Chronic Pain Support Group
Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...
Just wondering if there is a connection.... I have several spinal issues that were up until now related to chiari, but it was suggested to me by a second opinion from a neurosurgeon that I see a spinal sugeon after he looked at my MRI's. I am so tired of being bounced around and referred to other specialists that I just have not pursued it.
But over the past three weeks or so, I have had more actual back pain than usual. I usaually have most of my pain in my upper back, more toward the shoulders, in the high neck area and in the back of the head. And of course horrible all day headaches.
Anyway - my really big concern WHICH IS COMPLETELY NEW - and somewhat embarassing - when I get up in the morning, like literally - physically get up out of bed, I pee my pants. Not alot. But enough that my underwear are wet and I have no idea how it happened. I have terrible back pain EVERY morning when I get up and I pee with no control. I don't even feel like it is happening, it just does. It doesn't happen every morning - maybe every third morning. And one time in the middle of the day after sitting on the couch for a really long time.
Has anyone ever had this happen? Is it related to back problems? Is it related to chiari issues? I was diagnosed with chiari but a second opinion disagreed. I have a couple of herniated discs at the cervical level, cervical instability, and spinal cord compression at the T (?) level that I was recommended to see a spinal surgeon for. This was just recently. I have been in pain for years. I am reluctant to see a spinal surgeon because I am soooooooo sick and tired of doctors. Also, spina bifida and scoliosis that is considered normal.
It all sucks.
But over the past three weeks or so, I have had more actual back pain than usual. I usaually have most of my pain in my upper back, more toward the shoulders, in the high neck area and in the back of the head. And of course horrible all day headaches.
Anyway - my really big concern WHICH IS COMPLETELY NEW - and somewhat embarassing - when I get up in the morning, like literally - physically get up out of bed, I pee my pants. Not alot. But enough that my underwear are wet and I have no idea how it happened. I have terrible back pain EVERY morning when I get up and I pee with no control. I don't even feel like it is happening, it just does. It doesn't happen every morning - maybe every third morning. And one time in the middle of the day after sitting on the couch for a really long time.
Has anyone ever had this happen? Is it related to back problems? Is it related to chiari issues? I was diagnosed with chiari but a second opinion disagreed. I have a couple of herniated discs at the cervical level, cervical instability, and spinal cord compression at the T (?) level that I was recommended to see a spinal surgeon for. This was just recently. I have been in pain for years. I am reluctant to see a spinal surgeon because I am soooooooo sick and tired of doctors. Also, spina bifida and scoliosis that is considered normal.
It all sucks.
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My 6mo twin DD's are EBF and just started rice cereal on the first. Everything has been going fine except this morning one of them had a diaper rash (lots of redness around her anus). I read this as one of the signs of an allergy. BUT I did just buy a different brand diaper yesterday (which they have used randomly before w/no issues). Do you think its the cereal or the diaper? Im ready to start...
I would metion this to the doctor as it is telling you theirs something wrong with the back.
I have had this issue this year and spoke to my doctor and he said it's getting worse.
Also loss of bowel movements is also very common with back issues as well.
Symptoms of Cauda equina include:
*Altered sensation, progressive weakness or numbness in the lower extremities
*Loss of sensation or altered sensation in the "saddle" area (the area or your body that would sit on a saddle: inner thighs/between the legs, buttocks, back of legs, sacral region)
*Loss of control of bladder or bowels
*Pain, numbness or weakness in one or both legs that may cause difficulty walking
This is caused by compression of the nerves in the lumbar spine or a possible infection. Better to be safe than sorry that you did not seek immediate medical treatment because if this is left untreated, this syndrome can ultimately result in paralysis and continued loss of sensation in areas below the lower spine.
Good luck and please keep us posted.
Loss of bladder or bowel control is a red flag symptom that the nerves in the base of your spine are being compressed by your problem. It is not something you want to let go, as the longer it goes on the more chance of permanent nerve damage. One of the other poster's was correct in posting the information about cauda equina syndrome - a fancy name for saying the nerves in the lower spine that spread out a bit like a horse's tail are being compressed. Please go see your neurosurgeon or a spinal surgeon about this. You don't want to lose complete control.
Vanyel
Anyway - frustrated and in agaony - I went to see a pain management dr, and she has been great. I have been more active and have even been doing physical therapy because now I have medication to actually treat the pain. But now that is when I noticed this new bladder issue - I wonder if I am doing too much? Maybe it is time I actually look for a spinal surgeon. I am just soooooo tired of doctors. I have been so let down over the years.
I feel like every dr wants to connect my problems to whatever it is that they specilize in - even if the diagnosis is not correct just to get a patient out of it. It almost seems like common sense that I should have seen a spinal surgeon all of these years, but I trusted the drs that I was seeing. I feel so taken advantage of. I'm not even sure I want to see another dr - even for my back.
Asap. Please seek some medical attention. Let us know, take care.
Small midline disc herniation at L4 L5 level. Thecal sac flattening.
Grade I spodylolithesis of L5 ...stenosis at L5-S1 level.
Small midline Disc herniation at the C5-C6 level. Cord compression is noted.
That's all I could find at the moment, there was something about the T level, but I don't remember and I can't find it at the moment. I also have been diagnosed with chiari and cervical instabiity. However, I have never seen a spinal surgeon. Only a chiari specialist and neurologist.