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What Do Severe Spins Bifida And Stenosis Of The Spine Indicate?

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Posted on Mon, 6 Nov 2017
Question: Hello and thank you for taking my question. I am 50year old male who suffers from severe spins bifida as well as stenosis of the spine in the L-4, and L5 areas of the lower back. In addition, in the last 6 years I have developed osteoporosis in my knees, hands and hips. Most medical professionals seem shocked that I walk with a cane and back brace. In 2011 I had rods installed in my back which has helped the spinal spasms and numbness in my legs that I experienced often. I was referred to a pain/nuerologist. He has treated my pain with 15mg of ir morphine 3times a day and 200 mg of er twice a day. Plus over the 6 years he has prescribed 300 mg of gabapentin 3times a day and 20mg of bachlofen 3times plus a narcotic constipation drug. Generally,even with all of this, my pain throughout my body ranges from barely manageable to excruciating to the point I can't do simple tasks because my hands feel as if knives are embedded as well as my knees and back. About 10 months ago I ran out of medicines do to my negligence. Within 4 hours, my stomach was cramping to the point I was vomiting and experiencing diarrhea. Plus my everyday pain magnified to the point I ended up being transported to the ER and after several hours the Doctor admitted me for severe dehydration and wouldn't discharge me until I could eat and drink and my kidney's came back online plus my liver lipids were high. In sorry to be longwinded, however my quality of life has deteriorated to the point where its hard to eat, sleep,walk, use the bathroom hold things in my hands. In married and have s grown daughter and s 10year old son. They and I have noticed personality changes. My daughter is in a Masters program for psychology , so she recognizes these personality difficulties and surmises it could be from a lack of sleep. Some nights I simply don't slee, other nights 3 or 4 hours is the most. Ok and lsstly, about 6 months ago I experimented with. Crack cocaine. Something in my working days I never would have believed to have done. I failed a urine test and I had several sessions with the staff psychiatrist. I went to my follow up appointments twice instead of the standard once a month. Basically, ive managed to cut my usage by half or more because of the danger and the disappointment of my wife and son and daughter. I know this is long but I would like your general thoughts on my situation. I feel. Isolated and alone since my pain and its other symptoms has made it very difficult to maintain any semblance of a social life. Thank you for reading my "ramblings." I greatly anticipate your repl.






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Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Kindly follow up with the following details

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting HCM

I have gone through your query. However, I would like to get little more clarification so that I can give you a detailed answer

- Are you still on Morphine, Gabapentin an Baclofen?
- Is the presence of pain that is causing difficulty to sleep?
-Are you still using crack cocaine? If so, how frequent?
- Do you feel depressed or sad most of the time?
-Any feelings of hopelessness or suicidal thoughts?

Awaiting
Dr.Lekshmi
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3808 Questions

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What Do Severe Spins Bifida And Stenosis Of The Spine Indicate?

Brief Answer: Kindly follow up with the following details Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for trusting HCM I have gone through your query. However, I would like to get little more clarification so that I can give you a detailed answer - Are you still on Morphine, Gabapentin an Baclofen? - Is the presence of pain that is causing difficulty to sleep? -Are you still using crack cocaine? If so, how frequent? - Do you feel depressed or sad most of the time? -Any feelings of hopelessness or suicidal thoughts? Awaiting Dr.Lekshmi