Hi all. I am new to NeuroTalk and wanted to post my information and see if there are any suggestions. Here is my complete history .....

- 1994 --- lumbar surgery for herniated discs;
- 1995 --- cervical surgery for stenosis, foramen;
- 1997 --- lumbar surgery "flatback syndrome" with Harrington Rods;
- 2000 --- cervical/thoriacis for "kyphosis" with Harrington Rods;
- 2003 --- DX: diabetes; kidney disease; surgery left leg for blood clot;
- 2006 --- Spinal Cord stimulator implanted;
- 2007 --- surgery for pancreatic cancer;
- 2011 --- Soinal cord stimulator removed
- also note born with 1 kidney and in kidney disease now

Current issues:

- EMG done showed severe nerve damage to the neck & lumbar area; severe arthritis to neck and low back and peripheral neuropathy. Left leg numb from knee down. Foot at times feels like it is rock hard, difficulty walking at times; Some neuropathy spread to right foot area; weakness in both arms but more the left then the right, balance issues.
- an MRI of the cervical spine show myelomalacia at C6/7 levels
- neurosurgeon is afraid to do surgery since would require going thru sternum to get to the area; and what benefit would there be due to all other surgeries and because of other medical conditions feels the risks of doing surgery on me is high.
- they cant get an accurate MRI on lumbar area due to harrington rods that interfere with getting a DX. And since I am in kidney failure using contrast on me can be dangerous.

Medications: Currently on Hydrocodone/Acet 7.5-750 mg. Maximum dosage is 6 tablets per day but don't take that much since I get real tired and take only when i needed it. And sometimes I get lightheaded. also on Tizanidine a muscle relaxant 2 mg 3Xs per day.
I was on oycodone and baclofen but experienced breathing problems; lightheadedness extremely tired and sleeping a lot so taken off the medication

Feeling frustrated. Some doctors wont even see me when they see the reports. At the point that I feel the only thing they will do for me is medicate me. Some days are tough to get thru. My neurologist the way I take it feels there are no other treatment options then to give me drugs for it.

Any suggestions? thanks for listening and any feedback.

Allan