Could it be caudia equina?

[lmichaels]

I wrote the other day regarding a disc reherniation. I saw my neuro doc 3/26. He showed me the MRI and said there was no reherniation. He also said there is no stenosis. He said the urinary and "manhood" problems were probably caused by the Neurontin and told me to stop it immediately. His final diagnosis was that I probably stretched or irritated the nerves. He said to take it easy for a week. If the bladder/manhood problems don't resolve by next Tues 4/1 then call back and we'll from there.  Mcphee posted a comment that it sounds like CES. I am still getting weak in the legs with pressure in my lower back at the beltline and down the center of the buttcrack. Lately I've been getting a muscle twitching in both my legs and feet. Even when I am lying in bed relaxing the muscle twitch.  Its not constantly only sporadictly. Do you think I just need rest to let the nerve heal or could there be some other problem.  My wife is upset with me and I don't blame her because I bring up the subject everyday and she has enough to deal with on her own.
Please help.

[junquete]

A related discussion, piriformis syndrome was started.

[Lana M]

I "pulled" my piriformus muscle, or at least that is what I was told about 13 years ago. I didn't sit down for about a year and it finally got better.  

Since I had an epidural for delivery in May 2001 the low back pain has never gone away.  I was told epidural after childbirth always had back pain and it would go away, it does and then comes back. I feel like my feet have been inflated in the morning when I get up and I can hardly walk, this after lying in bed does nothing to get rid of the low back pain all night.  I don't have incontenence, but I don't have complete control either, and my legs are so weak I can no longer stand up from a stoop without help- all nothing severe, but after reading about CES I wonder?  I have never had an MRI or an x-ray, and have never been seen any further about my back, but never had a problem until the epidural.  I have read less than 1% can get CES from this procedure and think I should pursue with my DR.

The strange thing is I went to the Dr because my chin kept going numb.  He did not see any Neurologic problems but has referred me to a neurologist and doing blood tests for everything including cancer for the "numb chin"  though it only tingles.  He thinks I have hyperventilation syndrome...and all of that info also led me to CES.

Wondering if anyone else has CES from epidural procedures?

[cyndi57]

I wanted to ask; are you taking Celexa or any other antidepressants? My husband took it for a year due to low back aches from herniations at L4 & L5-S1 as the discomfort woke him continuously. The severe twiching in his legs started, some bowel and urination problems began. The twiching, in the legs, was all night and kept he and I awake. We ended up seeing a neurologist who thought it may have been a tumor of MS. We went through 3 sets of MRIs of the brain, neck, thoracic and nothing! The Neurologist went over the my husbands meds again (When I was at the appointment) asked us both what my husband was taking and I said Celexa also. He told him to go off the Celexa; the twiching and others problems slowly began to go away. Now, 3 months off of the Celexa, my husband has no leg twiching, no bowel or urination problems, and has no other male problems.
Be sure to double check your medications with your physician or see a neurologist! It may be worth your while!

[booyaa]

It takes a long time for that nerve to heal and regenerate.  I was astounded by that process.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

Although there is one case report of urinary incontinence with neurontin in the medical literature, impotence, bladder problems, sensory changes, and weakness in the setting of known lumbosacral spine disease and surgery are concerning for problems of the spinal cord which include conus medullaris syndrome or cauda equina syndrome.  Although the MRI is somewhat reassuring, I would still consider a second opinion from a neurosurgeon, especially if you're getting worse. Good luck.