Parkinson's Disease Tulip


advertisement
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-20-2008, 11:03 PM #1
pegleg's Avatar
pegleg pegleg is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 1,213
15 yr Member
pegleg pegleg is offline
Senior Member
pegleg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 1,213
15 yr Member
Default Spinal pain and Parkinson's

I read once that people with Parkinson's (PWP) don't have pain. That's a bunch of el torro poo-poo! This is a long post, but I believe talking it out will help. (and yes, Virginia! There is pain with PD!)

Does anybody have severe low back pain - neck pain - numbness and tingling in your legs or arms/hands? I have suffered from all of the above for about 5 years now. They tell me that it is PD related due to the improper gait of PWP, and I am sure sitting long periods at the computer doesn't help.

I have had two cervical fusion procedures done (3 levels) due to herniations in my neck - no trauma other than getting rear-ended several years ago, and I do have pretty flagrant dyskinesia at times. (I think Jackie, a friend who posts here, calls herself a "Bobble-head.") I had this incredible neck pain and was losing the use of my arms when the neurosurgeon found the herniations on an MRI. Cervical fusion was the remedy at the C5/6 and 6/7 levels. Then one year later I had another herniation and cervical fusion at the C4/5 level. Did it help? Tremendously!

Now I have been suffering from low back pain, which I have had for 10+ years, but not as intensely as recently. Although an MRI shows a "buldge" in my lumbar spine (L 5/6), the pain radiates to the sciatic nerve and isn't bad enough yet for surgery. But I've had 3 babies, and it didn't come close to the level of pain I've had with the sciatica. I sometimes get spasms in my hip and upper thigh that sure isn't a picnic! So I am referred to a doctor who specializes in pain management. He suggests a series of three injections into the area around the buldging discs.

I had the first injection, and although it really hurt going in, the relief from the pain was well worth it. However, when I went to have the second injection, he kept "hitting" something that ached horribly, sending a sharp pain from my low back to the tip of my toes (right side only). It felt like sciatica, which I have had several times, only much, much worse.

The next option was to be sedated – he called it some type of L5 ??? block. I was supposed to be sedated so that I wouldn't jump and mess up his injection. I fasted from midnight on – had to be at ambulatory surgery at 7:00 AM the next day, and everything seemed to be going well. Then the RN that admitted me blew a vein in starting the IV. I lay there in holding not even close to being “sedated” (I guess they don’t realize that I’ve been taking heavy duty drugs for 14 years). Anyway, around 9:00 they take me back to the OR. The sweet Egyptian doctor has a wonderful bedside manner, but he can’t seem to give me a nerve block without killing me.

The doctor shot that stuff in there and I came off the table! He asked, “What kind of pain are you feeling?” I told him it hurt like a serrated-edged knife being drug down the back of my leg from my hip to my toes. Then he continues and does it again. By this time the two nurses in the OR are coaching me like I’m having a baby (but trust me – none of my births felt as awful as this). They were shouting “Breath in and out! In and out!” and were holding me down. The doctor was yelling “Almost done.” And I was literally biting my pillow and in my muffled voice saying, “I can’t take this!” I don’t know how, but I survived.

As I was leaving the OR I said to one of the nurses, “I thought I was supposed to be sedated.” She says, “We did give you a sedative (what ? Tylenol PM?) and we couldn’t put you all the way under because we have to know where the pain is.” That was obvious!!!

In spite of thinking I was dying, I have felt much better after two days of hell. I believe they suggest a series of three injections, but they can mark my name off the list for the last one! I still shudder when I think about it.

There! I already feel better. I was just wondering if any of you have had similar experiences?

Peggy
pegleg is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote

advertisement
Old 08-20-2008, 11:49 PM #2
chasmo's Avatar
chasmo chasmo is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 714
15 yr Member
chasmo chasmo is offline
Member
chasmo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 714
15 yr Member
Default sorry to hear of your troubes

I know I did not feel a moments pain during my DBS. If they can do that, there is no doubt in my mind, that a competent anesthesiologist could have made it a pain-free procedure.
IF you ever have to get it done agaiin, I would insist on it!!



Charlie
chasmo is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-21-2008, 12:35 AM #3
pegleg's Avatar
pegleg pegleg is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 1,213
15 yr Member
pegleg pegleg is offline
Senior Member
pegleg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 1,213
15 yr Member
Default

Thanks, Charlie. (I said: Compeency inn some sreas is questonable.) *

* this is what you get when you take an ambien and try to type. I have no idea what that says! lol
Peg

Last edited by pegleg; 08-21-2008 at 11:52 AM.
pegleg is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-21-2008, 04:04 AM #4
dbiker2's Avatar
dbiker2 dbiker2 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 86
15 yr Member
dbiker2 dbiker2 is offline
Junior Member
dbiker2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 86
15 yr Member
Default sciatia........ugh!!!!!!

Hi Peggy.....

My lower and middle back is pretty bad shape due to the years of severe dyskinesia. I have 3 ruptured discs and 2 bulging discs.....had a lamenectomy at L6 ing 2002 and one at L5 in 2003....the first one helped but the second one made the pain worse. I also have moderate to severe arthritis in my back.

I had sciatic nerve pain for about 6 months in which about all I did was crawl around the house in pain that I can not describe.

I too tried the injections into the spine but after experiencing one injection I never went back for the rest.

