worried about neuro problem

[patsy10]

Developed sudden onset weakness ,bilateral legs after riding lawn mower 5/05.  I did hit a bump and felt my neck hurt.  I had a known herniated disc C-5/6 from 2002.  The symptoms progressed to numbness tingling arms, legs, burning paresthesias down to toes.  Had MRI C-spine which showed protrusion in same area  causing moderate degree of mass effect and extradural effect on thecal sac and exiting C6 nerve root right side, mild canal stenosis.  I also had urinary frequency.  I saw neuro and he said he could tell by leg reflexes it was cord coompression, sent me to neurosurgeon.  Neuro surgeon said the same.  I also had MRI/w of brain(normal).
I developed some facial numbness left side and balance problem late Aug.  Surgeon said this was do to cervical problem.
I had surgery 8/22/05. Diskectomy with fusion and titanium plate.
Had severe pain post-op, given Medrol dose pack.  I developed muscle twitching, weakness, numbness all over my body.  Surgeon said not from surgery. Post-op MRI ok. Neuro said he has no clue and sent me to another neuro who said wan't sure if it was from the myelopathy or from possible myelitis.  I also had a similar neuro syndrome in 1993 with fevers, strange rash, elevated LFT's. I saw CCF neuro at that time, LP and MRI/MRA normal.  He said I had a central nervous system problem but he had no idea what it was.
I am now 8 weeks post-op.  Is it too soon to see a CCF neuro? I have significant leg weakness, tingling(generalized) and pain in back between shoulder blades and sacral area and scalp. I appreciate any comments you have as I am scared.

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

i cannot give you a clinical diagnosis over the internet, without knowing your case and studies in more detail

your symptoms in 5/05 do sound like cord compression - su rgery will prevent any further worsening, but will not necessarily reverse pain or neurological deficits already acquired at that time. Recurrent pain or focal neurological symptoms postop should be investiugated in case there is a disc fragment or recurrent stenosis - you seem to have had this done with an MRI?
It may be just postop pain/scarring from the surgery causing the symptoms so one option is to treat symptomatically, given the MRI is normal and see if it settles down. Make sure that the p athology analysis of the removed tissue was normal and not for instance an abnormal growth that predisposed to disc protrusion/rupture. THe fever rash and LFTs sound somewhat like either a drug reaction or a viral syndrome, which may be the case this time also. Weakness over the whole body can be something called guillan barre syndrome - an inflma tory reaction in the nervous system triggered by su rgery, viruses etc - this can be evaluated by an LP. Check with your neurologist about these possibilities, as I cannot confirm or rule them out, and see the CCF neuro again if necessary.

Good luck

[patsy10]

I am 42 yo female.

[johnflox]

Did you take any antibiotic as profilaxis against a potential infection post-surgery? If so, have you checked its side effects?

[patsy10]

I only had a dose of Vancomycin 1 gram IV pre-op.

[Tomorrow447]

Hello Patsy,

I am so sorry that you are suffering with all this pain and numbness. I also had the same surgery on C5-6 last month. You probably don't want to hear that I have no pain in my neck (except for my husband) lol.

I think that so much of your recovery is also going to depend on how badly your cord was compressed. I have researched and read over the years that it can take a great deal of time for nerves to heal, some articles even said up to 2 years, but most about 1 year. I also developed many nerve and muscular problems when I had my lumbar fusion 2 years ago. I had and still have muscle twitching and nerve damage. It might be beneficial to you to have a Myelogram. This test will give great films and be able to tell if their is a disc fragment pressing on any nerves as the doctor has stated. Also I am not sure how long you will have to wait before you can have an EMG. I had this about a year after my fusion surgery and it showed Bilateral Chronic L4 versus L5 Radiculopathy & Polyneuropathy. But you are only 2 months post op and still have much time to see how things settle down and heal. Most neuro surgeons and neurologists do prescribe either Neurontin or Topamax for nerve pain while in recovery. For muscle pain you could maybe have a muscle relaxant prescribed as you are probably having many spasms. The one med that you cannot take during a fusion recovery is NSAID's (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs) as this can interfere with the fusing process. I completely understand what you are going through and will keep you in my prayers for a fast and painless recovery.

[patsy10]

Thanks for the encouragement.  This has been a nightmare.  I hope I recover.  I am taking Neurontin for the numbness and tingling.  My cord was compressed for 3 months.  I used to exercise regularly and now I cannot.  Patsy

[Tomsmum]

Hi how do i post on here, sorry i am posting this on your post but i am frantic, and need to ask,

My son is 9 had 2 surgeries and total resection firstly of brain tumour, then 2nd turned out to be scar tissue, tumour was anaplastic ependymoma,

his wound not healing after 2nd surgery, due to radiotheraphy, having csf leaks, had drains, now a lumbar shunt,
things not working, has reinforced stitches at wound site, and major bandage to stop leak, now has, build up of different brain fluid(not csf) dont know name of it, small brain hemorrhage, and numbness and tingling down his left side which has already had weakness,
has had vommtting on and off, up and down temperatures, and headaches,
need to know how  another neurosurgeon would treat please someone help, im goin thru absolute hell, and cant find any help????????????????????
***@****

[kijaja27]

Over the past two years, I have been experiencing tingling on the left side of my face as well down the whole left side of my body and recently I am experiencing pain, swelling and tingling in both lower extremities and sometimes all over my body.  I am worried that this may be DVT or nueropathy.  Is this normal or should I see a doctor.  It always seems to go away and come back but now the tingling in the legs seems almost consistant, however the pain and stiffness seem to be improved I also catch a lot of muscle cramps in my upper back along with pain and stiffness of the neck.  What in the world could this be.  I was involved in a car accident that almost killed me about 20 years ago

[patsy10]

I would definitely see a neurologist.  You could have a bad disc in your neck.  Good luck!