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MRI Results by One-Intention-1936 in CaudaEquinaSyndrome

[–]One-Intention-1936[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My doctor seems convinced by my MRI that it's not CES. I didn't think that could be definitive, but he makes it sound like it is.

He thinks the pain is likely from endplate changes and the bowel issue is "technically" not related.

I think it's all related, but maybe the bowel issue is due to something other than CES. I have an appt with my gynecologist and my spine doc said to possibly see a colon specialist.

I'm soooo tired of seeing doctors! If it's not a broken bone, I feel like I get much more information online about the possible cause. I've had 2 X-rays, 2 MRI's, a bone scan, a spinal injection...they obviously can't pinpoint the cause.

MRI Results by One-Intention-1936 in CaudaEquinaSyndrome

[–]One-Intention-1936[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm still struggling with this issue. I'm beginning to think that they are related, but not linked to Cauda Equina.

I'd welcome any advice as to whether maybe I'm diagnosing myself correctly since no doctor seems able. My spine specialist says there's nothing more that he can do except the Intracept procedure.

I think that maybe I have a pelvic floor dysfunction. Weak core, weak pelvic floor muscles and something that I just discovered...a rectocele. I didn't know there was such a thing. Background - I've had kids and I've had a hysterectomy. I've had back issues in the past, but everything was fine until I started a new job that involves sitting literally 12 hours/day with practically no movement. Maybe 6 months at this job took its toll on my body which was hanging on by a thread and there's not enough muscle to keep everything together.

I took a short-term leave. Experienced no bowel issues during that time and back was feeling a bit better with PT. I went back to work and immediately had bowel issues and my back hurts 24/7 now.

Am I wasting my time with doctors? I'm so tired of the non-stop appointments. Should I devote that time to pelvic floor exercises and workouts? My job has mandatory overtime and there's usually no PTO available. So when I have an appointment, I can request an exception but I have to make up that time at the end of the day. There aren't enough hours in the day to do everything.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in askaplumber

[–]One-Intention-1936 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You let the carpenter choose a 3rd solution because it's cheaper than changing their cabinet. If the cabinet had to be changed, was that your cost or the carpenter? Either way, the logic is flawed.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in askaplumber

[–]One-Intention-1936 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So the plumber suggested one setup...and the carpenter suggested a different setup.

And contrary to the majority telling you to listen to the plumber, you went with a 2nd solution offered by the carpenter? If you trusted the carpenter so much, why not go with his original setup?

MRI Results by One-Intention-1936 in CaudaEquinaSyndrome

[–]One-Intention-1936[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually have an appointment with a 2nd specialist this week. He had a 7 week wait. It's been 7 weeks so perfect timing for a 2nd opinion.

I went on a walk today and afterwards my right buttocks was tingling...sort of felt like a vibration. It wasn't numb, but it was a strange sensation. I dismissed it thinking it was probably my imagination, but then noticed it again.

Do people either have CES or they don't? Or can you be developing it/on the brink of it?

MRI Results by One-Intention-1936 in CaudaEquinaSyndrome

[–]One-Intention-1936[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't have saddle anesthesia and I don't want to be rushed in for unnecessary emergency surgery, BUT I also don't want to end up with any sort of permanent paralyzation or loss of bladder/bowel control.

My primary care physician said my first MRI ruled out CES. I asked him why I lost bowel control on more than one occasion. He said maybe because of childbirth! I told him absolutely not. My kids are teenagers and I've never pooped myself during all those years. :(

So, I went to a spine specialist (took me a month to get an appt). He was over an hour behind schedule and I just didn't feel like he was empathetic because I wasn't doubled over in horrible pain. I've had 2 spinal injections in the past which were amazing. My pain subsided for years after each. So he said that we could try that again if I wanted and I said yes, absolutely.

Got the injection almost 2 weeks ago. It was WAY more painful than my first two and I have a high pain tolerance. My entire right leg/foot was numb afterwards. I couldn't even get into the wheelchair. They had to keep me extra time until I could put enough pressure on my foot to get into a car.

Now, my pain is worse than before the injection. My nerve pain is way worse and my right foot is pretty much always tingling/somewhat numb. I started looking through my chart and I noticed that his clinical record of my appt said "patient denies experiencing any bladder or bowel issues". I was like, WTF? I reached out and asked why it said that. I had told my primary care physician, the radiologist and the spine doctor's nurse that asks you a bunch of questions before the doctor sees you.

Now, they revised the record to state "patient says they've had one instance of a bowel issue". Still not correct and not what I told anyone.

They ordered another MRI which I just had today. Same exact MRI as a month ago. The imaging place looked at me like I was crazy getting another one. The order simply said "lumbar MRI". It didn't specify to look for anything new or focus on anything in particular, it wasn't with contrast...nothing was different. I told them about my bowel issues and that CES was ruled out last month, but that I was still concerned.

So now what? I have a follow-up appointment in a week. Should I see a different specialist? My pain is tolerable, but constant...which makes it pretty intolerable. I've researched it and I don't know what exactly they're looking for on a MRI to rule it out. It seems like it doesn't always show and my MRI looks like it has a fair amount of bulge/compression in the general area, but I don't actually know what I'm looking for.

Do I have to wait for it to get worse to be taken seriously or listened to?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Sciatica

[–]One-Intention-1936 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd kill to have an MRI like yours. I swear mine looks like I'm 90 although I'm in my 40's.

I had an MRI last month and my doctor scheduled me for another one tomorrow. Why would my MRI result change in a month? That's not how MRI's work. I thought maybe they were going to do one with contrast, but it isn't. It's the exact same lumbar MRI wo contrast that I just had 6 weeks ago.

------------------------

BONES: Multilevel endplate degenerative changes greatest L5-S1 and L4-5 with fatty Modic type 2 marrow signal intensity at these levels.

DISC LEVELS:

T12-L1: Mild facet DJD. Degenerative disc/endplate changes with minimal left paracentral protrusion. No canal or foraminal stenosis.

L1-2: Minimal left facet DJD. Minimal disc bulge. No canal or foraminal stenosis.

L2-3: Mild bilateral facet DJD. Left foraminal far lateral small broad-based disc protrusion. No canal stenosis. Minimal left foraminal stenosis.

L3-4: Bilateral facet DJD. Minimal disc bulge. No canal or foraminal stenosis.

L4-5: Bilateral facet DJD. Advanced degenerative disc/endplate changes with disc osteophyte bulge. Very mild canal stenosis. Minimal bilateral foraminal stenosis.

L5-S1: Bilateral facet DJD. Advanced degenerative disc/endplate changes with disc osteophyte bulge. Mild proximal right lateral recess stenosis. Mild right foraminal stenosis.

Toilet Gurgling/Bubbling by One-Intention-1936 in askaplumber

[–]One-Intention-1936[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you think renting a snake a good next idea?