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Radiculopathy vs neuropathy
For 2.5 years, after anterior total hip, I've had foot numb, prickly, cold and now the symptoms are going up to near the knee. I'm wondering if my herniated, disc bulging in my entire spine could be the problem because I now have worse back pain from neck to L5-S1 with low back pain, neck pain, thoracic pain, butt pain and left thigh tingling and numb. I do have L5-S1 spondylolisthesis. I've seen surgeons but no one will operate because they feel they'll leave me in more pain and the spine will break where the appliances are in the spine but the pain is getting worse. I've been treating myself with neuropathy with shoes, but no drugs. Can't tolerate those drugs. Any ideas for when I see my doctor for Medicare physical? Thanks.
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I also take A supplement Called nerve flow. I take 2A day in the morning before I eat. These could be gotten from Amazon
@winter109212
Thank you for your ideas. I am on B complex and my daughter-in-law suggested a TENS unit and some other unit that should help. I like the idea of using the TENS on the back. Since I can't take the Rx for neuropathy because of terrible side effects I have to find something else. The L5 nerve damage bothers me the most about treatment. Will I ever find a surgeon who will operate or will they all send me away. All these new less invasive surgeries, and they don't want to do anything but throw a pill at me. I am going to get chronic pain mental health therapy to try to deal with that.
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1 Reaction@daisy22 I also have radiculopathy that affects feet, lower legs and buttocks. Cause was an accident damaging L2-3 disc. My latest MRI shows fluid pockets in the damaged area. Four surgeons have denied working on me. The last one (at Yale) said it was because of the fluid pockets. They are afraid that disturbing those could cause problems and make things worse. Is that what your surgeons told you also?
@daisy22 Before my lumbar laminectomy in 2022, I saw 5 different neurosurgeons before choosing one. MRI had shown I have NO disc left between L5 and S1, and ONE of the surgeons said he would do a laminectomy, but he would also put a spacer between L5 and S1. He said if not I would be back within a year. The surgeon I chose did a laminectomy from L2 to S1, but he did NOT do anything between L5 and S1. I think that would have involved a fusion. A year later, when I was complaining of he neuropathy/radiculopathy, he said, "If I went back and did a fusion of L4 to S1, that MIGHT help your neuropathy symptoms." The word MIGHT caused me to hesitate.... plus a fusion would be a two day procedure.... front one day, back the next day.... and there is always the possibility it could make it worse. So I'm still dealing with the numbness, tingling, weakness in calves.... and a constant nagging pain in lower back. The numbness has affected my balance, and that is my worst issue to deal with. I wish I could find someone who had an idea of how to put some spacer material between L5 and S1 without having to do a fusion.... but it seems it needs to be a fusion or nothing. I admire your determination, Daisy..... We have to advocate for ourselves.... and if one doctor is not helping, we need to find another.... I wish you well!! Mike
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