Drop Attack or what?
 

I have lower back pain which seems to be coming from the constantly tightened muscles around my past surgical area for a microdiscectomy at L5/S1. Since my surgery, my disc has desiccated and I have lost 1/2 the disc height between my vertebrae. The constant pain I have is not nerve pain…but more so a discomfort/ache due to the tightness of the lumbar muscles. I have noticed that while standing I find myself unconsciously swaying left and right moving the weight of my body from one foot to the other. Even massages do not loosen these muscles nor do muscle relaxers.

I frequently notice an instability in my back when I try to 'function normally'. Almost like something is flipping in my lumbar region. Then, out of nowhere a stabbing pain strikes my lower back and then my muscles give way/contract and I fall to the ground with a scream. After a couple of minutes…I’m fine and can get up and walk again. Please note that the pain isn't what makes me fall, its the muscles giving way. When on muscle relaxers the only difference is that I can feel the lumbar muscles contracting in waves as I fall to the ground.

A recent example of 'function normally' for me is my being driven to a Dr appt, then going to eat lunch in a cushy booth, then standing at the Apple Store for 20 minutes then being driven home. Once I got home I was unable to walk for these attacks occurring. I have been going through this for 15 months and have been passed around by spine surgeons, PTs, Neurosurgeons, etc. No one can tell me why this is happening. I live like a shut in and had to leave my job in June after being on STD since i wouldn't agree to a spinal fusion without proof of what was causing my issue other than 'inflammation'. I'm about to lose everything i have and am no closer to finding any answers.

Has anyone heard of this type of thing before??

Hi MissGiggles,
I was reading your post. I can't really offer too much in the way of suggestions for you, but I wondered if you had any other structural problems with your lumbar area. Do you have a spondylolisthesis or lordosis? I ask that because I have these problems although not severe or causing me much issue at the moment. It's just the rocking thing that made me wonder.

Thank you for responding!
 

I have degenerative disc disease as well as osteoarthritis in my lumbar as well as my cervical. Not sure about thoracic since we haven't had to do an MRI there. My C4 and C7 have herniated discs and all my cervical vertebrae have osteophytes. Past that...they say I look good.

Just wanted to let you know I posted a response to you on your thread:"Free Falling" on Spinal Disorders & Back Pain Group. You might want to check it out.

Hopefully can be of some help.


Gerry