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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Diagnosis/treatment
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Diagnosis/treatment
by bob, Dec 23, 2000 12:00AM
For the past 5 years I have been dealing with severe leg aches and occasional arm numbness. The leg aches are triggered by sitting mostly. After 15 or so minutes, I must get up and walk around. The pain is mostly in a couple of areas( the 6 inches or so just above the knees and the right hip. I have seen every specialist area in the Winston-Salem area particulerly Neuro
and Ortho. Have had muscular and neuro test of all kinds. Tested for ALS MS Myosinia Gravis(sp)arsenic poisioning etc.
To date the only irregularity found has been a slight bulge in disk in the 5-6 c spinal area during one of the 5 MRI's I have had. While the surgeon felt the area was right, he also felt the bulge to be insufficient to cause my symptoms. Recently, I tried out an inversion table, for only a minute or two. After the inversion, I went bowling, and could hardly function. My legs wouldnt allow me to release the ball properly. My nees wouldnt bend enough for me to follow through correctly. Activity had never caused discomfort prior to this. For the next couple of days, my leg aches are more constant and I have pain at the base of the back of my neck. I am curious. Could this indicate that the problem is with the 5-6 cerv, and could it indicate that inversion therapy could help? Could this worsening indicate that continuing the inversions may help? I am extremely frustrated! By the way, I forgot to mention that for about 3 years I received much releif by taking Paxil to mask the pain. This year I discontinued the medicine due to the side effects of constant sleepiness, etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
and Ortho. Have had muscular and neuro test of all kinds. Tested for ALS MS Myosinia Gravis(sp)arsenic poisioning etc.
To date the only irregularity found has been a slight bulge in disk in the 5-6 c spinal area during one of the 5 MRI's I have had. While the surgeon felt the area was right, he also felt the bulge to be insufficient to cause my symptoms. Recently, I tried out an inversion table, for only a minute or two. After the inversion, I went bowling, and could hardly function. My legs wouldnt allow me to release the ball properly. My nees wouldnt bend enough for me to follow through correctly. Activity had never caused discomfort prior to this. For the next couple of days, my leg aches are more constant and I have pain at the base of the back of my neck. I am curious. Could this indicate that the problem is with the 5-6 cerv, and could it indicate that inversion therapy could help? Could this worsening indicate that continuing the inversions may help? I am extremely frustrated! By the way, I forgot to mention that for about 3 years I received much releif by taking Paxil to mask the pain. This year I discontinued the medicine due to the side effects of constant sleepiness, etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS, Dec 23, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Bob:
Sorry that your having problems. It is difficult to tell you what might be causing these symptoms. The good news is that you have all normal testings, although the mild bulge at C5 might worry you. If there is not compromise of the spinal cord, then likely this isn't the problem. It is difficult to see a particular area of pain, such as 6 inches above the knee on one side that is due to a non-specific compromise of the spinal cord, especially if it is of long duration. I am not sure why your had an excerbation after inversion. Paxil is not really a pain medication so I am not sure why this medication helped. It might help if you were somewhat depressed. SSRIs can reduce REM sleep and that is maybe why your sleeping was disrupted. So, I am at a loss on what to tell you. I am sorry.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Sorry that your having problems. It is difficult to tell you what might be causing these symptoms. The good news is that you have all normal testings, although the mild bulge at C5 might worry you. If there is not compromise of the spinal cord, then likely this isn't the problem. It is difficult to see a particular area of pain, such as 6 inches above the knee on one side that is due to a non-specific compromise of the spinal cord, especially if it is of long duration. I am not sure why your had an excerbation after inversion. Paxil is not really a pain medication so I am not sure why this medication helped. It might help if you were somewhat depressed. SSRIs can reduce REM sleep and that is maybe why your sleeping was disrupted. So, I am at a loss on what to tell you. I am sorry.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
