Collapsing without warning
 

I have already visited a doctor with the problem I have, but I'm not really satisfied/comfortable with what they said, so I'm curious to hear if anyone else has (a)..experienced it,..(b)...had treatment for it...and (c)...did the treatment stop it happening.?
Every several weeks or so, at no specific interval, I get a severe pain at the bottom of my back which I describe to friends/relations as being like someone sticking a knife in my back. When it happens, the pain is often so bad that I let out a yell, before collapsing to the ground a split-second after.
I can only describe this 'collapsing' as being like someone switching my legs off. I have no control over this whatsoever, but I must point out, that I DO NOT FALL DOWN 'BECAUSE' OF THE PAIN I AM IN.....The pain and the loss of control of my legs always come together, almost instantaniously.
This also always happens whilst I am standing, (never in a seated position) and I am never lifting a heavy weight, overstretching, or doing anything strenuous. Often, I can simply be standing having a conversation with someone when I suddenly get the pain, and hit the ground.?...I should also point out, that this is not some kind of 'fainting'. I am always completely conscious, and aware of everything around me, and can have sensible conversation with anyone present. After I fall to the ground, from past experience, I have learned that if I adjust myself quickly to lay flat on my back, the pain which I still feel with even the tiniest movement, dissapears very quickly, and moments later, I can be helped to my feet, and suffer no after-effects.? The doctor I saw about this problem told me that it's possible to have surgery for this, but she doesn't recommend it, as it doesn't always totaly cure the problem.? The result of my visit was,...I was issued co-codamol pain killers, and told to see the doctor again if it begins happening more often.? Can anyone shed anymore light on this for me, because I don't like it happening AT ALL, never mind it maybe begining to happen MORE OFTEN.?

Hello and Welcome!
 

:Wave-Hello: Shovelhead Dave and :welcome_sign: to Neurotalk!!

I'm sorry to hear of your pain and struggles! It sounds very frightening to me.


Here are a couple of links that may be of interest to you.

• Spinal Disorders and Back Pain
  • http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

• Neuromuscular
  • http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum19.html

Please feel free to roam about all of the forums and join in anywhere!!
You have found a wonderful community full of very kind, caring, and compassionate people who share a wealth of knowledge and understanding.

If you have any questions or need any assistance please don't hesitate to ask as someone will always be along to help in any way that we can.

I look forward to seeing you around the board.
:)
Abbie

Hello!
 

Welcome to a wonderful forum. Everyone here is so VERY caring.
Abasaki gave you some good links to start with.....

The pain you describe sounds aLOT like what I've been dealing with, although my legs don't give out on me.....but your description of that pain sounds so much like how I describe mine....and in the low back.

My Dr said that from what I was describing, it sounds like severe 'muscle spasms' going on. And, like you say, they appear to flare for no particular reason alot of times.

My pain meds don't touch this type of pain, but the stronger 'muscle relaxer' seems to be helping.

Just thought I'd throw that out there.

I hope you get some answers soon
Rae
:hug:

Nice meeting you!!
 

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help.

There are great number and caring fellow members here to assist you. Our shouders are here for support in many ways. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene :hug:

similar problem
 

Hi, I have similar problem. After setting about an hour (reading or TV), I stand up and walk off. My leggs and arms begain to shake. If I sit at once, it will stop in a minute. If i keep walking, I completely collapse. Not faint. but collaspe.

Dave, did they do an MRI of your lumbar spine? Does your back spasm or do your legs just go weak?

When my L5-S1 disk fragmented, I had very similar symptoms at first.
It turns out that the disk fragment was free floating in my spinal canal and when it would wedge up against my spinal cord, it would cause me excruciating pain that would drop my legs out from under me. Basically it would irriate my nerve roots and weaken my legs.
It did progressively get worse for me, the pain finally stayed and became unbearable as the fragment caused swelling in my spinal cord. I eventually had to be on high dose steriods for almost 2 weeks, then had to have a microdiskectomy to remove the fragment.

But what you describe is pretty much how exactly what I went through at first.

Hello =)

I'm new here and after searching and searching through the internet about my specific problem, Dave's post is the ONLY thing I could ever find that describes my dilemma to a "T".

Everything else in regards to the lower back problems I've had mainly describes "pain and numbness, or tingling". NEVER the total and helpless collapsing of the legs. I plan to have the problem checked this week since it's gotten pretty severe. I had countless episodes yesterday ((every 10 to 15 minutes)) simply by walking at a relaxed pace, or standing still. Now the condition is scaring me. What if an episode hits while I'm at work and a take a fall down the stairs....?

Anyway.... I was wondering if anyone knew if Dave found any other answers? Or if anyone else here has? I was hoping to gather what all information I can before going to the clinic. Physicians have a horrible habit of brushing off back pain in my area because people want SSD ((Social Security Disability)) all the time, and I don't want to be dismissed so easily. If I go in with more knowledge about these collapses, hopefully I'll be taken more seriously


Thank you for your time!

