Aa
I am so mad right now - but at the same time relieved! Crazy - Comments?
On a whim, I e-mailed my orthopedic surgeon yesterday asking him point blank - "can a protrusion/problem in either the cervical or lumbar spine cause burning feet". He calls this am right away - His answer ' YES '. WTH???????????????????????????
This ALL started in October - I went to see my primary physician. I asked him the same question. In fact, that was the reason I went to see him. I asked him to send me for a cervical spine MRI - because I think something in there is wreaking havoc and causing my burning feet. He said "no, let's send you for a brain MRI and a neurologist because this is a representation of MS".
THEN, the ball begins rolling on this diagnosis which never came to be because every single test came out normal and believe me, I had a major workup. So, my 1st appt. with the neuro, I ask him the same question - the same one - he says "No, problems with the neck cannot cause parastheses of the feet or legs". He's a neuro, I believed him - so off I went for a boat load of testing to see if I had some neurological disorder.
Then the whole diabetes thing. My BS's have always been pretty normal, but ever since I started this Gabapentin - they have gone up. I called him to ask him if this drug makes BS go high - he says no. Now, I cannot believe him. Possibly not the drug, but the drug making me gain 9 lbs, has made my BS's higher. Who knows. Regardless, I've put in a call to my neuro and I'm waiting for his call back. I'm going to tell him to take me off the Gabapentin - because when I make an appt. with my OS - he wants to send me for injections of the neck and see if that helps and I want to know if it's the ESI working or not. So, I can't be on the Gaba - because I won' tknow if it's the ESI working or the drug - because right now, the Gaba is NOT working at all. Yes, he could increase dosage as he's said, but I don't see the point right now.
My OS also said that normally what'd they do in this situation is a one level fusion, clean up the disk and such, surgery. I told I want to avoid that at all costs, so he suggested the ESI's and said I need to come in for " tune up". SO, I am PSYCHED about this - no MS, most likely no diabetes (have appt. tomorrow to find out) - just my darn neck causing all these problems. Would also explain why I have had problems swallowing and major heartburn for who knows how long a few months (but are also MS symptoms). What a RIDE - I'll keep ya posted.
Thanks! I'm so glad I am my own patient advocate!!!
This ALL started in October - I went to see my primary physician. I asked him the same question. In fact, that was the reason I went to see him. I asked him to send me for a cervical spine MRI - because I think something in there is wreaking havoc and causing my burning feet. He said "no, let's send you for a brain MRI and a neurologist because this is a representation of MS".
THEN, the ball begins rolling on this diagnosis which never came to be because every single test came out normal and believe me, I had a major workup. So, my 1st appt. with the neuro, I ask him the same question - the same one - he says "No, problems with the neck cannot cause parastheses of the feet or legs". He's a neuro, I believed him - so off I went for a boat load of testing to see if I had some neurological disorder.
Then the whole diabetes thing. My BS's have always been pretty normal, but ever since I started this Gabapentin - they have gone up. I called him to ask him if this drug makes BS go high - he says no. Now, I cannot believe him. Possibly not the drug, but the drug making me gain 9 lbs, has made my BS's higher. Who knows. Regardless, I've put in a call to my neuro and I'm waiting for his call back. I'm going to tell him to take me off the Gabapentin - because when I make an appt. with my OS - he wants to send me for injections of the neck and see if that helps and I want to know if it's the ESI working or not. So, I can't be on the Gaba - because I won' tknow if it's the ESI working or the drug - because right now, the Gaba is NOT working at all. Yes, he could increase dosage as he's said, but I don't see the point right now.
My OS also said that normally what'd they do in this situation is a one level fusion, clean up the disk and such, surgery. I told I want to avoid that at all costs, so he suggested the ESI's and said I need to come in for " tune up". SO, I am PSYCHED about this - no MS, most likely no diabetes (have appt. tomorrow to find out) - just my darn neck causing all these problems. Would also explain why I have had problems swallowing and major heartburn for who knows how long a few months (but are also MS symptoms). What a RIDE - I'll keep ya posted.
Thanks! I'm so glad I am my own patient advocate!!!
