Hi, My name is Becky Lopez. I am 58 years old and my life changed in November 2010 when I was told I had a tumor on my spine. I had surgery and my doctor removed a 4" tumor that had blocked my spinal canal by 90%. After surgery I had to learn how to walk again. I am very blessed because I was told I could have been paralyzed from the neck down. I am walking now, most of the time with out my walker in the house, and with my walker when I leave. I can not drive due to the neuropathy in legs and feet. I also have neuropathy in my right arm. First I was told it would take two years for the nerves to grow back together from the surgery. (That was due to the 91/2" incision down the middle of my back.) Now I believe it is from the nerve damage from the tumor that was blocking my spinal canal. I would like to know if this is as good as it gets. It is the not knowing that is driving me crazy.

Hi, Becky, and welcome to the community! Sorry you're going through such a rough time. If you haven't found our forum on spinal problems, here's a link:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

Somebody else may come along who has other suggestions--I'm not knowledgable about your medical issues, but did want to welcome you!

Welcome to Neuro Talk. You found a site that has alot of compassionate people here. I am sorry to hear what brought you here. Nerve damage as you probably already know is hard to pin point on just how much recovery you will get over the long term. Do you have neruo- surgeon, who may be willing to talk to you a little more? I also did something for my own situation. Instead of just a pain speciaist, I now go to a physiosist. She works with some suppliments to help with my PN. I have gotten a bit better with my own nerve damage in my spine and my ankles. This kind of doctor tries to treat from the inside on a cellular level. You may want to see if this kind of doctor can help your progress along. I didn't even know what they were myself. It was my pharmacist who told me about this branch of medicine. I do wish you all the best. Keep coming back with questions and comments. You will make some friends right here. I came here two years ago and never left. I received the help I needed to move forward. Keep in touch. ginnie

Becky,

Hello and welcome each of you to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Here are a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. Please let us know how we can help you out. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

Thank you so much for the warm welcome. I have never been in a support group before and I will need help in expressing myself. It is a great feeling to receive such warm welcomes.

I want to thank you so much for the warm welcome and the suggestion of the physiosist. I did not know there was a specialist of this sort. This is my first support group I have been in and did not know what to expect. I am so excited about the warm welcomes I have received and the suggestions. Thank you again.

We hope you stay here, and make some friends! This was my first support group, and I doubt if I will ever go to another one. Just know that NT cares and will be here for you, and so will I. ginnie

Hi Becky and WELCOME. This has got to be very frustrating and scary for you. I'm glad you found us.

First of all, nerves grow back at an AVERAGE of one inch per month. Some grow back quicker and some slower, it just depends on the person. i would imagine that you could expect SOME improvement, but how much I cannot say.

Did your doctor put you on any medication for the neuropathic pain? I'm sure you're feeling some! The burning/tingling/feeling of water running over the limbs/etc. is quite severe at times. Many doctors prescribe Gabapentin (Neurontin) for this, but I had trouble with lots of water retention with this medication. So my doctor put me on Topamax instead and I've been on it ever since and it's been great! There has been NO water retention, and it's taken away ALL neuropathic pain completely! You might want to ask him about the meds.

I hope things improve for you Becky. You've been thru alot. God bless and please take care. Hugs, Lee