eagle18
04-21-2006, 02:21 PM
Hi, everyone. Hope that recovery has found good fortune for you. I am now slightly past 2 years post -op for cervical laminectomy with fusion. Although there have been some improvements, nothing has improved in the area of walking, and lately I've begun to develop periods of incontinence. I am very troubled and quite frightened by this developement. I have to go to the toilet maybe 25 times a day. Has anyone had similar experiences ?
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mb100
04-21-2006, 02:45 PM
Hey Eagle,
I'm 2 years post C-4/7 acdf, 4 days post C-567 posterior fusion and beginning to wonder about that, I have to go alot, but I'm drinking alot too. I also have gait issues that I've had since before the acdf, I dont expect any improvement there. The incontinence problem, I hope, is just temporary from thr surgery. Maybe you have a recurring/new problem up in the neck area. Have you been back to the Dr. lately?
Mike
I'm 2 years post C-4/7 acdf, 4 days post C-567 posterior fusion and beginning to wonder about that, I have to go alot, but I'm drinking alot too. I also have gait issues that I've had since before the acdf, I dont expect any improvement there. The incontinence problem, I hope, is just temporary from thr surgery. Maybe you have a recurring/new problem up in the neck area. Have you been back to the Dr. lately?
Mike
sunshine221
04-21-2006, 05:17 PM
I'm interested in your gait problems.
I'm 7+ months post op C4-7 laminectomy - no fusion. Before surgery I was getting severe "urgent to go" issues, not quite incontinent. I noticed recently that I can't always (sometimes I can, but usually not) stop my urinary stream once it starts, I can usually slow it so there is some muscle control there. I never really tried this pre-op, my guess is this problem developed along with the stenosis and we never checked for it. (I've been doing the "keagle exercises" back from the pregnancy days to try to work on those muscles - I realize that doesn't apply to you.)
Back to the gait - my NS has referred me to a "Physical and Rehibilitation MD" - but the appointment (unless they get a cancellation) isn't until Jul 6.
I'm 7+ months post op C4-7 laminectomy - no fusion. Before surgery I was getting severe "urgent to go" issues, not quite incontinent. I noticed recently that I can't always (sometimes I can, but usually not) stop my urinary stream once it starts, I can usually slow it so there is some muscle control there. I never really tried this pre-op, my guess is this problem developed along with the stenosis and we never checked for it. (I've been doing the "keagle exercises" back from the pregnancy days to try to work on those muscles - I realize that doesn't apply to you.)
Back to the gait - my NS has referred me to a "Physical and Rehibilitation MD" - but the appointment (unless they get a cancellation) isn't until Jul 6.
bozzie
04-21-2006, 06:24 PM
Hello!
I had a laminectomy w/out fusion and foraminotomies a little over a year ago. I have been taking Neurontin (then Gabapentin). I had bladder and sexual problems before surgery. After surgery, the feelings came back in my hands and everywhere (including bladder and sexual response). I had stopped taking Neurontin for several months. After returning to work in a grocery store with a lot of lifting, I started taking Neur. again and without putting two and two together, I started noticing the same lack of feeling again. I did an experiment and stopped taking it for three months and everything was back to normal again. Unfortunetly, I recently had to start again. I have an appt next week w/my Dr. where I will disucss an alternative!
Please let me know if there are similar experiences as I have not found anything on the internet!
I had a laminectomy w/out fusion and foraminotomies a little over a year ago. I have been taking Neurontin (then Gabapentin). I had bladder and sexual problems before surgery. After surgery, the feelings came back in my hands and everywhere (including bladder and sexual response). I had stopped taking Neurontin for several months. After returning to work in a grocery store with a lot of lifting, I started taking Neur. again and without putting two and two together, I started noticing the same lack of feeling again. I did an experiment and stopped taking it for three months and everything was back to normal again. Unfortunetly, I recently had to start again. I have an appt next week w/my Dr. where I will disucss an alternative!
Please let me know if there are similar experiences as I have not found anything on the internet!
eagle18
04-21-2006, 08:41 PM
Hey Eagle,
I'm 2 years post C-4/7 acdf, 4 days post C-567 posterior fusion and beginning to wonder about that, I have to go alot, but I'm drinking alot too. I also have gait issues that I've had since before the acdf, I dont expect any improvement there. The incontinence problem, I hope, is just temporary from thr surgery. Maybe you have a recurring/new problem up in the neck area. Have you been back to the Dr. lately?
Mike
Hi Mike, Yes I've had an mri of my neck about a month ago, and there wern't any new problems. All the nuero's I've seen say I have cord damage. This prognosis is based on some routine physical exams they conduct. What worries me, especially about the incontinence is that I seem to be getting worse. Pain is worse too. Having to use greater amount of pain killers. I am very despondent. Thanks for your help as well as everyone else.
I'm 2 years post C-4/7 acdf, 4 days post C-567 posterior fusion and beginning to wonder about that, I have to go alot, but I'm drinking alot too. I also have gait issues that I've had since before the acdf, I dont expect any improvement there. The incontinence problem, I hope, is just temporary from thr surgery. Maybe you have a recurring/new problem up in the neck area. Have you been back to the Dr. lately?
Mike
Hi Mike, Yes I've had an mri of my neck about a month ago, and there wern't any new problems. All the nuero's I've seen say I have cord damage. This prognosis is based on some routine physical exams they conduct. What worries me, especially about the incontinence is that I seem to be getting worse. Pain is worse too. Having to use greater amount of pain killers. I am very despondent. Thanks for your help as well as everyone else.
mb100
04-22-2006, 05:36 AM
Hey Eagle,
You said you are having periods of incontinence, so do you have times when it's not a problem? I just wonder if something you are doing might be causing it.
