Re: symtons-Joe's take

[Guest guest]

Hello Friend,

> pain lower back, sore to touch(above tailbone) pain runs down right

> leg at times to knee..sometimes runs down left leg.difficult to stand

> more than few min, walking not good especailly on uneven

> surfaces..like snows..sitting helps if only to to change from

> standing or walking but, sittitng any time, sore too. Big toe on

> right foot numb sometimes, tingling right foot.Whats my problem?

***Joe is not a doctor, but is willing to play doctor with

the ladies on the list. Careful husbands, I'm single, and

I'm a bleeder. ***

Based on what you said above, my first guess would be sciatica.

If it is sciatica, Physical therapy and a good back doctor would

be in order.

> Xrays say bone spurs , bulging dsiks in lumber area. Is bulging like

> herniated? Whats the difference? Spinal stenosis..what kind of

> symtons..the ones I describe.

I am suffer your symptoms right now, but mine are the left leg. I

could barely finish a shower and I have to dry off and dress while

lying on my bed.

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal. Bone spurs add

to the problem. **** READ ME*** A bulging disc is a disc that

just might *HERNIATE*!! This is something you need to stop and

address IMMEDIATELY!!! A bulging disc is less likely to require

surgery than a herniated disc. *** Your back doctor needs to

authorize a lumbar/sacral MRI (not an xray) and refer you to a

*NEUROSURGEON* not just an orthopedist.

> Anyone had facet joint injections or

> epidurals? any less pain after time with these needles?

Different people have different results with epidurals. When I had

a herinated disc 2 years ago at L3/L4, I waited so long and endured

so much pain that the epidural was like taking a single tanker to a 3

alarm fire, I got relief for 3 days each. Surgery was finally necessary

and I was very fortunate to get a fantastic neurosurgeon and GP

back doctor. These guys sat down and talked straight with me.

An EMG from your back doctor to see which nerves are affected

would be a good ideat, too.

I now have a second herniation at L4/L5 that is pressing on S1, and

the doctors (same guys, I'll call them Moe and Larry for short. )

are fighting to prevent surgery. This time, the Epidural Steriod Injections

are working like a charm. Please make sure that after your ESI, you

have a ride home until you deterimine how they affect you. I get

an hour or 2 of numbness in my leg that goes away, so I sit in the

waiting room and read until I feel confident to drive. Today, I had

my second ESI

Also, in nettiquitte, writing in all CAPS is considered shouting, but

I wanted you to read those words, if nothing else of this note. I'm

not a doctor, but I implore you to get the items I've outlined above

checked out. You check out your tires to make sure your pressure

is OK, and don't regret checking if the pressure is fine, so I think you

will benefit from an: (1) MRI (2) Neurosurgeon Consult (3) Physical

Therapy (3) ESI and possible (4) EMG.

Good luck. I hope your disc settles down soon.

joe

[Guest guest]

Hello Friend,

> pain lower back, sore to touch(above tailbone) pain runs down right

> leg at times to knee..sometimes runs down left leg.difficult to stand

> more than few min, walking not good especailly on uneven

> surfaces..like snows..sitting helps if only to to change from

> standing or walking but, sittitng any time, sore too. Big toe on

> right foot numb sometimes, tingling right foot.Whats my problem?

***Joe is not a doctor, but is willing to play doctor with

the ladies on the list. Careful husbands, I'm single, and

I'm a bleeder. ***

Based on what you said above, my first guess would be sciatica.

If it is sciatica, Physical therapy and a good back doctor would

be in order.

> Xrays say bone spurs , bulging dsiks in lumber area. Is bulging like

> herniated? Whats the difference? Spinal stenosis..what kind of

> symtons..the ones I describe.

I am suffer your symptoms right now, but mine are the left leg. I

could barely finish a shower and I have to dry off and dress while

lying on my bed.

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal. Bone spurs add

to the problem. **** READ ME*** A bulging disc is a disc that

just might *HERNIATE*!! This is something you need to stop and

address IMMEDIATELY!!! A bulging disc is less likely to require

surgery than a herniated disc. *** Your back doctor needs to

authorize a lumbar/sacral MRI (not an xray) and refer you to a

*NEUROSURGEON* not just an orthopedist.

> Anyone had facet joint injections or

> epidurals? any less pain after time with these needles?

Different people have different results with epidurals. When I had

a herinated disc 2 years ago at L3/L4, I waited so long and endured

so much pain that the epidural was like taking a single tanker to a 3

alarm fire, I got relief for 3 days each. Surgery was finally necessary

and I was very fortunate to get a fantastic neurosurgeon and GP

back doctor. These guys sat down and talked straight with me.

An EMG from your back doctor to see which nerves are affected

would be a good ideat, too.

I now have a second herniation at L4/L5 that is pressing on S1, and

the doctors (same guys, I'll call them Moe and Larry for short. )

are fighting to prevent surgery. This time, the Epidural Steriod Injections

are working like a charm. Please make sure that after your ESI, you

have a ride home until you deterimine how they affect you. I get

an hour or 2 of numbness in my leg that goes away, so I sit in the

waiting room and read until I feel confident to drive. Today, I had

my second ESI

Also, in nettiquitte, writing in all CAPS is considered shouting, but

I wanted you to read those words, if nothing else of this note. I'm

not a doctor, but I implore you to get the items I've outlined above

checked out. You check out your tires to make sure your pressure

is OK, and don't regret checking if the pressure is fine, so I think you

will benefit from an: (1) MRI (2) Neurosurgeon Consult (3) Physical

Therapy (3) ESI and possible (4) EMG.

Good luck. I hope your disc settles down soon.

joe