LymeNet Flash: cauda equine syndrome?? or lyme??

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » cauda equine syndrome?? or lyme??

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Author

Topic: cauda equine syndrome?? or lyme??

randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290

posted

i have been having really bad low, low back pain. sort of like tail bone.

my stool texture has changed to rather soft and mushy but still formed. no constipation but going daily

i often get numbness in my lower back and vaginal area and thighs.

i can still go pee without a problem but do have problems with continence, like laughing, straining, etc., so i wear a pad all the tme.

i have mild burning pelvic pain all the time 24/7 and wake up every freakin morning between 2 and 4 from the pain.

i have diverticulitis and have had numerous attacks, probably at least 1-2 a year.

i firmly believe this is NOT ibs but something else. still trying to get that gastro appt. his office is closed right now.

has anybody had these symptoms? i've started taking two drops of grapefruit seed daily.

i would appreciate any help? is this just lyme again or what?

grrr.....

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do not look back when the only course is forward

Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007 | IP: Logged |

Lymetoo
Moderator
Member # 743

posted

Maybe you need an MRI of your spine. A bad disc can affect bladder control if it gets bad.

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--Lymetutu--
Opinions, not medical advice!

Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged |

Lymetoo
Moderator
Member # 743

posted

What's this equine thing??? [confused]

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--Lymetutu--
Opinions, not medical advice!

Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged |

randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290

posted

hmm, apparently the tailbone has a mass of nerve endings that resemble a horse's tail, thus the equine term. when these nerves are damaged such as from trauma, arthritis, etc., they can lead to this condition.

symptoms are numbness in the vaginal or "saddle area" between the legs and thighs. it can affect the bladder and bowel function as the nerves get damaged and you loose control.

it can be temporary or permanent and have devasting results. some people have to manually force themselves to have a bowel movement. i won't say how but it's really bad.

i have bulging discs from l1 down plus i've had several very severe falls. once i fell completely out of our rv down the steps and flat on my face. the other time i tripped in our garage and fell flat down on the pavement, and another time i tripped on the sidewalk and again, fell flat out down with nothing to hang onto, i mean i fell flat.

then some idiot doctor hit a nerve in my hip once while giving me a shot.

so i've had some bad falls and all. and i've been diagnosed with anklosying spondylitis.

sorry, tend to rattle on...

--------------------
do not look back when the only course is forward

Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007 | IP: Logged |

Camp Other
Unregistered

posted

Lymetoo, I think randibear means "Cauda equina syndrome (CES)".

It's a condition in which there is loss of function of the lumbar plexus, and nerve roots of the spinal canal below the termination of the spinal cord.

A lumbar puncture, severely herniated disk, or trauma to the spine (knife wound, car accident, etc) can cause it.

randibear,

I'm sorry to hear you are suffering with this. I recommend you get an MRI of your spine somehow and go from there. I don't recommend jumping out of an airplane right now. Hope you get the help you need and soon - this isn't something to, um, sit on.

IP: Logged |

Lymetoo
Moderator
Member # 743

posted

oh ok. thanks. I had never heard of it before... read here:

http://flash.lymenet.org/scripts/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/3/26873?

--------------------
--Lymetutu--
Opinions, not medical advice!

Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged |

Camp Other
Unregistered

posted

randibear,

You must have posted the same time I did. I see you answered my question before I asked.

I would talk to a spine specialist right away with that history. This can be a very serious condition, and potentially life threatening.

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