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somebodzy help

Posted , 4 users are following.

catherine56365
catherine56365

Ive not been given a specific diagnosis yet but had c4  c5 disc replacement n fusion 2011 then 8 weeks ago  c6 c7 facectomy c7 nerve root decompression i don't  feel any better and have severe lower back pain calve pain and dont know why but in agony when i open my bowels feels like  my back twists can you help me understand waiting for my appt with neuro dont think my bowel in right place like its moved 

2 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • DonnaL
    DonnaL catherine56365

    Posted

    Hi Catherine, I don't have cervical issues, and don't know if they can affect the other end of your spine. What you're describing in your lower back sounds like sciatic nerve trouble.  It can feel like it runs from your lower spine and back...For me it was the left side...then through your butt and down your leg, in varying degrees. It can be excruciating. The pain can be shooting or spotty down one leg all the way into the foot. Mine also moved into the right leg.

    BUT I never had bowel pain. Did you fall recently. Your neurosurgeon will probably send you for tests for the lower back… MRI's. I'm in the US, so don't know how it works in the UK.

    In June I had lumbar surgery to correct spondylolisthesis and movement of L5 (stabbing pain) and hopefully to relieve years of increasing sciatic pain. So far, so good.

    i hope you get answers and relief soon. Take care!

    • 1976annette
      1976annette DonnaL

      Posted

      Hi Donal, I am pleased  that there is someone else out there who knows what sciatic pain is like.  I had a left hip replacement in 2007 and my sciatic nerve was crushed somewhere in that.  It just got worse and worse and I was sent to the Pain Clinic 4 years ago which I am still under.  I had injections in my lower back yesterday and the pain has lessened so I can, at least, do some normal things for a while.  It does wear off but this last time was awful.  The pain went right round my knee and down the front as well so I was unable to drive sometimes.  Horrible, horrible complaint which colours the whole of your life.  Take care and I hope this round of surgery is good for you.
  • debbie27473
    debbie27473 catherine56365

    Posted

    Catherine

    You must be at your wits end. Two years ago I had root nerve decompression which the surgeon said was successful. However, like you after the op I developed severe lower back pain and the leg pain was worse than ever. After an MRI scan it was discovered that the adjacent nerve was damaged. I was offered further surgery but was told it was extremely high risk. After much thought I declined this option and was offered a spinal cord stimulator. Although this does not cure the damage, it gives a high percentage of pain relief. It is quite a lengthy process. I had the trial period a month ago which involves a minor surgical procedure. This was successful so I am having the permanent implant on 22nd September. This is a bit more surgically invasive but hopefully worth it. I am telling you my story so that you know, even if surgery cannot cure your problems, there may well be other options for you. The problem with your bowel sounds urgent. Hopefully now it is Monday, you are getting an emergency appointment with you doctor. I know from experience, the longer you leave getting help, the more damage you can do. Good luck and please post on the forum later to let us know how you got on. Take care, Debbie

    • catherine56365
      catherine56365 debbie27473

      Posted

      Thanks for replies girls got appointment 

      with gp wednesday. Debbie did you get itching after your surgery its driving me mad my back neck face head constantly itching cant sleep combined with constant head pressure pain too im 8 weeks post op so due for checkup with neuro hope he as answers for me: (

    • frustrated61
      frustrated61 debbie27473

      Posted

      Hi Debbie ~

      I was in an auto accident with injuries of a broken back and cervical damage.  I had to have L2-S1 fused and with the recovery being over a year, I was disappointed that the pain was still there.  The doctor explained that the nerves didn't heal correctly they bundled outside the nerve root...so, he called the surgery "failed back syndrom".  This meant that the surgery was a success but the pain didn't pass. 

      After the surgery on my lower spine, I had surgery on my cervical...c4-5&6 were fused.  I've had some stiffness and moderate pain but overall it was a success.

      With all the lower pain, I couldn't function as I used to function.  I was in constant pain (and am currently still in that pain almost 10 years later).  It was then my pain management doctor suggested I be tested for the spinal cord stimulator.  I passed the pretest and had the surgery to implant the stimulator.  What I found, and I don't want ot discourgae you but I think you should know this, I found that it triggered my nerves which caused more pain.  I thought perhaps over time my body would deal with that issue and the overall function would be better than it was prior the implantation.  So, I had this stimulator in for approx 3 years.  I had some problems that kept occurring which was the stimulator would do little power surges which sent me out of my shoes!  It was extremly painful. 

      I found out after talking with my pain doctor (which is in the US and he's so knowledgable and knows his stuff as far as what nerves to block etc...) anyway, he told me I needed to have it removed as there were consistent problems over the board with the stimulator.  He also told me that he was in the process of setting up many of his paitents that had it implanted to have it removed.  For some reason, this stimulator didn't produce like it was promoted to produce.  It was more of a risk to have it in.

      I'm just telling you my experience with this because the surgery to have it implanted isn't at all that invasive but if you get the results that many did and have to have it removed, it puts your body at risk to lower your immune system thus making you prey to many other issues. In my case, I've developed Sarcoidosis and Sjogrens disease.