Hey Spanx,
Good luck today. Check out this website, I found it last year when I was researching my MRI's, which showed some issues in the Cervical area, my neck (still does off and on) was killing me, down my arm, etc. The reports showed issues on the same side of the probs.
The animations on this site are pretty cool, shows the HNP's, spine, etc. . .
http://www.drdillin.com/education/animation.htm
SL
Good luck today. Check out this website, I found it last year when I was researching my MRI's, which showed some issues in the Cervical area, my neck (still does off and on) was killing me, down my arm, etc. The reports showed issues on the same side of the probs.
The animations on this site are pretty cool, shows the HNP's, spine, etc. . .
http://www.drdillin.com/education/animation.htm
SL
Hi everyone - Yes, the Nerves go to arms and hands (from the neck) , however if the disc or materials from the disc are impinging the spinal cord (narrowing it), that can cause problems all over your body, including your legs and feet.
I did research this before I even went to my very first Dr. in October, but he told me otherwise, and I believed him. Ah well, just goes to show you and you guys know better than anyone, you have to be your own healthcare advocate, double check everything, get 2nd opinions, etc. What I'm thinking of doing, is taking that 2nd opinion that neuro offered to me to see another neuro and just see what he says about the cervical spine and such and maybe he can offer an opinion from a neurosurgeon or orthopedist in that hospital and then go from there. I don't know what I'm going to do yet. First of all, I'm going to see my Dr. this afternoon to get results/diagnosis, whatever on this whole diabetes thing and go from there. I'll keep you all updated and THANK YOU so much for being here for me - hugs to you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sandra
I did research this before I even went to my very first Dr. in October, but he told me otherwise, and I believed him. Ah well, just goes to show you and you guys know better than anyone, you have to be your own healthcare advocate, double check everything, get 2nd opinions, etc. What I'm thinking of doing, is taking that 2nd opinion that neuro offered to me to see another neuro and just see what he says about the cervical spine and such and maybe he can offer an opinion from a neurosurgeon or orthopedist in that hospital and then go from there. I don't know what I'm going to do yet. First of all, I'm going to see my Dr. this afternoon to get results/diagnosis, whatever on this whole diabetes thing and go from there. I'll keep you all updated and THANK YOU so much for being here for me - hugs to you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sandra
CRAIGS WIFE GAVE YOU GREAT ADVICE.
PLEASE GET A SECOND OPINION FROM A SPINAL SURGEON WITH A SPINAL FELLOWSHIP,YOUR MRI'S SHOW MILD INPINGEMENTS THAT DOES CAUSE RESIDUAL SYMPTOMS.
MANY DRS LIKE TO GET INJECTION HAPPY AND THERE ARE SIDE EFFECTS.THEY SAY NO MORE THAN 3 A YEAR.
THATS GREAT THE MS HAS BEEN RULED OUT.
PLEASE GET A SECOND OPINION BEFORE LETTING ANY DR ,START INJECTIONS AND CUTTING.
I WAS LEFT DISABLED WHEN I WAS 33 FROM A BACK SURGERY,I WAS MISINFORMED,I CAN'T TURN BACK THE CLOCK,BUT I SURE STRESS THE OPTIONS OF A SECOND OPINION AND EVEN MILD PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP HEAL THE DISK.
I DON'T WANT YA TO RUSH INTO ANY PROCEDURE THAT MAY CAUSE YOU HARM DOWN THE ROAD.
T
PLEASE GET A SECOND OPINION FROM A SPINAL SURGEON WITH A SPINAL FELLOWSHIP,YOUR MRI'S SHOW MILD INPINGEMENTS THAT DOES CAUSE RESIDUAL SYMPTOMS.
MANY DRS LIKE TO GET INJECTION HAPPY AND THERE ARE SIDE EFFECTS.THEY SAY NO MORE THAN 3 A YEAR.
THATS GREAT THE MS HAS BEEN RULED OUT.
PLEASE GET A SECOND OPINION BEFORE LETTING ANY DR ,START INJECTIONS AND CUTTING.
