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Neurology (Expert Forum)
worried
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
worried
by G7, Nov 08, 2005 12:00AM
I have been having steroid spinal injections 2-3 a mo. for 5mo. now for 2 herniated & 1 colapsed disc. I am now experiancing severe tenderness in my thoracic region. My herniations are between L4L5 to S1. I cannot lean back in a chair, be hugged, even my bra strap is painful?? Could this tenderness be from the injections? Dr. hit right leg nerve on 2 occassions and my leg went 'dead' for 6-7 hr.'s the weakness is persistant, will this remain?
Also, arm & hand muscle weakness, I have passed out twice over the last 3wk.s since my last inject. & my blood pressure is staying around 84/62??? It is normaly 120/70.
The injections are NOT helping my pain but my Dr.'s do not agree on treatment path, I have sever scoliosis, one says surgery to fuse, the other says my curvature could not handle the straightening and would cause further pain.
I have Degen. disc. dis., spinal stenosis, spondylosis, & osteo arthritis on my spine. I had a slipped capitol femoral epiphisis @ 12 due to injury, L hip & several surgeries on it.
1 18mo. ago to remove old/damaged hardware.
The hip & back confuse symptoms of pain for me at times. And am told I should do a total hip replace. I am only 36, 135lb.'s and maintain daily water arobic for PT and try very hard to manage my pain without so many meds. I have lost my job since last surgery not able to return to full wrk load & now have terrible ins. Not getting many answers & feel dispensible to the Dr.
Any guidance would be helpful.
Also, arm & hand muscle weakness, I have passed out twice over the last 3wk.s since my last inject. & my blood pressure is staying around 84/62??? It is normaly 120/70.
The injections are NOT helping my pain but my Dr.'s do not agree on treatment path, I have sever scoliosis, one says surgery to fuse, the other says my curvature could not handle the straightening and would cause further pain.
I have Degen. disc. dis., spinal stenosis, spondylosis, & osteo arthritis on my spine. I had a slipped capitol femoral epiphisis @ 12 due to injury, L hip & several surgeries on it.
1 18mo. ago to remove old/damaged hardware.
The hip & back confuse symptoms of pain for me at times. And am told I should do a total hip replace. I am only 36, 135lb.'s and maintain daily water arobic for PT and try very hard to manage my pain without so many meds. I have lost my job since last surgery not able to return to full wrk load & now have terrible ins. Not getting many answers & feel dispensible to the Dr.
Any guidance would be helpful.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Nov 12, 2005 12:00AM
1) injections in the lumbar region should not give pain higher up, however if there is point tenderness there and you have been getting steroids for a while, a small vertebral fracture from thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) should be excluded by xrays.
2) I cannot comment on what the cause of the persistent weakness after the injection - have this looked at by your neurologist to see if there is any nerve involvement.
3) passing out and low blood pressure are potentially serious symptoms and should be evaluated by your family doctor for any heart or vascular causes.
4) your spinal problems seem to be very complex, without seeing your scans and knowing your examination its hard for me to give you any specific advice. An experienced spine doctor needs to try and seperate out the specific problems to your symptoms and decide with you whether surgery might be successful - obviously unneccessary surgery could make matters worse.
Good luck
2) I cannot comment on what the cause of the persistent weakness after the injection - have this looked at by your neurologist to see if there is any nerve involvement.
3) passing out and low blood pressure are potentially serious symptoms and should be evaluated by your family doctor for any heart or vascular causes.
4) your spinal problems seem to be very complex, without seeing your scans and knowing your examination its hard for me to give you any specific advice. An experienced spine doctor needs to try and seperate out the specific problems to your symptoms and decide with you whether surgery might be successful - obviously unneccessary surgery could make matters worse.
Good luck
Also, what is 'neuroforaminal stenosis'at L4-5, and 'facette arthopathy' at L3-4 through L5-S1, as this is listed on my diagnosis but never mentioned to me.
Your symptoms are worrisome. You may have an infection brewing at the site of the injection which is giving you such pain, lowering your blood pressure, etc. If these symptoms are truly new since the injection -- please, go to a physician ASAP and have your spine checked by an MRI or CT as well as get a blood count checked to rule out any ongoing infection.
At times you don't have to have a fever or be sick overall, yet your system tries to rid itself from a local abscess which could present a big problem later on.
Good luck.
I was wondering if they changed any of your med as of late. Some pain meds make my bp go way down. Hope something starts to get better soon I'll be praying for you. God bless