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November 19, 2008 - 8:34pm
downinmyheart
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Anyone know percentage of people with lumbar and cervical problems?

I am curious if anyone knows the statistical numbers of people who have both lumbar and cervical back problems. I think that I am having problems in my cervical spine and have for the last couple of years. I don't want to believe that this is common and inevitable, but I would like some statistics and facts. If anyone could point me in the correct direction I would certainly appreciate it.

One Love,

Stephanie

_____________

"If we fall, we don't need self-recrimination or blame or anger - we need a reawakening of our intention and a willingness to recommit, to be whole-hearted once again."--Sharon Salzberg

29yo female, pain for the last 11 years, DDD, Stenosis, Discectomy Sx 2000, nerve block 2001, 2005, 2008. Discogram 10/9/08. Two level (L4-S1) TLIF (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) completed on 11/21/08.

Post surgery symptoms: burning and odd nerve sensations in right hip buttock and thigh.



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November 19, 2008 - 9:54pm
#1
kinpain
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Stephanie, Interesting

Stephanie,

Interesting question, i wish I would know the answer. Intuitively, two explanations come to mind:
1. When we have pain or problems in one area we tend to compensate for it by putting too much stress on other areas;
2. If our spine is suffering from some abnormalities, like degenerative disk disease in one are, maybe other areas are not immune wither.

These are just my thoughts and not based on any scientific data.

What do you think?

Kin

_____________

SF Peninsula CA resident
Decompression and L3-S1 fusion with instrumentation, 5/1/08

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November 22, 2008 - 3:04pm
#2
yona
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I agree with kin

6-7 months after my cervical surgery I had (unidentified)pains around D8.
Pains were like giving birth. I'm serious!One ortho suggested I had a broken rib.
They gave me Percoset & than Oxycodone.
These helped with the pains but they knocked me out.

Thank god for little favours, I do not have ostheoporosis.

The pain there arw vague now and I can live with them (although I would have liked to know what did I have there).

As th D8 pains were fading - a bad sciatica pains started and I have them now for about 8 months.
PT didn't help, acupuncture doesn't help. ESI didn't help.
I shall have (in 11 days) L4-L5 disk Coblation Nucleoplasty.

http://www.pmrehab.com/cobneu.htm

Has anyone here had this treatment?

Should this be done by an ortho or a NS?

Thanks for any response.

_____________

RA - since early 2005
C5-C7 fusion followed successful C6 Corpectomy, done by a NS July 2007.

New pains & findings, summer 2008:
L1-L2 bulging disk
L4-L5 herniated disk pressing the dural sac & nerve root at the interlaminar foramen (this is probably the reason for my sciatic pain)
L5-S1 bulging disk
Preneural foraminal cystic-like structures at both sides of S2.

Also, degenerated D7-D11 vertebraes with osteophytes and changes in the facet joints.

Decided not to accept Ortho surgeon recommendation to do L4-L5 disk Coblation.

Bone density - more than OK for my age, inspite of prednisone taken for the RA.
Have quitted other RA meds but not pain killers.

Pains I suffer from are related ALSO to fibromyalgia & sciatica.

Can't do Yoga or Pilates (pains...) walking is fine but I want to ride bicycles.

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