Spinal Cord Compression

[Renee016]

Hi, I just found this - I was looking at back problems. I'm hoping I'll get more info here. I just found out that I have three herniated discs in my neck. One of them is totally ruptured and pressing on the spinal cord. My neck pain started 4 years ago out of nowhere - I just woke up one morning and could not move my head or lift it off the pillow. Since then its been on and off every few months - pain in neck and right shoulder. The last episode happened in early November. I woke up again and could not move - the day before I had been raking leaves. After two visits to the emergency room and a "trigger point injection" from my orthopedist, I started to develop severe weakness in my legs with tingling and numbness in my toes. CT-scan showed nothing, EMG showed nothing. Finally an MRI showed the discs. My doctor thinks I will eventually need surgery in the near future but he also thinks its odd that most of my symptoms are in my legs (not my arms) so he wants me to keep seeing the nuerologist to rule out other things. In the meantime, I've had a blood test for Lyme disease, a visit to the endochrinologist with more blood tests and an ultra-sound on my thyroid. Everything comes up negative.
What I don't understand is why I have to keep getting more and more tests when we already know whats wrong. The weakness is getting worse - to the point where I don't know if I can keep my job. It feels like there is lead in my legs. Is there anyone else out there with cervical disc herniations experiencing weakness in their legs?

Thanks in advance for your advise.
Renee

[Debbie2]

Renee,
I think its long past overdue you make an appointment (and take your MRI) to a neuro surgeon. Four years is a long time to suffer all these symptons. Surpised you were not advised to see one just for a second opinion? Keep us posted.
Debbie

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Debbie2
ACDF fusion (c5c6) with titanium plate and screws using donor bone -
September 4, 2002.

[daisyduke]

renee its me again,michelle.just wanted to let ya know u aren't alone...my legs get EXTREMELY HEAVY..i mean to where i have to use a cane.i cannot lift them at all,especially while laying down or sitting! i have a very hard time going up stairs....please email me or instant message me in aol.daisyduke10971 or yahoo

[Tefkat]

I have leg problems but I assumed that was beacause I have a lower back problem that predates my neck injury.
Maybe not then.

[melanie dawn]

Hi There Renee,
I agree you need to see a neurosurgeon with your MRI. There are many of us on here who get the heavy legs and other symptoms. You need to know that compression in the neck ,can definately start with symptoms in the legs. It is known as the sensory march, and means that symptoms can start at the bottom and move up or vice versa .
I was also told by a family doc. that the legs do not have anything to do with the neck. How ridiculous.
I can get really bad symtoms after vacuuming etc.
Also make sure you learn as much as you can , to protect yourself and and provide understanding of your symptoms.
Take care Mel

[This message has been edited by melanie dawn (edited 01-18-2003).]