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MRI results and Pain symptoms not matching. Dr says nothing he can do.
I had decompression and fusion at L3-L4-L5 one year ago. Throughout this year I have had lower back pain, leg pain, a drop foot, numb toes, heels and lower leg. Walking and bending are so painful. I wake throughout the night from pain and lately both my legs also ache so bad, it is impossible to get back to sleep.
The MRI and CT scan for my year post op appt says I have a broad based disc bulge and significant foraminal stenosis at L5-S1 compressing the exiting nerve roots and a disc bulge at L2-L3 with canal and foraminal stenosis and compression of the exiting nerve root.
My neurosurgeon said where I report pain does not match the MRI or CT scan and he can't do anything further for me. I feel like I am going absolutely crazy, being in this much pain every single day and night and being told this is it. I have had injections in the joints that have not helped. The surgeon said this is indicative that surgery would not help. I did 6 months of PT and now work out with a trainer and exercise 6 days a week. Does anyone have any advice? Do I just stop thinking there is a way to become pain-free and suck it up so to speak?
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@palei1997
Did you have blood work for inflammation markers: ESR, CRP, m-protein, kappa/lambda etc.? My neurosurgeon ordered blood work to check for inflammation after my MRI didn't match my symptoms. He then referred me to a rheumatologist who diagnosed PMR and also noticed the markers for a blood disorder. He then referred me to a hematologist oncologist for further evaluation. As it turns out, I have both PMR and SMM.
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1 Reaction@beachlife67 It's alright we just have to keep going
@kjoed53 No I haven't done these tests yet. Thank you for the information I appreciate it and hopefully this time I won't get dismissed
@palei1997
Use AI to get the list of blood work to request and the reason behind it. I use the Claude app. Ask for the blood work for inflammation and rheumatology. It will help you to logically make your case for the blood work.
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1 Reaction@kjoed53 Thank you
@palei1997
Have you inquired about possible chiari malformation? It can cause headaches. It’s missed on mri sometimes because it’s usually done laying down. Standing mri may show it. Not saying that’s what’s going on but could be? Maybe look it up and see if it matches your symptoms?
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2 Reactions@dianabelknap Certainly. Thank you very much
Perhaps it’s time to find another doctor. That may be a difficult process. A doctor who just flat-out tells you nothing can be done or considered is, in my opinion, not worth your time. Best wishes.
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2 ReactionsThis statement in your post jumped out at me: "My neurosurgeon said where I report pain does not match the MRI or CT scan and he can't do anything further for me."
Has a pain management specialist said there isn't anything to be done?
Mayo-Rochester has a great pain management department. After years of dealing with it one of their Docs saw something no one else did. And it helped.
Hang in there.
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3 Reactions@gilvernon
I also have this same problem. Pain and no answers. Neurosurgeon did say he could fuse disks in my neck, but that I wouldn’t like the outcome and it probably wouldn’t solve my problems. In these cases, the doctors seem to look for something they can fix and don’t want to help find the answer, when the problem doesn’t show up on imaging. I do appreciate that they don’t want to just “try” to fix something that’s not apparent because from what I’ve read, many people are worse off after some of these surgeries.