Hiya, I haven't written anything serious for a while now. I've been feeling so fatigued. Basically, all I do is lay on the couch and sleep on and off. I try to do things but it's just impossible. It's hard enough for me to get into the shower and I have to admit that I have been neglecting that. Mainly like I said because of the fatigue but I am just afraid to stand in the shower for fear that I will pass out or my legs will give out. So I usually wait for there to be someone home. Preferably Gary. I don't know how much more of this leg pain I can take. It's forced me to live each day taking the "Big Gun" meds. Which is likely the reason I need to sleep so much. That and I believe that I am flaring in some way. It's these headaches and nausea that is killing me these days.
I'm waiting for Dr. C. to call and go over the MRI of my lumbar spine. I did get a copy of the report from the secretary. The report read like this:
The alignment of the lumbar vetebral column is intact. Heterogeneous marrow signal is noted within multiple lumbar betebral bodies. At the L2-3 interspace, degenerative disc disease with disc narrowing and hypertrphic bone formation is present. Mild bilateral foraminal narrowing is secondary to disc bulding is seen. At L4-5 disc interspace level, severe degenerative disc disease with nearly complete disc obliteration of the disc space. At L5-S1 disc interspace level, prominent bilateral facet and ligamentation Lavum hypertrophy is noted. At the neural forminal narrowing secondary to a combinationof facet hypertrophy and symmetric pertrusion of disc material is noted.
What ever this means it sounds pretty bad. It, to me, explains the pain I have in my legs and back. Most days I cannot tolerate the pain in my legs and it is very difficult to walk. Back pain upon rising in the moring. Which is indictive of my anklosing spondolytis. The reactive marrow changes are hematomas . I have them throughout my body.
The CAT Scan of my pelvis and abdomen show an 8mm low density lesion within the left lobe of my liver. They think its a cyst. I also have a stone in my kidney.
I'd appreciate any input from you guys. This whole spine thing has me a little bugged.
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8 comments:
Lu dear, I am sure sorry you are having so much pain. I am praying the doc can help. I hope you will be doing an entry after he explains it all to explain it to us!
loving you
karyl
Wow, not sure what alot of that means, but knowing some words, I can tell that it should hurt! Please let us know what the doc says, okay, honey?! Love you!!! xox
http://journals.aol.com/valphish/ValsThoughts
I just read your journal, linked from the making of a home. Seem's we have alot in common with our wonderful medical problems ! I'm gonna make sure I come back often & read your journal. Maybe your journal can give me some support with some of my daily problems I have trying to get through very tough days ! :)
I wish you many blessings in your struggles & good days ! Judy
Hey Lu,
Wow... you do have a lot going on and the degenerated lower disc sounds serious.
Has anyone talked to you about what you should and should not be doing with activity? Are you going to be sent to physical therapy to strengthen the muscles to protect the disc?
Are you having trouble with the showering because of the pain or the fatigue?
I ask because if the ADL (activities of daily living) are difficult due tot the fatigue I would be concerned that the doctors have overlooked monitoring your sleep and antidepressants, etc. Easy to miss all that when you have the serious back stuff to contend with.
Have you been seen by a pain specialist yet?
Many prayers for you, Lu.
(((((very, very gentle hugs)))))
With Love,
Loretta
Luanne
Still saying prayers that u feel better, soon. My mom has degenerative disc disease. That is prob the reason for all the pain in your legs. And a kidney stone,too? OUCH.........Good luck, hon. Let me know how it all works outs!
Keep us posted on what the doctor says. Nicki
Hi Luanne,
I am Mimi, I am also a Lupus patient.
When I am reading your letters, it almost look like you are talking about me.
I am also so tired and I wished I could just get a realy good deep sleep, for a couple of hours not just 2 may be 3 if I am lucky.
My back is killing me and so is my neck. My right shoulders is dropping , it is to hard to hold it up.
Lucky for now I am seizure free. Have CNS vasulitis and had 3 minor strokes and a lot of TIA's. My vision is soblurry. I have had now 7 eye surgeries.
Like you I am afraid in the showeer that I will fall, at times I am so dizzy.
Had also fractures in my spine from all the prednisone.
I am just dragging along. I have never had such a mess in my house as I have right now. I don't have any strenght, dropping things, hurting all over, kidney's hurt, than I drink cranberry juice., and than the terrible headaches.
It is now 18 years ago that I was diagnosed with Lupus.
Hope that you will start feeling better soon too.
Take Care,
Mimi.
HI LUANNE I FEEL YOUR PAIN I HAVE LUPUS I DONT SLEEP AT NITE BUT AM SO TIRED, EVERY JOINT IN MY BODY IS IN PAIN, IM SO TIRED OF TAKEING PILLS, I HAVE ENPHAZEMA, PANCRITIS, COPD, ACHEING EVERYWHERE, I FEEL LIKE A MEDICAL BOOK. HAVE HERNIA, HAD MRI HAD MAMOGRAM WAITING FOR RESULTS, SEE MY GYNO DOCTOR THIS WEEK, HAD CANCER, SO THEY SAY GOD DOSENT GIVE US ANYTHING WE CANT HANDEL, SO I WILL PRAY FOR YOU TOO, MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YES IM HAVING A CUP OF GREEN TEA TOOOOOO IRWHEEZZER@AOL.COM
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