Hi all. I am new to NeuroTalk and wanted to post my information and see if there are any suggestions. Here is my complete history .....

- 1994 --- lumbar surgery for herniated discs;
- 1995 --- cervical surgery for stenosis, foramen;
- 1997 --- lumbar surgery "flatback syndrome" with Harrington Rods;
- 2000 --- cervical/thoriacis for "kyphosis" with Harrington Rods;
- 2003 --- DX: diabetes; kidney disease; surgery left leg for blood clot;
- 2006 --- Spinal Cord stimulator implanted;
- 2007 --- surgery for pancreatic cancer;
- 2011 --- Soinal cord stimulator removed
- also note born with 1 kidney and in kidney disease now

Current issues:

- EMG done showed severe nerve damage to the neck & lumbar area; severe arthritis to neck and low back and peripheral neuropathy. Left leg numb from knee down. Foot at times feels like it is rock hard, difficulty walking at times; Some neuropathy spread to right foot area; weakness in both arms but more the left then the right, balance issues.
- an MRI of the cervical spine show myelomalacia at C6/7 levels
- neurosurgeon is afraid to do surgery since would require going thru sternum to get to the area; and what benefit would there be due to all other surgeries and because of other medical conditions feels the risks of doing surgery on me is high.
- they cant get an accurate MRI on lumbar area due to harrington rods that interfere with getting a DX. And since I am in kidney failure using contrast on me can be dangerous.

Medications: Currently on Hydrocodone/Acet 7.5-750 mg. Maximum dosage is 6 tablets per day but don't take that much since I get real tired and take only when i needed it. And sometimes I get lightheaded. also on Tizanidine a muscle relaxant 2 mg 3Xs per day.
I was on oycodone and baclofen but experienced breathing problems; lightheadedness extremely tired and sleeping a lot so taken off the medication

Feeling frustrated. Some doctors wont even see me when they see the reports. At the point that I feel the only thing they will do for me is medicate me. Some days are tough to get thru. My neurologist the way I take it feels there are no other treatment options then to give me drugs for it.

Any suggestions? thanks for listening and any feedback.

Allan

Hi Allan,

No, but I did try to answer your concern about the hydrocodone in another forum. I do understand the frustration. This probably won't help any, but it may at least explain some of why they treat you that way.
http://distractible.org/?p=3912

Doc

Bless your heart I've looked up every single medication i could think of for pain, that might do you some good, but every one of them mentions that you need to speak to your doctor about kidney disease before trying it. Plus many of them mention "light headedness" as a potential side effect along with problems breathing.

I wish I had something to suggest to you. Have you tried a teaching hospital? Many times they know things that other doctors & hospitals do not. That's the ONLY thing I can come up with.

I wish you the very best -- you're certainly in my prayers. God bless & please take care. Hugs, Lee

Thanks for the responses.

Leesa, I believe in going to the best of the best that I can as long as its covered under my plan. I learned the hard way.

Yes my doctors are all part of major reaching hospitals. So the doctors that I have I have confidence in.