Patsy,

This is just thoughts (food for) coming out from me. Is it possible that the pain pump is covering up pain that you aren't aware of such that you are moving beyond what your nerves are able to give signal too? What I mean is, lets say you could walk without issue using 'baby steps', but if you tried bigger steps you fell because the nerve signal to a motor nerve is affected beyond a certain point? With the pain pump, is this possible? Again, just guessing since nerves can be fickle as you know! I hope you find answers verses the "shrug" your doctor gave you - reaction of which I would have been pissed over!! *HUGZ*

Brenda

Thank you for your reply.
I should have let everyone know that my balance was an issue long before my pain pump implant.
My balance issues started just after my spinal fusion which I had in 1995. As my pain became worse so did my balance. I was working and had to climb step ladder's and people worried about me falling then although I did not because I was very careful.
Now I can no longer get on a step ladder or stand on a chair. I do not get dizzy at all.
Because it started right after my fusion it makes be think it may be related to it.
I have only had my pump about 12 weeks now.
Thanks for letting me make it clearer on when this started.
Hope your day is as pain free as possible.
Hugssssss
Patsy W

When was the last time, if ever, that you had a cervical MRI done? Usually when balance issues are there it comes from the cervical area and not the lumbar area. I had balance issues in 05' much like you and found that my cord was crunched in the cervical area. I will not get my balance back as the cord was damaged beyond healing. What does your doctor tell you? If my doctor shrugged his shoulders on me I'd be looking for a new doctor. There is clearly something not right from what you describe. We have to paint all inside surfaces in our house every year or so on account of me brushing up against the walls as I walk.

I too have balance problems. I had ADR and fusion of L4-S1 and have a lot of irreversible nerve damage in both legs and I use a regular cane and wheelchair on an as needed bases. I asked my doc about the balance and falling down issues and he says it’s all related to my back, the nerve damage in my legs is so bad that some days they have a mind of there own. It’s been 16 months since surgery and I’m still falling down, doc and hubby says I’m doing too much. What taking my walk each day and going to get the mail? If I relax anymore people will think I’m dead? I fell down Wednesday and Thursday morning after climbing up the stairs to take a shower. It’s humiliating and embarrassing to have people pick you up off the floor. I can’t wait until my new house is built, it will accommodate my disability. Good luck in getting answers, I hate it when they shrug their shoulders and look at you like your crazy!!-Kathy

I also wondered if it could be problems in your neck that are causing the balance issues.

Hope that you find out what is causing it soon.

I personally suggest you specifically address the doctor about the balance issues. While they have been present for a long time, I hate when they throw it off as our spines. For example i have a peroneal nerve trapped in one leg and then same leg has tarsel tunnel. Had the emg not been done this would have never been diagnosed. I was really easy to blame it on my cervical spine and myelopathy but doc didn't do it he ran the test to be sure nothing else was under it and bingo there it was. So personally the doctor needs to address it and as someone said if the doc blew me off i would not be returning to him. There are so many things a balance issue can be and it needs to be investigated. Don't settle for a C when it is your body shoot for the A.

WOW....You ladies have really given me some good info here!
I DO have a problem with weakness in both legs! My neighbor has one kinda high step to get into her house and it's a struggle for me just to step up it. A few years ago I injured my right knee and was laid up for 6 months with it and have never really gotten my legs back...but my problem really begin back in 1995. I noticed then I was having some small balance problems that far back.
I also have a cervical fusion!! I always forget about it because I have never had any problems at all since I had it in 1994! So now I am wondering??
For the past several years my biggest problem has been the savage pain in my feet and legs. My balance problems became second place to me. Now that I am getting it mostly under control with my pain pump(I still have flair ups)I am going to find out just what is causing this problem and see if it can be fixed!!
I had an EKG just a few months ago of my lumbar spine but not my C spine. You are right tamtam...I am NOT taking the shoulder shrugs any longer!!
I HATE to start another round with Doctors but I am not going to find out anything sitting here on my duff am I?
I just can't thank all of you enough. Thanks also for the hug. I am sending one back to each one of you.
Patsy W

I have found that most neurologists are very adept at investigating the cause of imbalance, whether related to the vestibular system or not. As the others have said, it might be a good idea to schedule an appointment to just specifically address the issue. In the meantime be careful that you don't jump to any conclusions, because it may cause you to change what and how you explain what it is you feel or don't feel based on trying to guess what it might be from.

