Strange Back Pain - 14 months after surgery
LuraKathleen posted:
Any suggestions, expert advice, or experiences are welcomed!
See BELOW
History: Back Surgery 2-11-11 to correct:
Spinal Canal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis @ L4-L5
Removed Bone Spur (Laminotomy L4)
Bone Graft L4-L5 facet joints to stabalize the spine.
Everything going great until 5 weeks ago. Bending down to pick up a magazine... acute pain in the lower back.
Initial symptoms after episode:
Sharp shooting pains in the legs and pins and needles in the feet.
Called the surgeon and he said he should subside in two to three days. Not even!
Went to see surgeon and he prescribed 800 mg of ibuprofen.
NOTE: Can't take an opiate derivative drugs - major nausea.
Past history of tinnitus and high dose naproxin aggravates that.
Now having symptoms as follows:
Pain and a severe strained feeling in thigh, calf, and still occasional tingling in feet. Usually on the right side. It starts mildly in the AM and gets worse as the day wears on.
MRI taken on 6-21-12:
Radiologist Reports the following:
L4-L5 Diffuse posterior disc bulge is present with disc desiccation.
Mild hypertrophy is present. The findings are asymmetric to the left foraminal region. The left exit foramen is narrowed, slightly greater than the right exit foramina which is also narrowed.
Surgeon reviewed the MRI and concluded that the following:
1. No pinching of any nerves
2. No indication of Arachnoiditis (Still concerned about this)
3. Recommended Pain Management by an expert
So I am afraid to do much of anything. Symptoms persist and are very depressing and worrisome.
Any suggestions, expert advice, or shared experiences would be helpful. Thanks Lura Kathleen
See BELOW
History: Back Surgery 2-11-11 to correct:
Spinal Canal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis @ L4-L5
Removed Bone Spur (Laminotomy L4)
Bone Graft L4-L5 facet joints to stabalize the spine.
Everything going great until 5 weeks ago. Bending down to pick up a magazine... acute pain in the lower back.
Initial symptoms after episode:
Sharp shooting pains in the legs and pins and needles in the feet.
Called the surgeon and he said he should subside in two to three days. Not even!
Went to see surgeon and he prescribed 800 mg of ibuprofen.
NOTE: Can't take an opiate derivative drugs - major nausea.
Past history of tinnitus and high dose naproxin aggravates that.
Now having symptoms as follows:
Pain and a severe strained feeling in thigh, calf, and still occasional tingling in feet. Usually on the right side. It starts mildly in the AM and gets worse as the day wears on.
MRI taken on 6-21-12:
Radiologist Reports the following:
L4-L5 Diffuse posterior disc bulge is present with disc desiccation.
Mild hypertrophy is present. The findings are asymmetric to the left foraminal region. The left exit foramen is narrowed, slightly greater than the right exit foramina which is also narrowed.
Surgeon reviewed the MRI and concluded that the following:
1. No pinching of any nerves
2. No indication of Arachnoiditis (Still concerned about this)
3. Recommended Pain Management by an expert
So I am afraid to do much of anything. Symptoms persist and are very depressing and worrisome.
Any suggestions, expert advice, or shared experiences would be helpful. Thanks Lura Kathleen
2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Strange Back Pain - 14 months after surgery<b>Any suggestions, expert advice, or experiences are welcomed!</b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>See BELOW</b><br /><b><u></u></b> <br /><b><u>History: Back Surgery 2-11-11 to correct:</u></b> <br />Spinal Canal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis @ L4-L5<br />Removed Bone Spur (Laminotomy L4)<br />Bone Graft L4-L5 facet joints to stabalize the spine.<br /> <br />Everything going great until 5 weeks ago. Bending down to pick up a magazine... acute pain in the lower back. <br /> <br />Initial symptoms after episode:<br />Sharp shooting pains in the legs and pins and needles in the feet.<br />Called the surgeon and he said he should subside in two to three days. Not even!<br /> <br />Went to see surgeon and he prescribed 800 mg of ibuprofen.<br />NOTE: Can't take an opiate derivative drugs - major nausea.<br />Past history of tinnitus and high dose naproxin aggravates that.<br /> <br /><b><u>Now having symptoms as follows</u>:</b><br />Pain and a severe strained feeling in thigh, calf, and still occasional tingling in feet. Usually on the right side. It starts mildly in the AM and gets worse as the day wears on.<br /> <br /><b><u>MRI taken on 6-21-12:</u></b> <br />Radiologist Reports the following:<br />L4-L5 Diffuse posterior disc bulge is present with disc desiccation.<br />Mild hypertrophy is present. The findings are asymmetric to the left foraminal region. The left exit foramen is narrowed, slightly greater than the right exit foramina which is also narrowed.<br /> <br />Surgeon reviewed the MRI and concluded that the following:<br />1. No pinching of any nerves <br />2. No indication of Arachnoiditis (Still concerned about this)<br />3. Recommended Pain Management by an expert<br /> <br />So I am afraid to do much of anything. Symptoms persist and are very depressing and worrisome.<br /> <br />Any suggestions, expert advice, or shared experiences would be helpful. Thanks Lura Kathleen
davedsel57 responded:
Hello and welcome.
