PD and back and/or glute pain and surgery

Posted by cjr14 @cjr14, 3 days ago

Hello I am new to this forum. I have a lot back issues including spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis scholios bone spurs, degenerative disc disease etc. I was dx with PD in 2013 after at least 2-3 years of symptoms but because I was young (49) and did not have a tremor and I was very active I did not present as a typical PD patient. I finally got a dx from a MDS in Boston at Mass General Hospital. I have been doing very well over these past 13+ years. I have been exercising almost every day until 3 months ago when I had crippling glute and nerve pain in both legs. I woke up in the morning and I couldn’t walk. I had to crawl to the bathroom. After 2 weeks my right side was feeling better but the pain has continued on the left side and after a lumbar X-ray, a lumbar and a pelvic MRI, which I learned of all the above problems, I had meetings with a pain specialist and opinions from my MDS, whom I trust, and 2 neurosurgeons, (one of whom is a friend of ours) I am scheduled for a laminectomy decompression of L4-5 & L5-S1 on October 31st. I also have a diagnosis of gluteal tendinopathy, which is also extremely painful and can cause nerve damage. I am wondering if anyone has similar symptoms and what you have decided to do? If you had surgery, did it help? Do you think PD caused or contributed to your symptoms? I seem to know of a lot of PwP who have had back issues and/or glute pain or tears. Any advice would be helpful.
Thank you CJR

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Hello @cjr14 and welcome to the PD support group on Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm so sorry to hear of your many diagnoses and all of the pain you are experiencing. I've personally found that stiffness and pain are all part of a PD diagnosis. If I'm late for medication, stiffness and pain remind me to take my medication.

I'm glad to hear that you exercise on a regular basis. What type of exercise do you do? Have you ever been referred for the type of physical therapy for PD patients? It's called Big and Loud.

For me, the important thing about exercise is not to get exhausted. When I get exhausted, my symptoms worsen.I have found that chair exercise works best for me. There are many chair exercise videos available on YouTube.

I also have degenerative disc disease and often it is difficult to determine whether my pain is related to the PD or the spinal issues. I have chosen to stay with a moderate exercise program and PD meds.

What type of meds are you using for PD? Have they helped?

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