"C"

Yes...Thats where I intend to start. I will ask my PCP set me up an appointment with a neurologist to see if he can pin point just where the problem is that is causing this.
I wish I did get dizzy or something and perhaps it would be easier to figure out but he can do tests that should clear up the question.
I was hoping now that my pain is (almost)under control that my balance would improve too but it is not.
Thanks "C" and everyone else.
Wish me luck. This has become a very serious problem for me.

Patsy W

I too have balance issues, but Ive had cervical spine surgery (and fusion). I have an appt. to meet with a neurologist on Monday (yeah- it's been a long time that Ive been waiting for this appt. day to arrive!), and Im hoping that it will provide some sort of answers. I do know that on days were my hands, legs and feet feel more "numblike", or I have painful pins and needles, are days where I also usually have more balance issues. If I find out anything more at the appt. on Monday - I'll have to pass it along...

I never fell after my TLIF, but when I finally got to PT six weeks out of surgery, they had me stand on one leg and I couldn't do it. I couldn't stand on either leg by itself and I was so amazed - you'd think I would've known that my balance was off, but I guess I never had occasion to stand only on one leg. The ongoing PT helped with the issue, though.

Just thought I'd throw that out there. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), I can't remember why the PT said that was, but she said it was common after lower back surgery.

Good luck, Pat, and let us know what happens.
Cath

I don't have any ideas or answers, sorry, wish I did. But I can relate because I have balance issues too. I'll be standing or walking and for no reason at all I'll just lose my balance. If I can't grab onto something close by or someone is not close enough to help me balance I'd fall. Sometimes I wobble like a drunk before I get my balance back. I'm sure more than once people have thought I was drunk,drugged,crazy or something as I make my way around! LOL! My husband will tease me sometimes but it scares him so much that he worries I'll fall and hurt myself so I call him when I go out with friends, get mail, etc. so he knows that I'm ok and doesn't rush home from work in a panic. I think it has something to with our lower back surgery/problems that still exist and/or nerve damage too. Right after surgery, like Cathy mentioned, I couldn't raise my legs, walk sideways(like at a salad bar) or backwards,etc. I still can't raise my legs or many other normal things due to nerve damage. Anyway, I know you have fallen and hurt yourself before so I really hope you find some answers and help before you fall and hurt yourself badly again!! Good Luck! Take care!

Kathy

and I also brought up how I have balance issues (but mine come with the dizziness). He thought that it may be linked to the pain meds Im on, and that Im just starting otu on Lyrica. He did mention that balance issues are common for those w/ chronic pain (even in cases where its treated) as the body can send mixed signals, and the muscles only receive the pain signals (and not the ones to contract to help us keep our balance). Don't know if this helps, but Im hoping it gives you some sort of answers!

Now I know I am not alone with my problem.
Cath....like you I can't stand on one leg without toppling over but PT did not help me.
Kathy....I am the very same way. For no reason I loose my balance. I wobble and stagger like a drunk. I can't step foot outside without my quad cain and my cell phone(in case I fall)
Barb...That makes sense. All this startted after my cervical and lumbar fusions but before my chronic pain set in although I had a lot of leg pain with my lumbar issues.
Thanks everyone. I do hope I can find answers for us all.
Cheers
Patsy W

After reading all of the post, I am relieved to find out that what I am experiencing is not that unusual to ones with severe back problems! However, most if not all, seem to be women (or men just do not use the forum!) I have been fighting severe back issues since the first surgery in 2005. I have had weakness in both legs and feet. In addition, I have numbness in both feet. This started with numbness on the bottom of the feet and has spread to include up to the ankles. My balance or the lack of is becoming the main problem. I fall often and have tried medications from pain pills to neurotons with no success. Most docs seem to want to mask symptoms as opposed to curing the problems. My real question is what type of doc to search for and how to go about finding one that would aggresively address the issues?

Work so far includes lumbar fusion l5-s1, post anterior and interior servical fusion, t10 lamenectimy. Two repair surgeries.

Thanks for any input on how to go about selecting an aggresive type of physician hopefully in the Knoxville, Tn. area.

So glad to discover I am not alone in this. I had L5 S1 decompression surgery in March. Since then I have been unable to stand without leaning against something and using a cane when walking. I have also fallen several times. I see my neurologist in November. I will pursue this until I have an answer. I saw an ENT to see if there were problems with my ears but they are fine. Best to all of you.