I'm Wade. I've been playing kick the can down the road with all kinds of doctors.

I'm pretty sure that, at first, some thought I was full of it or just crazy. I started to think so myself for a while.

16 months ago, I was riding a bicycle and got hit by a car. Seven months of PT, a hip surgery to remove shredded cartilage, epidural, facet, and block injections in my back and neck for pain, then a cervical discectomy and fusion near the base of my neck. I am currently waiting for a lumbar fusion that has been put on hold until the neuro symptoms are sorted out.

I've had seven MRI's (L hip, shoulders, brain, C, T, L spine), a NCV test (pn in my legs, early carpal tunnel in my hands and a pinched ulner nerve on my left; done a year ago). I've had tingling/fire/numbness/weakness in both legs and worsening on my left side mostly over the last 15 months. Holding a coffee cup is difficult with my left hand. My left bicep is weak, as is my left deltoid (it received some damage in the accident). I have been walking with a cane for 13 months or so, since the falling got worse--my left knee sort of buckles.

The Ortho surgeon that did the first fusion and is waiting to do the second one saw some damage to the disks and started with cortisone treatment, wound up with diskogram sessions. Both cervical and lumbar... the Dr. had to remind me to stop screaming on some of them--I think he considered that positive.

Last week, I finally saw a Neurologist (well, the Neuro's Nurse Practitioner) and they found that I had a b12 level of 195 and an elevated homocysteine. She said that they can't account for all of the mainly left sided weakness, so are referring me to a big city teaching hospital kind of place for neuro muscular.

Oh, and I've been treated for bursitis in my right shoulder as well.

None of this stuff was evident before the accident. I rode my bike to work every day; I rode between 100 and 200 miles a week.

The b12 shots helped somewhat, the newer, worse, tingling/burning was tamped down for a few days and the fasciculations in both legs seems to be slightly better after the b12.

I had a very stressful last few days, and last night, the tingling and weakness and lactic acid kind of feelings (with almost no exertion) got much worse.

Trying to keep my brain from horriblizing is often difficult.

Anyway, Hi everyone.

I want to welcome you to Neruo Talk. I am so sorry about your accident. Of course you can come on in and play. You will find the best kind of people on this site, who can help you emotionally while you go through all this horrrible pain. I know about that test you had on your back. I just found out about it last week. There are several people who have had to have that performed. I do hope your doctor was compassionate. They too screamed, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I hope you have the very best doctors you can. Do look at all the forums related to back injury and spinal issues. There is a search box right up on top of the page. Just type in back and spinal issues and it will bring you to that particular thread. You are welcome in any place on this site to talk. Pain also has a forum. Just feel free to explore and get to know some people. You will find a few new friends while you are on this journey. You are not alone and there will be many who will care about you and try and help. I am terrible on the PC and thats the truth, several on this site are getting me to try different things so I can take you to the sites by typing the address. I have never learned very well, and I get lost myself. I am here to welcome you and to say a warm hello. You can post me anytime you want. I try to come back daily to keep in touch. Again, I am so sorry for the accident, I hope your life can be made better. ginnie

Hello brokenwade and WELCOME to NeuroTalk!

I'm sorry to hear all you are going through!!

I understand your pain!

Here are a couple of links that may be of interest and also of some help to you?!?!

Peripheral Neuropathy
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum20.html

This one may be a long shot but does have similar symptoms:
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD and CRPS)
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum21.html

You are welcome to pull up a chair and kick off your shoes.
Please feel free to roam around and join in anywhere!
Should you have any questions or need any assistance with anything please do not hesitate to ask, someone should always be around shortly to help in any way that we are able.

I look forward to seeing you around the board.

Abbie

Yes, there's plenty of room in the sandbox
It's great to have you here at NT! Geeze, I'm sorry about the accident. There are many here who have similar injuries and pain conditions. The support is fantastic!

Abbie has given you a couple of good links to check into. Also you might want to check out the Spinal forum

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...aysprune=&f=22

Alot of people there can help comprehend the 'MRI' language I wish you well with your upcoming lumbar fusion

Caring,
Rae

.....I'm sad for all your pain, but I'm happy you are here. You will find everyone to be friendly and caring. I don't post too often but I come every day to read the boards.

It's amazing how much I have learned about nutrition and pain. I suggest you visit the "Vitamins, Nutrients, Herbs and Supplements" forum to learn more about B12 (and D3) deficiencies. I have found that doctors, whether they're you primary or a specialist, really don't know anything about supplements and nutrition. I have told my doc a few things I've learned here about supplements, and she is inclined to believe me.

We have to take charge of our own health issues and not be afraid to question the doctors. I hope you will find some inspiration and motivation from all these wonderful people. You are not alone........