I WAS LEFT DISABLED WHEN I WAS 33 FROM A BACK SURGERY,I WAS MISINFORMED,I CAN'T TURN BACK THE CLOCK,BUT I SURE STRESS THE OPTIONS OF A SECOND OPINION AND EVEN MILD PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP HEAL THE DISK.
I DON'T WANT YA TO RUSH INTO ANY PROCEDURE THAT MAY CAUSE YOU HARM DOWN THE ROAD.
T
Sorry, I have been reminded by someone tonight that burning feet can be caused by a problem in the cervical spine. I am just over-cautious because of what happened with Craig.
I wish you the best in your search for answers.
Elaine
I wish you the best in your search for answers.
Elaine
Hi. I am a nurse in my old life, now a stay at home mom. I looked up the nerve roots for C8, C6 C7. None of them go to the feet. They go to the arms and different parts of the arms too, deltoids, triceps, etc.
I can understand your frustration but I would really not go the epidural steroid route unless you are in significant pain in your arms. i doubt it will do anything for your feet.
Also, orthopedic surgeons like to do surgery and injections. Please make sure what you want relief from. My husband Craig, who is being evaluated neurologically for severe leg weakness to the point that he can no longer jump, run, or move his legs in the water to swim, has a 40 percent bone loss of his spine from osteoporosis. He spent a year going to five neurosurgeons and one orthopedic surgeon. He kept hoping that someone would tell him that his leg weakness was from his spine bone loss.
He had SEVEN MRI's of his spine in 2007, desperately looking for spine stenosis, disc disease, anything to point a finger at and say "this is what is causing my leg problems". Every neurosurgeon said that you have to have severe spinal stenosis to cause leg problems. It would be rare for any stenosis to cause burning feet. That is usually a classic neurological sign.
Anyway, my point is that to be careful. Your cervical spine is not that bad and you have no moderate or severe stenosis. The injections can be harmful to the liver so be careful.
By the way, the five neurosurgeons told Craig that the leg weakness was not caused by the spine bone loss. However, the ONE orthopedic surgeon was very anxious to operate and or do injections. Just to see if there was anything wrong not showing up on the MRI. Of course I would not let him agree to that.
Good Luck. I checked my drug book and weight gain is not an official side effect of Gabapentin, but everyone is different.
Elaine
I can understand your frustration but I would really not go the epidural steroid route unless you are in significant pain in your arms. i doubt it will do anything for your feet.
Also, orthopedic surgeons like to do surgery and injections. Please make sure what you want relief from. My husband Craig, who is being evaluated neurologically for severe leg weakness to the point that he can no longer jump, run, or move his legs in the water to swim, has a 40 percent bone loss of his spine from osteoporosis. He spent a year going to five neurosurgeons and one orthopedic surgeon. He kept hoping that someone would tell him that his leg weakness was from his spine bone loss.
He had SEVEN MRI's of his spine in 2007, desperately looking for spine stenosis, disc disease, anything to point a finger at and say "this is what is causing my leg problems". Every neurosurgeon said that you have to have severe spinal stenosis to cause leg problems. It would be rare for any stenosis to cause burning feet. That is usually a classic neurological sign.
Anyway, my point is that to be careful. Your cervical spine is not that bad and you have no moderate or severe stenosis. The injections can be harmful to the liver so be careful.
By the way, the five neurosurgeons told Craig that the leg weakness was not caused by the spine bone loss. However, the ONE orthopedic surgeon was very anxious to operate and or do injections. Just to see if there was anything wrong not showing up on the MRI. Of course I would not let him agree to that.
Good Luck. I checked my drug book and weight gain is not an official side effect of Gabapentin, but everyone is different.
Elaine
Oops, and of course, BURNING FEET. Now, this is bilateral burning and sometimes goes up my ankles. It is also not all the time. It happens mostly when I am sitting, however, sometimes can occur when I am standing, but hardly EVER when I am laying down. It is not relieved by changing my diet, shoes, socks or anything else (I've tried it all).
Hi again - here are MRI Cervical Results taken in October. As for my symptoms ...well, let's see - arm and sholder pain and of course neck pain that is 24-7 mostly on the left side. I have also developed problems swallowing, tightness in the throat and heartburn over the last 3 months. I don't know if these symptoms go hand in hand or not, I have no idea ;) The latter could have to do with the medication. I have had neck problems since 12 yrs. old.
