Just to let you folks low that saw neurologist today and she says I have cervical stenosis and will need back surgery. This would most likely be done through the front of the neck but could be done on back of the neck if something changes on the MRI.. I have MRI tomorrow and then EMG next week when she will make her final discussion. She said depending on MRI's it could be immediately or as soon as possible or else a wait a bit. There is no saying "no" as that means paralysis. Ain't old age and bad health grand. I have had a couple of hard surgeries and I wasn't prepared for one at this age.
I have had no headaches or neck pain. Had increase in balance issues past 6 months but that is not usual for me. I have had some numbness in fingers for many years plus toes, etc. This numbness hit me slowly over a few days but escalated and then decreased. Still have numbness and pain but no pain pills for now. If it doesn't get any worse I will live. She is not sure if my incontinence is related or not because it does have inflammatory component in bladder. I started cellcept 2 weeks ago and this Tuesday my bladder seemed to sort or quiet down a little bit. Time will tell.This has not been my best year that is for sure. I won't get moved this year that is for sure....which is fine. NO big changes for me at this time.
My boys were going to put up a small house out at the farm for me this winter but we dropped that as kids have too much going on. I also told them I didn't want them doing that work for me and injuring themselves and not be able to work. They are getting older themselves!!!!! So life just keeps on. Thanks goodness for TV and Diagnosis Murder and HGTV. Cant crochet right now and will be thankful if I can later on. Take care all. Happy Halloween. Irish
Seems to never end, doesnt it? My daughter is currently dealing with the stenosis issue, and she is in her early 40's. She had an EMG a couple days ago. She will also need surgery, but is hoping they can put it off for a few years. Guess it depends on just how bad it gets. I do wish you didnt have to deal with a surgery ahead, as you deserve more healthy days and less sick ones. Wish at times like this, we all lived close to each other to be able to help each other thru these difficult times....but we are with you in thoughts and prayers. Yes...life does keep on. Please keep us posted with the surgery plans. I have my neurologist appointment on Nov 15th, so stressed about that...but will do what I need to do...and will stay strong (as you encourage us all to do).
I hope that this will help you feel better. (((Hugs)))
Great idea to live close and help each other out when times get tough. However, I think we would kill each other off as we would be working non stop taking care of each other. At least we would not be bored or lonely. lol. Have a good weekend abd stay warm. Irish
I have been doing some research on cervical stenosis and surgery. Interesting article on the spinal cord not being bathed in enough spinal fluid so it results in increased pressure on the cord. This results in swelling which results in increased symptoms.
Now, I am curious if people with Sjogrens are needing more back surgery and having more back symptoms maybe precipitated by decrease in spinal fluid to bath and moisten the cord. What do you bet!!!!!!Irish
Irish,
Sending loving hugs your way. I pray that the other test allows you to finish this year out without surgery so you can just get through the holidays with love and joy from your family. I know we don't like to feel like we are burdening them but we love seeing their faces and feeling the warmth of their love. We are here to keep your spirits up as we travel life paths through these mazes.
Thank you all for your well wishes. I am sitting here not very optimistic about avoiding surgery. I had MRI yesterday and it was without contrast and lasted 2 hours. I am just exhausted today and my numbness and pain in neck, back, arms, hands is worse today. Having a terrible time keyboarding. I have to go back next week for MRI with contrast on lumbar spine. I am having lots of problems with cervical and lumbar but the cervical will come first as my symptoms are much worse.
I never would have guessed that I could from zero to 90 with symptoms. As I look back over the past 2 years I have had a lot of things going on that I could have blamed on cervical issues. I did not know so many things below the waist could be from cervical spine issues.
I am wondering if the concussion and skull fracture on back of head that involved the foramen magnum have caused damage that no one ever considered. Time will tell. The doctor told me the 3 surgeons she uses up in the cities and I have already decided which one I will choose. Talk about a negative attitude.Doc wanted to give me pain meds but I find ways to cope and will continue to do so as long as I can. With my balance issues longstanding all I need to do is get stoned and fall and break a hip. Take care all. I guess we can say hello to an early winter in Minnesota. Irish
Oh Irish, you have been through so much, and now this! I will keep you in my prayers and hope that the surgery will help address known issues and maybe even resolve some things that you are dealing with that can't readily be attributed to your neck issues.
I see a neurosurgeon on Nov 6 to discuss possible neck surgery. We can hold virtual hands through it all!!
First of all I want to wish you well with your surgery. I found your statement about spinal fluid in the Sjogrens patient interesting. I have had 2 major surgeries in my lumbar with 4 of the 5 levels now fused. I still have a lot of pain and rely on injections every few months. I also have 3 compressed cervical disks which I used to have a lot of pain from. I was contemplating surgery, but learned that if I keep my neck in the neutral position, especially when on my Ipad or phone, I don?t get near as much pain. My sister who also has Sjogrens, also has a lot of back pain. I aways joke that I feel like I need a shot of WD40. Maybe that?s due to lack of spinal fluid. 😄
Jenny
Hi Irish, it never ends!
I have severe cervical stenosis, but it isn't affecting my hands or arms. So I'm willing to leave it be.
It always aches, however. But not severe pain, so I'm willing to leave it be.
I have known folks who have great relief and success with the surgery you are contemplating. I would have that surgery, but as I said, I can live with the Cervical Stenosis for now while I deal with other issues.
I fell on October 8, backwards, sitting down very hard on a tile floor. I fractured my Lumbar spine, and it is healing ever so slowly. I thought I was disabled before this, but the added pain has thrown me for a loop. The techniques I learned when recovering from my lumbar back surgery in October 2016, helped me get in and out of bed.
I am suffering intensely and disgustingly from IBS right now. Adding this to my decreased mobility is really difficult. I am examining my diet closely, and found that the corn I was leaving in soups is probably the worst culprit. And perhaps the cashew protein in my protein bars. I will stop having them for breakfast and find something else for now.
Any thing I have to give up is worth it to stop the IBS misery. I adopted the FODMAP elimination diet last April and it worked a charm. But I didn't realize the restrictions on corn if tolerated, and now I know to hard way.
I always seem to learn the hard way. sigh
Please keep us posted on your journey, Irish.
Hugs, Elaine