Adult Tethered Cord - Suggestions For Dealing With Nuero Pain

[deyj]

I am 58, a male, 6' 2", 215 lbs., otherwise healthy - born with spina bifida occulta - hairy dimple - no serious symptoms until age 45. Have had 2 spinal cord untethering surgeries. Not willing to have another. No ability to urinate (self-cath), but not a "leaker". Decent bowel function, can feel inside when "I really have to go", no exterior sensation in perineum. Little/no feeling at sphincter. Relatively constant pain in rectal (combination of pain and feeling of having to go to the bathroom) area and both feet.. much more pronounced when moving lower half of my body (very painful to walk). Also, much more pronounced pain with presence of gas in my bowel. Use stool softener, celebrex and percocet (3/day) and 1 valium at bedtime. For whatever reason, my body produces an incredible amount of gas...much more in the last year or so without any change in dietary habits. Large farts 3 or 4 times/night. When gas builds up, nuero pain (not gas pain) wakes me up. Any movement in bed wakes me up. Mornings are very hard.... farting helps but pain relief is very gradual (15 minutes) and not complete. When I complete a bowel movement, fairly pronounced feelings remain that I still have to go. Have tried the 3 nueropathy drugs (nuerontin, lyrica, cymbalta) - no help at all. Finally, my questions: Can the sensation nerves for my rectal area be isolated and disabled without destroying function? If not, can those bowel-related nerves be diabled, colostomy installed, and not destroy my ability to walk? Are there any other new "angles" on nueropathy? Thank you, John Dey

[Abhijeet Ghosh]

Dear Friend deyj,
I must appretiate the way you have posted on my forum.It was looking so simple to read.
And also i understood that you have made your present life very comfortable and have adjusted pretty well to the need of the present condition.
Can the sensation nerves for my rectal area be isolated and disabled without destroying function? - Such a fine / delicate surgery is not possible.
If not, can those bowel-related nerves be disabled, colostomy installed, and not destroy my ability to walk? - This is possible.
Are there any other new "angles" on nueropathy? Presently i can't tell you much about this angle as we have got no choices about they way our body reacts to the present condition. And nerve regrowth/regeneration is not possible in this context.

A very good neurosurgeon would be able to guide you in a much better way as his physical findings will help you to resolve the issue.
Regards

[selmaS]

HI John...not a dr, but a member of the chairi forum here on MedHelp....I too have tethered cord and to date have not had the release surgery.

U may find more members with a common interest in ur questions in the chiari forum.

I hope u join us for sharing info, experiences and support.

"selma"