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Need some advice and perspective on what to do?

Posted , 4 users are following.

yasmina09887
yasmina09887

Hi there,

I was in a terrible car accident 3 years ago. I went back to work and I was in extreme pain that I was medicating myself everyday with bad back pain but I continued to work and live as much as I could and constantly doing physio therapy and trying to heal with no success. 2 years later, my left leg went numb and later my right leg went numb and I developed severe nerve pain down my right leg.  I have been off work since my legs went numb and I received my MRI and spinal canal stenosis at c5-c6 with cord compression and flattening. Moderate left hemi cord compression also noted at C-5 level. I feel now my shoulder is in excruciating pain and my arms are weak and my right leg with pain at times, the nerve pain has subsided and now it is just weak and my right side feels different than my left side of my body.  I am waiting to see a neurosurgeon since this MRI and I am having an EMG in a few weeks.  Please anyone give me your thoughts and if you think surgery would be the best option.  I feel I am deteoriating every day, more and more.

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • buggsy1000
    buggsy1000 yasmina09887

    Posted

    Hi Yasmina

    Firstly sorry to hear that you are in lots of pain and that you had a bad car crash.

    Now you say that you have had problems with your C5 and C6. Your shoulder pain and pains in your arms and feeling weak.

    You mentioned that you have numbness in both legs and sharp pain as well, when you had the MRI did they only scan the c4/5 area or a whole spinal scan.

    Please don't quiet me on this but it's my belief and trying to help advise you a little.

    If you have pain in your legs and numbness in your legs, I would suggest you get a scan of the lower lumbar region of Spine. Especially L4 L5 and S1. Your symptoms you describe sound like you have possible a annular tear along with disc bulges, this can cause the leg and nerve pains.

    Can I ask but you don't need to answer, do you have any issues on going to the bathroom, or any form of tingling ect.??

    Regards

    George ( uk )

    • yasmina09887
      yasmina09887 buggsy1000

      Posted

      Thank you George.  Yes I did have the lower back MRI and found bulges and I have been doing spinal decompression and the nerve pain has eased.  My neck and arms and leg weakness now is happening.  I am having horrible shoulder pain as well.  I am having an EMG to test this.  I am so upset as I use to be so active and happy and now I feel that i am getting worse as the days go by and reading about the cervical spine results being compressed scares me right now as the results are not good with my neck and could get worse. Nothing with the bathroom so that is good, I guess.
    • buggsy1000
      buggsy1000 yasmina09887

      Posted

      Hi Yasmina

      No problem and I know exactly for you feel. Sadly my pain got so bad that I even had thought that i couldn't / didn't want to live anymore. Thankfully my 2 young children 3 and 6 keep me going and when I am like that I just look at them.

      It's amazing how I have become a recluse as I feel so embarrassed and just feel people are looking at me and making things up

      Do you mind me asking what pain killers you are on, also where do you live. Also what pain is worse leg or back.?

      Regards

      George

    • yasmina09887
      yasmina09887 buggsy1000

      Posted

      I am so sorry George.  Why can you not have surgery?  I am now suffering huge neck and arm pain with my shoulder and numbness.  I am weak.  I am on morphine, small dose and a lot of vitamins and Advil and Tylenol.  I am doing a lot of physio and acupuncture with spinal decompression.  Spinal decompression saved my legs with my lower back, look into this.  I think with C spine I will need surgery, waiting to see a neurosurgeon.  I get it with children; I live for the ones I love.  This is torture and not fair to be broken like this.  The person who hit me was careless and not paying attention and this has now changed my life. I am so trying to stay positive.  I am going to look at meditation this week. I do not sleep well and life has not been a happy one for me either.  Please if you have the back pain with nerve, look at spinal decompression, the tables work. I am in Canada.
    • buggsy1000
      buggsy1000 yasmina09887

      Posted

      Hey Yasmina.

      Thanks for sharing your story.

      I am unsure on what's available in Canada, but will try to help you.

      Are your morphin tablets slow release or fast acting.? Do you get side effects from this?

      If you have lots of nerve pain, ask your DR about Pregablin, and Duloxetine these are both good for this type of pain.

      Sleeping, I have this issue aswel, I go to bed 2130-2200. But am wake by 0130-0230 and for me it's the pain that wakes me up?.

      Ask your Dr for diazapam either 5mg a hour before bed or as these can make you drowsy.

      Amertriptiline, this can help relax you and help you sleep.

      I have been on them all since 2010, but GP is wanting to stop them now, I said I will stop them but slowly, before the surfer

      Regards

      George

    • yasmina09887
      yasmina09887 buggsy1000

      Posted

      The morphine tablets are slow release and the side effects for me is they make me sad the next day.  I hate pills and always kept my body clean from medications. Thank you for your feedback and I will research all that you suggester and speak to my GP.  I appreciate your feedback and I pray and wish you happiness and a positive outcome.  Keep looking for answers and get yourself better in any way you can.  One life.  Have a great day.
    • buggsy1000
      buggsy1000 yasmina09887

      Posted

      Thanks Yasmina

      I had similar feeling, it's hard because I felt like a burdon on people, and also don't like to show emotions.

      My G.P changed my morphin to something called targignact. It has the pain relief in it but also has a antidote In it, which helped as I didn't feel so drowsy all the time, no tummy problems. It is still an opiate at the end of the day.

      Keep in touch and all the best for future.

      George :-))

  • laurie68899
    laurie68899 yasmina09887

    Posted

    Ya min I feel for you. ..I was in extreme pain for 3 years with my back and was leaning to right...I was told I needed spinal fusion..I gave 3 rods in my spine but since operation to help me I have deteriorated steadily. .now they say I need full rod from top to pelvis. ..my hips especially right one are causing me so much pain and I am now permanently on crutches. ..I'm not sure if more surgery is the way to go. .can they show you other people who have had the surgery. ..what is success rate...This is what I want to know b4 I decide. ...
    • yasmina09887
      yasmina09887 laurie68899

      Posted

      Yes, good point Laurie.  I am doing all my research before I make any decisions, in my situation with the nerve on the spine, if I get hit again on the same spot I can be parapalegic.... something I need to take in consideration as well. Look at other sites with maybe a surgeon out of the UK if you are there.
    • linda1718
      linda1718 laurie68899

      Posted

      Laurie,

      success rate is about 52% and I only know that because I had an appt with my consultant on Friday about my next op

      Linda

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