Diagnosis Please?

[erfan]

I have problems with my back...that's a given...but i am having other problems and don't know what to do. I have 3 bulging discs, 2 levels of spinal stenosis and facet hypertrophy. I have no left leg reflex and have weakness in my left leg.

I am cold all of the time. Right now, inside my house in South Florida, I am wearing 2 shirts, a hoodie and a leather jacket.

My left hand goes numb like it is sleeping with joint pain. My leg feels heavy around the ankles.

I have a weird inner pain...hard to describe...like everything hurts all at once...but deep inside me.

MRI shows back problems...bone scan shows degenrative bones in right knee and right shoulder...

I have lowered appetite and feel like I'm stuffing my face when I hae a bowl of cereal.

It hurts to make a fist

My back...my back hurts so bad even while wearing a 100 mcg fentayl patch and taking 30 mg Roxicodone up to 4 a day

Any ideas? I feel like I'm falling apart.

Alan

[Mark N]

Alan, sorry you are having these problems. You don't say what level the disk problems are but the lack of reflexes and numb feelings sounds like cord compression and you need to see a spinal surgeon right away.

[Peter B]

Alan,
Wow Bro. Your life sucks right now. I'm not so sure that you shouldn't have your med dosages bumped. That's, of course, after you find out what the hell is going on.
Orthpedic and neurological problems aside, the fact that you're very cold is odd. Are you a skinny guy?
Never mind, even if you are, it still doesn't explain why you're so cold. Perhaps you have a virus or something. I know the few times I've had the flu in my life, my joints ached like a mother.
That would possibly explain the exacerbation in the pain levels. Did you make an appt. to see your ortho or whoever?
Please keep us posted on what's going on and I sure hope you start to feel better. While I can actually relate to the pain most people have, you seem to be in another realm.

Pain free minutes,
Pete

[Diandra]

Hi Alan,
Has anyone every assessed to see if you have anything infectious going on?....I mean like a CBC with Sed rate, etc? Do you have a temperature?
Feeling so cold could also be thyroid issues. I'm sure you must have done it but, at minimum, you need a complete physical.

Your disc and spine issues sound like something is pressing on nerves if you have no leg reflex and pins and needles, etc. Can you walk OK Alan?

I'm sorry for what you are going through...it is frightening to feel so ill and not have answers. Don't give up....find a good primary care doc and push for answers.

Take care,
Diandra

[erfan]

Thanks for the replies.

I am actually overweight, although for the last few weeks, I have felt my appetite decreasing. I get weird looks because it is always hot in South Florida and yet, I have to walk around with 2 shirts and a jacket.

For the ;ast few years, my walk has been abnormal. My left leg is very weak and usually I cannot lift it too much off the ground while walking, so it drags a bit. I do use a cane.

Sometimes when we are sitting, say, for example, out to eat, I have to get up and walk around because of the pain.

The wore pain is in the lower back and another pain that runs from the top of the leg into the groin.

I have run through a few things in my mind like Cancer, MS, RSD, but none of these things match exactly. I am trying not letting this stop me from trying to run through my normal schedule and errands, but it is tiring and I do not have a normal sleep pattern by any stretch of the imagination.

I also wanted to add that I do hae psoriasis on my arms and back of hand, which does point to RA, but no definitie diagnosis has beenb made except for the back problem.

Thanks
Alan

[Rozia]

Have you had your blood levels checked lately , especially B12 .

[Diandra]

Alan,
My sister in law had the same pain, weak leg, foot drop you are speaking of and she had surgery 6 months ago, called a laminectomy(sp?) and she is now pain free and walking normally. Apparently some kind of protrusion of a disk or calcification was pushing on the nerve that went to the leg and once it was repaired she was great. She said she was sorry she procrastinated so long but, it was getting very difficult for her to walk and sit and she is only 45yrs old.

It sure sounds like the 3 bulging disk and stenosis may be causing the leg issues, not so sure about the being cold all the time. Do have a thorough checkup and stop stressing yourself to the max thinking it may be cancer, etc. Wishing you the best in finding a solution to your constellation of symptoms.
Diandra

[erfan]

Pain Doc suspects Lupus, so I'm having a blood test on Wednesday.

Alan

[Mark N]

Alan, I hope the test comes back negative but if it is positive at least you will know what it is and how to treat it.