My MRI--all from a pickaxe?

[carolynm]

mri0.jpg (33.03 KiB) Viewed 2775 times

mri1.jpg (22.05 KiB) Viewed 2775 times

[Lernica]

Cari,

I don't think it would all be from a pickaxe. Although your vaginal deliveries were unremarkable, still it is possible that the babies' heads compressed your nerve and created a bit of scar tissue around it, but leaving enough room for the nerve to move. But then the scar tissue may have thickened over time, finally compressing the nerve to the point where it became entrapped.

I think this is what happened to me. I had three difficult labors but my PN symptoms didn't appear until about a decade later.

So why don't all women who give birth get PN? It has something to do with the way our pelvis' are constructed. (My pelvis is quite narrow. Is yours?)

The "good" news of our stories is that we have our beautiful children as a result of our labors. Also, because you're young, you're probably also a good candidate for surgery.

I'm thinking about you, as are all of us. Things will get better as you adjust to your new condition and find the right drug combination to help you cope with the pain. And then, one day, you will overcome your condition and this will all be just a bad dream.

I'm sending lots of hugs your way.

[carolynm]

Lernica,
Thank you for your kind words. I just told my boss today that I need to take a leave of absence. Our healthcare coverage under cobra is going to be so expensive, but I can hardly take care of the kids and my life on a day to day basis, let alone work 3 12 hr shifts in a row. It makes me so sad to lose this, I've worked since I was 14 years old. I may PM you about applying for disability. Maybe I should go that route.

thank yoy
cari
'

[birdlife]

Cari, that's just amazing that you get through 3x12hr shifts in a row! . My maximum shifts when my kids were babies (and I was fit then) were 8hrs, an extra 4 on a regular basis would have been mind numbing. You're a star.
Anyhow, just wanted to say thanks to you for posting your MRI results. Agree with Lernica, the pick-axe was just the icing on the cake after previous trauma or scarring. And also as Lernica has said, take heart that you're still very young and the prognosis should be better for you.
I never saw my lumbar MRI results (they were looking for disc degeneration at the time, prior to PN assessment), but now because of your post I think I'll ask to see if it at least covered the sacral area.

Wish you much luck with your disability application, and upcoming appt with Dr. Hibner.
Take care,

[HerMajesty]

I think you should apply for disability promptly; they do not make quick decisions so if you don't apply until you feel like you really need to, will struggle financially while waiting for a decision. Also to qualify for SSI, you are required to have a certain number of "work points" accumulated within the 10 years immediately prior to your application, and depending on how much you worked during pregnancies and babies, you may or may not be skating on the edge of that number. Some people make the mistake of relying financially on family as long as they can, and then if their situation changes and they need the SSI, they no longer qualify because their "work points" have already diminished from their time out of work.
In addition to what Don said about AFLAC, some states offer short term disability to their residents. I find it hard to believe now living in Nevada akaThe Land Of No Infrastructure, but my 1st child was born in New Jersey and there the state gave every working mom 6 weeks' disability for vaginal birth and 8 weeks for C-section, which I believe was part of a larger state short term disability program. I don't think that's common but it can't hurt to look it up for your state.
As to the MRI itself, That does seem odd as a result of using a pickaxe; I think whatever else is going on here if you are entrapped at the ligaments it might be due at least partially to an acute joint injury which changed the ligamentous tone. The slightly deviated coccyx is indicative of this: joint injury is a dynamic not a static problem and hence rarely shows up on imaging; but if it does show up it will be very subtly as a deviated coccyx or widened pubic symphysis. So with the mechanism of injury, pickaxe, entrapment at ligaments, and deviated coccyx, I would suspect some SIJD to be present. Has your PT evaluated this? Some PT's evaluate the condition of the bony pelvis and some do not.

[Faith]

Cari,

I am in the disability application process now. I reccomend the book "Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability". There are two different programs SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) and SSI (Supplemental Security Income). If your husband works and makes hardly any money at all you will most likley not qualify for SSI, it is for people with very limited incomes and assets. SSDI is what you would be applying for and what you get per month is based on how much you have paid into the Social security trust fund during your lifetime.(You know those green and white reports you get from SSA every year that will show approximately how much you would make per month if you qualify for SSDI). I am not sure what HM is talking about with "work points". I haven't heard or read anything about this. You do have to have been disabled, making less than $1000 per month (averaged) gross income for the last 12 months. So it is likely since you have been working full time up until now you would not yet qualify for SSDI. If your work offers short-term disability you should probably check into that. But call your local Social Security Office for more info though.

I agree with HM about the SIJD. I think that is likely some of my problem as well. I don't know that proper SI joint alignment will alleviate all your pain (mine hasn't), but it might help in the meantime till you can get to a PN specialist.

[carolynm]

Thank you all for your posts.

Yes, I have some SIJD that has been corrected a few times by a PT with manip specialization. Didn't help with my pain. I dont' know some days how I will live until February and I get to Dr. Hibner. The wait time is absolutely insane. My dr. here doesn't know quite what else to do with me. I started oxycontin and percocet yesterday, will valium prn. I have to get on top of this pain----my #1 priority right now. I can't be sitting around at an 8 or a 9 all day long. It's wearing me down mentally.

It was great to hear everyone's thoughts, much appreciated.
with love, cari

[carolynm]

Since I reported clitoral pain to Dr. Potter, I find it odd she didn't mention anything about the dorsal nerve to the clitoris. Do you think she can see this on the mRI? And to anyone who has reported the same symptom, did she say anything on your report?

cari

[Violet M]

Cari, clitoral pain can come as a result of the main trunk being entrapped so maybe no need to worry that nothing showed up on the MRI in that area. The good news is the docs have been dealing with entrapment at the SS ligament for some time now so at least you won't be a guinea pig going into surgery. Keep your chin up -- just one day at a time and before you know it February will be here.

Hugs,

Violet

[helenlegs 11]

Yes Cari, that is my understanding of pudendal (well any nerve) entrapment as Violet said. The symptoms start at the area irritated/entrapped and can affect the rest of the length of the nerve from that point , distally. It doesn't mean in the case of pudendal that some/all branches will be effected but they may be. Hope fully attention paid to your ligaments will sort the whole problem out
Helen