Sciatic Nerve issues

[tae_tap]

I went to Hershey Medical Center to see a Physician's assistance there. (Glenn Miller) He looked at the x-rays> He said that trying shots into the nerves in the area may help ease the symptoms. I asked about that only being temporary and he replied that it could last a lifetime. He is ordering an MRI to see more on the nerves in the area.

He asked me which is worse... the pain and numbness in my legs or the pain in my lower back. I didn't know how to answer that. I felt like I was left to sacrifice one for the other. I suppose I should have asked him if he can treat both. I was left with the impression he was only going to treat one of my symptoms. He also mentioned that it looks like L4 and L5 may naturally fuse together which may be a good thing. Has anyone ever had this happen or heard of this happen? If so, what was the end result?

I'm planning to get a second opinion but I was hoping to get a copy of the MRI to take with me for my second opinion. Do you know if they will give me a copy of the MRI results, when I get them done? I don't want to have them done twice. (i.e. pay twice).

Did anyone else have these shots done? If so, what was your results?

Thanks!

I am not sure if you can have an MRI after instrumentation was put in, at least that is what I was told. I am having to have a CT scan done instead so I would double check on if the MRI is safe. Also, following up with a scoliosis specialist would be a good thing.
Tamena

[leahdragonfly]

Hi,

Yes, you can get a copy of your MRI report but I would also ask for the entire exam on disc. You may be charged a modest fee for the records (here in Oregon they can charge $30 but never have actually asked me to pay it).

Call the facility where you had your MRI and ask how to request your records and a disc. You will have to fill out a release of information.

Best of luck,

[mabeckoff]

I am not sure if you can have an MRI after instrumentation was put in, at least that is what I was told. I am having to have a CT scan done instead so I would double check on if the MRI is safe. Also, following up with a scoliosis specialist would be a good thing.
Tamena

I have had many MRI's since my instrumentation was put in.

Melissa

[tae_tap]

I have had many MRI's since my instrumentation was put in.

Melissa

I ask the doctor I work for why we order CT's for patients with metal instead of MRI and he said that the metal can contridict and construe the area that is being looked at. And it depends on if we are looking at the bone and the health of it or the soft tissue. CT is better for bone analysis while MRI is better for tisue and unknown masses.

He also said that every doctor has their own way of doing things.

Guess you never know till you ask someone. I just got used to ordering tests different for each patient.
Tamena

[loves to skate]

I had an MRI a couple of months ago and it was a complete waste of time, my money and the insurance's money. I am fused from L2-S1 and the Doctor was interested in seeing L1-L2. That level was completely obliterated because of my metal which is stainless steel. I don't know if different metals make a difference. Maybe Melissa will say what metal is in her back.
Sally

[Irina]

Everybody else has given a good advise about MRI, but I can add about L4-L5 fusing together. I had my first (and hopefully the only one surgery) this year at the age of 45. The doctor said that my L4 and L5 disks were fused together and it presented a big challenge during the surgery. They were fused together under a weird angle and that made it difficult for my surgeon to deal with.

[LindaRacine]

Everybody else has given a good advise about MRI, but I can add about L4-L5 fusing together. I had my first (and hopefully the only one surgery) this year at the age of 45. The doctor said that my L4 and L5 disks were fused together and it presented a big challenge during the surgery. They were fused together under a weird angle and that made it difficult for my surgeon to deal with.

Hi...

It's actually the vertebrae that fuse together. The discs couldn't touch one another unless the vertebrae were missing. The vertebrae can touch when the disc degenerate.

--Linda

[rohrer01]

Meyer,
I have a friend who autofused. Her case wasn't scoliosis, but severe spondylolisthesis (a sideways shift in vertebrae), severe stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal canal), and, of course severe degenerative disc disease, all in the lumbar. They wanted to fuse her lumbar to basically put her spine back together and hopefully alleviate her pain. She was completely afraid of and refused the surgery. Her consequences weren't so good. But her circumstances are different than yours. Her nerves were being severely impinged and she had excruciating pain and numbness, which caused incontinence. Her spine did eventually begin to fuse and her nerve damage is permanent. Like, I said, this is NOT a case like yours. Her x-rays were much more messed up than yours. But yes, I know someone and this is what happened. She is in a wheelchair now and is able to walk only a few steps mostly due to numbness (to the best of my knowledge). I do know that if a nerve is inflamed long enough, it will begin to die. If it dies, that's it for that nerve. But numbness is better than pain, at least for my friend. I know that she is still in a fair amount of pain and is on life-long narcotics. Her pain doesn't seem as bad now, when I see her, as it did when she was going through the "process".

Maybe, in your case, if your spine fuses around your nerves, you could be spared this outcome? This would be a good question for your doctor.

Please don't get scared off by what happened to my friend. Just ask questions.

[Irina]

You're right, Linda. Thank you for the correction.

[JenniferG]

Regarding MRIs after instrumentation. I have titanium rods and have had a cardiac MRI. I told them I had titanium rods and they said it would be fine. They told me afterwards the rods didn't interfere with the picture.

[Meyer]

Sciatic Nerve Issues

My Harrington rod is stainless steel, which can cause issues with an MRI, the PA said that their MRI equipment is better than most others in the area (A major hospital), so I guess we'll find out.

I do have a few more questions though...

I'm planning on getting a second opinion at John Hopkins where they are more experienced with scoliosis revision surgeries. So my concern is, if this MRI doesn't come out good and John Hopkins wants to do their own MRI would m insurance be willing to pay for a second one? I am actually planning on going to John Hopkins if the decision is made to do surgery.

Also, a question about incontinence... I think I'm experiencing bladder incontinence (or over-active). I don't leak, er only on my way to the restroom, does this sound like incontinence? (stenosis)

[rohrer01]

Meyer,
If they think your instrumentation will interfere with an MRI, why don't they do a CT scan? I know it's a lot of radiation, but it's not like you're having one done every day.

Your bladder issues could be from having kids. My friend was numb in that area. I don't know how often she had 'accidents'. But, I do know that when she fell, it let loose. I would ask your doctor about that problem just to be sure it's not from nerve involvement. They will know better than me. I had a little bit of a problem until I got on baclofen. I couldn't jump on a trampoline. I hurt my back and I peed my pants! It was totally humiliating! I know for a fact that I didn't have lower back problems at that time that would in any way cause incontinence.

[tae_tap]

Meyer,
More than likely if the MRI might have been selected due to many insurance companies don't require a prior authorization (there are those exceptions like Medicare advantage, Cigna, and TriCare) but most companies require prior autos for ct scans. Ct's cost a little more, usually a thousand dollars or so more. But if the MRI does not come out good that gives the doctor ore ground to get the pre-auth pushed through. If a second scan needs to be done I urge you to check with your insurance, because doctors really don't pay that close of attention to that aspect. I would also encourage you to ask why they don't do a ct scan and what your doctor is looking for. Don't be afraid to ask questions.


The bladder issue could be the kids. I have four and have the same problem, especially after having kids.

Tamena