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Numb legs: Concerned about lumbar & cervical spine fusion
The doctor recommended a fusion.
About two weeks ago, my symptoms got really bad. Trying to figure out what to do next. I have numbness in my legs. A squeeze in sensation a pulsating sensation. Hard to get comfortable in any position for too long. Weakness not being able to stand too long or walk that much now. Sweating on and off.
Has anyone experienced these symptoms? Is there any other options for me than a fusion?
Thank you.I'm very concerned and I live alone. Trying to get a plan
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I haven't been to the hospital to the walking clinic. My doctor's office is not giving me any medical advice.
I don't know if I should change doctors, but that's going to be 628 weeks to see a new one.
I've been having all these symptoms.
I don't know what to do.
Does anybody know of any spine doctors that are good in clearwater?Area florida but
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1 Reactionbean26 correction I have been to the hospital.
I see above if I'm talking in the phone cause, I also need a fusion in my neck.
I feel so alone
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1 Reaction@cocobean26 go to the emergency room and get an x-ray of your spine to make sure your disc isn’t herniated. You would need surgery right away if so.
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1 Reaction@cocobean26 Get to a big city hospital like Mt Sinai in Miami. They were the only spine people that helped me.
Doctors won’t admit to you that your case is over their capabilities- they will just say nothing or something like ”I don’t see anything i can fix” i took it as nothing was wrong but what he meant was my case was way over his head. I had one doctor running down the hall with my husband following asking questions! ALWAYS GET YOUR DISKS WHEN YOU GET ANY KIND OF SCAN/xray (read ps at end) RIGHT THEN & THERE. They are yours. Send the disk with a letter to the biggest hospital - online for Chief of ORTHOPEDIC or NEUROLOGY. Research him/her online (my best spine specialist is a woman but she moved to Pleasanton, California outside San Francisco-i hate California-but i will fly cross country if i need to-LONG way to go…sometimes i send her my disks and a letter of what is going on & a gift card and she will write me her opinion that is right every time.
Ps Some States will not share test results with other out of state Doctors. You are $$$ they will not give up. Why it is important the get & save all tests info & disks.
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1 Reaction@marietter what are comfort medications?
@ikcooley I speak for myself only now. Your specific diagnoses may be different. But I recently restarted on Gabapentin by the FNP at my pain clinic where my spinal cord stimulator was implanted due to my small fiber neuropathy and CRPS of my left leg. Thought it would also relieve lumbar spine pain from stenosis, but it does not.
My primary care FNP is now trying dulixetine (Cymbalta). Just two weeks in, so too early to tell yet.
I was taking Tramadol when in extreme pain, but only when I knew I wasn’t leaving the house. (Very sedative). That wasn’t holding me for very long in very extreme periods of pain. So temporarily I’m able to take a half tab of oxy/acetamenophin, then recline in my chair. Helps but I don’t care for the lingering feeling in my head for a few hours.
So, I’m hopeful the duloxetine will work for me, as I hate not being clear in and to the mind, if you know what I mean . Best wishes. Look online YouTube or FB for Matt Harris he has his doctorate in physical therapy and also lives with spine issues. Very informative . Best regards.