“Progressing numbness”
Hi,
I have a hx of chronic back pain since 1985( from exercise) and have lived with it for all these years..Daily Mobic 15 mg has helped me manage it( also for my RA)..I was an RN for close to 40 yrs as well as a runner for the same . This past Oct 2021...I went on vacation and walked MANY, MANY miles over the course of 2-3 days..this was when I 1st experienced the numbness in my buttocks and perineal area along with achiness to the max in these areas…let me also say
I was hit by a car in 2010 while jogging..sustained fx of the lumbar area...have mild scoliosis also..basically a bugged up lumbar area…to make a long story short..the numbness has been with me since this past Nov 2021..I think all the walking over rough terrain did me in…the numbness is constant, only on the left side…my left butt cheek is numb as well as my perineal area etc…I know it is my back ..probably L 4-S2 damage..recently went to a spinal surgeon for this …( have to start somewhere) currently being worked up with X-rays…but because of a misdiagnosed pacemaker placed in 2010..MRI is out of question. I am afraid this is going to continue to progress …my question to you is ..should I have started out with a neurologist of stay with spinal surgeon….eventually I am sure someone will need to invade my lumbar area. I appreciate your input.
I have a hx of chronic back pain since 1985( from exercise) and have lived with it for all these years..Daily Mobic 15 mg has helped me manage it( also for my RA)..I was an RN for close to 40 yrs as well as a runner for the same . This past Oct 2021...I went on vacation and walked MANY, MANY miles over the course of 2-3 days..this was when I 1st experienced the numbness in my buttocks and perineal area along with achiness to the max in these areas…let me also say
I was hit by a car in 2010 while jogging..sustained fx of the lumbar area...have mild scoliosis also..basically a bugged up lumbar area…to make a long story short..the numbness has been with me since this past Nov 2021..I think all the walking over rough terrain did me in…the numbness is constant, only on the left side…my left butt cheek is numb as well as my perineal area etc…I know it is my back ..probably L 4-S2 damage..recently went to a spinal surgeon for this …( have to start somewhere) currently being worked up with X-rays…but because of a misdiagnosed pacemaker placed in 2010..MRI is out of question. I am afraid this is going to continue to progress …my question to you is ..should I have started out with a neurologist of stay with spinal surgeon….eventually I am sure someone will need to invade my lumbar area. I appreciate your input.
Female | 68 years old
2 Answers
There are now MRIs that are pacemaker compatible. I would suggest you pursue that. If that’s not possible, then the spine surgeon may consider a CT Myelogram.
You probably should discuss with your cardiologist if an MRI compatible pacemaker can replace the current one. You will need multiple MRIs before and after possible spine surgery.
Short of that, a CT scan/myelogram can give very helpful information. X-rays are just not good enough. With the perineal numbness make sure they get a good look not only at LS but also bottom of T spine.
Best wishes!
Short of that, a CT scan/myelogram can give very helpful information. X-rays are just not good enough. With the perineal numbness make sure they get a good look not only at LS but also bottom of T spine.
Best wishes!
