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Back & Neck Community
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lumbar radiculopathy
by Cin56, Jun 19, 2008 09:35PM
Hi, I had an L4-L5 laminectomy in 2003, with just a few instances of back trouble since. My surgery was an emergency, including Air-Vac from St. Anthony North hospital (Denver, CO) to St. Anthony Central hospital at 6 pm. Neuro surgeon was called in and I was on the operating table by 8 pm. I was ridiculously ignorant by letting it reach the point of my losing the feeling in both legs for about 4 days. My history was such that the numerous times in my life (I am now 52 yrs old) in which I would "tweek" my lower back, a few days of bed rest, heating pad and muscle/pain medicine would always do the trick. Well, this time, even though I was in tremendous pain, and losing my leg function (I still had control over my bowels) and constant muscle spasms toe-to-top of both legs, I kept thinking it would improve. So, needless to say, Mom called the ambulance and off I went on a journey that by the time I was placed in the helicopter, the answer to my question: "Will I ever walk again?", was, "I don't know". My wonderful neuro surgeon told me the next day that had I waited 2 more days, I would not be walking--EVER! (This is just a warning to anyone out there contemplating seeking help before your symtoms reach the point where mine did!!!!!!!).
Anyway, my current situation is that about 4 weeks ago, I began to experience, while going to sleep, a little hip discomfort, same side as my old surgery. That went away by the next night, but moved to my lower back for a night or two. (nothing excruciating). Then, the pain seemed to migrate to my pelvis and did become very painful, non-stop for 3 days before I went to a Women's Clinic--thought I might have something going on with my left ovary. They did a pelvic exam, found nothing wrong, sent me to E/R. By this time that day, the pain had moved upwards to the bottom of my belly, left side. They did a CT scan, bloodwork, etc., all of which came back normal and I was told I had "gas" and sent home. I was right back at the E/R that night because the pain had moved to the middle of my abdomin and a small swelling was occuring. Over the course of the last 4 weeks, I have been to the E/R 8 times. The response from 6 out of 8 of the Drs has been, "Yes, there is swelling, but all tests are normal and we just don't know" (including an Ultrasound by this time). 2 of the docs treated me like I was just coming there to get pain medicine and have been so "rude" and unprofessional. (Oh, I was referred to a Gastroenterologist, who upon examination told me that he did not think this was an abdominal issue, but an 'Adominal Wall Pain' issue, referred me to a Neurologist. THANK GOD!!!!!!!! She worked me in after one of my E/R visits, directly around the corner at the hospital. She suspected a nerve root problem, possibly from my old surgery, possibly different disc. My MRI was done yesterday, and I am being put on a very much stonger steroid (Dexamethazone) and will meet with her in 5 days, after the ENORMOUS swelling has somewhat subsided (my left abdominal wall). I do not know any more except that I do have a condition called "lumbar radiculopathy".
After all this, my searches have not revealed anything about 'abdominal wall pain' accompanying this situation. It is where most of the pain (which is so severe at times!) is, and my left side has 2 huge bulges, so much so that I have had to get some very large pants, in order to pull them up high enough not to press on the bulge (the pants ending up right underneath my bottom left rib!). Don't wear underwear, too uncomfortable.
I'm sure I will find out much more on Tues, but thought I would share this. Anyone having anything remotely similar, or anyone know any reason why I would be having these symtoms on my abdomin more than my lumbar region?
Sincerely,
Concerned
Anyway, my current situation is that about 4 weeks ago, I began to experience, while going to sleep, a little hip discomfort, same side as my old surgery. That went away by the next night, but moved to my lower back for a night or two. (nothing excruciating). Then, the pain seemed to migrate to my pelvis and did become very painful, non-stop for 3 days before I went to a Women's Clinic--thought I might have something going on with my left ovary. They did a pelvic exam, found nothing wrong, sent me to E/R. By this time that day, the pain had moved upwards to the bottom of my belly, left side. They did a CT scan, bloodwork, etc., all of which came back normal and I was told I had "gas" and sent home. I was right back at the E/R that night because the pain had moved to the middle of my abdomin and a small swelling was occuring. Over the course of the last 4 weeks, I have been to the E/R 8 times. The response from 6 out of 8 of the Drs has been, "Yes, there is swelling, but all tests are normal and we just don't know" (including an Ultrasound by this time). 2 of the docs treated me like I was just coming there to get pain medicine and have been so "rude" and unprofessional. (Oh, I was referred to a Gastroenterologist, who upon examination told me that he did not think this was an abdominal issue, but an 'Adominal Wall Pain' issue, referred me to a Neurologist. THANK GOD!!!!!!!! She worked me in after one of my E/R visits, directly around the corner at the hospital. She suspected a nerve root problem, possibly from my old surgery, possibly different disc. My MRI was done yesterday, and I am being put on a very much stonger steroid (Dexamethazone) and will meet with her in 5 days, after the ENORMOUS swelling has somewhat subsided (my left abdominal wall). I do not know any more except that I do have a condition called "lumbar radiculopathy".
After all this, my searches have not revealed anything about 'abdominal wall pain' accompanying this situation. It is where most of the pain (which is so severe at times!) is, and my left side has 2 huge bulges, so much so that I have had to get some very large pants, in order to pull them up high enough not to press on the bulge (the pants ending up right underneath my bottom left rib!). Don't wear underwear, too uncomfortable.
I'm sure I will find out much more on Tues, but thought I would share this. Anyone having anything remotely similar, or anyone know any reason why I would be having these symtoms on my abdomin more than my lumbar region?
Sincerely,
Concerned
I would suggest with abdominal pain that you probably need an MRI scan results to see if there's pressure on the nerve or something. A more complete evaluation may open up other treatment options for you. for eample: intensive acupuncture......
I have quoted cases form my blog for you .--------acupuncture.blog.co.uk
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Zak acupuncture for lower abdomen abdominal distention, abdominal pain, groin pain case
by Acupuncturist @ 2008-05-07 - 14:44:57
M, female, 60-year-old, six months ago, suffering from urinary tract infection, the hospital examination, found no cause. Bilateral abdominal pain, groin pain, unable to walk a long time.
Clinical examination: straight-leg raising test, both are 45 °, leads the medial thigh pain, pain at the knee medial radioactive bilateral suprapubic tenderness highly sensitive point, the hip flexor knees at a consolidated trial, leads to the roots of thigh pain, Diagnosis: Bilateral thigh soft tissue damage to the thigh roots pain and groin pain.
Treatment: zak acupuncture
Results: After a period of treatment, symptoms disappeared.
Zak acupuncture for abdominal distention case
by Acupuncturist @ 2008-05-07 - 14:11:02
P, female, 37 years old, four-year back ,low back pain, associated with bilateral leg muscle soreness, unable to bend over, serious abdominal distension, stomach discomfort, unable to sit, whether it has, will be loud stomach gas, unable to sleep. The Hospital for diagnosis, sciatica, a variety of treatment ineffective.
Clinical examination: severe abdominal distention, straight legs bending test negative, straight legs straight waist test normal, straight-leg raising test negative, highly sensitive point of tenderness in the bilateral L2-L4 of the transverse process and the root of the thigh, In the waist and hip,there are a lot of tenderness points. Xray normal.
Treatment: zak acupuncture
Results: After a period of treatment, symptoms disappeared. Discussion: the spinal canal, soft tissue damage and pain, can also cause: abdominal pain, abdominal distention, abdominal