1. < Neuropathy

Connection between Neuropathy and L4,L5 Issues

Posted by seidholz @seidholz, Oct 29, 2023

I have been diagnosed with idiopathic PN by multiple Neurologists at Mayo, UNMC and Northwestern- the numbness runs from my knees to my feet with only occasional burning however it affects my balance and comfort.
I have also been diagnosed with degeneration of my L4 and L5 on my right side after years of intense physical activity led to 2 hip replacements.
I have started to notice that my PN becomes somewhat asymmetrical after certain core workouts I do to strengthen my core… is it possible that the L4/L5 issues are causing me to pinch nerves leading to my PN?
BTW- I was very happy with all of my doctors at each facility. Mayo in particular
Dr Dyke is fabulous

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cjcatmom | @cjcatmom | Nov 16, 2023

I have experienced PN since August 2022. My knees to my ankles started bothering me about 4 months ago. I recently saw a back doc who told me I had arthritis in the L4 and L5 area and he prescribed a cortisone shot to my back.
(My L4 and L5 vertebrae were knocked out of alignment when I went down a flight of stairs in a metal walker at 3years old). I got the shot on 11.15.23. I am waiting for the shot to fully take effect. The doc said about 3days. It feels like some lessening is happening already. I will update in 3 to 4 days.

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1 reply
26sabrina | @26sabrina | Nov 16, 2023
In reply to @marvininhouston "The way that I understand it is that if you have PN from a compressed disc,..." + (show)
@marvininhouston

The way that I understand it is that if you have PN from a compressed disc, once you remove the compression, the nerve can regenerate. I think the amount of time that the nerve was under stress plays a role also. In my case, the doctor said that my muscles did not atrophy and he hopes that once the nerve regenerates itself, reconnects, I should gain strength back in my right foot (of which I currentlyfail the 'big toe test'). He said I might have to deal with the pain, numbness, pins and needles forever, however, I'm seeing other YouTube doctors say it can recover. Therefore, I'm trying to maximize my chances by the right diet, nerve gliding/flossing, PT, exercise and vitamins that promote the healing.
Except for this self inflicted PN because I waited too long to have L4/L5 surgery, I am very healthy. Knock on wood ...
I do not think the nerves regenerate themselves when you get PN from diabetes, RA medicine, chemo or the like.
This is what I understand from reading. It's not like doctors are overwhelming anybody with information. There's a doctor above that was noted as 'great'. If they were that great, why are you here seeking answers? I had to read on and off for a few months, came up with a series of questions, and before I get done asking, it seemed like my time was up. Not sure when patients have PN why can't doctors just give you a standard diet to follow, vitamins to take, and immediately refer you to PT. Such as alpha lipoic acid shows get for diabetic PN but not compression PN. I guess if they gave out standard information I wouldn't be making return visits ... ugh

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I had surgery from S1 to T11 from compression 2 years ago and I am hoping for regeneration of my nerves that were damaged. I read your post with hope. I am doing everything that you are and reading everything I can.
Good luck to you.

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seidholz | @seidholz | Nov 16, 2023

It amazing how this L4L5 isssue is coming to light. I went through elaborate tests at some of the best facilities in the country before I finally found a Dr that identified that as a possible cause of my PN.
It’s not totally fixed but at least I have peace of mind knowing that PT and good diet will keep it progressing further…

REPLY
1 reply
melissa59 | @melissa59 | Nov 16, 2023
In reply to @marvininhouston "The way that I understand it is that if you have PN from a compressed disc,..." + (show)
@marvininhouston

The way that I understand it is that if you have PN from a compressed disc, once you remove the compression, the nerve can regenerate. I think the amount of time that the nerve was under stress plays a role also. In my case, the doctor said that my muscles did not atrophy and he hopes that once the nerve regenerates itself, reconnects, I should gain strength back in my right foot (of which I currentlyfail the 'big toe test'). He said I might have to deal with the pain, numbness, pins and needles forever, however, I'm seeing other YouTube doctors say it can recover. Therefore, I'm trying to maximize my chances by the right diet, nerve gliding/flossing, PT, exercise and vitamins that promote the healing.
Except for this self inflicted PN because I waited too long to have L4/L5 surgery, I am very healthy. Knock on wood ...
I do not think the nerves regenerate themselves when you get PN from diabetes, RA medicine, chemo or the like.
This is what I understand from reading. It's not like doctors are overwhelming anybody with information. There's a doctor above that was noted as 'great'. If they were that great, why are you here seeking answers? I had to read on and off for a few months, came up with a series of questions, and before I get done asking, it seemed like my time was up. Not sure when patients have PN why can't doctors just give you a standard diet to follow, vitamins to take, and immediately refer you to PT. Such as alpha lipoic acid shows get for diabetic PN but not compression PN. I guess if they gave out standard information I wouldn't be making return visits ... ugh

