Cervical and Lumbar Spinal Problems causing severe pain

[Kikko]

About 20 yrs ago had cervical laminectomy and 3 yrs ago had multilevel cervical anterior fusion. One yr ago had lumbar fusion at L4 to S1.  I am a healthy 66 yr old female.
Problems are: Weak painful arms and shoulders, head always feels too heavy to hold up. (have been told my cervical spine is unstable and tilting forward). Am constantly dropping things.  I have hand tremors and my handwriting shows it. Recent Cervical MRI with and without contrast, shows posterior disc protrusion, spondylosis and spinal stenosis at C5-6, with extradural defect upon anterior thecal sac and abutment of anterior margin of the cervical cord at this level. Nerve root compression on right at this level.  I also have been suffering with very severe sciatic pain in my left leg to the point that even Loritab 7.5/500 does not touch it.  Can all the above problems be caused from the cervical stenosis? Can the sciatica by caused by the cervical problems or from a possible failed lumbar surgery? Is there any type of testing to see what is causing the sciatica pain? Other than more surgery, is there anything to do for the cervical problems and the sciatica. I was using my treadmill daily, but can no longer do so because of the leg pain.

[blndmom5]

Wow, you have the same exact symptoms i have, and had the same surgery on your neck. I didnt have the surgery on my lumbar spine, so dont know about that. It sounds like you have enough evidence of nerve impingment in your neck to cause symptoms like this, but I am told that it cant cause leg pain! I dont believe that however, because i have it too, and no lumbar problems on MRI. I think that once the spinal chord is that irritated, the nerves get swollen in other places as well as the disc area. Just a theory, but you are not alone! hang in there.

[Kikko]

I feel sorry for you if you are suffering like I am.  I have been told that my neck problem could cause weakness in the legs. And I have been told my neck is unstable, that the vertebra are collapsing forward due to the laminectomy I had done may years ago.  The only thing holding up my head is my neck muscles. I get no support from any of the bone structure in the neck.  Also been told I need to have rods inserted in the front and back of neck to stablized.  It is becoming a Catch 22, I can become paralized without the surgery if it continues to progress.  And if I have the surgery there is a 50%chance I could become paralized.  So right now I am leaving it all in God's hands.