Guest guest Posted March 20, 2002 Report Share Posted March 20, 2002 Hi Friends...I met with the physical therapist today He was a real gntleman, and very thorough. He put me through the ringer, necessarily, to check my strength, sensation, and pain level. Bottomline is that with the type of herniation I have at L4 L5, none of the muscles from my right hip/buttock area through my foot are receiving the signals to make my leg/foot strong. That's why I have foot drop and have to drag my right leg. He gave me several exercises to do to t to maintain some muscle strength in my calf and tibial muscles, but he said PT won't improve the herniation/nerve problem. He is having me come back for some heat & ultra sound " comfort care " and to fit me with a leg/foot brace that might help a little. But, I have to see the neurosurgeon again about surgery. I know I'll have to go off Remicade and methotrexate for awhile. That feels sad as the Remicade has made so much positive difference in my RA. But, after I heal, I can go back to it. There's a ton of pain tonight, probably from all the " pretzel " positions I had to do for him to check my various muscles. I see my rheumy Thursday, so I'll find out how long I have to be off Remicade & Meth. both before & after surgery. I've read about the " microdiskectomy " ...just a 1 - 2 inch incision. Some people go home the same day. With the RA, Psoriatic, and diabetes to say nothing of the morbid obesity I suppose I'm not an ideal surgical candidate. But, I am really determined, that to the best of what I can do, not to lose the mobility I have, and to lose weight and become healthier. Thanks for listening, and thanks for your precious friendship & prayers. Love to All... Tess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2002 Report Share Posted March 20, 2002 good luck tess, i know how you feel after those physical therapy evaluations!!! THEY DO GET YOU! i hope some oftheir comfort treatments work well for you. kathy in il Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 21, 2002 Report Share Posted March 21, 2002 Hi Tess. So glad your therapist was pleasant and likable. Sorry about those discs! My husband has the same herniation but so far has been lucky that a nerve block has helped him for awhile. Unfortunately he may wind up with drop foot as well because of the numbness he has in his toes. I've read about the micodiskectomy and it has helped a lot of people. I know the thoughts of surgery are scary especially with all the meds you are on. I was pretty scared when I had my knees replaced. The doctors and anestesiologist are experienced with patients like us. You have a very good attitude and that attitude will carry you a long way. I hope you feel better soon. a 3/19/02 11:39:44 PM, Tess_St_Pierre@... wrote: > > > Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 23:39:44 -0800 (PST) > > From: Tess_St_Pierre@... > Subject:Re: [ ] chapter 2 > > > > > Hi Friends...I met with the physical therapist today He was a real > gntleman, and very thorough. He put me through the ringer, necessarily, > to check my strength, sensation, and pain level. Bottomline is that > with the type of herniation I have at L4 L5, none of the muscles from my > right hip/buttock area through my foot are receiving the signals to make > my leg/foot strong. That's why I have foot drop and have to drag my > right leg. He gave me several exercises to do to t to maintain some > muscle strength in my calf and tibial muscles, but he said PT won't > improve the herniation/nerve problem. He is having me come back for > some heat & ultra sound " comfort care " and to fit me with a leg/foot > brace that might help a little. But, I have to see the neurosurgeon > again about surgery. > > I know I'll have to go off Remicade and methotrexate for awhile. That > feels sad as the Remicade has made so much positive difference in my RA. > But, after I heal, I can go back to it. > > There's a ton of pain tonight, probably from all the " pretzel " positions > I had to do for him to check my various muscles. > > I see my rheumy Thursday, so I'll find out how long I have to be off > Remicade & Meth. both before & after surgery. > > I've read about the " microdiskectomy " ...just a 1 - 2 inch incision. > Some people go home the same day. With the RA, Psoriatic, and diabetes > to say nothing of the morbid obesity I suppose I'm not an ideal surgical > candidate. But, I am really determined, that to the best of what I can > do, not to lose the mobility I have, and to lose weight and become > healthier. > > Thanks for listening, and thanks for your precious friendship & prayers. > > Love to All... > > Tess > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 21, 2002 Report Share Posted March 21, 2002 Thank you, a, for your sweetness and support. Hugs of Hope... Tess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 21, 2002 Report Share Posted March 21, 2002 Dear Kathy....thanks for the kind encouragement & support. Hugs of Hope... Tess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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