The pain has lessened in the past 3-4 years but I am in pain to some degree pretty much all the time. I can only stand for 10-15 minutes before my legs turn to jello and I have to sit down.
__________________

.
later......DB
dbiker2 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-21-2008, 06:01 AM #5
libra's Avatar
libra libra is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Spokane, Wa
Posts: 136
15 yr Member
libra libra is offline
Member
libra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Spokane, Wa
Posts: 136
15 yr Member
Default yes!!!

I can totally relate to everything peg leg. My lower back is very messed up, pinched nerves, piriformus and sciatica pain, etc. I am always in severe pain in lower back and pins and needle pain in shoulders. I get botox in shoulders which unfortunately doesn't help. He said I may have dystonia in shoulders.
As to injections, I too am having them between L4 and L5. It was so swollen in that area, that's what they told me, that it was hard avoiding hitting nerve. He hit nerve and I could feel it sparking all the way down my leg. They injected pain med after that and it put tremendous pressure on said nerve causing more pain. Next injection, they said it shouldn't be as swollen thus less pain. So on next injection He hit nerve again with pain worse than first. The relief after shot was good, but only lasted about 1 week. I am due for my 3rd injection next week and really dread it. I asked to be sedated and they said we usually don't sedate for this procedure but they will check with doctor.
I am going to follow thru with it, I think I can, I think I can, ..... After this fails I am going to try acupunture.
My body is so twisted due to injuries suffered in car accident and parkinsons that I walk like quasimoto. My doc also says pain is usually not part of pd, but that is absolute bull#$^&*.
I see my neuro on Monday and am going to try and get recommended for long term disability with my company. I sit in front of computer all day with lots of mousing. Makes the pins and needles in shoulder hurt like hell and sitting all day is hard on my back. Don't get me wrong, I love my job,, but physically it is getting pretty bad.

dbiker2, just noticed you're in Seattle area. I too am from northwest-spokane, wa.

Last edited by libra; 08-21-2008 at 06:03 AM. Reason: addition
libra is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-21-2008, 11:50 AM #6
jcitron jcitron is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Haverhill, MA
Posts: 480
15 yr Member
jcitron jcitron is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Haverhill, MA
Posts: 480
15 yr Member
Default

I get very severe neck stifness where I can't even turn my head any way, up down, left or right. I end up seeing stars when I turn my head from the pain. In addition, my arms and hands go numb when I put my head to my chin. The Sinemet helps loosen things up some, but still it's always there.

John
jcitron is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-21-2008, 11:57 AM #7
pegleg's Avatar
pegleg pegleg is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 1,213
15 yr Member
pegleg pegleg is offline
Senior Member
pegleg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 1,213
15 yr Member
Default

Hi dbiker (didn't you post here a while back? what's your first name?)
and hello libra

I appreciate your replies. dbiker, when my sciatica acts up all I can do is cry - and it takes a lot for me to cry over something not emotional. We have a wheelchair for when it's acting up - I cannot walk either.

But when my PD meds are working, and this back pain is under control, I can do about anything. You wouldn't know I hhad PD if the dyskinesia was not present .
Peg

jcireon - your reply came in just when I pushed "send." You sound like you need to get to a neurosurgeon right away. Did you know that when you have a herniatioooon such as what I had (and possibly you, too) that a fall could result in paralysis? Please don't wait!
pegleg is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-21-2008, 01:13 PM #8
jcitron jcitron is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Haverhill, MA
Posts: 480
15 yr Member
jcitron jcitron is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Haverhill, MA
Posts: 480
15 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pegleg View Post
Hi dbiker (didn't you post here a while back? what's your first name?)
and hello libra

I appreciate your replies. dbiker, when my sciatica acts up all I can do is cry - and it takes a lot for me to cry over something not emotional. We have a wheelchair for when it's acting up - I cannot walk either.

But when my PD meds are working, and this back pain is under control, I can do about anything. You wouldn't know I hhad PD if the dyskinesia was not present .
Peg

jcitron - your reply came in just when I pushed "send." You sound like you need to get to a neurosurgeon right away. Did you know that when you have a herniatioooon such as what I had (and possibly you, too) that a fall could result in paralysis? Please don't wait!
Thank you, Peg. I'll talk to my neurologist about this. This is very scary since I fall quite a bit.

John
jcitron is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-21-2008, 03:26 PM #9
dbiker2's Avatar
dbiker2 dbiker2 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 86
15 yr Member
dbiker2 dbiker2 is offline
Junior Member
dbiker2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 86
15 yr Member
Default ????????

jeeeeesh peg....you dont remember me from the other forum....... it has been a few years though.....My name is Darrell....grandson named Joshua.....who is 7 yrs old and in the 2nd grade now.......ringing bells now??????? you were the first PWP that I met online........
__________________

.
later......DB

Last edited by dbiker2; 08-21-2008 at 03:27 PM. Reason: spelling
dbiker2 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
This Is Spinal Tap...And Blood Patch...When does pain end? emlo Spinal Disorders & Back Pain 3 10-09-2011 01:44 PM
Process Identified That May Help Treat Parkinson's, Spinal Cord Injuries Stitcher Parkinson's Disease 0 04-19-2008 10:34 AM
Neuropathic pain, spasticity, spinal lesions lady_express_44 Multiple Sclerosis 3 01-27-2008 11:23 AM
Research on spinal pain LizaJane Spinal Disorders & Back Pain 0 11-14-2006 10:42 PM
Anyone bone grinding pain after spinal surgery? Alicia07 Spinal Disorders & Back Pain 1 11-05-2006 09:00 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:43 PM.

Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

vBulletin Optimisation provided by vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
 

NeuroTalk Forums

Helping support those with neurological and related conditions.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
provided by a qualified health care provider.


Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.