Liisa
09-14-2003, 12:45 AM
If a person was having specific lower back pain (below the waist) for weeks that was slowly getting worse, how would a dr know if it is a mechanical problem or a spinal infection? I have now convinced myself it is the latter as my bloodwork showed an elevated WBC and I am now running a low grade fever. Dr had put me on prednisone which is the only thing that eased the pain in the back, but now am on a second round which is not working as well now. Have an appt on the 24th with a neurosurgeon but they have not taken any xrays up to this point. I feel flu-ish and the back pain is constantly there now. Could it be a spinal infection and how would they determine that exactly?
Thanks for any info.
Thanks for any info.
Sponsor
Liisa
09-14-2003, 09:04 AM
bumped so it wouldn't fall off the page lol
NYFUSED
09-14-2003, 11:46 PM
HI,
A spinal tap would show infection. They draw a small amount of fluid out from the spinal cord in the lumbar area. Did they check your c-rective protein and ESR (SED RATE) That also shows infection and inflamation. I had a staph infection after my surgery and I felt the same way. I wish you luck and hope you feel better.
Lori
laminectomy L4-5 2001
ACDF C5-6-7 10/2002
POST. LAMINECTOMY -FORAMINOTOMY C6-7 6/4/2003
STAPH INFEC. HOSP 7/4- 7/9/2003
A spinal tap would show infection. They draw a small amount of fluid out from the spinal cord in the lumbar area. Did they check your c-rective protein and ESR (SED RATE) That also shows infection and inflamation. I had a staph infection after my surgery and I felt the same way. I wish you luck and hope you feel better.
Lori
laminectomy L4-5 2001
ACDF C5-6-7 10/2002
POST. LAMINECTOMY -FORAMINOTOMY C6-7 6/4/2003
STAPH INFEC. HOSP 7/4- 7/9/2003
Debbie2
09-15-2003, 12:20 AM
I for sure would call the doctor if the course they have you on isn't working. When you see the NS on the 24th, surely you will have an xray then. Sorry I can't be of more help, didn't have these symptoms. Call and check with the doctor.... Maybe you just have an infection totally unrelated to this?
Debbie
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Debbie2
ACDF fusion (c5c6) with titanium plate and screws using donor bone -
September 4, 2002.
Debbie
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Debbie2
ACDF fusion (c5c6) with titanium plate and screws using donor bone -
September 4, 2002.
lostsoul15204
09-15-2003, 06:39 AM
Liisa, Infection will also show up on mri, it appears as a cloudy area arounmd where infection has settled, this along with elevated wbc,c-reactive protien and sed rate(which should be between 0-15) I have an infection in my spine caused by a rare form of strep,believe me when I tekk you it sucks, they usually dissappear after 6 weeks of IV antibiotics, well It's been 14 months and I still have mine, I was on antibiotics for over 9 mo. and I still have it!!!I see neurologist before my next operation to try to clean out more of infected area. I sincerely hope you don't have an infection. Good luck abd God Bless,
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Rick
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Rick
Liisa
09-15-2003, 07:54 PM
Thanks so much for all the responses.
Rick, I am convinced its an infection. I realized that this started up shortly having work done on an infected root canal tooth. But how in the world would I have an infection from a tooth travel all the way and land in the bottom of my spine? Is that possible?
I don't feel well, the blood count is still up, running a fever some. (low) Feel like I have the flu.
The pain in my back is very specific and comes and goes. My doctor just scheduled me to see an neuro in a week and a half, and did not prescribe anything except prednisone. No antibiotics. I don't know what to do as I am feeling sicker an sicker now.
Thanks so much for trying to help me figure this out.
Lisa
Rick, I am convinced its an infection. I realized that this started up shortly having work done on an infected root canal tooth. But how in the world would I have an infection from a tooth travel all the way and land in the bottom of my spine? Is that possible?
I don't feel well, the blood count is still up, running a fever some. (low) Feel like I have the flu.
The pain in my back is very specific and comes and goes. My doctor just scheduled me to see an neuro in a week and a half, and did not prescribe anything except prednisone. No antibiotics. I don't know what to do as I am feeling sicker an sicker now.
Thanks so much for trying to help me figure this out.
Lisa
bobwall55
10-16-2003, 03:45 PM
lostsoul15204
Rick, Your description of your infection sounds much like mine. I had C-Spine surgery in Aug 2001 and shortly after started getting infections. When first tested my CRP was 103 and the SED rate was 95. I did the 6 weeks of IV antibiotics and thought it was gone. Nope it wasn't and it had dammaged the donor bone in c6-c7 and needed to be replaced. I went back in (July 2003)to have the c6-c7 repaired and they placed a bone out of my hip there. They put a drain in just below where they went in, and after the second day it started draining some funny looking stuff. More tests were done and they discovered a hole in my esphosgus. They now are saying that the leak has problbly been there since the first surgery over two years ago, and id the cause of all the infections. I'm still trying to get the leak to stop by taking nothing at all by mouth, and being fed by a tube in my stomach, since they say the best way for my esophagus to heal is to do it on it own, without further surgery. I hope ya'll can understand what I am talking about, it's kind of hard to explain.
Rick, Your description of your infection sounds much like mine. I had C-Spine surgery in Aug 2001 and shortly after started getting infections. When first tested my CRP was 103 and the SED rate was 95. I did the 6 weeks of IV antibiotics and thought it was gone. Nope it wasn't and it had dammaged the donor bone in c6-c7 and needed to be replaced. I went back in (July 2003)to have the c6-c7 repaired and they placed a bone out of my hip there. They put a drain in just below where they went in, and after the second day it started draining some funny looking stuff. More tests were done and they discovered a hole in my esphosgus. They now are saying that the leak has problbly been there since the first surgery over two years ago, and id the cause of all the infections. I'm still trying to get the leak to stop by taking nothing at all by mouth, and being fed by a tube in my stomach, since they say the best way for my esophagus to heal is to do it on it own, without further surgery. I hope ya'll can understand what I am talking about, it's kind of hard to explain.