Chronic Back Problems Getting Worse Posted: 07-29-05 06:32am
I had an l4-l5 microdiscectomy in 1999.
After about 9 months I started
experiencing pain and radiation down my
leg. This has gone on for a long time.
I have tried conservative treatments and
my doctor gives me pain meds, anti
inflammatory meds, and muscle relaxants.
I fell in dec 04 on my lower back hard.
My pain got worse much much worse. A
previous ct scan in early 04cshowed that I
had degenerative disease with 30 % height
loss at l-4 l-5 and less at l-5 s-1. It
also showed much scaring around the s-1
never root. I did the conservative route
again, spinal injection via ct scan and pt
but no relief. About 2 months ago I
started having severe pain on my right
side and was very tender to touch at l-5
s-1. My left side still is quite painful
and my right side is painful and hurts
down into my buttocks and sometime my
thigh. A recent mri showed marrow signal
intensity heterogeneous throughout. L-4
and l-5 50% height loss and desiccation
with broad based disc bulging. L-5 and
s01 shows 50% height loss and desiccation
with broad based bulging and type ii
endplate change. It also shows an
intensity zone in theposterior annulus
fibrosus compatible with radial tear. I
am in a lot of pain and I don't know what
any of this means. About 5 days ago my
neck starting hurting. I can feel a hard
lump at about the c-1 c-2 level and
swelling to the on both sides. It is
painful to touch. My mri was forwarded to
a neurosurgeon but no one has gotten back
with me. I just take my pills and try to
get through each day. By the end of the
work day I can barely make it home to lay
down.
Does anyone know what these symptoms and
results mean and what could help me.
Can't go on like this. Thanks