Degenerative Disc Disease Support Group

Degeneration of the intervertebral disc, which is often called "degenerative disc disease" (DDD) of the spine, DDD is in fact a condition that can be painful and can greatly affect the quality of one's life. While disc degeneration is not a normal part of aging and for most people is not a problem, for certain individuals a degenerated disc can cause severe constant...

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/ Degenerative Disc Disease Support Group

New here.. Just found ya..

meandthebeast
meandthebeast
Ive been on DS for a year now but just barely got to this discussion group.. I have a question. I have had a two level fusion in my lower back and am still having lots of pain.. I have it also in my hips, my neck, well all over to be genuine.. My biggest problem is since I have had surgery over 2 years ago. I have lost feeling in my left foot. Alot of feeling. It feels like Im walking on a water bed. And my ankle is really week. Anyone had this happen? And if so do drs. beleive you about the pain and the numbness?
meandthebeast
meandthebeast
OOPs I meant weak ankle not week.. lol..
deleted_user
deleted_user
I'm not sure, but things like that happen with spine injuries or muscular and nerves injuries. All sorts of things can cause it. Mine is like Yours right now, really weak and it feels like My foot is asleep a little.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have a 5 level fusion and have much leg pain and foot numbness. I of ten use a cain to help me with balancing. As for the Dr's--you are absolutely right-they seem not to believe me at all, just sluff it off. I will be going to Mayo Clinic in October to try to find some relief for the pain. I hope it works.
deleted_user
deleted_user
When you have fusion, many times this leads to other levels becoming unstable. This in turn can lead to herniated disks, bulging disks, etc. It sounds like you need a CT-Scan. You can't have an MRI cause you probably have instrumentation from the fusion, right? Anyway, the CT-Scan should show if anything more is going on in there. X-rays will show NOTHING.

As far as doctors believing you??? My Neurosurgeon said, and I QUOTE ~ "You cannot be having pain because I fixed you. Therefore you have no pain." Unquote. How's THAT for arrogance??? I was in AGONY and this idiot tells me I have NO PAIN!!!

I kept going back & back & back until he finally ordered another MRI ~ when he got the results he couldn't do ENOUGH for me!!! He asked ME what I wanted! He said "I'll do ANYTHING YOU WANT!" Uh-Huh. Obviously he saw something he didn't want to see!!! I told him what I wanted and left, never to return again.

So a big fat NO ~ doctors don't believe we're in pain EVER. Unless we're bleeding like stuck pigs. It's a crime. Lee