L5 S1 Disk Herniation

[dent1039]

I have a significant disk herniation (L5 S1). In fact, I am already scheduled for a laminectomy surgery in a couple weeks. Over the last few days i have began to experience a very mild & irritating pain in my bladder/prostate area occasionally extending into the urethra. I only tend to experience this pain while sitting down; if i stand it seems to go away. I've been looking online and can't get a definitive answer on whether or not nerve compression (which i definitely have) can cause this. Other symptoms include extreme lower back pain extending down my buttock and down my leg with weakness (pain switches from left to right side on any given day).

Is this something that I should bring up to my surgeon or should the surgery take care of it?

Thanks.

[wizaroo]

Dr. Srivastava,

I have much of the same symptoms dent1039 describes.  Diagnosed via MRI, CT and Bone Scan with, Herniated L5-S1 of which I have received nerve root injections, coccydynia of which I also received several injections (which actually helped that area a lot) and Chronic Non-bacterial Prostatitis (propecia as I'm allergic to Flowmax).  For the Prostatitis I took all of the usual tests and antibiotics as well as the full scope (ouch) and multiple and regular PSA testing (1.5 and recently 1.4).  I have sore testicles (vasectomy), pain at the base of the penis sides, perineum cramping, horizontal numbness at the sacrum level (nerve root injections), severe side buttocks muscle cramping and uncontrolled clenching of buttocks muscles that was diagnosed as possible Hip Bursitis (injection in each hip).  Also taking two 4mg Tizanidine at night only.  Taking these during the day tends to make me dysfunctional at work.  Ejaculation makes the groin area cramping much worse for several days.  Most recently I received two nerve root injections into my SI joint (?) in my sacrum.  That did very little.  Yesterday I underwent electro-diagnostics studies and it was determined that there is no permanent nerve or muscle damage.  First good news.

This has been going on almost exactly a year now and almost all symptoms started within 2 weeks.  Until the last couple of months until I started seeing the pain doctor I was seriously thinking of giving up.  He has brought me back from a 24 hour a day 10, to a 5-6 daily.  I'll survive like this but since i can't stand or sit for more than a few minutes this greatly affects everything I do and my quality of life.  I've been very active until now, I'm 48.  

In the process of all of the diagnostic testing it was determined i have early signs of gals stones and more importantly a "bone island" or "lesion" on the internal side of one of my hip blades. I'm not a Dr.  It was explained to me that this might be serious but would be watched for changes over the next six months or so and that it shows signs of new bone growth activity.  I'm concerned that all of these symptoms are related to something that all of these doctors aren't putting together.  

Please any ideas?
Thank you for your time.

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Thank you very much for your question; although it is quite hard for me to give you a precise opinion here without being able to examine you, but I would try to provide you some relevant information about your health concern.

In slipped disc or disc prolapse/herniation conditions symptoms may originate due to nerve root pressure, pressure on the spinal cord and pressure on the tail bone. Common symptoms could be paralysis of muscles, pain radiating to the arms or legs, leg pain and numbness, tingling, or weakness. Warning symptoms can include loss of control of the bladder function, numbness/pain at genital areas, paralysis & spasticity of both the legs. In addition, if you are suffering continuous weakness and notice reduced strength of muscle bulk in leg, please arrange an appointment with a neurologist right away. Further referral to a physiotherapist for spinal exercises could be beneficial and may produce relief of symptoms. Hope this helps. Take Care & Stay Healthy!!!