was not. They have found degeneration of the vertebrae and my GP was somewhat dismissive.
A bit of history, I had a disectomy some 20 years ago [L5] and the surgeon did say at the time I may/would require further surgery.
Up until the last 6 months I have had varying amounts of back pain with only two major episodes, one resulting in cortisone injections, that didn't work, into my spine.
In the last 6-7 months I have had worsening symptoms and pain including; severe lower back pain, numbness and burning sensations, sciatic pain in both legs, numbness in both hands on waking and very severe pain in my ribcage. All of this is worse on the left hand side and when standing or walking [apart from the rib pain which is worse when seated].

So what to do?

I am trying to lose weight, have bought a bike and have been referred for physiotherapy [though who knows how long that will take]. Other than that my GP just said... 'It's one of those things' I am 43 for crying out loud and feel about 90!

Any suggestions?

Lisa x

[Sqad]

Ton put it in a nutshell, you are between a "rock and a hard thing"......as the next step would be for you to see an Orthopedic guy who specialises in backs with regard to further investigations and further surgery.

You may be 43 years of age, but your back doesn't know that and it does feel like 90.

The next move for you..............see an Orthopeadic surgeon with an interest in lumbar surgery.

[cathfromsaron]

not having anything more constructive to add, i'd like to wish you well.



cath x

[divegirl]

Thank you Sqad. I understand there will be no easy cure so have set myself a 6 month target to get fit! Its hard as right now I can barley walk more than 50 yards with out excruciating pain [hence buying the bike...I'll try anything once lol] but I know I'll just have to get on with it.
Any ideas on the rib pain?

And thank you for your thoughts Cath

Lisa x

[Sqad]

I can only guess at the rib pain as it may well be musculo-skeletal due to the abnormal postures that you encounter in coping with your lower spinal problem.

It is important to know what is causing the lower back and leg pains and one has to be more specific as there are many abnormalities under the heading of "vertebral degeneration."

[slaney]

Where did your GP say the vertebral degeneration was?
The lower back pain and sciatica could indeed be due to degeneration at the lumbar level, but if you have degeneration in the upper thoracic/cervical vertebrae this could cause the rib pain, and the numbness in your hands.
It sounds if you may have vertebral disease at more than one level.
As sqad says it may be worth asking for a second opinion.

[divegirl]

As I thought. Thank you for your input, I'm hoping the physiotherapist will be able to help there as sitting is what I do for a living :0/

Oh well. looks like a bit of a game of wait and see for now.

Many thanks

Lisa xxx

[divegirl]

Oppps you weren't there when I posted Slaney.

It was strange, as I had my consultation with a GP in training and then with my GP. The one in training showed an interest in the numbness and my GP passed it off as work related [I can be typing for 7 hours straight most days]. I don't however get any numbness when typing only on waking and that wears off after I'm up and about....only for the back pain to set in.
Maybe a visit to the surgery on a Friday is on order as my GP is off then ;0/

Lisa x

[bednobs]

hi as i was reading this, i was so worried, but glad to see the results weren't unexpectedly to do with your previous problems this year xx

[bednobs]

ps, did you see this? http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Jobs-and-Education/Question1200292.html

[Sqad]

bednobs..........good point.

[divegirl]

Oh thank you Bednobs.... I have to admit that although the back pain has been an ongoing problem my head was all over the place... the timing of the scan and the results were like deja vu! I think thats why the rib pain worries me so much... hate the thought it could be something 'growing'..It does however only hurt when I sit and type so I need to shut my over active brain down. I think you of all people understand my anxiety and I really hope yours have not hindered your Christmas too much [about time we got another peak at that beautiful baby of yours I think ;0)]
And no I hadn't seen that...so am off to answer now.

Lisa xxx

[Carakeel]

Hi Lisa, so sorry to hear you are in such pain. What you have described is similar to what I have been experiencing for quite a long time now. Your GPs comment is a bit disrespectful and uncaring, to be honest! Some of the symptoms I have are similar to yours. With me they are a result of accidents in my youth that damaged vertebrae in my neck and my lower back, then bone cancer later on. My age also plays a role in this. Basically, my L3,4,5 and T4 are badly damaged, narrowing the spinal canal, leaving very little space for the nerves to pass through. This is what causes so many of the symptoms I have, i.e. the severe pain and the numbness in my neck, hands. hips, back and legs. I know how frustrated you must be, but there may be things you can do to ease this a bit. I know you probably won't want to change your job, but perhaps you can talk to your company and ask them to let you take regular 10 min breaks at least every hour to get up and walk around, stretch your back etc. Also, when you are in bed, try elevating your legs (knees down to feet) with some pillows and sleep in a slightly sitting position. This can stretch the spine a little and take the pressure off. Placing a hot water bottle in the area of your L5 while lying on your side and a pillow between your knees can also ease the pain a bit. Make sure you are using a suitable office chair when working. I have carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands, due to the compression in my neck and have recently started wearing a little brace on my left hand during the night. It has eased the painful numbness quite substantially. I no longer wake up 7-8 times a night in absolute agony due to my hand experiencing an extremely painful dead feeling. Also, if you feel your GP is not taking this seriously, I would suggest changing to another GP. What you are going through is not a small problem and needs proper treatment. I have found a change in my meds has also helped. I have lived with severe pain for many years and it is only in the past year that I have been prescribed painkillers that are specifically for nerve pain. This has really helped. I don't know if any of this will help you, but really hope you can get more substantial help from a specialist soon. Hugs! xxx

[anneasquith]

just a thought. oesteoporosis. ?

