Please share with me your opinion on my new unusual problem.
 

As I have shared in earlier posts I have had spine surgery on lower discs this past February. I still have a residual posterior disc bulge at L5 and until I strengthened my back it actually was able to cause bilateral sciatica. It took my body a long time to develop scar tissue. It developed somewhere between May and now.

The new MRI I had last month says that I have a posterior disc bulge. Superimposed upon this there is abnormal signal within the left lateral recess that diffusely enhances and is round like 9 mm. This compresses L5 nerve root which is focally thickened.

The reason I got the new MRI is because my bum has gone numb. I also feel numb onto of my knees and patchy on both thighs bilaterally. No pain and not below the knees. Feet are fine.

I also have hyperthyroid which is well controlled with low dose med and I feel ok and since mess have no other hyperthyroid symptoms. Before Mede I was loosing weight, anxiety and my hair was getting weak. Just went to spine doc to look at my scan and he said he sees no cause for my numbness fro my scan. My scan looks good. And my distribution is too broad and multiple nerves are involved. My question is this. Is it more probable that my numbness is caused from my spine or is my thyroid a possibility. After surgery I did have patches of numbness in both thighs that went away. This is the numbest I
have ever been, but it comes and goes. The distribution is primarily bum and back of thighs and top of knees.

Any thoughts or ideas? Thank you!!!

My hypothyroid symptoms were confined to my feet and hands.

It is difficult to say, when neuropathy is activated, what is going to happen to each person though.

The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve when compressed can cause numbness in the thighs however. It also has episodes of severe pain accompanied by the numbness.

RE: compression
 

So sorry you have trouble with your back. If you have any nerve compression on the root as you described at L5, that can cause the numbing. If you can go for another opinion, I would do it if your symptoms keep re-occuring. I do know how frustrating problems with your back can be. I am not sure I have heard of problems with numbness from thyroid conditions. I hope others can answer you question too. I hope you can get resolution and that something can be done to help the numbness go away. Consider another evalutaion on L5 by a different physician. If you go to an orthopedic person, try a neruologist, and visa versa. Several fields of expertise. good luck to you and have a good Thanksgiving. ginnie

Apparently there are things that can help with scar tissue. I just need to find someone who can help me. The journey begins.
God Bless-

I am trying to figure out what is more likely and I think the spine problem is more likely than hyperthyroid. I did not think PN is a symptom of hyper. I wasn't sure about the bum either that is a wierd place for numbness to begin if caused by thyroid. Thank you for yor support.

Aussie:)

Hi Aussie
 

I hope you can find that person to help you. Yes there are things that can be done with scar tissue. You just have to keep trying to find that doctor who can help that problem. Have faith that you can find the right doctor. I know how hard it can be with back problems. I have alot of trouble with mine too. Have good holidays, surrounded by people that love you. ginnie