Lumbar spine problem cannot resolve
I have my photocopy of the MRI result of my lumbar, but my GP can not explain exactly what it means. I’m suffering everyday with pain in my lower back before, but now it's spreading all over my whole back, sometimes it has a specific part of my back like the left part of my back, and sometimes middle, mostly lower back, there is a times that if its too much painful it is hard for me to breath, and i felt so weak can even do standing, the pain spreading to the left part of my body like left hand down to left legs and feet, my fingers getting weak somtimes, and feeling numbness,but my GP still didn't know what is the real case, of everything that is happening to me, i was diagnosed last 2022 of September of Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia which my platelets drop lower, but I'm okay now my platelets is all good, my only problem is my lumbar, cervical spine, and some joints pain that they don't even address, is there anyone here can help me? Or suggest any test to do to find out what really is happening to me?
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mavic0406,
a closer look at the L4-5 cisc would be advantageous. Just speculating -- a herniated disc one where the annulus fibrosis (the rim of the disc) is breached and the acidic contents of the nucleus pulposis (the more liquid center of the disc) spill out when under pressure would explain pain over the broader area of the back. The spilling acid can travel down several levels of nerves triggering intense pain at each subsequent level. There is a test where they inject dye into the center of the disc until there is enough pressure to spill the contents. Under radiography the spread is revealed. But the proof is in the intense pain replicated by the test. I'm happy with your GP so many don't want to order MRI imaging. Now, though, you need to be seen in a pain clinic.
There is a minimally invasive procedure micro discectomy with annuloplasty to try and heal the breach in the annulus. I'd try a university pain clinic or an orthopedic spine clinic.
The test is called a discogram.
Best wishes
@ gentle have you tried this procedure? Or have you experienced the same thing as me? Thank you so much for the information, actually, I have an MRI result as well of my cervical spine which shows that they found sosomething on it, causing me pain in my cervical spine as well, I don't know what it really means because my GP, said he didn't know much about my case and instead he would refer me to a Physio or Chiro, I'm so stressed about what is happening to me, i will include my cervical spine result, Thank you!
At C6-7 you have a disc buldge that is exerting pressure on the thecal sac. That sac is filled with fluid to protect the nerves of the spinal cord. You have mild pressure and indentation which can cause pain if impinging the nerves. MR is imaging the supine position. Standing, sitting and especially sitting leaning forward increases the pressure.
So you have the nerve bundle and then you have the nerve exits. The nerves exit the spinal column through a small joint at the part of the vertebra on each side. When those spaces narrow as the do when the discs buldge or the vertebra collapse, the nerves can get painfully pinched. you have several cervical areas that could be painful because of that. Some of those neck pains might be muscular in origin
Physio is great.
I think chiropractors know the most about body mechanics. Even if you don't like the adjustments, the assessment is so worthwhile.
Take both.
I'll send you some links because all the words don't make it easy to visualize
You can greatly lessen your pain with good body mechanics.
But I still think you should see a pain specialist because of the L4-5 disc.
I've been in theater for a few discograms, but haven't had one. They are done to ascertain that the disc is causing the pain before microdiscectomy. I have bulging discs but no herniated discs.
@gently i think we are both the same I have bulging discs but no herniated discs, thank you for giving me such an idea of how to deal with my spinal problems, yeah! I will go visit a chiropractor but my GP said to wait until I finish doing some tests like a blood test, potassium etc and wait for the result before he gives me the referral for the Chiropractor, Thank you so much, I'm hoping some other members here share their experiences as well, Have a great day! Hoping we get better both soon🙏❤️
@mavic0406
I have cervical and lumbar stenosis and degenerative disc disease. When I read your MRI and your symptoms, it seems like you should be assessed by a spine specialist for cervical myelopathy. I had headaches, neck pain/stiffness, weakness and numbness in arms/hands (handwriting changed and dropping things), loss of bladder control and walking felt like I had cement boots on (heaviness and walked slower and hard to walk faster). They should listen to your symptoms and MRI results should support what is wrong. I had ACDF surgery on C5C6 and it relieved some of my symptoms. I was diagnosed with cervical spondylitic myelopathy and my disc/bone spurs put pressure on and flattened my spinal cord. Several different doctors (pain specialist and neurologists ignored what my MRIs showed but the orthopedic spine specialist knew right away what was wrong based on my symptoms and recommended surgery). Cervical spinal cord compression is serious and can cause permanent injury and cause problems below the level of compression. It can mess with your sensations of pain, too.
Did you ever see a neurologist for EMGs and nerve conduction tests?
I also have chronic pain and lumbar levels L3-S1 may need surgery. I do get lumbar steroid injections to help mange pain and delay surgery. I am 54 years old and female.
Did you have any accidents or falls that caused the disc issues in your neck and lower back?
@mavic0406
P.S. I would hold off on any chiropractor adjustments to your cervical spine until you learn more about your spinal cord (thecal sac) compression. You could injure your spinal cord with falls or chiropractor adjustments.
https://www.spineinfo.com/conditions/is-thecal-sac-indentation-serious-everything-you-need-to-know/
Mavic 0406, as a starter, please ask your primary care physician to refer you to a PHYSIATRIST.
@dlydailyhope hello! Thanks! For some info, as an answer to your question, no I've never seen a neurologist, do you think they can help me in my case? Or should I go to a spine orthopedic? And no I haven't had any accidents before, I'm only thinking that maybe it was because of my present work which is housekeeping in a hotel, we do too much lifting heavy things like beds, our trolley that we are using at work, too much bending, but I'm not really sure if it's all because of that, how about you?? Have you been in an accident before? Causing you of that spine and lumbar problems? Thank you so much!
@tyco Thanks for the advice, I will consider it🙏
Is there anyone who can help me understand the findings of my MRI please