Dr. Smith - perhaps I just thought you had interpreted others' mri's, but you seem to always make well-informed posts well worth reading. My issue with my own mri is that I pretty much understand what each sentence means but as a whole and taken all together, I'm a little lost (but not in space ). I wish I knew which of the issues were caused by natural aging and which were caused by hitting the kitchen floor from a standing position with one foot in the air at 6 feet, AND what it all means as a WHOLE.
See, I was bragging about how strong and healthy my legs felt after power walking every day for 3 years, said I'd like to take up kickboxing or hiking (note to self - never, ever brag). My significant tormentor said that I could never kickbox because I couldn't get my leg up high enough, I said I could, he said let's see, when I showed him that I could, he caught my heel for just a second and I hit the tile floor on my upper butt. Might have been funny if we were both 6 years old. Regardless, shortly after that is when I began having pain - and I have never ever had any problem with my lower back before.

Thanks though, for your informative post! Great explanations! Does yours hurt like a "cuss" too?

D'oh! What a cuss cavity! (Your "tormentor")

I think a lot of orthopedists and neurologist would have a difficult time with that, but I really don't know. If you're asking in contemplation of litigation, I don't blame you and I wish I could help more. That would definitely require the opinions of several qualified physicians. An attorney could/would help you find them, because this also sounds like a good candidate for a contingency case (meaning it wouldn't cost you unless you won).

Yes, I'm in pretty much constant pain, and couchbound more than I'd ever want to be, but I do get out - good days and bad days.

Doc

I too am still thinking about you. I hope you get some resolution to both the pain issues and insurance. Doc is super good with the information and research. We all wish there was a way to figure out exactly what happened to you. Soemtimes it does take the opinions of many doctors to get the Whole picture. I wish you all the best seahorse. You are in my prayers. ginnie

Hi seahorse, sorry the shots hurt. Hope the coming appt. with neurologist answers all the questions you have, and can resolve the issue. ginnie

Miss Ginnie - you write the sweetest posts!

I took my dog for a much needed walk yesterday, walked for an hour at a good clip....probably should have gone a little easier. I noticed that I had a better push off with my right foot and ankle (side that got the epi), but also noticed now and then what felt like a squeezing at the bottom of my spine. Puppy dog sure was happy to get a walk tho! He's only 4 so he has loads of energy, but was born with hip dysplasia so he can't run, needs to be walked and if I don't walk him, he won't get walked. Sounds like we have a home for the disabled here doesn't it?

Today, no walk. Rained most of the day anyway. Nerve pain running down back of leg behind knee is back. Nerve spasms picking back up. Ah well, they did say they didn't think the epi would do any good anyway. It is what it is.

Yes, she does.

Sounds like sciatica. I envy you the long walk ....but not the sciatica.

Doc

I am glad you got the walk in. sometimes just being outside in the fresh air makes a difference. I sure hope you get some good information from you next physician report. I know you will go armed with information. Sorry you hurt. I know it is miserable. Nobody deals well with pain. I had a tooth pulled a few days ago, and I am still miserable, I look like a chipmonk with my cheek. It too will pass, and I will be back to my normal self. I get impatient, and crabby over pain sometimes. I come back here for a dose of realility, and it puts my own pain into the background. Take care of yourself, and you know I will be waiting to hear from you, and so will doc, and others. I am glad you are with us, while you go through this medical trauma. ginnie

I just wanted you to know I am thinking about you. I really hope that pain flair, goes down. I also read about the other post with a negative resolution to spinal surgery. I sure do know about being scared that way. I had heard storyies each direction. Surgery as you already know is the last resort. I just want to re affirm, that if this has to happen to you, for you to regain some quality of life it is worth the risk. I had a failed first fusion, followed my a re-do and C3-7. My results have not been perfect, but I am so much better. There can be good results from surgery. I did not go willingly to surgery either. A lot of crying and panick. I just want you to know that not every surgry turns out bad, that some do work, even after a first failure.
I really hope that you can have some good quality of life no matter what you choose to do. Have a good day Seahorse. I am off to one of my doctors as usual...humph! ginnie

The spasms that I had, left me in so much pain, I was flat on back and trembling and shaking head to foot. I couldn't control the pain or the shaking. There is no way to describe it. I really wish that nobody had to go through this kind of agony. I pray that none of you do. I pray for resolution to all these back pain issues that leave us helpless. It is horrible to go through and horrible for a caretaker to witness. I pray each day for all of us. ginnie

Yes, "cuss cavity" is a graceful way of stating the adjective I have in mind for him at this point. No contemplation of litigation, that would be much like cutting off my nose to spite my face, as I do have to live here for the time being. Every evening (prior to hitting the kitchen floor) I'm walking my big boy (the one pictured in my avatar) while ole "cuss cavity" is bending his elbow repeatedly. Mismatch is an understatement, and I take the blame for that - BUT not for falling in the blipping floor. In summary, the straw that broke the camel's back......... Fodder for an entirely different forum.
Now I just want my back well - and lose the daily stressor.