Long term lurker, finally joined and posted.


I am trying to make sense of the issues / symptoms I have encountered in the spine pain journey. Fractured neck in 1979 that left me with cervical issues for years. Finally had that fused in ACDF 2010 C5 C6 C7 fusion. 1995, in a work related incident, I herniated a disk in my low back, 1998, lami / discectomy - had a spinal fluid leak - pain / pain management started 2002, L5 S1 fusion. Pain management (everything - opioids - cortisone - cadual adhesional lysis, RF Rhizitomy branch blocks etc) Labled as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. I have been on this path since 2002. Recent events ended with me being hospitalized due to heart rate from the pain. It has been a struggle to concentrate / comprehend.

In the past year, I was introduced to Neurology and have been going full bore with that field, trying o lock down the symptoms I have experienced. I have gait issues, weakness in legs that is causing knees to buckle feet numb, burning - electrical shocks. Calves (Bi Lateral on feet and legs)have spasms and are weak and sore. EMG shows radiculopathy on both with denervation active on EDB left not active on EDB right.

My L4 shows both foraminal and central canal stenosis, but the ortho at the time didn't think it was severe enough yet. My C5 has a spur that is impacting my swallow and also have a 8MM disc extrusion @C4. My last appt with my neuro feel I have small fiber sensory polyneuropathy. Ordered a ton of blood tests, so far, no smoking gun. I go for Brain / Thoracic and Lumbar w/without contrast MRI's next week.

Tired of the constant spine pain and ringing in my ears. When I look, my symptoms align fairly well with Arachnoiditis. I want to bring it up with the DR, I am just sensitive to the fact that most DRs do not like people self diagnosing. Came here to see others who might have similar paths that we can leverage knowledge.


Thanks for your time and Happy New Years!


I am thinkin

Hi Spiney66

Welcome to NeuroTalk .

I am sorry to read about your spinal problems.

You could also introduce yourself in the Spinal forum (https://www.neurotalk.org/forum22/). Members there will be able to offer you support and good ideas.

Best wishes for 2019.