rosiedun

Hello everyone. Must say first, I have just discovered this website and WOW. What's better than getting some direction, advice, education from other's who have been through the same situations. A doctor who can sit in front of you and tell you certainities to something never personally experienced just doesn't quite carry the same weight.

Two years ago I standing on a chair at work (probably the only smart thing I did was do it at work), flat on my back onto a cement floor.

Microdiscectomy on L5-S1 in April of 2000. Returned to work in August. Problems continued. Progressed through the health care system (physio, chiropractor, anti-inflamatories, x-rays, cortisone injections. October 5, 2001 L4-L5 disc herniation (diagnosed later) finally exploded causing severe pain and trip to emergency. Mega drugs (valium and moriphine)prescribed and sent home. Next day left leg went numb, not able to walk. Five days later kidneys quite functioning. Then I was able to convince my doctor that this pain really wasn't in my head, I wasn't drinking alcohol and yes, something was indeed just not right!!!!

Admitted to hospital next day. CAT Scan, MRI - diagnosis, large herniation at L4-L5, spinal stenosis, compressed nerves. Surgery Oct. 17, 2001 - discectomy and laminectomy. Spinal fluid leak occurred. After two days, sutures added to incisision. Discharged from hosital one week after surgery. When staples removed from incision (sutures remained) spinal fluid leak recurred. Resutured in total three times after, finally blood patch performed November 6 (learned a lot of that procedure quickly). Flat on back until November 19 (don't really understand why). Leak has stopped and life in continuing.

Problem - nerve damage. I now have "dropped foot syndrome" in my left leg. Numbness on left side from waist down toes. I have not been able to find out any prognosis. Is it likely to get better? When? How? What can I do to help other than build up the muscles around it? Mobility with walker. Balance issues. Scared of falling and injuring back again.

Any advice please.