[BEGLET]

Hi folks,
I'm a member of the peripeperhal neropathy forum - have had foir six years - they assuem its CIPD - also have pretty severe autonomic neruopathy - have lived on liquids only for six years cause stomach doesnt digest propertly, has also affected my heart, BP, etc..... anyway, I use a wheelchair when I leave the housee due to the neruopathy (no balance and very weak) - but also have increasing lower back pain...... an MRI on Lumbar Spine a year ago showed disk desicreation and degenertion at L4-L5-S1 - but it was tolerable...

In the past 8 months (and I had a fall several months back I think could have contributed) I am in severe pain - especially sitting straight up (position of worst pain is ini wheelchair - no matter how many tylenol I take (cant take opiates because of allergies)... its like being stabbed across my back and around my hips - after about 4 hours in the chair I'm literally crying in pain...

Just got MRI results - but I've got so many other ongoing issues with my neruopathy that need to be addressed first my doc just said - maybe we try PT for now - we need to address other issues first (I've tried PT - doesnt help).....

He didn't even go over the results but here they are:

1) Broad based bulge L4-L5 - endplate degenerative changes, some of which is acute and to right of midline. Likely impingement upon the intracanalicular L5 root on right and lesser degree mass effects on the left without foraminal stenosis or central canal narrowing.

2) Broad based disk bulge at L5-S1 with at least moderate and possibly severe effacement of the leftlateral recess and likely mass effects and/or impingement upon both the lateral recess nerves and the foraminal nerve on the left side.

Can anyone interpret this? Also, anyone with similar problems that have found a non-invasive therpapy (I already take 10 meds to control complications from neropathy and am super sensitive to medications)

Appreciate any feedback.

Thanks

[sallyb]

I am unable to interpret that MRI, but I just want you to know that I feel for you. Sorry you are having so much pain. I, also, have my worst pain sitting. That is really a bad thing for someone who has no choice but to sit.

[Boopers]

I am also unable to interpret but also wanted to say how sorry I am. I know that the disc bulges are very painful. I have seven herniated discs in my neck and back, so am very familiar to the pain.
I wish you all the luck with your health problems,
Linda

[BEGLET]

Thanks for the good wishes - its hard cause if you have a nerupoathy question thats what I know about - but this back stuff is new.... I called a spine doc I saw over a year ago - pain was not nearly this bad or the MRI - he's having me fax the reoprt to him and we'll see if he can expain and/or offer treatment options........

[Bobbi]

Do you have the Findings/Impressions part of the report?

I don't understand the medical jargon embedded in most, yet, often have seen (by my reports and others') that the more understandable info. is frequently in the section(s) I asked about.

[BEGLET]

Hi - boy, am I slow answering posts! The info I put in my first post on this thread are really summary of the findings.... since then I have talked to the back/pain doc.... he said at this point he doesnt feel safe doing steroiod injections anymore because the damage has gotten so much worse since he saw me last - and he doesnt think I'll be able to lay perfecty still on my stomach for the lenght of time it will take for the injections (he said takes a while to position me - then at least 15 mintues for the injections) because of the pain I'm in.....

Suggested I talk to my neurologist about non-opiate pain killers plus am trying some PT to strengthen back - but with my other health issues its a real challenge.....

The PT has also suggested a soft back support - anyone have good luck with these?

Any thoughts appreciated! Thanks!

[Bobbi]

Don'tcha just love those reports . I'm sorry that I wasn't much help when I read the info. How yours was written is usually the type of info. I find embedded before reading the closing comments ("Findings" or "Impressions") in mine.

Though I wasn't Rx'd a back support, I did try something that helped that my PT had suggested, and it didn't cost anything: He told me to take a towel and roll it up and use it when sitting at, i.e., a desk or in a chair.

I don't think that that would help when using your w.chair, though. I can visualize how a soft support could make it more bearable. For the w.chair, I would think that it's important to also find one (soft support) that doesn't decrease the space needed for the sitting "range" - not sure what to call it but the area needed from the bum to upper legs support.

When I travel overnight, I've learned to sleep (at an incline) with a king-size pillow under my back (from my shoulders to where the L-spine meets the S-spine) - otherwise, I get no sleep. I usually take along a couple pillows from home (since I know those work for my head) and a couple of throw blankets, which I use for x-tra cushioning on top of x-tra blankets I request.

If the bed isn't well-padded (soft), it may as well be the floor, since there isn't a comfy position.

I understand how you feel .

One thing that I loved was the aqua-therapy I had several years ago at PT. I'm working on getting easier access for my Jacuzzi.

Has your PT suggested aquatics? Just to be able to get the pressure off your nerves and having a time where you may be able to move a little more freely might bring you some relief.

Please ... don't be a stranger ... I'm interested in how you're doing and feeling. Too, when you find ideas that might help, those would also be great to know .

[Boopers]

Wow, KMEB, I just feel so bad for you. I wish there was some way I could help you. Know that we care and are wishing the best for you.
Good luck in the PT and I hope the doc can give you some kind of pain relief that you can tolerate.
Take care,
Linda

[LizaJane]

I'm with you on finding yourself suddenly in a new category of illness. I'd been content with peripheral neuropathy explaining my symptoms, and got to know a lot about neuropathy.

When I got spinal problems, I was suddenly on another planet. And since surgery in Feb, I've found there are few "experts" in the way we had when dealing with neuropathy. Fewer people who can say---these are the options, THIS is what to expect, THIS is who can help, THIS is how long this will take. It's a harder place to be.

Have you been on lyrica? It could help manage the pain so you can get more treatment.

[GJZH]

If you go to this glossary page...You will find the definition for most of what is on your MRI....

http://spinetalk.conforums.com/index...num=1163201592

I think because you have nerves compressed at L4 to S1 they will probably suggest an epidural at first to determine if something minimally invasive will help with your pain....If that does not help, a laminectomy will probably be offered. I think because the foraminal and recess nerves are involved they need to be decompressed, especially since it is severe. Notice the key word in this post though is "think." I am not a doctor...just know you have some of the same problems as me..and I went for the laminectomy...

http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/s...ted_disc3.aspx

http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/s...aminotomy.aspx

http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/s..._stenosis.aspx

http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/conditions.aspx