Peripheral Neuropathy-Cause-Nerve Compression-Endoscopic Discectomy?

Posted By NanceeT on June 11, 1999 at 09:48:44
Hello,
I am a 40year old female with a minimal bulge seen at the L5/S1 level on a sagital MRI view.  I have normal blood screening for thyroid, diabetes etc.  My EMG shows an abnormal study demonstrating lumbosacral radiculopathies, spontaneous activity and mildly neurogenic recruitment patterns were seen in bilateral gastrocnemius.  spontaneous activity was also observed in bilateral L5/S1 paraspinal muscles.  Increased insertional activity with runs of CRDS were noted in the L3/4 paraspinals.
I have previously undergone Gamma Knife surgery for Trigemnial Neuralgia,and Decompression, Partial Laminectomy of C-1 and Duraplasty for ACM with two Syrinxes.  (I mention these surgeries due to the fact that I would appreciate your take on changes in CSF pressure causing my symptoms also.)
I am currently taking Neurontin 1800mg, Elavil 75 mg, along with oxycontin for pain and burning sensations in my feet, and continued chairi head pain.  I have no pain radiating from my back to my feet.  I have allot of back pain.  I have constant foot pain, and constant burning in the soles of my feet.  I have weakness in my left leg.  I have numb areas on my feet and legs, and have trouble with sharp recognition vs. dull.  This has all been documentated by my pain therapist, my neurologist and physical therapist.
Physical therapy is not helping.  If anything, it is aggrivating the situation some days to cause me to limp.  My medication is masking the pain, and my physical therapist says that I may be doing irreversable nerve damage if I do not have surgery.
My neurologist and neurosurgeon are not sure that the bulge and the feet pain are related and I may have peripheral neuropathy.  I have had blood tests etc. with no positive results for any problems that would cause neuropathies.
I have located a surgeon who performs endoscopic disectomy for cases such as mine.  He is located on the internet at http://www.spineonline.com.  He suggests a discography and this procedure if the results of the discography warrant.  He is located in California...and that is a great distance from Chicago though.
I would value your opinion on proceeding with this procedure in hopes of stopping my misery.  There is also microdisectomy...of which there is more bone and tissue removed...I believe...but could this procedure, possibly have better long term results?
I have also had three epidurals which made the pain dissapear in my feet for 24-36 hours.  This, could also be a good sign for the disc being the cause of the ridulopathy in my feet, yes?
I am sorry if this has been too long, but I truly value your opinion and am desperate for some guidance.  Thank you very much, in advance, for your kind advice.
Hugs, NanceeT










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Re: Peripheral Neuropathy-Cause-Nerve Compression-Endoscopic Discectomy? CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS 6/12/1999
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Peripheral Neuropathy-Cause-Nerve Compression-Endoscopic Discectomy? nanceet 6/12/1999
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Re: Peripheral Neuropathy-Cause-Nerve Compression-Endoscopic Discectomy? nanceeT 6/13/1999
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Re: Peripheral Neuropathy-Cause-Nerve Compression-Endoscopic Discectomy? chris 6/11/1999
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Peripheral Neuropathy-Cause-Nerve Compression-Endoscopic Discectomy? CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS 6/12/1999
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