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Doctor Joshua
I recently had a MRI done on the Lumbar Spine I have had chronic pain for the past five years and over the course of the five years my pain has been more and more intense, I am at the point where walking is painful.
In 2005 I had a consultation with a neurosurgeon who at that time told me that they didn't believe it was a surgically treated problem. I am a 43 year old female and my menstrual cycle is very painful with my back problem.
My recent MRI finds are as followed T11-12 through L3-4 disc space is normal. the conus is normal. at L4-5 there is disc desiccation,posterior disc bulge and dorsal annular fissuring without nerve root impingement.neural foramina adequately patent. At L5-S1, there are bilateral L5 pars defects without anterolisthesis of the L5 on S1. the disc space is normal. I have read a lot of the forums on your site and I have tons of the different types of pain that other people have explained to you the burning in the feet numbness,I have even had my knees go numb,leg pain is constant hip and buttock.My pain also has moved to both legs and feet.I have spasm's in my legs and back.And a lot time I can't sleep because of pain. I would like to know if I have options can I do something about this and what? What types of medication should I be on to ease my pain? I have a tens unit,and I have lidoderm patches along with pain meds which no longer work for me.It seems nothing works.
Answer:
Doctor Joshua
Hi Ron, thanks for your question. The most important bit of information is missing - what is the diagnosis, i.e. what is considered to be the cause of the pain? The MRI findings, as you describe them, seem inconclusive. Has an EMG been done?
In the case of chronic pain, the cause must be determined before definitive treatment plans can be made. For instance, spinal cord stimulation may be an effective treatment, but the cause must be known before SCS is considered.
Answer:
Doctor Joshua
I am sorry Dr Joshua I fell on my tail bone 5 years ago in a parking lot,I fell so hard I cried I had my hands full so I could not break my fall and that is where the pain started. I went to my doctor after a few days of heat and Advil but the pain has never left since then. I have had three MRI"S one CT scan.they tell me I have a herniated disk one bulging disk from this injury.I have ruled out the procedures that the pain clinic has offered and have spoke with many people who have had spinal injections,and they are just temporary and for me it is more bother than what it is worth. I would have to be in the hospital for it, I am told because i am allergic to iodine and betadine.The Conclusion on my MRI is as followed.(1) Disc desiccation,bulge and annular fissuring at L4-5 without nerve root impingement. (2) Bilateral L5 pars defects without anterolisthesis of L5 and S1. This is what I have of medicine's. I was on Naproxen 250 mg two times a day, and that was just change two weeks ago to Relafen 500 mg twice a day, but i will have to change back to the Naproxen the Relafen gave me pains in my heart.And I also have Flexeril 10 mg,Vicodin 500 mg the Vicodin if I take one it does nothing for me if i take one and Half I get sick from it.So I try not to take take this unless i really have to for pain.I also was on elavil 25 mg but no longer on that.I have a Ten's Unit and Lidoderm patches 5% for swelling and pain I am told. I have been to physical therapy twice both for two weeks or more at a time for strengthening exercises.I have been a Psychological exam due to Disability application, He found I was not depressed but was having a hard time adjusting to my condition due to the fact it changed my whole way of life.I have days when just getting something done around the house is tough. I get swelling in my legs and feet at times, numbness, tingling, burning, And my knees have recently gone numb when i wake in the morning. And when I stand it is not for long before the pain can be unbearable at times and time I am ok to stand as long as I have something to lean on or I can sit down. But sitting is hard too. I don't sleep much at night due to pain or i just can't find a way to be comfortable. I don't know what a EMG is so i have never had one of them done.Can you explain what this is?
Thank you Dr Joshua, I will wait for your reply,And thank you for your website I think it's great.
Answer:
Doctor Joshua
Doctor Joshua, what do you think of the beds that they have out now that are suppose to gently pull your disk so it take off the pressure on your spine?For the life of me I can not think of what it is called.I believe NASA has something to do with this.