Things going very wrong after Dynesys

[LC in UK]

Hi Betsy
Good luck tomorrow! I feel better now I've seen my consultant and I hope you will when you've seen yours. Maybe you won't have to fight?!
I'm going to have a spinal probe done soon (little tiny camera into the spine) so they can have a good look at everything. Apparently from looking at the pictures the Dynesys appears to be strong, it's the wear and tear on the level above that may be responsible for my problems plus scarring of the nerve roots. Well - all will become clear after the probe. Just have to be patient and wait a few weeks..........
I'm not surprised you've got so much back trouble with all the heavy work you did in the nursing profession. What a reward for giving so much care to others over the years. I know back trouble is very common with nurses.
Shame.
Interesting to hear of your family background, yes, Davies is a common name here, especially in Wales. My mother comes from Cornwall, Newlyn in fact, right down in the far west.
I've seen Sizergh castle on the web, very beautiful. In the Lake District. You will be very impressed with this part of our country, it's breathtaking!
Good luck tomorrow, will wait to hear from you.....Regards, Lynette

[fireyangel76]

Hi Lynette.
Well I went to my ortho yesterday. It went well. He said we may turn this in to a fusion but we will do many tests first to see if there is something else going on. He is also sending me to a rhuematologist to check for spondylopathy(sp). My rhuematoid factor was slightly elevated and my knees and shoulders feel like they are going to freeze up and cause me pain also. The good news is my screws look great!
I had been feeling like one leg was shorter than the other and sure enough my left is shorter than the right. Only 1 cm but i noticed it.
He told me to wear my lovely brace, but not too long at a time because it will cause pain if you wear it too long. I must say I wore it today while on the treadmill and it decreased my pain by half. Lets hope I don't pay too dearly for it later. I also didn't notice the one leg shorter while I was wearing it. That makes my think the problem is in my spine or pelvis. I often have pain radiating to my pelvis.
By the way did you ever experience "restless Legs" after your surgery. At night and especially if I lay on my back with a pillow under my knees I have an overwhelming urge to move. I have to get up and it keeps me awake untill I take something to knock me out. I think I saw it can happen after back surgery.
I hope you a hanging in there.

Betsy

[LC in UK]

Hi Betsy
Having problems posting a full reply, using quick reply to say I'm pleased your visit went well yesterday, well done!
Yes, I do get restless legs as well, and also got one leg shorter than the other, not as bad as it was before the Dynesys tho'...can't be outdone!
Best wishes, Lynette

[mmglobal]

cervical spine and throacic spine OK on MRI? If there are no obvious problems that can be responsible for your constellation of symptoms, I hope they'll look at the rest of your spine to rule out other potential issues.

Does the 'wear and tear' on the level above show substantial nerve compression in places that are likely to be responsible for your symptoms? I'll be interested to hear how the camera thing works out... please keep us posted.

Mark

[LC in UK]

Had cervical osteophytes diagnosed in 1983, not aware of any problems with thoracic spine.
Heard my consultant tell the registrar on Tuesday that my case was "complex". No doubt of that after 4 ops!
Have noticed the muscle spasms loosening up considerably today, whatever was causing nerve compression over the last few weeks seems to be resolving, although I'm not out of the woods by a long shot.
My knees are not so swollen either, very strange? Grateful for the letup tho'.
Desperately need to get exercising again, especially for my thighs but frightened of upsetting the knees!
What to do?
Will definitely let you know how the spinal probe goes.
Thankyou Mark for writing,
Kind regards, Lynette

[mmglobal]

with weakness in legs and no obvious source on lumbar MRI... when was last cervical / thoracic MRI?

[LC in UK]

Don't think I've ever had a cervical/thoracic MRI, only ordinary X-rays.
Had CT scans on abdominal area for GI problems this year , also sigmoidoscopy, gastroscopy and barium enema....phew!!
I think the sigmoid intussusception (telescoping) problem I had in December is due to part of the sigmoid muscle not working properly anymore. I wonder if this is due to the anterior fusion when they had to move the large intestine out of the way to get to the spine? Have a follow-up appointment with colo-rectal consultant next week.
Do you have a theory ?
Regards
Lynette