Hi,Severe pain in lumbar and cervical spine ,Burning sensation in face ,problems with urination..etc..My opinion: you got soft tissue inflammation around neck,back,lower back area,deep and intensive acupuncture can help.
I would suggest that you do see the neurosurgeon. He is in a better position to give you an opinion after a physical examination and possibly a more up to date MRI then we are.
Please visit my blog at http://neurospine/blogspot.com for info on taking care of your neck and back.
For the past 3 years I have been going to a teaching hospital/clinic. Have been diagnosed with several ruptured and bulging discs in both lumbar and cervical spine, degenerative disc disease, stenosis & osteoporosis.
Have had several rounds of epidural cortisone injections in both lumbar and cervical spine and they did not work for either. Surgery has been ruled out because of the osteoporosis.
I got the feeling that my GP is sending me to this neurosurgeon just so that he can confirm that there is nothing they can do for me other than dope me up, so I really need to ask the right questions when I get there. This visit will be kind of a second opinion, as the last neuro I saw ruled out surgery and cauda equina syndrome.
My major symptoms are: Severe pain in lumbar and cervical spine on a daily basis. Pins & needles in both hands and feet, radiating up to knees and elbows at times. Weakness in both hands. Right hand and right leg often "give out" causing me to fall or drop what I am holding. Burning sensation in face is a new symptom that I did not have when I last saw GP.
I also have problems with urination. I can not go untill my bladder is so full that it hurts. And even then it takes several minutes for the flow to start and even then I have to force the urine out. If I quit applying pressure to force it out, the stream stops. The more my back hurts, the harder it is to urinate.
Relevant tests I have had: MRI of lumbar & cervical spine. EMG & Nerve Conduction were within normal limits. Thyroid tested ok. Bone Density (pre-surgery test) showed osteoporosis so no surgery.
Medications: Morphine Sulfate (45mg twice a day) & Vicodin (5 mg 4 times a day as needed for break-through pain) for pain. Works for all but the severe pain; Neurontin (800mg twice a day) was working for pins & needles pain. GP raised dosage a week ago but so far has not worked; Flexeril as needed for muscle spasm. Fosomax, Calcium, Vit. D for osteoporosis. Doc-Q-Lace stool softener.
Thank you in advance for any help you can give me. I will check back often in case you have any questions for me. I am not even 50 years old yet so I really want to get my problems resolved. I am not ready to just sit down and accept the fact that I can't work, or do anything meaningful with the rest of my life.