Pain In Leg When Lying Down , I'm Really Tired Posted: 06-18-07 06:37am
I'm having alot of pain when trying to
sleep; constant pain from my right hip to
my right foot all night long and also if I
try to lie down for a nap during the day.
These are my MRI findings, should I seek a
neurologist for this? My regular G.P. whom
I've seen once about this says that I
don't need to come back. I'm a mess.
MRI FINDINGS:
There is grade I spondylolisthesis of L4
on L5.
No spondylolisis seen.
Moderate disc space narrowing is
identified at L3-L4.
There is mild to moderate disc space
narrowing at L4-L5.
The remainder of the intervertebral disc
spaces are intact.
Mild discovertebral degenerative changes
are noted in the lower lumbar spine.
Circumferential disc bulges are
identified at L2-L3 through L4-L5.
No significant central spinal canal
stenosis is identified at these levels
There is a relatively small posterior disc
herniation at L5-S1 on the left.
No significant central spinal canal
stenosis is seen at this level, however,
there is mild narrowing of the left
lateral recess affecting the left S1 nerve
root.
There is mild bilateral neural foraminal
narrowing at L3-L4 secondary to bulging
disc
.
Mild neural foraminal narrowing is also
seen at L4-L5 on the right.
There is moderate narrowing of the neural
foramen at L4-L5 on the left.
This finding is in part related to
hypertrophic facet joint changes at this
level.
IMPRESSION:
1. Grade I spondylolisthesis of L4 on L5.
No spondylolysis.
2. Disc space narrowing at L3-L4 and at
L4-L5.
3. Circumferential disc bulges at L2-L3
through L4-L5. There is a small focal
posterior disc herniation at L5-S1 on the
left. Mild left lateral recess narrowing
is seen at L5-S1.
4. No significant central spinal canal
stenosis.
5. Bilateral neural foraminal narrowing at
L3-L4 and L4-L5 as described above.
Thank You,
Karbear
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lonestarguy
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 592 Location: , Hoosierland, USA
Thanks: 10
Thanked:1
Posted: 06-24-07 21:44pm
Karbear023....Just looking at your mri
report says you have several things which
COULD be causing your pain. Disc space
narrowing means your nerves near the
spinal column might be pinched. Bulges are
indicative of unstability in your discs,
also not good. You also have a small
herniation at L5-S1.
I have degenerative disc disease, like
arthritis in your spine, in my lower back
like you and I have fought pain for the
past 7 years. You obviously have nerve
involvement with neural foramen narrowing,
which causes pain like no other.
My opinion is that you should see a pain
managment specialist and see if epidural
nerve blocks or steroid injections might
help your pain. I have had several of both
and none worked for me but every person is
different and it might give some temporary
relief. Physical therapy, massage,
acupuncture and spinal stretching are
other options.
The pain dr. might also RX some meds to
handle pain and most of them are
heavy-duty narcotics so you have to be
careful not to use more than prescribed.
They probably will start you on darvon or
tramadol or codeine but, with this kind of
pain, you could well find yourself in the
major leagues of drugs like oxycontin,
norco, morphine or other hydrocodones.
You're a mess alright, but then, most
people with back pain are. It's not your
fault but you need to find a way out of
the cycle of pain. Just between you and
me, most doctors don't know the exact
cause of back pain because each person's
problem is different.
I hope you do find a way to help yourself
and just ask me if you need any more
info.
lsg
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karbear023
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Ohio
Doctor Doesn't Care - Abandoned With Unspeakable Pain Posted: 06-26-07 05:49am
I feel so abandoned by my new doctor. I
went to her with this horrible pain at
night, she orders an MRI. Before the MRI
results, she gave me one month of Lyrica
and Vicodin. The Lyrica did take the edge
off at night, after a month when I ran out
I called for a refill and she won't return
my calls. I still have alot of the Vicodin
left, it doesn't help much at all, taking
two is like taking tylenol.
Why do doctors do this???
I have an appointment with a neuro the
middle of July.
I'm in pain all night, cannot lay on my
left or right side and now the pain is
preventing me from lying on my back. I'm
scared of this lightning, stabbing pain,
and a doctor whom I cannot figure out.
It can be a lonely brutally painful life.
Karbear
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sillyakchick
Moderator
Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 2690
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Thanked:0
Posted: 06-26-07 13:00pm
I am sorry to hear of your frustration
with your doctor. I hope you will soon be
finding a new PCP. I read over your MRI
results, and they don't sound bad enough
to warrant having surgery. I agree with
the above poster who indicated injections
and pain management might be a good route
to take. I also agree with his suggestion
regarding acupuncture, as this is a very
helpful modality. In addition, I would
reccommend you find a caring and
sympathetic osteopathic physician who does
manipulation therapy. also, a good course
of physical therapy following an injection
can really help you to strengthen and
protect your back from future issues. It
is a hard road to take, but from what it
sounds like you can recover from this and
feel much better.
Let us know how things go for you.
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karbear023
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Ohio
Saw An Orthopedist Re to Spondy - What Is a Pain Management Posted: 06-29-07 06:00am
Hi,
Thank you so much for all of your advice.
He did more x-rays yesterday and he says
the pain is coming from the spondy, it is
moving with change of position but not
"alot". He states it is causing me to lose
disk space and causing disk bulging which
in turn is causing the nerve pain.
He is sending me for a series of 3 nerve
blocks and more P.t. What is a pain
management doctor? His assistant stated
before the doctor came in that he might
send me for p.m. An anesthesiologist is
doing the injections. I'm not sure if he
is the p.m. doctor???
He did mention surgery but I told him I
didn't want to talk about that.
I think it is only a stage 1. I hope he is
right. He asked me if I ever had cancer,,
I hope he ask everyone that.
Thank you to everyone that has responded,
you are a life boat in a stormy sea.
Karbear
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lonestarguy
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 592 Location: , Hoosierland, USA
Thanks: 10
Thanked:1
Posted: 06-29-07 13:12pm
karbear023....there are pain management
clinics in most large cities (I am not
sure where you live) and some doctors
specialize in pain management--not just
back pain but all kinds. The nerve blocks
should help determine how much nerve pain
there is.
Good luck.
lsg
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sillyakchick
Moderator
Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 2690
Thanks: 5
Thanked:0
Posted: 06-29-07 20:48pm
pain management doctors specilise (mostly
in medication management and the referral
to other providers for non-surgical
conservative options, such as acupuncture,
rolfing, physical therapy, ets. The
doctor doing your pain blocks is either an
anesthesiologist, or interventional
radiologist. They both perfor , these
procedures. Some anesthisiologists also
have clinic hours for pain management, and
others do not. Hope this clarifies things
a littl ebit for you.
