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I’m curious if anyone has similar symptoms?
I wrote to this group long ago, but now my symptoms have worsened. I’m a 62 year old teacher who was very healthy and active 1 1/2 years ago. I slowly developed the symptoms that have now completely disabled me.
These symptoms started as sharp pains in my stomach that made it hard to eat, and electric stabbing in my neck that made it hard to think. My symptoms progressed slowly and steadily. Now I have nerve pain almost everywhere. I cannot drive, cook, think clearly, or look after myself. I can walk a little but I can’t stand up for more than a few seconds. There is only one medicine that relieves my symptoms and that is the benzodiazepine Ativan. This drug used to relieve my symptoms entirely for a day. Now it gives me only a few hours of some releif: I can think more clearly and walk a few blocks during the hours after I take it.
My symptoms continue to worsen. I’m in constant nerve pain.
I’ve been to countless doctors, (western and eastern) had three MRIs and just about every other test, and nobody can find anything wrong with me. I’m wondering if this strange and terrible experience matches anything out there! Please let me know!
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Hi @calofmichigan
Thanks for sharing your story and I'm so sorry to hear you're still having trouble standing or walking. T10 through S1 is a huge number of vertebrae fused.
And I agree on PT. The most important step is finding a good PT, and then, as you note, exercises must be done faithfully. That requires determination and courage and patience.
I wish you all the best and hope you can get some relief.
Joe
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1 ReactionThanks Annie, great advice.
I'm 71 and in my "glory days" I ran 25 marathons. Then osteoarthritis became unbearable. I ran my last marathon in Jaanuary 1999 in Carlsbad, CA.
My lumbar spine is in terrible shape, held together by a strong set of core muscles (according to my surgeon).
As for bulging discs, they do press on the sciatic nerve and cause sharp pain in the buttocks and back of the legs. Fortunately, and along with cortisone, they usually shrink back to normal volume. In the meantime, ice, ice, ice!
Joe
@heyjoe415 Thank you Joey, i'll start ice, ice, ice ! I almost lost control of bowels ( TMI) it was SCARY!
I've had too many MRI'S so insurance wont cover another right now but all indications are its disc herniation.
Once im past this " hiccup" I need to strengthen core, so hard due abdominal injury left years neglected so extensive digestive pain but a while back i strengthen legs/ upper shoulders it helped thoracic back pain / improved my posture.
Oh to be 20 yrs younger, know all the health info thats now available...but determined to enjoy golden years.
May I say: SOME may have heard of Dr Joe Dispenza...im a believer, but adhere to his philosophy or not he teaches, LIVE IN THE GENEROUS PRESENT MOMENT, live in daily Gratitude and Kidness. Love thyself deeply ( so you care enough to be your best version).
This is my daily mantra ...its helped so much on days I wanted to give up.
God Bless All on this Blog...I love how we give freely to each other , our knowledge/ support.
Joey Google Dr Joe, maybe it can help, nothing to loose❤️
@bealillie your welcome. What is a mind-body psychologist? Never heard of that before. Is it helping to see him/her? I have heel spurs and have been told the surgery is not worth it. My heels hurt a lot. I found some heel gel type pads at a country western type store with cowboy boots there. I am in America, Ohio. You may be able to find them online. Hope you feel better. Thanks, Catherine
@heyjoe415
Thanks for responding, Joe. I’m improving by inches and so grateful for even that. I see a lot of people have it far worse.
Take care!
Christine
@animallover25
If you look at the website symptomatic.me, you'll find a little bit about chronic pain. Treatment and various practitioners are on that site. It's all based originally on the work of Dr. John Sarno. If you go on YouTube and put in Howard Schubiner you will find a lot of things . I have a lot of chronic pain. I'm sometimes thinking it's more structural and sometimes more psychosomatic meaning not caused by the psychology, but caused by my effective my psychological states on my body however I'm more and more skeptical because I do have increasing pain despite all the work I'm doing and not just in my feet. I have a lot of tendinitis in various places. I've been reading on one of these discussions here about post Covid tendinitis. I mean, I had Covid some years ago, but one of them my foot actually started to hurt me after what am I about to Covid a few months later I never put the two together, but that was in 2023 at the end of 2023 and now it's three over three years later so I'm I'm actually almost bedbound at times with pain and all over my lower body . The plant fasciitis is just recently becoming a problem I think from my orthotics possibly worn out or I don't know but thank you.
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2 Reactions@anniesezu812 Hello Annie, I had lumbar spinal fusion back in November, so almost 5 months ago now. I agree with you that these doctors need to be realistic about expectations, because my recovery is not going well. My surgeon blew off Physical Therapy when I asked him about it BEFORE surgery. He said I would be up and around in 2 weeks, and then I would be fine after moving around on my own. Unfortunately, after the surgery I have found every other spine surgeon has PT set up for their patients, as well as follow-up care. I have neither of these and have been on my own since the surgery in November.
My heart goes out to you. Im experiencing devastation also. Sending support. 3 days before explanting of my Stimulator a spinal canal bled was found and a badly bulging disc. Surgeons PA said address it post surgery. I asked the surgeon who said 'oh its mild dont trouble over it'...well now its herniated and I am in complete agony. I have no family in U.S. and altho friends pop in recovery alone is incredibly hard. So many bulging discs where Stimulator hardware was placed. Im now almost 2 yrs bedridden and feeling so let down.
My story starts with 6 yrs of horrendous medical neglect. Where i am we are very short of medical personnel and one literally feels a number. " Feeling" Drs are scarce and mostly one feels unheard and unseen.
Thankfully we have this blog to support us. I have read extensively about Neuroplasticity and the Art of living in gratitude adds recovery. I believe it does but it isnt easy.
Pls know I have heard you! And I send healing Prayers. Louise Hay's kind talk to the body helps on my dark days. Wishing you speedy recovery , you're not alone❤️
@animallover25
I see a pain psychologist. She gives me mind exercises to do to help alleviate the pain. I just started . I had 2 appointments so far and it has helped a little. But she said it takes time to keep practicing. Best to you
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2 ReactionsThanks Annie! Living in the moment has been something I've practiced since reading The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle back in 2005 I think. It is the only way I know to truly enjoy life, even in the hardest times. It takes a lot of practice but is worth it.
Loss of bowel control due to sciatica is not TMI. It's a serious complication called Cauda Equina. For those reading this, please look this condition up so you know the symptoms. If anyone experiences this, get to the ER. It's a very serious form of sciatica that involves loss of bowel control.
And I agree Annie, Mayo Clinic Connect is a great way to share and receive information. I've been on it for about 4 years now, particularly in Joint Disease and Replacements, or somethng like that!
All the best to you Annie! Your spirit is indomitable!
Joe
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