As for Lumbar Spine - that's a mess too. Right now, last MRI was 23 days ago and I have both right and left S1 roots being pinched. If you want to see those results too, let me know.I also had Thoracic done in October - have a bulging disk there too. GEE, I'm just a boat load, aren't I???? LOL!
**MRI Cervical Spine without Contrast. The vertebrae are normally aligned. Stature of the vertebral bodies is maintained. Spinal cord is of normal morphology with exception of ventral impression on the cord in the left paramedian location at C6-7 secondary to moderate protrusion of the nucleus pulposus. There is no evidence of tonsillar herniation, and the foramen magnum is normal in appearance. There is mild/moderate broad-based bulging in the disk/endplate complex at C5-6, but this finding does not cause impression on the spinal cord, there is no spinal or foraminal stenosis at this level.
Impression: Significant protrusion of the nucleus pulposus at C6-7, finding is positioned in the left paramedian location and causes mild ventral impression on the spinal cord. It is also possible that this finding may impinge the traversing left C8 root. Otherwise unremarkable MRI of the cervical spine.
As for Lumbar Spine - that's a mess too. Right now, last MRI was 23 days ago and I have both right and left S1 roots being pinched. If you want to see those results too, let me know.I also had Thoracic done in October - have a bulging disk there too. GEE, I'm just a boat load, aren't I???? LOL!
**MRI Cervical Spine without Contrast. The vertebrae are normally aligned. Stature of the vertebral bodies is maintained. Spinal cord is of normal morphology with exception of ventral impression on the cord in the left paramedian location at C6-7 secondary to moderate protrusion of the nucleus pulposus. There is no evidence of tonsillar herniation, and the foramen magnum is normal in appearance. There is mild/moderate broad-based bulging in the disk/endplate complex at C5-6, but this finding does not cause impression on the spinal cord, there is no spinal or foraminal stenosis at this level.
Impression: Significant protrusion of the nucleus pulposus at C6-7, finding is positioned in the left paramedian location and causes mild ventral impression on the spinal cord. It is also possible that this finding may impinge the traversing left C8 root. Otherwise unremarkable MRI of the cervical spine.
Hi there. Thanks for your note. I'm not sure I understand (sorry). My C6/C7 is impinging the spinal cord. Is that what you mean by a block?
I'm thinking that maybe he was answering the question in terms of the lumbar spine because those are the nerves that "manage" those extremities. C-spine would be hands. It's one reason different forms of spine trauma lead to different levels of paralysis--a C-spine trauma might result in quadriplegia (cuts off signaling from C-spine down), but a lumbar trauma might end in paraplegia because the hands remain unaffected. Your L5 nerves down are in charge of what happens in your feet.
This link shows a good map of where the nerve roots governing the lower extremities originate:
http://www.maturespine.com/images/sciatica.gif
And this shows innervation via C-spine:
http://www.aan.com/familypractice/html/chp9_files/image003.jpg
So...it would be unlikely to be sourced in the C-spine UNLESS you're also experiencing paresthesias in your hands, indicating a block/interference at C-spine that inhibits everything south of that point. Are you?
E
This link shows a good map of where the nerve roots governing the lower extremities originate:
http://www.maturespine.com/images/sciatica.gif
And this shows innervation via C-spine:
http://www.aan.com/familypractice/html/chp9_files/image003.jpg
So...it would be unlikely to be sourced in the C-spine UNLESS you're also experiencing paresthesias in your hands, indicating a block/interference at C-spine that inhibits everything south of that point. Are you?
E
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Persistence pays off!
I can't believe this, well, I can, and do believe you, but, WOW Spanx!
I'm fairly speechless.
Hey, on the side, I was dx'd last year with MS, as you know, but too have neck issues, and swallowing and major heartburn type probs. . . . hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
ttys,
SL
I can't believe this, well, I can, and do believe you, but, WOW Spanx!
I'm fairly speechless.
Hey, on the side, I was dx'd last year with MS, as you know, but too have neck issues, and swallowing and major heartburn type probs. . . . hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
ttys,
SL
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