bulging lumbar disks and foot neuropathy - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

halika2 · 09-04-2003, 04:56 AM

Hi all, I'm fairly new here -

I was diagnosed with Degenerative Disk Disease a few years ago. I have 3 bulging lumbar disks, with mild to severe back pain with spasms in my lower back. I also get pain from my back into my right hip, where I have osteoarthritis.

In November they tried a shot in my spine for pain. It didn't help, and during the procedure my blood pressure fell drastically (I have vaso vagal syncope, a fainting disorder), so I didn't get anymore shots.

About 6 months ago I started getting a "buzzing" feeling in my left foot. I went to the podiatrist, cause I broke the foot 2 1/2 years ago and had experienced bad nerve pain with the break. He said the buzzing wasn't coming from my foot, but from my back.

I told a neurologist I was seeing for migraines, but she just brushed the problem aside. I told an ortho I was seeing for knee arthritis (osteo in both knees and fingers too), but in the confusion of getting a cortisone shot in the knee the other problem was lost.

Soooo, last week I was on my feet ALOT (this in very painful anyway; I have achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis in both feet, w/bone spurs on both feet and both heels). We had a family reunion on Sunday; I dosed myself up w/lots of meds to go. By Monday my foot was in terrible pain, along with terrible buzzing. I could hardly sleep. Then Tuesday morning I woke up with the toes numb! This is driving me NUTS! When it's really bad it seems to pulse with every beat of my heart. the pain comes and goes; the buzzing varies from mild to SEVERE!

I have a hard time getting in to see my regular doc since she fired her physician's assistant and hired a male doc. But they got me in for today (I also have a lump that's worrying me).

My question is (after ALL that!) - does it sound like neruopathy from the disk trouble? Has anyone had this kind of thing happen? Should I ask for more tests for my back?

I'm afraid that the injection in November may have done something. There is nothing to be done surgically for my back, at this point. The disks are not ruptured, just bulging. How much trouble can that cause?

I appreciate any input. We are a family with back trouble. My eldest son, now 27, had his first back surgery at 19, his 2nd at about 23. He has permanent bladder trouble from scar tissure. My daughter, 25 was just diagnosed with the beginnings of degenerative disks.

I also have fibromyalgia and many associated problems, and filed for disability in February.

Thanks for any help -
Darlene

flyonthewall · 09-04-2003, 08:36 AM

I have bulging discs and spinal stenosis. When I told my PCP about numbness under my toes he sent me to a neurologist who sent me for an EMG and a consult with a neurosurgeon. Inbetween I requested a referral to a physiatrist (I have osteoporosis, too) for some kind of exercise program. I'll see the surgeon next week. The EMG results are scaring me.

fly

ChattyKathy4 · 09-04-2003, 10:37 AM

Hi halika2 and flyonthewall. I had a C6-7 discectomy in 1991 and then started with lumbar problems. I had a laminectomy and separation of conjoined nerve roots at the L5-S1 level in 1991, and lost partial feeling in the right foot and never got it back. Had surgery again in 1991 for spinal stenosis at L4. Had surgery again in 1995 for L5S1 nerve compression. Finally had spinal fusions with instrumentation L3 to sacrum in March of 2000 and had partial loss of feeling in left foot. The numbness has gotten worse, and I just was at the Cleveland Clinic last week because I am losing the feeling in both feet and am in constant pain with right leg. Had to start using a wheelchair in June to go anywhere that involves walking. I am tripping a lot, and I am sure it is because I can't feel my feet most of the time. Now they want to do an EMG in November and then a Myelogram. My NS says he thinks the L2 nerve is pinched because it is the first disc above where they did the fusion and has been under a lot of stress with the hardware immobilizing the spine. He wants to do a fusion at L2 when he decompresses the nerve. I am still undecided as to whether I want to go thru this again, but I don't want to be in the wheelchair all the time either if the nerve finally dies off. I get all those feelings in my feet, and now am waking up with horrible shock like feelings in my feet at night. Do you get that? It really scares me. Did you get your EMG results flyonthewall? You said they scare you. Hope you both do better.
Kathy

halika2 · 09-04-2003, 10:56 AM

Hi Kathy and Fly,

I wish you both good luck in your search for relief. Noone who hasn't experienced how difficult this is can understand.

I will see the doc this afternoon and see what she wants to do. My problem is that this comes and goes, so it seems that whenever I go to the doc, the buzzing/pain isn't there!!

Wish me luck today-
Darlene

flyonthewall · 09-04-2003, 12:01 PM

Darlene,

You don't have to be feeling anything for the EMG to show a problem. It will show how fast a message gets from your leg/foot to your brain.

fly