New member asking for advice
 

Hi I have been reading your posts for a long time and finally feel its time I asked for advice. Here is my story:

March 2012 Anterior Cervical Decompression Fusion C6. No trauma just suffered with neck pain for years and the disc popped out and unfortunately slipped down my spine resulting in some damage to my right arm.

Surgery went well but after surgery I started to experience pins and needles in hands and sometimes feet when waking and just noticed tingling, numbness, hyper sensitivity at other times.

In September started taking lyrica as my right leg was painful and pain in foot was at times overwhelming. In jan of this year was unable to bend right knee as excruciating and also noted frozen toes with burning in right leg at night. Pain doc also prescribed topirimate with lyrica as I could not increase lyrica as it makes me lack concentration. Now taking co-co Damal four times a day. Feb starting to have problems walking. Legs very stiff and run out of power after 10 mins.

Was diagnosed anaemic in sept 2012 taking 210 3x daily ferrous furmarate.

March was referred to neurologist who requested MRI as I have some degeneration in cervical spine and wanted to check if there was any change. Results came back two weeks ago which showed no change and just confirmed damage to nerve for right arm. Neuro now requested blood tests and Emg - I think.

I got took into A&E this week as pain got out of control as I did some garden and it was agony in my leg. They took me inas I think they were worried I may have popped a disc. Anyway full MRI completed and all good. Neuro saw me agreed it was a neuro problem, no power in right leg, loss of sensation etc and agreed I should see my consultant and gave me morphine to take home.

So the pain continues and it feels the burning and numbness is spreading into my bum, now becoming very difficult to sit, got a fire burning in there and walking is almost a shuffle. I'm just starting to feel very frightened. After reading the threads on here, it's heart warming and reassuringly not alone and would appreciate any advice as I am frightened.

Welcome to NeuroTalk....

Looks like you have a spinal compression thing going on.

But I would also suggest you further test that anemia.
Get a B12 test, and post your results including the concentration
pg/ml, or nmol/L or whatever. Did you have a CBC? If so get those numbers too. An elevated MCV on that report may point to low B12 as well.

It is not possible to sort out you issues without these tests.
If you are low in B12, then using an active methylcobalamin may help restore some functions and lessen pain/burning. But it you are above 400pg/ml then your issues might be more on the mechanical compressive side of things.

This is the B12 thread:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread85103.html
You'll find a video link there and more medical explanations.

Thank you for your advice.

I think they have ruled out any cord compression but think there could be some nerve damage or polyneuropathy?

Can you please explain CBC. I will have blood tests tomorrow. Is being short of breath a symptom of low B12?

Is there anything else I should be asking? The pain is predominately in one side but also some pain on the left side but my main concern is walking which is becoming more difficult by the week. I think I can walk maximum 10 minutes and the pain and burning after walking is intense. I am not a person who likes too make a fuss but feel I am being pushed from pillar to post with no real concern from the health professionals with regard to my deteriorating health.

Many thanks sarah

The CBC is the "complete blood count" and is a routine test done at checkups. Doctors mostly ignore the MCV...part of it, but if elevated or close to out of the upper range given, it can suggest low B12.

The B12 test is not in the routine of yearly check up and has to be ordered separately.

Post your results here, and the letters after the numbers so I can convert them if necessary.
Ranges from labs still reflect the outdated beliefs, and the new protocols have changed over the last decade or so. Don't accept "normal" because people who do may in fact be very low, and continue to suffer.

Try soaking in epsom salt baths to see if the magnesium will help too. Magnesium blocks the pain receptors called NMDA ...and low magnesium leads to more pain for some people.
This is my magnesium thread:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1138.html

Will try that one tonight and let you know blood test results.

Thank you for your responses like a guardian angel on this website.

Results of Blood Test
 

Serum TSH LEVEL 0.56 ml
Serum free T4 level 11 pool/L

Serum ferritin level

34ug/l - this was at 4 in November 2012


Serum folate

Vit b12 433 ng/l
Serum folate 8.9 ug

Doctor has now recommended I take iron tabs again after stating last week stop taking, otherwise he has confirmed all tests ok.

See neurologist tomorrow. Many thanks for your help Sarah

Had another question I wanted to ask has anyone had experience of hypersensitivity,gums and dryness burning in lips mouth. I don't have it all day but it is very uncomfortable. Any tips out there?