Dear NeuroTalk Spinal Disorders and Back Pain posters,

This is the relevant information from my Lumbar MRI from last Tuesday,

L3-L4: Small disc bulge with facet hypertrophy and ligamentum flavum
infolding. Marked narrowing of the central canal. Minor narrowing of the
bilateral neural foramen. A left sided facet effusion is associated with a
12 x 9 mm synovial cyst extending into the dorsal aspect of the spinal
canal (axial T2 series 4 image 18) at the level of the L4 vertebral body;
this mildly effaces the dorsal thecal sac.

It started with strong pain down right leg, from the hip to the ankle, about three weeks ago. Problems with the hip were ruled out with X-ray, and I was sent for this MRI.

I am seeing a spine pain specialist week after next.

At this point I don't have pain at night (thank goodness) but as soon as I stand up the pain starts and is quite difficult for me.

Due to many other problems, including profound Peripheral Neuropathy in both legs, I already take the pain meds I can manage (no codeine based meds, I am allergic to them). So I have nothing in reserve for this pain.

I cannot be upright for any time and then I am exhausted from the pain and must sit or lie down.

Does anyone else have this problem? Or has had this problem? What do you do for it? I am already having difficulty with housework and now I can do almost nothing. I am so frustrated.

I have gone to the pool to exercise a couple of times, in the beginning hoping it would 'cure' whatever the problem was. Now I know it won't, but I must get some exercise or become a complete 'slug'.

Please give me any help or comments that you can.

Hugs, ElaineD