I didnt realize mine was a problem until it got better. That happened when I stopped therapy. The Dr. had asked me from the beginning if I was having bladder trouble and I always said no, not knowing that it had come on gradually, but when it was relieved oh man did I feel better. I could blast it out, and I could finish without that feeling that you're not really done, ya know. Anyway the thing is back, I just hope it's normal post-op stuff and will clear up.
I hope you find an answer and feel better. Let us know.
Mike
You said you are having periods of incontinence, so do you have times when it's not a problem? I just wonder if something you are doing might be causing it.
I didnt realize mine was a problem until it got better. That happened when I stopped therapy. The Dr. had asked me from the beginning if I was having bladder trouble and I always said no, not knowing that it had come on gradually, but when it was relieved oh man did I feel better. I could blast it out, and I could finish without that feeling that you're not really done, ya know. Anyway the thing is back, I just hope it's normal post-op stuff and will clear up.
I hope you find an answer and feel better. Let us know.
Mike
feelbad
04-22-2006, 10:57 AM
eagle,just where is you actual area of damage or where the surgery was done?what levels were involved with regard to your spine?Is it just that you have more urges or stronger urges to have to go,or are you actually having periods of incontinence?where you just pee all of the sudden before making it to the bathroom?what about at night?have you actually we the bed at any time?I still have periodic nite time episodes,really really sucks alot.I now have to sleep with one of those pads that I used to have to under my kids sheets when they were babies.really awful.and of course the old reliable poise pads.This is caused by my now,neurogenic bladder.I did not have this before my spinal cord surgery.it has waxed and waned over the past two and a half years,but seems to have improved somewhat.I still ahve occasional bouts but nearly as bad as when it first started.i still have that real intense need to get to the potty like ASAP when I feel I have to go or I will start that little dribble before I can even sit down.
i am hoping that eventually something will get better here.I also have a kidney disease which doesn't help this at all.You really need to find out whether this is related to your spinal issues or something else.there are other reasons for what you have described that have nothing at all to do with spinal issues,more body system type problems.Marcia
i am hoping that eventually something will get better here.I also have a kidney disease which doesn't help this at all.You really need to find out whether this is related to your spinal issues or something else.there are other reasons for what you have described that have nothing at all to do with spinal issues,more body system type problems.Marcia
mb100
04-22-2006, 03:28 PM
Hey Eagle,
Are you having any other new symptoms, or are any of the other old ones returning?? How about your walking?
Mike
Are you having any other new symptoms, or are any of the other old ones returning?? How about your walking?
Mike
eagle18
04-22-2006, 04:13 PM
Hi, everyone. Alot of good questions there. first of all I had cervical lamenectomy w/fusion at c3 - c6. Let's put it this way, I have to go to the toilet all the time, maybe 25 times a day or whatever. Drives me crazy. Within the last week i have wet myself while asleep. Once after a night's sleep and once after a nap. I realize that it could be related to someting else but don't think so. Incontinence is a very normal symptom of spinal stenosis the way I understand it. One thing more. A homeopath has been trying to help me and he told me to take something called causticum. After a month my walking did not improve at all. So he told me to take something else, and I stopped taking the causticum. Interestingly, on the bottle of causticum it says BEDWETTING ? I told the homo about that and he said forget it. Anyway the other stuff he gave me didn't work at all, gave me heartburn. Guess what it said on the bottle......For relief of heartburn from overeating etc. I stopped the new stuff right away. Yesterday I went back to the causticum and here's were my fingers are crossed. There may be fewer ( so far ) trips to the toilet. It's possible that the homo accidently prescribed a remedy to check something that ws goint to happen anyway, cause when i stopped taking it, the problem got much worse. It could have been coincidence that I started taking causticum just at the time when the incontinence was about to rear it's ugly head ( lol ) and had some affect in controlling it. As for everyting else. my blood is good, liver good, but have to get my lungs looked at. been spitting up different colored flem from time to time. Sometimes RED. Pretty scared about that. Going to keep trying homeopathic stuff because it's all that's left. They say the cord damage is why I'm spastic and therefore have great trouble walking. The strange thing to me is that stenosis is so like MS. the symptoms are identical. Pain in the legs especially and spasticity. I know that the homeopath's in England claim good result caim result with cannibis. Not the weed itself, but some sort of chocolate made with some small amount of some kind of cannibis. You can get it in the U.S. but must have a doctor apply for it ( good luck ) and they will only give it to MS patients ??? I don't know what else to say. been extremely depressed of late and in more physical pain. Either the pain killers ( percocet and oxycontin ) aren't working like before or I'm just in more pain.
Goog luck to all, feel better and hope help is on you side and god or whatever too.
George
Goog luck to all, feel better and hope help is on you side and god or whatever too.
George
feelbad
04-24-2006, 10:49 AM
eagle,just to clarify,you DO have definite actual damage to your cord,not just the nerves there?My spasticity is also due to the actual cord damage too.this is stemming from the cortico tract in the cord.just wondering to what extent your cord is damaged?Marcia
john the bomb
04-25-2006, 11:45 PM
I have chronic cauda equina syndrome.I am fine for the most part.I walk well,but for the past 2 weeks I have been moving my bowels a lot and to be frank,at times I am not catching it.Yecch!Well,my doctor said IBS..I do feel better today.I know what you are going thru.One can get annoyed with incontinence issues.I have been bladder incontinent for 5 years.I learn to live with it.I work 2 jobs and lead an active life.The point is:You will be OK!