Jump to this post

Sabrina how long did you wait before surgery?

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melissa59 | @melissa59 | Nov 16, 2023
In reply to @seidholz "It amazing how this L4L5 isssue is coming to light. I went through elaborate tests at..." + (show)
@seidholz

It amazing how this L4L5 isssue is coming to light. I went through elaborate tests at some of the best facilities in the country before I finally found a Dr that identified that as a possible cause of my PN.
It’s not totally fixed but at least I have peace of mind knowing that PT and good diet will keep it progressing further…

Jump to this post

Did you have spinal injections and did they help?

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seidholz | @seidholz | Nov 16, 2023

I did and no it didn’t help with the numbness. I didn’t have severe pain to begin with

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NJ Ed | @njed | Nov 17, 2023

I've been somewhat suspicious about lower spine issues causing my PN and several MRI's between 2015 and 2019 did reveal issues but, not to the point of causing the numbness in lower legs and feet, told by two top level neurosurgeons. I have zero pain. Yet, in 2019, University of PA suggested steroid shots. Went to pain management doctor at local hospital and had steroid injections (3 a month apart) resulting in less numbness, increase in feeling and improved walking gait and better balance which lasted about 5 days after each shot. This "test" was being done to determine if L-3 to S-1 had nerve issues causing the PN. Surgery? Nope. If I just touch lower back area, immediately I get increased feeling.... tingle in feet and toes and that exists today. My neuro doc just scratches her head as did the doctor at Johns Hopkins. In last 3 years, I feel my peripheral nervous system is now hyper-sensitive and it all started in L-4 to S-1 area. I am glad that surgery is out, but doctors can't figure out why I have the degree of sensitivity. Add it to the list of symptoms with no answers.

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2 replies
seidholz | @seidholz | Nov 17, 2023

Find a good PT program and get your core in shape. It’s really helped me

REPLY
melissa59 | @melissa59 | Nov 17, 2023
In reply to @njed "I've been somewhat suspicious about lower spine issues causing my PN and several MRI's between 2015..." + (show)
@njed

I've been somewhat suspicious about lower spine issues causing my PN and several MRI's between 2015 and 2019 did reveal issues but, not to the point of causing the numbness in lower legs and feet, told by two top level neurosurgeons. I have zero pain. Yet, in 2019, University of PA suggested steroid shots. Went to pain management doctor at local hospital and had steroid injections (3 a month apart) resulting in less numbness, increase in feeling and improved walking gait and better balance which lasted about 5 days after each shot. This "test" was being done to determine if L-3 to S-1 had nerve issues causing the PN. Surgery? Nope. If I just touch lower back area, immediately I get increased feeling.... tingle in feet and toes and that exists today. My neuro doc just scratches her head as did the doctor at Johns Hopkins. In last 3 years, I feel my peripheral nervous system is now hyper-sensitive and it all started in L-4 to S-1 area. I am glad that surgery is out, but doctors can't figure out why I have the degree of sensitivity. Add it to the list of symptoms with no answers.

Jump to this post

Do you only get tingling and numbness when you touch lower back or does it exist all the time? After your injection “test” did the doctors feel that nerve decompression surgery would be a consideration? I appreciate your info 👍

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seidholz | @seidholz | Nov 17, 2023

It exists all the time in varying degrees. It seems to change when I forget to do my core exercises. The injection didn’t really affect the numbness. I wouldn’t do the shot again. As I said before, 3 of my back doctors suggested surgery but only admitted to a small chance that they could pinpoint the nerve. They said if it was a bulging disc causing it there was a better chance that surgery would work but I don’t have a bulging disc- just degeneration

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