back pain and other neurologic indications

[kithic_kithic_kithic]

Back in May I suffered lower back pain following cycling over the downs. The pain improved but not fully as I would still get twinges. About a Month, I again cycled over the downs and was alright the next day but the following day I could barely move. The pain is mechanical which is like a toothache when walking or sitting, sneezing, etc. There is is no pain when I lay flat on my back or in a reclining position or in bed or at night

I saw my GP who took a quick look and simply wrote out a sick note and suggested phyisio if no improvement after one Month. She wrote a prescription for anti inflams which I thew into a bin as I am reluctant to take tablets

I am now seeing a chiroprator who did neurologic tests including an x ray which does not show discs but the chiropractor did conclude that the C5 disc is bulging. I have no pins and needles in the right foot but apparently he did find neurolgic problems, ie the large toe on the right foot is slightly weaker on resistance tests.

Well one Month later and the worst of the pain is over and I can walk near normal and sit at a desk without pain, a vast improvement over the last Month. I still get jolting pain if I move suddenly or sneeze.

Also over the last two weeks since the cycling episode or I have noticed a degree of sexual and erectile dysfunction, ie maintaining a position for any length of time ( this appeared two weeks after the back pain ). I have never had this problem before. I also had an urgent need to urinate for a couple of weeks after the back pain came on but this has returned to normal now. When I explained the voiding symptoms to the GP, I was sent to the GU clinic but all tests were negative for infection etc.

I thought perhaps it maybe due to lack of mobility as I have spent the last 3 to 4 weeks on my back for many hours in the day and this in itself is really is psychologically destroying. Im not on any drugs.

Apart from his I am a fit and healthy guy

Your thoughts please

thanks again

tony

 

[Bag Full Of Questions]

Hello Tony,
I know nothing about you other than your post....but with regards to the problems down below this could be related to your back problems? You need to go back to the doctor and make them listen.You did say you had problems with your c5 and not t5 or s5.....as these parts relate to the throacic and sacral vertebrae and are found at the middle and base of your spine and c5 is found at the top? Have alook at this link:-

http://www.painclinic.org/i-cache/dermatomes.jpg
http://www.painclinic.org/spinalpain-introduction.htm
Spinal RegionReferral AreaCondition
I have had a problem with my arm and i also dont like taking pain killers but sometimes we do need them.
Have you started you physio?

I would leave your bike alone for a while and try and get yourself fit and well before going out on it again.

Sometimes we may never found the answer...but you do need to listen to your body!
Rachel

 

[stephanie_6234]

oops

 

[illersimbed]

Thanks for your thougts. yes it is the lumbar disc according to the chiropractor. I am based in the UK, Hampshire and the NHS will only get involved after so many weeks according to my GP, hence I saw a Chiro as the pain was too much and my life came to a standstill, I have been off work for 4 weeks but hope to go back now the pain has died down. I still get pain if I move suddenly, etc,

My back just does not feel the same since this the ' incident '. I feel like a crippled old man, The back feels stiff and imobile. I feel as though I have lost confidence in how to move and walk in my usual way. i am wondering how long it takes to get over this as this is week 4 !!!!.

Is it often the case that other symptoms can develop after the back pain has appeared or has eased ?. I feel as though the right foot is suffering slight pins and needles. The other problems I mentioned seemed to have appeared after the back pain appeared though I cannot be sure about this

THanks for your help

tony

 

[MsJamersRN]

Sure. With malaligned pelvis you get problems to lumbar spine and discs but also your feet, especially knees and heels. After a while you have pain in groin, hips and neck. Then you start having problems in shouders, headache, tennis elbow, breathing problems, etc. It is a chain where problems develope slowly and not necessary on that order I mentioned...

 

[xreckuvciotifhecn]

When your back 'goes' it can be quite a shock if it's never happened before. The pain can be so intense on sudden movement, if not all the time initially. You say that you've spent a lot of time lying on your back during the last few weeks. Did the doctor recommend this? It used to be suggested a few years ago but I thought that more recent research suggested that it was better to try to keep moving, albeit gently and not if the pain is excruciating. I can understand that you didn't want to take the tablets. Pain and apprehension of pain can make muscles tighten even more though, and if a muscle in your back is in spasm, pain killers/anti inflams can help you to move less stiffly (as otherwise you can be 'holding' yourself against the pain, or anticipation of pain), if that makes any sense and so adding to the tightness. There can be a range of symptoms, experience of pain levels and recommendations for recovery, as I'm sure you'll come across. I feel that physio can be useful but on the other hand if you are advised at any time to do anything that rings alarm bells with the pain that you're experiencing I would discuss this and not push it. It seems some people recover fairly quickly, some take a while with recurring spams and inflamation. Can only suggest to keep on working with the chiro, going back to the doctor if your other symptoms aren't clearing up, trying the physio, think about getting some massage and seeing trying to find out if cycling is likely to aggravate that area of your back, until it's happier. I mean, because you said you'd been told that the disc was bulging, does your cycling position or set up of the bike irritate that area at the moment. Icing your back might help when it feels really bad too. Your chiro could recommend how best and how long for if s/he feels this might help. Standing when you can can also be better than too much sitting. Hope some of this helps and that you feel better soon x

 

[Purple Ku$h]

Thanks once again for your thoughts. I find It very supportive on this site, often saying things I could not say to people I know. I am returning to work next week. I took it upon myself to have 3 weeks as sick as I realised that I wouldnt get a medal for making any effort, besides the pain was just so unbearable.

I went to the chiro today and he did some more spine work. I mention the hypersensitivity in the right foot, like it feels very sensitive to touch but it is not numb or pins and needles. The chiro said that this is a good sign as it indicates that the nerves are being 'restored'. I did not mention the apparent sexual dysfunction nor have I mentioned it to the GP ( nor have I have been in a position to test the function over the last MOnth due to the pain ). The chiro also said that there is still a mild weakness in resistance tests on the right foot

What I find odd is the back pain has improved no end over the last two weeks so that I only get occasional pain on moving. Then the neurologic symptoms appear after the pain has improved. I dont recall having this neurologic dysfunction during the pain period apart from a strong need to void frequently but even this has returned to normal.

I find it quite concerning, the prolapsed disc is the chiro's diagnosis, my GP just labeled it back pain. Sometimes I wonder if there is another process going on such as a tumor but I think well if that is the case, the pain would not ease but possibly get worse. Do you get my drift, the internet is scarey, you end up thinking all sorts of things,

take care

tony