       You may want to rethink this procedure and really check into it and check out the results around the globe and see if it's really what you think it is.  I was disappointed to say the least because I thought "finally, finally something will take this pain away". 

      I'm currently going for nerve injections and other injections to help me deal with my pain.

      I was also in another accident this past year 2013 and it was almost the same situation, the car behind me was looking out his side window and not looking ahead.  If both incidents would have done this, they would have seen traffic stopped. Both rear ended my car going 45--50 miles an hour.  So, I'm struggling with additional pain in my other leg...specifically the groin area.

      I'm sorry if this seems to be a negative post.  It truly isn't.  It's just a post to open other options or perhaps give you a chance to really check into the stimulator to make sure it's what you desire.  Please write back after you've decided what you will do.  I wish you well.  Nerve pain and back/neck pain is just that...a pain in the neck!!

      Warmly,

      frustrated

    • frustrated61
      frustrated61 catherine56365

      Posted

      Hi Catherine ~

      Sorry to hear you are struggling.  I did get the "itchy" stuff post surgery but was told it was the healing of the muscles, bones, nerves etc...Your doctor should be able to aid you in something to help with those symptoms...at least at night time so you can get a good nights sleep.  I wish you well!

      Frustrated

    • frustrated61
      frustrated61 debbie27473

      Posted

      Debbie...

      I should have mentioned that I had the stimulator put in in 2009 and had it removed in Jan of 2012.  Just to point out that it was relatively recent. 

    • debbie27473
      debbie27473 frustrated61

      Posted

      Hi

      Thankyou for your post. As I stated originally I was due for the permanent implant on 22nd this month but when I went for my pre-op on Tues I was told I have suspected heart problems! They have cancelled the op until they sort this out. This makes me think. I have heard very few positive stories about the stimulators which is a worry. I will ask my brother who is a paramedic consultant to chat to his colleagues at the London hospitals to see if he can get me any stats. Take care and thanks again, Debbie

    • frustrated61
      frustrated61 debbie27473

      Posted

      Hi Debbie ~

      I hope you find that your suspected heart problems are minimal thus making the delay a possible "divine intervention"! Always look for the positive.  Please share what your brother finds out...I would think it quite interesting from a perspective of non-bias.

      Thank you for your response,

      Frustrated

  • debbie27473
    debbie27473 catherine56365

    Posted

    Hi Catherine

    Sorry for the delay in answering. Was at hospital much of yesterday.

    No, I can't remember excessive itching after my op, just the crushing disappointment of being in more pain than before! I hope your neurologist can help. It does sound as if it could be nerve related, especially combined with the head pain. Although, having said this, I do find that if my stress levels go up I get terrible itching on my hands and arms so it may be that. Good luck today at the doctors. Let us know what they say. Debbie.

    • catherine56365
      catherine56365 debbie27473

      Posted

      Hi debbie went to GP got laxatives (not working yet) she reckons i have bowel prolapse or something pressing on lower back as both my calves are tightening up to the point i cant walk for long the itching a healing process she said feel ive gt worse since op not better back at GP s Monday  x
    • debbie27473
      debbie27473 catherine56365

      Posted

      Hi Catherine. If your doc thinks you have bowel prolapse, what has she suggested is the best course of action. Laxatives will only ease the pain which I know will be a relief but what about the problem itself. I know there are treatments that can fix the problem. Has she explained the options to you? I hope you have a more comfortable weekend. Please post on monday if you can. Take care, Debbie
    • frustrated61
      frustrated61 catherine56365

      Posted

      Hi Catherine ~

      I was thinking about your questions after I had already turned my computer off because I knew it sounded somewhat familiar.  This is what I found when my legs cramped, etc....my potassium level was low.  This may sound odd, but a very intelligent teacher once said (in a medical class I was attending in college)...if you get leg cramps, eat a banana!  It does work.  It is my hope that your problem (could) is this simple.  I know how painful leg cramps are as I used to get them all the time, especially while pregnant.  Hope this finds you feeling somewhat better than you've been feeling.

      I'm going to be following your discussion as I'm very curious regarding your post surgery issues.  As if the surgery isn't painful enough, right?

      Take care

      Frustrated

  • DonnaL
    DonnaL catherine56365

    Posted

    Catherine...I'll follow here to see how things go for you. I hope you get to see the neuro doc soon. Your calves tightening up sounds painful - you poor dear. I see my neuro for 3 month followup this coming week. My one disappointment so far is that I'm feeling pain in my buttock and leg that seems like muscle. Not sure. I don't want the sciatic pain again!

    Take care and try to do deep breathing, listen to meditative music, whatever relaxes you.

  • frustrated61
    frustrated61 catherine56365

    Posted

    Catherine ~

    I also remembered that sometimes when the bowels are concerned, it might possibly be nerve damage.  You may want to call and see if you can get in asap!  Good luck and I wish you well

    Frustrated

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