Recovering from Cauda Equina Syndrome
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While on Spring break in April I started having back pain. It came on quickly and caught me off guard. It started in the middle of my back and within a few days I had electrical shocks going down my right leg and calf was tightening up. I went to GP when I got home and they gave me pain meds. After 10 days and very little relief from pain meds I made another appointment with GP. Now, I am standing all the time because sitting is unbearable. The GP insisted it was sciatica and gave me more pain meds and now a muscle relaxer as well. By April 30th my leg went numb from knee down, the pain was now only when I sat and the tightness was always there. The new numbness scared me terribly because I knew there was something awful going on to cause me to have no feeling. Driving to work for 10 minutes was getting to be unbearable for me to do. I was nearly in tears every time I drove my car. After being at work for a couple of hours 4 weeks into this I had the weird feeling my right leg was cold compared to my good leg so I went to ER. They did test on my veins and arteries, then gave me pain meds sending me home. I went straight to GP office from there because even though they could not find something wrong I knew that all these pain meds were not working and we needed to find out why I was going numb. I was starting to get saddle blocked at this time and could not feel the ending of urination. I was also experiencing constipation which I thought was do to pain meds. My GP finally scheduled me for MRI the next morning. Results came back and they referred me to a neurosurgeon who could not see me for three weeks. I called the neurosurgeon myself and explained how I was losing feeling in saddle area and complete numbness from knee down and begged to be placed on cancelation list that I would drop anything to come at anytime. Three days later I got the call they wanted to see me. My leg has been numb now three entire weeks and when I talk with neurosurgeon he want to do immediate surgery telling me this can continue to get worse if not treated right away. I had surgery a few days later.
Now, six weeks after surgery, I still am recovering and have pain in my right gludise Maximus and right calf painfully tight, (that varies) and no feeling from right knee down. I tire easy and I am not stable on right foot. I have nearly fallin down stairs at my house and must always use rail and lead with left foot. I have to think about walking and climbing stairs especially because sometimes my leg just doesn't want to support me. I feel broken! I love to camp and walk near streams and my balance is so far off right now it's just not fun. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this will all heal in time.
I would love to hear from others who have had successful surgeries and how their progress has been. Good or bad. I'm going through a grieving process right now that is very hard for me. Hearing from others and how they have over come this would mean a lot.
0 likes, 5 replies
moonshiner paula95630
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shawng paula95630
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paula95630
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i have fb and have submitted a request to group. I'm glad there are support groups. It really helps talking with others who have similar experiences, therefore, understand. Happy Toe Tappin Tuesday!
chrioli paula95630
Posted
Cry when you need to. It's healthy to do so. I have cried a lot;(. I know all too well how you feel. I had a decompressive laminectomy on the 11/11/14 cauda equina syndrome. I still have numbness, pins, needles to both lower legs but motor problems and leg and buttocks cramps, like you in the right. I feel a 30 percent improvement in my lower legs. Still retaining urine and have bowel issues. This recovery is a 2 year process so hang in there. You will feel like you can handle it one day but not the next. Be very careful though, you don't want to end up with another injury.
Chrioli
Artist46259 paula95630
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