Tingling/Numbness in hands & feet

[jbauder05]

Hi! This is my first time using this site & I am glad that I found it. I have Harrington rods from surgery that I had at age 13 in May 1988 for a S shape curve. For the most part I have not had any complications and have 2 beautiful children age 1 1/2 & 5. During the past several years I have experienced terrible headaches & numbness/tingling in my extremities. I have been to neurologists and have ruled out MS & brain tumors. I keep asking my family doctor is my symptoms could be related to my back surgery, but they said my symptoms would not come and go if they were related to my surgery. I am in the Philadelphia region & do not know of any specialists dealing with adults who had spinal fusion for scoliosis. I am at the point that my family doctor wants me to go to a neurologist again, but I really feel that is going down the wrong road. I feel that every time I tell someone about my symptoms that they think I am either making them up or they are in my head. Sometimes my legs below my knees feel so weak that I fear I might collapse. I have dropped things because of the tingling in my hands.

Please if there is anyone out there who has similar symptoms & who has a suggestion for a doctor to visit, I would really appreciated!

Jennifer

[augemac]

hello Jennifer,

Welcome to the forum. I recently joined a few months ago and I felt excited that I found this site. Everyone here is so nice and helpful. I have learned alot.

To answer your question about tingling and numbness. That is what lead me to this site. I also have been having more lower back pain and tingling, numbness in my legs. Well I finally went to a specialist and he order an MRI and I have a bulging disc right below my fusion at L4. I also am waiting to get a MRI on my neck. In the x rays it looked like arthritis and possible nerve pinching. My posture has gotten worse and my curve has moved. Not alot but enough to cause problems.

What I have heard is that what you are feeling sounds like it is caused from nerves but I think you need to see a Dr that specializes in adult fusion Scoliosis. Probably an MRI needs to be done. Well good luck in your search for a DR. We are close in age. So if you need to talk just PM me.
Adrienne

[Sharshe]

Hi Jennifer,
Welcome to the forum. Being in the Philly area you may want to try the Rothman Institute. They are part of Thomas Jefferson. you can check them out on line and they can probably direct you to one of their Drs that would be best for your situation. I see Dr Anderson there and am very happy with him. Good luck and I hope someone can figure out whats going on with the tingling and numbness.

[jbauder05]

Thanks for the responses

Thanks for responding to my post. It feels so good to have others out there in the same situation. I do not know anyone personally who has had spinal fusion surgery or even anyone who has scoliosis. It really is wonderful to know that I am not alone.

I've been really busy with the holidays, but will contact the Rothman Institute in the near future.

Thanks Again & Happy Holidays!

Jen