12-13-2018, 07:44 PM
The podiatrist thought it was a lumbar pinched nerve, also, but since it didn't get any better in 3 months (and perhaps a tad worse) - I saw a neurologist.
Based on the EMG results, she said it's an L5 ("structural") pinched nerve. I don't know if she can determine that without an MRI but based on the locations of the burning and nerve meausurements, I think (from a diagram i saw online lol), only the L5 affects those parts.
I will ask for an MRI, if they let me.
She said I could look into PT, to not let it worsen. I asked here what's the worst that can happen here, she said I'll lose motor function and have foot drop (dragging feet). That's sad. I'm a programmer so I could live with that, but I'd probably have to get into a wheelchair considering I'm having it in both feet!
It's amazing (in a bad way) the affect chronic pain can have on someone's psyche. I had a pulled chest muscle 7 years ago that took about 4-6 months to heal, but I'd always wake up every day wondering if the pain as gone. For that, I feel for you.
Side note: My dog has IVDD (7 year old beagle), degenerative discs. One of the discs in her neck area broke off and pinched her nerve, which resulted in a reaction for 30 minutes I don't want to ever hear or see again in anybody or anything. She had surgery the next day and she has recovered pretty well, same playful girl now but no more stairs/steps, jumping, standing on legs, furniture, shaking her head when playing with toys, etc.
She seems to live her life OK, it's been expensive ramping everything for her.
Chronic pain can be debilitating/depressing and also can be viewed in another way maybe, that we should live the best life we can and not hold back because we don't know what the future holds. I think I'm watching too many Terminator rerun movies lately.
Based on the EMG results, she said it's an L5 ("structural") pinched nerve. I don't know if she can determine that without an MRI but based on the locations of the burning and nerve meausurements, I think (from a diagram i saw online lol), only the L5 affects those parts.
I will ask for an MRI, if they let me.
She said I could look into PT, to not let it worsen. I asked here what's the worst that can happen here, she said I'll lose motor function and have foot drop (dragging feet). That's sad. I'm a programmer so I could live with that, but I'd probably have to get into a wheelchair considering I'm having it in both feet!
It's amazing (in a bad way) the affect chronic pain can have on someone's psyche. I had a pulled chest muscle 7 years ago that took about 4-6 months to heal, but I'd always wake up every day wondering if the pain as gone. For that, I feel for you.
Side note: My dog has IVDD (7 year old beagle), degenerative discs. One of the discs in her neck area broke off and pinched her nerve, which resulted in a reaction for 30 minutes I don't want to ever hear or see again in anybody or anything. She had surgery the next day and she has recovered pretty well, same playful girl now but no more stairs/steps, jumping, standing on legs, furniture, shaking her head when playing with toys, etc.
She seems to live her life OK, it's been expensive ramping everything for her.
Chronic pain can be debilitating/depressing and also can be viewed in another way maybe, that we should live the best life we can and not hold back because we don't know what the future holds. I think I'm watching too many Terminator rerun movies lately.
![[Image: 43325991030_4d39723a8f.jpg]](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1947/43325991030_4d39723a8f.jpg)
