low back pain

[meshell_32]

I dont know if I have asked this before....but I am getting closer to surgery and was wondering if anyone had lower back/leg pain from Chiari that was relieved from decompression surgery? I just have not seen too many people that have it. I do not have a syrnix or tethered cord. I could possibly have spinal stenosis in the lumbar spine, because I have it in my t-spine and c-spine. I am having decompression in a couple weeks, and so hoping that it fixes it. If I walk or anything more than 10 min or so, my lower back stiffens up and I have a severe dull ache, as in my arms and hands. All these problems started with minor trauma. Thanks!!

[*Stormy*]

I know that is was noted in my first CT's that I had osteoarthritis in my neck that was causing "moderate" narrowing of the spinal canal. In my thoracic spine MRI, I have 4 vetebrae that have dessicated discs with height loss. I have mentioned this to a few Drs but no one seems to feel like it has any relevance and like you said, in other scans it wasn't mentioned. However, the area of my thoracic spine that always flares up is right where those discs are!! Believe it or not, with all my back problems I have NEVER had my lumbar spine scanned!! This is something I am going to bring up with my NS after I have my repeat brain and c-spine MRI's...I figured that I would deal with that first as they are looking for re-blockage. Maybe they will see more in my c-spine..
I know what you mean about it hurting to walk and sit, I find the only way that I can get some relief is in my recliner. I do take Lyrica and recently have been slowly upping the dose which I think has been helping. However, as soon as I am on my feet for awhile I usually find the pain ramps up again. Other than that, I just take OTC advil and tylenol, I can't stomach any other kind of pain reliever.

I really hope that you get somewhere with Dr. Rosner...this is all so frustrating!!

[meshell_32]

He is located in Hendersonville, NC....mjrosner.com

[jenniferk86]

I have lower back pain like you are describing, I aparently have facet artropathy, but doc doesnt think that it would cause as much pain as I am in... I am hoping decompression surgery will help, if and when I get it.

[dawnsc]

I keep seeing Dr. Rosner's name on here alot. Where is he located?

[meshell_32]

Thank you, of course I want honesty!! I do have spinal stenosis in the cervical spine and thoracic. Dr. Rosner did not have measurements for my lumbar spine....I am really thinking that is the problem...he wanted to fix my head first....then see if it helped.

I am sorry to hear about your persistant back pain, it hurts to walk and now even sitting down, Has spinal stenosis or teathered cord been ruled out for you?

I would check into cortisone shots if I do have stenosis and nerve compression but Im not up to going from dr to dr here to find someone here half as smart as dr rosner, lol and get some temporary relief. My first set of MRIs done in MO (c-spine and lumbar) did not note any stenosis, it was noted with dr. rosners mris he ordered with measurements (c-spine and t-spine), go figure. He just didnt have the lumbar redone because he wants to see if the decompression helps and if not then worry about my back.I just think there is a good chance if if have it in upper and middle, I have it in my back. I had a car accident and he said if I did have it in lower back, it could of caused nerve compression.

It will probaly be a waste of time to get someone to listen to me about how MRIs can miss things and I only have my lumbar MRI from MO. It happens so much, but most drs are stuck on the report....just wish I lived closer to my dr that does not take MRI reports as the bible, but unfortunately hes not here lol....oh well I guess I will just get back on my regular schedule of vicoden, I was trying to cut down because I have been resting alot and my headaches arent as severe if I rest but my back is getting worse. What pain relief did you find worked?

Thanks for the prayers, the more the better and stronger they are!!

[*Stormy*]

Hello

I would love to say yes but in the spirit of being honest (I'm sure you would rather I be), I have found that this is one thing that I still struggle with and I am over 1 yr post op. Mind you, I had extreme issues with my legs and back stiffening up which severely affected my gait. After surgery, my gait DID get somewhat better and I thought that the pain had been relieved. However, after I started to go back to my old routine the pain started up again, the spasming in my lower back and the aching that runs down my legs. That is when I started to go in search of effective pain relief when I realized this was something that was here to stay. BTW- I never had a syrinx either though it seems that I had worst problems with my legs than most with a syrinx, so I don't think that is always a factor. Plus, you must remember that we are all different and our bodies react differently so just b/c I didn't find relief, doesn't mean you won't. Also, I really believe that recovery has a lot to do with how much damage happened before the surgery. I was left for a very long time with very bad leg problems and in the end, it damaged my body. Once I was back up on my feet and the weakness was still there, it was likely that the pain would start again too.

I will be praying for you as you go into surgery... remember that a successful surgery is one that stops the progression and that is a miracle on it's own!! Take care...

Stormy

[selmaS]

  Hi sorry...I do have TC so we can not compare notes as it is not apples to apples......Stormy may be able to offer some insight.

Good luck with ur impending surgery : )

"selma"