Nice to meet you!!
 

Collapsing legs!
 

Hello everyone
I am a newbie to the community and was pleased to find this page. Yesterday for the first time I experienced the same thing - "losing my legs" - was busy making lunch and landed up sitting on the floor! I have constant chronic backache, not only lower back but higher up as well. My arms are often numb and useless but this was the first time the legs were affected. Really scary: eek: Because I am sick of hurting, I actually have an appointment with a specialist on 9 October, couldn't get an earlier appt. The sudden collapse led me to search today and it was so good to find I am not alone although it doesn't sound very encouraging. Can't wait to see the doc and see what he says. Will let you all know what transpires, xxx

Collapsing Legs
 

Hello,
I am new here and I experience the exact same thing. This has been going on for around ten years now. I have been to many doctors and a couple chiropractors. I have never had an answer as to why I go thru this pain. One time I had this happen to me when I was at the chiro. He told me my lower back had a severe muscle spasm. Since then I have been giving a high dose of muscle relaxers and it helps a lot but it does not "cure" my problem. I just recently went to the doctors again and this time a demanded to know why I go thru this pain. Whenever my lower back has a "muscle spasm",(a severe sharp pain like being stabbed) at the same time my legs give out on me. I have to do the same thing and re-adjust myself on the floor to relieve the pain. I am scheduled for an MRI now so hopefully I can find an answer out soon.

Hello Dave
 

Welcome to Neuro Talk. I would not have liked a doctor telling me that either. Surgery???? without even taking an MRI? How would he know what is wrong? Please get another opinion, and that ever important MRI. Pain and colapse of that magnatude is never a good thing. We will all be here for you at Neuro Talk. Keep us informed on how it goes. You really do need a much more intense investigation. ginnie

Greetings!!
 

Help
 

I am new and obviously am having terrible problems I was given an MRI without contrast and was told I am fine. However, my left arm and leg go "to sleep" more often than not and I use that word "gone to sleep" because its the only way family will even have any clue. It becomes numb and when the tingling starts whether in my legs or arms it is like needles poking me everywhere. When it is in my feet its like walking on needles. What I need to know, which I have found no answer for here, is this "what symptoms do you have more likely when it lesions are only in your spine or neck? Could someone help me. There are so many other "symptoms" i have but wanted to get this answered and when introduce myself I can go through all of that. Thanks you for any help anyone can give me. I did have a bout of optic neuritis but that was dismissed by the neuro I see (which is getting 1 more chance and then on to another one)

Hi laurie
 

Hello and welcome to Neuro Talk. If any neurologist simply dismisses you with the symptoms you present, if it were me I would not go back. My first neuro, I actually waved bye bye. He didn't take me seriously at all. My second neuro, was fantastic, and I sure hope you go to the bother of finding a neuro that will take all you have to say very seriously. One thing may help with your next appoint. On a calander, keep a pain journal, of everything that happens pain wise during your day. also if you take someone with you to the appointment, the doctor will be much more attuned to you with another individual to back up what you say. Both these things help the doctor too.
Your symptoms could be anything, and I sure am no physician. If your MRI is clear, that is great! There are other neurological conditions that must be considered with a very good neurologist. One who cares. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I hope your weekend is as pain free as possible. ginnie

Nice to meet you!!
 

Oh my gosh....I'm not alone...
 

I have searched the internet for months and months and Shovelhead Dave is the ONLY person I've seen with the same exact issue as me....anywhere! I so wish i could contact him to see what his diagnosis finally was. This has taken over my life and the Drs have no clue how to fix me.

I have been suffering with the EXACT same phenomenon for the past year and typically notice that it gets worse or better depending on diet and exercise. When I eat dairy or nuts, or when I remove or stop drinking coffee or do a sugar detox these things will all trigger the pain--inflammation caused by these foods or the abrupt removal of these foods will sometimes cause my back to seize up, usually when standing, but always when I twist slightly the wrong way. Thing is, I can pretty much bounce right back and be fine. Run, jump, stretch, whatever. When I am eating clean for months at a time--this doesn't happen. Remember your colon is back there too!

I believe I have also compromised my lower back by doing indoor cycling for so many years. The lack of back support on these kinds of bikes is notorious for causing lower back issues.

I want to also say that I do not incur ongoing back pain, enough to warrant taking drugs. My back seizes up randomly, and then I'm fine. No pain.

I hope this sheds extra light on your situation. I know I would not want surgery at all. And that's kind of what I fear if I go to a specialist for this.

Yes I have had that!
 

Its called Back Shots! You have something wrong with you spine. I had a blown disc from my ex-husband. Technically he broke my back. I walked around on a broken back for almost 2 years. Until the Back Shots! Why they call them Back Shots is because it feels like someone shot you in the back! I would get a second opinion on this, because they can remove the disc and you will be pain free, no Back Shots!

Let us know how you are doing! All my best, Minxlpn