Back Pain and Knee/Leg Pain Again - MRI Done Dr. Appt. Monday

[Anikaca77]

Hi All-

Well today I'm in more pain back and leg pain then I've ever been in. I just want to go home and not move.

I'm sure this is related to all of the moving cats from my place to my mom's place (well only 4 of them). They are doing some maintenance work and I needed the ones that cause trouble out of our place.

So on Monday I moved our 4 cats from our apartment to the car, then from the car into my mom's house and then I left them at my mom's overnight since they didn't come on Monday and they should of been there on Tuesday but maintenance still didn't come.

Last night I went to pick up all 4 and Niahc from the vets and took all 5 home.

My husband unloaded the car which was a big help. This morning though I had to transport all 4 back over to my mom’s and I really hope they get to our apartment today but the landlord said it doesn’t look like it so maybe tomorrow or Friday.

Anyway, I think with all this moving around I’ve caused my back to get a tad inflamed or something and last week I saw my back doctor’s physician assistant since the doctor wasn’t available and I went over the increase of my symptoms since I last saw the doctor back in September 09 which includes this very painful leg pain I’ve been getting behind both of my knees.

I also have a lot of overall leg pain as well and most likely it’s because of my nerves.

I’m taking some painkillers right now because I can’t take any anti-inflammatory drugs due to the lap-band I had done last year. I wish I could take some anti-inflammatory stuff right now but I can’t and Tylenol doesn’t even touch the pain.

I have an MRI scheduled for this Friday and then my appt. with the doctor is on May 3rd. I hope this pain will go away soon.

For some of you who haven’t read my other thread here are the results that I have about my back issues.


Here are the results from my MRI in Jan. 08:

There is a grade 2 spondylolisthesis of L5 on S1. Estimated anterolisthesis is 7 mm. There is associated degenerative intervertebral disc change on L5-S1.

Sagittal images suggests a broad-based bulging disc at L4-L5 and L-3-L4.

There are findings of a mild broad-based disc bulge at L3-L4. This creates only minimal impact with the thecal sac with the neural foramina considered patent bilaterally. The L4-L5 level demonstrates a right central disc herniation. There may be a very small, extruded disc fragment posterior to the L5 vertebral body. This appears to be in contact with the right L5 nerve root. There is very mild narrowing of the right and to a lesser extent left neural foramina.

The L5-S1 levels shows again a grade 2 spondylolisthesis of the L5 on S1. This appears to be associated with a posterior spondylosis. This is combined with a broad-based disc herniation and creates a moderate impact upon the anterior aspect of the subarachnoid space. Impact upon the thecal sac is minimal. The exception is at the level of the neural foramen where there is considerable right and to a lesser extent left foraminal stenosis.

Grade 2 spondylolisthesis of L5 on S1 associated with a posterior
spondylosis.

There is estimated 7 mm anterolisthesis with significant to severe
right and to a lesser extent left foraminal stenosis at L5-S1.

Mild right central disc herniation of L4-L5 with a small, extruded
fragment creating a moderate localized impact upon the right L5 nerve
root.

Minimal broad-based disc bulge at L3-L4 of doubtful clinical
significance.


I had a CT Scan done on 2/6/09 and this is what they said: There is a mild change of Degenerative Disc Disease with small vertebral body osteophytes. There is disc space narrowing at L4-L5. There is evidence of bilateral spondylolsis of L5 with Grade 1 to 2 Spondylolisthesis of L5 on S1. No vertebral compression deformities are identified. The sacrobiliac joints appear intact. Slight spurring is seen along the supermedial margins of both iliac bones.

I did see another back surgeon in Jan. 2010 and he reviewed some of my stuff but didn't seem that interested and I was rather disappointed because they said right now it's an elective surgery and since I could walk without pain and I had good strength in my legs that I should wait as long as possible. He said that most likely I would need a second surgery to fix my L2 and L3 since they are showing some degenerative signs now and that when I fix my L4 and L5 it will put pressure on the L2 and L3. I remember he told me that I should wait as long as I can to have the back surgery and then hopefully I will be dead by the time I'll need the second surgery. I couldn't believe this guy said that to me.

I was so irritated. I know I'm only 30 and who wants to have back surgery but this leg pain if it's from my back which the PA thinks it is I don't know how much more I can take.

Some of you have given me a lot of different doctors to see and I really appreciate it and I may look into some of them again if this doctor that I see on May 3rd isn’t any friendlier.

Melissa

Melissa

[phesina]

Oh, Melissa, I'm so sorry you are suffering so much pain in the midst of all the other matters you have to deal with at this time. We are saying our prayers and sending our healing energies and good wishes your way.

{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}} and ~~~~~PURRRS~~~~~ from me and the cats

[carole]

Melissa, dearest Melissa, with the same name as my daughter, i so feel for you darling, it is the pitts being in constant pain, and especially for one so young, you kinda expect it when you are my age, but it is very distressing to hear of you pain and suffering, I take a drug called Arcoxcia, i am not sure if they have it in your country, it is mainly for arthritis,but other pain too,and is an antiflamm drug, but without all the nasty side effects like bad stomachs, i also cannot tolerate normal antiflam drugs, my stomach is too delicate, of course i do not now about lap bands,and why you cannot take it, but it sure limits your pain relief for sure.

I hope you can find something to alleviate the pain you are in, and remember we are always here for you to lean on in your times of trouble and despair,and of course pain,here's hoping you can get some relief soon and feel well again,thinking of you.HUGS

[Anikaca77]

Melissa, dearest Melissa, with the same name as my daughter, i so feel for you darling, it is the pitts being in constant pain, and especially for one so young, you kinda expect it when you are my age, but it is very distressing to hear of you pain and suffering, I take a drug called Arcoxcia, i am not sure if they have it in your country, it is mainly for arthritis,but other pain too,and is an antiflamm drug, but without all the nasty side effects like bad stomachs, i also cannot tolerate normal antiflam drugs, my stomach is too delicate, of course i do not now about lap bands,and why you cannot take it, but it sure limits your pain relief for sure.

I hope you can find something to alleviate the pain you are in, and remember we are always here for you to lean on in your times of trouble and despair,and of course pain,here's hoping you can get some relief soon and feel well again,thinking of you.HUGS

I didn't know that I had the same name as your daughter I feel better today so far thank goodness, I've had some numbing on my legs but maybe this is just something else I need to get used to. I can tolerate antiflam. but with the lap-band (it's a weight loss surgery) and some doctors allow you to take antiflam. drugs while others do not and mine won't let me so I have limited drugs I can take and while the tylenol is safer than some drugs it doesn't cut the pain.

I'm trying to take it easy and we'll see what happens.

Thank you for caring,
Melissa

[Anikaca77]

Oh, Melissa, I'm so sorry you are suffering so much pain in the midst of all the other matters you have to deal with at this time. We are saying our prayers and sending our healing energies and good wishes your way.

{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}} and ~~~~~PURRRS~~~~~ from me and the cats

Thank you for your prays.
Melissa

[Anikaca77]

This morning I went for an MRI of my back. It was about 20 mins. for them to do and that's all I could take. I'm glad it was a quicker machine before I had to lay down for 45 mins or so. My one leg kept twitching and I just don't know why I keep having so many more symptoms but hopefully nothing changed too much since the MRI in 2008.

Melissa

[Lilith Cherry]

Oh Melissa, I do hope you feel better very soon and that your Dr. is more helpful and sympathetic this time! Lots of love and gentle hugs

[Anikaca77]

Today I see the doctor at 2:15 p.m. and we'll see what happens.