Hi, Lori! Great to hear from you! Yes, I have this "issue," too. When it rains, it pours, eh? I've copied your message into Work so I can answer it a little later. To cut down on distractions, I use an Internet blocker, and it's about to cut me off. So, more later! ––Ray

Hi, Lori (@loribmt)

It's great to cross trails with you here on the Mayo campus! My BM issues are on again, off again, but recently it's been my gait difficulties that have been topmost on my mind. You certainly have had your own share of difficulties, more serious than mine, that's for sure. You mention a problem with your spinal cord and losing your ability to walk. My gait troubles started about ten years ago, merely a nuisance at first, but then growing in frequency and severity over the years. As you might have gathered from my posts, I've been referred to a variety of doctors. Each doctor would suggest a probable cause and therapy approach narrowly focused on his or her specialty. All, too, would send me into PT. Each therapy approach seemed to help, but only "a little," none proved to be a full and lasting solution. I was left without a name for what was wrong. Then, six months ago, I was referred to a neurosurgeon. I thought: At last, the right doctor! I thought too: At least I'll have a name for what ails me! But several MRIs resulted in a diagnosis of "borderline" cervical myelopathy, not serious enough to warrant surgery; the neurosurgeon was honest enough to tell me that the myelopathy might not even be the cause of my gait problems. That leads me to today, still at a loss as to what's giving me a wobbly walk. That's also why yesterday I thought I'd return to Mayo Connect, to learn of others' experiences. I've not had a chance yet to try the links you sent, but I will, as soon as I'm back online. And "integrative medicine" has an intriguing sound. I'm looking forward to learning about that, especially before I meet with my primary next week.

Ray (@ray666)