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Forum Name: Neurology Topics

Question: body numbness

warkitten - Fri Feb 09, 2007 7:27 pm

Im a 28 year old female having major numbness issues. From my breast line down to my feet mostly in the front of my body I have a "pins and needles" sensation, and on my trunk, (breasts to hips) I am almost completely numb, no sensation at all. I had back surgery 10 years ago having the discs between L4 and L5 removed and part of the disk between L3 and L4 cut away. have not had any problems since. I went to see my neurosurgeon yesterday and they seem to be concerned, although they won't tell me what they are thinking until I get another MRI done. Can't get one for 2 weeks! Im kind of panicking because she mentioned paralysis from the point of spinal injury (btw there was no injury, to me at all, this all started totally spontaneously) or the possibility of a tumor impinging on the spine. My pcp put me on muscle relaxants and antiinflammatories, which don't seem to be doing anything to help, and I have 4 children the youngest under 2 and she still needs to be carried a lot of times. I can't be drugged up all the time. I have a family history of Degenerative back Disease, but the neurologist said that DBD would not cause this numbness and tingling that I am having. Waiting for the MRI is torture. could someone please give me some help? Thanks

Dr. Safaa Mahmoud - Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:58 pm

Hello, Your symptoms are suggestive of disc herniation at the level of the Thoracic vertebrae although rare. Each disc is formed of a central gel-like inside (nucleus pulposus), surrounded by an outer ring (annulus fibrosus). When this softer component ruptures (herniates) through the outer ring it can press directly on nerve roots and irritate adjacent nervous tissue. These conditions can be treated in the majority of cases with medical and conservative treatment (non surgical). Non surgical treatment includes, physical therapy, certain exercises, weight reduction, epidural steroid injections, non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory medications, and decreased daily activities. The pain usually improves faster than the numbness and the weakness if present. Surgery for disc herniation is only considered if symptoms are not controlled after at least one month (6 weeks) of medical and conservative treatment, or in very complicated cases with serious symptoms. A spinal physician is the one able to determine if surgery is the best treatment for the patient. Keep us updated. Best regards.

warkitten - Mon Feb 26, 2007 10:25 pm

I had the MRI's and apparently I need surgery. I have two degenerated discs. From what the doc says there is now fluid in them at all, and for lack of abetter term, they are "dry rotted". Which is what is causing the pain in my back. but I also have calcium deposits on the "knuckles" (btw I am using the words that the doc used with me to explain so that Iwould understand what she meant) of 4 vertebrae which is pinching the nerves down to my legs. The problem is it's left sided on two vertabrae and right sided on the others so I have to have surgery to "poto rooter" and "shave" off bone from those vertabrae, and fussion of the three verabrae that are effected by the degenerated discs. Prior to all of that, I have to have a discogram, for insurance purposes. I've done some internet research on the procedure and the doctor actually apologized for having to put me through "midevil toruture" simply for insurance purposed. Please put my mind at ease for this procedure. Im terrified. My doctor does not prescribe pain medication prior to surgery, becaue it is too difficult to control post op pain on patients who have been on narcotic medication. She did tell me that Icould go to my pcpo if the pain got too intense. I am getting to the point that I can barely walk the pain is so bad, and with children, it's not working out. Is it worth it for me to get my PCP to give me meds? Or is the post op pain going to be too difficult tocontrol? Is the dixcogram going to be as torturous as I am invisioning? Thanks for help. Hope to hear back soo.

warkitten - Mon Feb 26, 2007 10:28 pm

the degenerated discs, are NOT thoracic, they are Lumbral. The doc said the upper body numbness, was my body protecting me from more pain.

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