I have had back and pelvic issues off and
on for years now.........Have severe back
pain, leg numbness and fatigue, had an mri
and some x rays done....And saw two
neurologists.
Of course each neurologist had a different
opinion. One said conservative
treatment, maybe surgery in 20
years...........The other is pushing me
for a discogram and surgery asap. I
finally went to my family doc and he
explained to me that back surgery is not
something he would consider seriously
unless there is a real danger of my nerve
becoming permanently damaged resulting in
complete paralysis, or if I have
bowel/bladder symptoms. Well, I *kind of
* developed a new bowel/bladder symptom,
though it is not inability to control
myself. Just some "shockwaves" go up my
back at times when I
let's say take care of business. (i know
to get to the er pronto if I lose ability
to control)
my now new insurance company will not
allow me to go either of the two
neurosurgeons I had seen so my doc picked
one out of my hmo's choices and said yeah,
he's pretty good.....And we could use a
third opinion here.
Well, of course I am fretting
now!....Paralysis?!?....Geez...Noone ever
mentioned that before. The initial goal
was just to get me moving around again,
which I did.
Here is what my mri shows:
anterior listhesis
disc bulge
bilateral stenosis
nerve root radiculopathy
i have heard so many different opinions of
people who have had back surgery, and it
doesn't sound good to me. My family doc
said yesterday he wouldn't let anyone
touch his back unless there were a real
chance of permanent nerve
damage/paralysis. He said if it's some
pain, some numbness...Some fatigue...He
would attempt to work with it. Again, my
main symptoms are back pain, tingly legs
particularly front of calves to big toes,
and lots of leg fatigue.
What do I do? I am really really really
scared now...To the point I want to vomit.
Anyone have anything to add to this?
Anyone with experience.....That can really
help because all the reading in the world
about these conditions doesn't give me the
real scoop.
Thanks bunches
maggie