I'm sorry to read of your pain but fully understand.
We are a group of lay people who have experience with back pain. Our assigned experts rarely reply to posts due to their busy schedules.
You may want to seek an opinion from a different spine specialist (neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon). I would tend to agree with the recommendation from this surgeon to seek a pain management specialist. You may also benefit from some type of physical therapy, especially in water.
Keep doing your research. Keep a moving as much as possible. Keep a positive attitude.
I pray you can get answers and relief soon.
I'm sorry to read of your pain but fully understand.
We are a group of lay people who have experience with back pain. Our assigned experts rarely reply to posts due to their busy schedules.
You may want to seek an opinion from a different spine specialist (neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon). I would tend to agree with the recommendation from this surgeon to seek a pain management specialist. You may also benefit from some type of physical therapy, especially in water.
Keep doing your research. Keep a moving as much as possible. Keep a positive attitude.
I pray you can get answers and relief soon.
Click on my user name or avatar picture to read my story.
Blessings,
-Dave
Blessings,
-Dave
Report This| Share this:Strange Back Pain - 14 months after surgeryHello and welcome.<br /><br />I'm sorry to read of your pain but fully understand.<br /><br />We are a group of lay people who have experience with back pain. Our assigned experts rarely reply to posts due to their busy schedules.<br /><br />You may want to seek an opinion from a different spine specialist (neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon). I would tend to agree with the recommendation from this surgeon to seek a pain management specialist. You may also benefit from some type of physical therapy, especially in water. <br /><br />Keep doing your research. Keep a moving as much as possible. Keep a positive attitude.<br /><br />I pray you can get answers and relief soon.
DianeR01 responded:
Hi,
Welcome. I am not a medical expert but it sounds like you may have a new injury not related to your previous surgery.
It does happen, I had a laminectomy and diskectomy at two levels in 2007 and no sooner did that heal and I was up and running but 3 months later I ruptured 3 more disks. My doctor was a little horrified when he reviewed the new MRI.
A second opinion is probably in order, pain management may be able to make the situation a little more tolerable and at the very least make you feel like you have a little support.
my best to you
di
Welcome. I am not a medical expert but it sounds like you may have a new injury not related to your previous surgery.
It does happen, I had a laminectomy and diskectomy at two levels in 2007 and no sooner did that heal and I was up and running but 3 months later I ruptured 3 more disks. My doctor was a little horrified when he reviewed the new MRI.
A second opinion is probably in order, pain management may be able to make the situation a little more tolerable and at the very least make you feel like you have a little support.
my best to you
di
Report This| Share this:Strange Back Pain - 14 months after surgeryHi, <br /><br />Welcome. I am not a medical expert but it sounds like you may have a new injury not related to your previous surgery.<br /><br />It does happen, I had a laminectomy and diskectomy at two levels in 2007 and no sooner did that heal and I was up and running but 3 months later I ruptured 3 more disks. My doctor was a little horrified when he reviewed the new MRI. <br /><br />A second opinion is probably in order, pain management may be able to make the situation a little more tolerable and at the very least make you feel like you have a little support. <br /><br />my best to you<br /><br />di
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