[divegirl]

Hey Carakeel,
Thank you for taking the time to give such thoughtful information.

Firstly the job! I'm lucky enough to work from home but do need to talk to my boss about the pain issues I am having, I don't see there being a problem as I am basically self employed so if I don't work I don't get paid and would rather put in for an extra hours work and use that time to take breaks. I was working last night and by the end of my shift it was all I could do not to cry, not so much from the back pain but this damn pain in my ribs, nothing seems to alleviate that. I also need to invest in a new 'office' chair and was thinking of a saddle type one that my Alexander Technique teacher [who I can sadly no longer afford] recommended at the beginning of this year.
Would you mind me asking what pain killers you are on. I have never been a great one for taking meds but did accept the Naproxen offered to help he cook Christmas dinner lol...not that they helped!
Sleeping is the only respite I seem to get. I have no pain laying down other than residual pain from the day and then the numbness on waking.
I guess I'm just feeling a little sorry for myself right now.... I was hoping they were going to say it was a disc out and could be sorted with surgery... to know it wasn't and to be be told to just get on with this amount of pain is pretty soul destroying.
I hope you are doing as well as you can... and that you and those lovely hounds of yours had a lovely Christmas ..... Oh and Ratter too of course ;0)

Lisa x

[divegirl]

Opps sorry Anne...another missed post whilst distracted!

I do also have arthritis in my ankles and plantar fasciitis in both feet which doesn't help, that said it does give the kids a good laugh when I try to stand up!

I had a barrage of tests at the beginning of this year and again in the summer, I know they tested for RA and that was clear.

Another thing that gets to me is that I was told to go swimming three times a week..... Oh okay then.... Just a couple of problems! I don't drive and can not walk the distance to the pool. Nor can I afford the £15 it would cost. So I was offered hydrotherapy 6 miles away :0/

Lisa x

[Carakeel]

Lisa, you're allowed to feel a bit sorry for yourself! When you are in a condition that is so painful, it is perfectly understandable. When you're struggling, just take a moment to remind yourself of all the things that are good in your life, the love around you etc. I do this all the time, especially when i am in agony and it just points my focus in the right direction and helps me through the day. As for medication I am on... Oh dear ... well, over the course of the day I have to take 8 Paracetamol 500, 8 Codeine 30mg, 2 Omeprazole 20mg, 6 Pregabalin 50mg, 2 Propranolol, 1 Quinine. I also use Ketaprofen gel on my legs and back and occasionally have to take two other meds to control side effects from the above. I hate taking all this to be honest! When I have tried taking a break from the pain killers I end up not being able to get about and do much. I have been offered surgery on my spine, but was told that 30% of people who have the surgery end up with dreadful lasting side effects. Also, I have serious problems with anesthetics, so have decided not to go down that route for the time being. Pilates exercises can help build up the muscles around your spine and did help me before to a degree, but like you, I just cannot afford the classes. I think we need a magic bullet, lol!

[Smowball]

Hello Lisa, Ive no medical advice to add, just to say that I really feel for you and am sorry that you are in so much pain. I hurt my back a few years ago and some days it is incredibly painful, but absolutely nowhere near the pain you are clearly going through and you must be feeling dreadful. Sending you big hugs and hoping that you can find some solutions/better pain relief soon xx

[Carakeel]

Lisa, I have been given a trial on amitriptyline. However it doesn't seem to be working as well as the pregabaline for the nerve pain, so am not sure if I will stay on it or go back to the pregabaline. Might just need the dosage changed, so will see GP soon. Also, I forgot Furosemide which helps with the water retention caused by some of the other meds.

[divegirl]

Jeez Cara! Thats one hell of a list!

I do try to take the time to be grateful for small mercies... just a touch pissed off right now as I should have been off to Poland in the morning to celebrate New Year but didn't feel it nice to inflict my pain on friends... Oh well, there's always next year eh!

Thank you Smow... it means a lot...

Anyway...I have a lot to think about thanks to you lot and will keep you all updated.

Lisa x

ps...I've also emailed my AT teacher to see if she can help reguarding chairs and the like!

[rockyracoon]

Poor you, obviously can't help medically, but I will come biking with you when you're able. Not going swimming though, I bloody hate it.