Originally Posted by Dubious

tdouglas,

You have a central canal that is severly choked down. Only your clinician knows your exam findings and can make a determination for ESI or not. But if conservative management, oral non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, PT, etc., has all failed, then why not go for the ESI?

I can't tell you how many times I've seen such a procedure drag someone out of the depths and despair of surgical consideration. ESI too may fail, but if your doc is recommending it, at least you won't go into (potentially) surgery without a fight! And believe me that ESI is a hiccup compared to the inconvenience and disruption to your life that decompressive surgery would be!

Originally Posted by gatorhead

I am sorry that I missed this until now. Could it heal on it's own? There are some studies that suggest that they could heal themselves if they are bulging and not torn or prolapsed. This can be achieved by physical therapy and injection type therapy. I personally think the injection therapy is something they are forcing down our throats because they can charge and be paid for an outpatient surgery! I have not had personal success with either, and I don't know a single person who has and I know A LOT of spine patients!

Can it move left or right? It can in essence, if it were to prolapse or for a lack of a better analogy, terminology, and visual reference, squirt out and move left or right. I would be referring to the nucleus here and it it what mine did only because it had no where else to go. It stays in the general area, and that area isn't large at all. It could be positioned more to one side or the other and still remain central. That was harder to explain than I thought lol

The doctors are on me to have the surgery, YES! I have not had it, and I will not have it until I 1. can't take it no more 2. can't walk at all 3. defecate on my shoes. Kinda graphic but that's how I feel. My mom had her's fused in 82 and I grew up watching that nightmare scenario unfold so for me it is an ultimate last option. I have had 2 neck surgeries now, those were necessary and unavoidable (VERY similar to your condition only in my neck). What I have been told about the back at those locations is that it could permanently affect bladder/bowel function, walking, and sexual function.

That all being said I agree with the other's it is a case by case scenario. True I am not a doctor, but I am very well versed with these things as is most other's here from having to deal with it first hand. I can also tell you that what I saw on your reports your surgeon seemed to see the same thing, it is severe central stenosis. What makes this a problem is your cord is being compromised and at a point where, not the pain, but the preservation of the cord is at risk. There is no more room for error. The type of surgery most often used for this is decompression or laminectomy. However if there is any sign of DDD then they will most likely want to fuse. All of that being said I would have a thorough discussion with the surgeon and ask EVERYTHING you want to ask and he/she should be able to answer them all immediately and appropriately. I always recommend a second opinion to a surgeon OUTSIDE of that hospital or medical firm completely independent of the first.

Not trying to scare you or be doom and gloom, just trying to put it into layman's terms. I will pray for you and I wish you the best. PLEASE get that second opinion soon!

Originally Posted by ginnie

Hope the shot gives you some relief. You know we are not professionals, but you did say alot of symptoms that are considered Neurological in nature. Therefor I would be inclined to get an MRI of the spine, to make sure you do not have nerve inpingment of the cord. The neck pain you described can be from a number of things. May I ask what you do for a living? feel better soon, ginnie

Originally Posted by tdouglas

Small update. I had my shot today. I was ecstatic to feel almost total relief from the anesthesia. Unfortunately, it made me notice my knee and hip pain more. The anesthesia has already worn off, and I'm feeling about the same amount of pain I always have. I'll monitor the situation closely over the next week and see what happens.

I talked to my primary care doctor today for the first time since I got my MRI results. She was unsurprisingly much more open to giving me pain medication; she even apologized for it taking so long for me to get some. I understand that she didn't want to give a 22 year old narcotics without proof of pain. I could have been any other drug junkie. After telling her all of my symptoms, she seemed to agree that ankylosing spondylitis could be a very real diagnosis. She ordered blood tests to test for the blood marker that is found in 90%+ of AS patients. I know this is a back forum, but I've been having pretty bad knee pain and hip/groin pain for at least a year, so I'm getting X-Rays and MRI's done on those areas soon. Also, I'm getting my cervical spine imaged, too. I'm not expected more than some basic DDD being there, but it does hurt quite a bit, and problems with the spinal cord up there scares me.

I finally feel like I'm getting somewhere with all of this. I don't want to make this my personal blog, so I'll try not to clog up the board with unnecessary posts. I'll still be checking daily for any advice you guys may have, though (I still really, really need it!). You guys are awesome!

Originally Posted by Dubious