Now what?

Well I saw the neurosurgeon 2 weeks ago and she noticed that I've lost the reflex in my left ankle. That wasn't anything new because my PM noticed that 1 1/2 years ago. But with the loss of bladder control and weakness in my left leg she decided I needed an EMG done.

So off I went this morning. I get in there and she decides I don't need the EMG because all my MRI is showing is a compression fracture to T12 and a bulging disc at L4/5. And apparently that comression fracture has been there for 6 years and still hasn't healed. It doesn't appear that the disc is touching the nerve roots. And that I have kyphosis to my thoracic spine and mobic changes to my lumbar spine. She decides that moer than likely I have diabetic neuropathy. So she decided to just test my foot and leg for the diabetic neuropathy. Well after her testing, I don't have diabetic neuropathy. But hasn't a clue why the the reflex is gone, the leg is weak or why the intense back pain. We didn't even discuss all the crap thats wrong with my neck.

So her answer is the bladder is due to the fact that I've had children, and that even she has an issue because as women age regardless if they've had children or not it happens. Deal with it.

No reason for the leg weakness, I must just be tripping on stuff and thats whats causing me to fall. And she had no idea why I have no reflex on that side.

So her answer is PT. I guess the first 2 rounds weren't good enough. This time she wants me to have my PT done by a physical therapist that also specializes in chinese herbs.

I'm so sick of all this crap I want to crawl into bed and not come out from under the covers. I've tried about every therapy known to man. Almost 7 years I've dealt with all this crap I've had enough.

So I've decided the pain must all be in my head. I honestly must be totally insane.

Justanotherday,

I really doubt that! I am going through the repercussions of too-intense PT myself right now....seems to me that PT is what they throw at us when they don't know what else to do. Just had spinal surgery 3 months ago. Nobody can tell me why my foot and ankle are still subtley but definitely sore, red, swollen, and feel very "off."

It does get really old, trying to figure it all out. So I do feel for you....

Glad that you don't have diabetic neuropathy, though.

Debbie

---

Moderator, Fibromyalgia Forum

Fibromyalgia, herniated disc L4-5, (recent discectomy), extensive spinal deterioration, Hashimoto's, IBS, migraines, tachycardia, hearing loss, (probably Menieres) chemical sensitivities

Wow that has got to be hard to deal with. I'm so sorry you're going through all this. Have you tried to see another doctor and get a second opinion?

I doubt you are insane, I think maybe you just need to get another opinion.

---

Chronic pain, Depression, Fibromyalgia, Tennis Elbow (both arms), Arthritis (knees and fingers), Diabetes. Ruptured disk L-4, Severe degenerative damage L5-S1, ACDF C5-C6

I don't think insanity or imagination is your issue. Sounds like you need a new doctor and get a new unbiased opinion about these various issues. You have been suffering too long, you need real answers and real soluitions.

Good luck,

David in SC

---

Age: 59, 56 dx, PSA: 10/08 16.3
3rd Biopsy: 9/08 7 of 7 Positive, 40-90%, Gleason 4+3
open RP: 11/08, original catheters 63 days
Path Rpt: Gleason 3+4, pT2c, 42g, 20% cancer, 1 pos margin
Incont & ED: None
Post Surgery PSA: 2/09 .05,5/09 .1, 6/09 .11. 8/09 .16
Post SRT PSA: 1/10 .12, 4/10 .04, 8/10 .06, 2/11 1.24, 4/11 3.81, 6/11 5.8, 12/11 14.0, 4/12 37.0
Other: Spent total of 1 ½ years on 21 catheters, had Ileal Conduit Surgery 9/10
Member of Prostate Cancer & Chronic Pain HW Communities

Justanotherday,

I am with the other members on this, you are definitely not insane or imagining your pain and loss of reflex. I had drastic changes in my body, pain levels, and mobility with fainting and my first doctor put me into physical therapy for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week at one point to rehabilitate me. Even after the therapists called the doctor and told her that my improvement had stalled and the PT was causing me more pain than it was worth, she still insisted there was nothing wrong with me getting back to work and just dealing with it wouldn't cure.

I got a new doctor, and some great support, and found out that at some point most of us have felt like or been told its all in our heads.

I hope that you find a doctor who will help you get some answers to your issues. I am praying for you.
Mindy

---

The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them. That's the essence of inhumanity. George Bernard Shaw
Pelvic adhesive disease, endometriosis, history of adenomyosis with hysterectomy, ovarian remnant syndrome, IBS, SI dysfunction, arthritis, fibromyalgia, kidney stones, depression, and anxiety with panic attacks.

You're not insane. Can you find another doctor? PT can be great, if you have a therapist who is gentle, who knows your limitations, etc. It can also be awful. I would start looking for another doctor though.

Hugs,

Flower

Thanks everyone I truly appreciate it!!

I know I'm nuts, but they sure do a good job trying to make me feel like it.

This is I think the 14th or 15th doc I've seen. I've driven to New Hampshire to see a doc and had a consult at Brigham and Women's in Boston. The problem is with every new doc I end up with more diagnosis.

I never had an issue with my neck or back until I had a car accident 7 years ago. I even a year and a half ago listened to one of my docs and he said if I settled my pain would be so much better. Well it didn't get better, matter a fact over the last year its gotten worse.

The neuro I just saw is through Maine Med which is a teaching hospital, the next closest one would either be Dart Hitch in New Hampshire or head down to Boston.

I just can't do another round of PT, been there and did it twice. The last one made things much worse. And the other problem is my primary insurance won't cover where they want me to go. And my secondary insurance Mainecare is a stickler on what they will pay.

I talked to my hubby last night and the only doc I haven't seen is a rheumatologist. So I'm going to try that I guess. At this point I have nothing more to lose.