I'm having extreme lower back pain since last Thursday (5 days now) with the pain extending to both of my legs. I have Chiari I Malformation and a big Arachnoid Cyst. Does anyone here have had the same kind of "symptom"? I'm not sure if this back pain is related or not to the Chiari; I do have some disc protrusions and bulges on my back, but the pain is so bad, I can't be laid on my bed or just standing still because it hurts too much, I need to be walking for the pain to decrease a little.
I agree with Emmaline, You should call your doctor. I have ruptured discs in my lower back and they cause a lot of pain. They are not caused from or have anything to do with my Chiari. Never hurts to see your PCP or treating physician for your back problems, to be on the safe side. They usually give me steriods and muscle relaxers to help with the pain and spasms. Then, anti-inflammatory meds to keep the inflamation down. Hope you feel better soon!
Im brand new here (first post) and looking around. I have had back pain, upper and lower for years. Im 36 and have never (knockonwood) had any accidents, falls, car accidents, sports injuries.. etc but 6-8 months ago had an upper and lower MRI and wow.. disc buldges, stenosis, bone spurs, a herniation at my lumbar region, a huge tear, osteoarthritis, a very narrow spinal canal and of course, ACM 1 with a 10 MM herniation. I know exactly how you feel. Have you had any treatment yet? Ive been prescribed every pain killer under the sun, PT, pain patches and finally just had the deep steroid injection done which brough HUGE relief. That was in my cervical region, im about to have a lumbar injection soon.
Thanks Emmaline and Nicole! :) I haven't told my neurologist yet, I wasn't sure if this was related to the Chiari or not and I don't have a regular physician, I guess it is time to look for another specialist, this pain on my lower back (and legs) has been going on for years (since 1998) -even before I knew I had a Chiari- the pain comes and go by itself; at one point I saw a chiropractor long time ago but it didn't help, the pain always comes back, stays a couple of days and then goes away for months. Should I see a Rheumatologist? I hope you feel better too Nicole!
Emmaline said:
That sounds awful. Have you told your physician this? He/she should know about anything new.
Welcome to the group! you will find really great support and information here! I'm glad you found this group, I'm kind of new here too.. and I'm sorry you are on this journey too, like most of us who are here. I know how you feel too! the pain every day, not being able to do a lot of things, etc. One day we are "ok" the next day we have a diagnosis, I know that, I know how it feels; but we can have support and hope and that's important, I'm here if you need anything. About my treatment, I only have pain killers and anti-convulsants but I don't have medicine for my back pain :( What kind of doctor prescribed you the injections? a Rheumatologist? or your regular Physician? Thanks for your response!
Lourdes
Tracy210T said:
Lourdes,
Im brand new here (first post) and looking around. I have had back pain, upper and lower for years. Im 36 and have never (knockonwood) had any accidents, falls, car accidents, sports injuries.. etc but 6-8 months ago had an upper and lower MRI and wow.. disc buldges, stenosis, bone spurs, a herniation at my lumbar region, a huge tear, osteoarthritis, a very narrow spinal canal and of course, ACM 1 with a 10 MM herniation. I know exactly how you feel. Have you had any treatment yet? Ive been prescribed every pain killer under the sun, PT, pain patches and finally just had the deep steroid injection done which brough HUGE relief. That was in my cervical region, im about to have a lumbar injection soon.
Welcome to the group! you will find really great support and information here! I'm glad you found this group, I'm kind of new here too.. and I'm sorry you are on this journey too, like most of us who are here. I know how you feel too! the pain every day, not being able to do a lot of things, etc. One day we are "ok" the next day we have a diagnosis, I know that, I know how it feels; but we can have support and hope and that's important, I'm here if you need anything. About my treatment, I only have pain killers and anti-convulsants but I don't have medicine for my back pain :( What kind of doctor prescribed you the injections? a Rheumatologist? or your regular Physician? Thanks for your response!
Lourdes
Tracy210T said:
Lourdes,
Im brand new here (first post) and looking around. I have had back pain, upper and lower for years. Im 36 and have never (knockonwood) had any accidents, falls, car accidents, sports injuries.. etc but 6-8 months ago had an upper and lower MRI and wow.. disc buldges, stenosis, bone spurs, a herniation at my lumbar region, a huge tear, osteoarthritis, a very narrow spinal canal and of course, ACM 1 with a 10 MM herniation. I know exactly how you feel. Have you had any treatment yet? Ive been prescribed every pain killer under the sun, PT, pain patches and finally just had the deep steroid injection done which brough HUGE relief. That was in my cervical region, im about to have a lumbar injection soon.
Thank you for the warm welcome. I find that when I ask about CM on most regular support forums I just get the deer in the head lights stare, ha..
Actually, my PCM sent me for an MRI when a neckache just would not go away. He received the results back a few days later, called me in and asked where I wanted to go. PT, pain management or a neurosurgeon. I said all 3. PT doesnt do much for the neck spasms though... you defientely should see your neuro for the lower back pain. I hate any/all meds but the injections seem like they take they help. Good luck with getting your pain under control!
