herniated discs.
Posted , 3 users are following.
*i'm new to this group, but wanted to share some of my symptoms, because sharing helps me calm down a little bit (i have severe anxiety.)
i suffer from very weird symptoms thanks to my anxiety.
so about a year ago, i was diagnosed with two herniated discs. doctor said it was nothing to worry about. i also have a backwards curve to my neck. but lately my arms will go numb, & they get tired so fast. just writing this they're tired. also sitting down, my spine will tingle. can herniated discs do all of this? sometimes my legs feel a little numb too. i've had spots in my vision for over a year as well.
when i was pregnant, i fell off my front step hard. saw stars & black. ever since, i've had vertigo. it used to be severe, but now it's not as bad, but definitly still noticeable.
i also have cervical dystonia (diagnosed myself because my doctor sucks.) and it is SO HARD to handle, my head will move all by itself. especially when i'm stressed, which is basically all the time.. i have severe brain fog all the time, its truly been awful. but i'm trying to stay strong for my two babies. if you got this far, thank you for reading. i just really need some reassurance. *
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CHICO_MARX chelsie18782
Posted
"...but lately my arms will go numb, & they get tired so fast..."
If you substitute legs for arms, that's EXACTLY what I felt 8 months after a TKR. Could barely move my legs...so very tired all the time. My neurosurgeon diagnosed it with an MRI and confirmed by a CT/Myelogram With Contrast: Foraminal Stenosis.
When nerve roots exit your spinal column, they pass through tiny tunnels (foraminal canals) between the vertebrae and into the rest of your body. If two vertebrae get too close to each other (compressed), the canals get smaller and pinch the nerve roots causing the loss of feeling. In my case, it was the lumbar L2 and L3 vertebrae so it affected my legs. I'd bet money your problem is in two or more cervical vertebrae thereby affecting your arms.
I'm "not a doc" but this just sounds way too familiar. The big clue is that it's affecting BOTH arms. My recommendation would be to see a neurosurgeon who can do the above two tests to confirm stenosis. At least, the doc should rule it out. (Note: For the legs, pain down one is frequently sciatica; down TWO is a big red flag for stenosis.)
The fix for me was an LLIF fusion. They go in from your side (not your back), drill out the disk and insert a device that acts like a car jack. Upon inserting an actual Allen wrench (LOL...really...a freaking Allen wrench!!!), they expand the device until it pushes the vertebrae apart enough to open up the canals, relieving the constriction on the nerves. For me, the effect was 100% immediate relief, one hospital night, no brace, no rehab. Miracle op.
The problem is that I know they have this technique available for lumbar vertebrae but no clue if they can do it on thoracic or cervical vertebrae. You'd have to do some research and, if available, find a doc experienced in the technique. To check out the lumbar version, search YouTube for "Globus LLIF Technique" to see a cool animation and "Globus Calibur" for an animation focusing on one of the many device styles available to your doc based on your case and anatomy. Here's a picture of mine (right above the rails and screws of my L3-S1 TLIF fusion)... In any case, if it is stenosis, then the doc will recommend a procedure to separate the offending vertebrae and open the foraminal canals.
mark69155 chelsie18782
Posted
numbness in hands/feet can be nerve damage (caused by orthopedic back/neck issues). ive had 2 ACDFs and a lumbar decompression, but have permanent nerve damage (bulging discs, stenosis, bone spurs and dystrophy...blah blah blah) that presents as neuropathy.Nerve pain is treated differently than ortho pain. There are a couple meds (gabapentin & Lyrica), but for me (and many) they dont work.