Thanks for your answer and your advice! and I know what you mean about the "stare" of most of the people who have no idea of what we are going through... it's kind of frustrating, but I can tell you that now I just focus myself on the right road to heal myself (and on the right forums like this one) and try to keep negative environments and negative people away! that makes a big difference :)
I was considering going to PT but I wasn't sure, my neck hurts a lot too. I think I will go first with my neuro. The pain on my back has decreased now by itself; but I'm afraid it will come back any time. I will ask for the injections :S
Thanks again!
Tracy210T said:
Lourdes,
Thank you for the warm welcome. I find that when I ask about CM on most regular support forums I just get the deer in the head lights stare, ha..
Actually, my PCM sent me for an MRI when a neckache just would not go away. He received the results back a few days later, called me in and asked where I wanted to go. PT, pain management or a neurosurgeon. I said all 3. PT doesnt do much for the neck spasms though... you defientely should see your neuro for the lower back pain. I hate any/all meds but the injections seem like they take they help. Good luck with getting your pain under control!
i am so sorry you are in such pain. I also have many spine issues. It really sounds like a ruptured or herniated disk or a pinched nerve. I would definitely go to the ER. Please let me know how you are doing !!!
I thought a pinched nerve too, but I haven't thought about a ruptured or herniated disk, I just didn't know which doctor to see, and because I have had this pain before I didn't considered the ER; the pain was very bad but I knew it would eventually go away by itself (just like other times). What kind of specialist can see if it's a ruptured or herniated disk? a rheumatologist? Thanks!! :)
TracyZ said:
Hi Lourdes,
i am so sorry you are in such pain. I also have many spine issues. It really sounds like a ruptured or herniated disk or a pinched nerve. I would definitely go to the ER. Please let me know how you are doing !!!
Your MD will first RX anti inflammatories, rest..and if that doesnt help he will send you out for MRIs, Xrays. After those come in you will probably do some PT and be sent to pain mgmt.. thats where you get injections, patches, creams, pills.. and when that doesnt help- you are referred out to a neurosurgeon who will assess your need for surgery.. sigh.. its a long and painful process!
Thanks for your answer! I really didn't know I had to do something about this since this pain comes and go by itself (since 1998) but when it comes the pain it's really bad but it only lasts for a few days and then it disappears for several weeks or a few months, that's why I never looked for medical help, but I think it's time to see a doctor, specially because I know now I have some problems on my spine, I saw them on my previous MRI's ordered by my Neuro. It is just that none of the Neurosurgeons that have seen the MRI's see those problems as "bad" compared to the Chiari of course, they always say they are not major problems but they don't explain me either what they are.
Thanks again!
Tracy210T said:
Your MD will first RX anti inflammatories, rest..and if that doesnt help he will send you out for MRIs, Xrays. After those come in you will probably do some PT and be sent to pain mgmt.. thats where you get injections, patches, creams, pills.. and when that doesnt help- you are referred out to a neurosurgeon who will assess your need for surgery.. sigh.. its a long and painful process!
I know here where I live, the neurologist I took my disk to that had my upper and lower pictures on said, wow.. your back is in bad shape, has anyone mentioned surgery? I said no.. and he said well lets send you over to the Neurosurgeon for a consult. Took 3 months to get in to see the surgeon.. he was agout 105 years old and said no way would he touch my back, disc or chiari. GREAT. Now what? So I keep getting on waiting lists to see more specialists..
Now I have to go to UAB in Birmingham in December for yet another consult which sucks because its 4 hours away.
Defiently consider the injections.. they help alot..
Wow! that's frustrating I know! having to wait to see a doctor and then more waiting to have a helpful procedure/diagnosis done. I wish you good luck when you go to Birmingham in December! it's really far but I hope you get the help you need!
This is what I have on my back only (I made a list for myself) - I guess it's not too bad since any doctor has mentioned any type of correction to it.. but when I have the pain, it is bad!
Schmorl’s node at the inferior endplate of L1 and superior endplate of L3.
Mild disc desiccation and disc height loss at the L3-L4 level.
Conus terminates at the T12-L1 level.
L3-L4: small posterior disc protrusion. Mild bilateral facet degenerative changes are present.
Disc desiccation at the T10-T1 and T11-T12 levels and small Schmorl nodes at the inferior endplates of T10 and T11.
Tracy210T said:
What showed up on your MRI's?
I know here where I live, the neurologist I took my disk to that had my upper and lower pictures on said, wow.. your back is in bad shape, has anyone mentioned surgery? I said no.. and he said well lets send you over to the Neurosurgeon for a consult. Took 3 months to get in to see the surgeon.. he was agout 105 years old and said no way would he touch my back, disc or chiari. GREAT. Now what? So I keep getting on waiting lists to see more specialists..
Now I have to go to UAB in Birmingham in December for yet another consult which sucks because its 4 hours away.
Defiently consider the injections.. they help alot..
Spina Bifida is where the lower part of your spine curves. Causes lots of back muscle spasms. Has lasted as long a 10 weeks of incredible pain for me. Good luck.