PC #41 – Foot update

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Not sure whether this is of blog-worthy interest…

But, I had an EMG today. I told them they should call it the Abu Ghraib clinic… Didn't get a laugh.

Needles into the muscles, turn up the voltage. “Do you need something to bite down on Bill? No? After this we'll try water boarding…”

Haha – not quite that bad.

Seems its not an entrapped nerve in the leg, it's something to do with a nerve coming from my spine – the S1 nerve. Aggravated by the walk, they suspect.

So I have to have an MRI tomorrow. Then back to the Neurologist again.

So anyone thinking of doing the Camino – budget airfares, accommodation, meals each day, and medical bills afterwards!

 

 

22 thoughts on “PC #41 – Foot update”

    • Nope – not the sciatic.

      I have two metal plates screwed into my lower spine from a car accident many years ago. They want to check that out.

      I had no back pain though during the walk or after. Very strange.

      Bill

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      • Not strange at all, Bill. Not wanting to rehash my neck injury – C5/6 – being the one thing I was worried about starting the Camino. Wondered how carrying my backpack would aggravate it, I was surprised I never had any neck/shoulder pain. Somehow, my backpack kept my spine is perfect alignment. 3 days home, first headache. I sometimes joke with my husband, maybe I should carry my backpack fully loaded and walk around, cheaper than chiro treatments. Come to think of it, I should do that today in light of having been rear-ended last evening.

        Ingrid

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        • That’s funny Ingrid,

          Walking around your house with your backpack on.

          Not funny though about your car accident.

          I hope that gives you no residual medical issues.

          Bill

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      • Hi Bill, I was going to suggest that it might be coming from your SI joint or a disc in your lower back. That is where my knee pain was coming from on the Camino. I also had no back pain just knee pain but I do have lower back issues from arthritis in my hip which I had to have replaced 4 years ago. On the Camino I was very worried that I was wreaking my knees and all along it was from my back.

        Hopefully your problem can be easily fixed with physio and exercise. I am sending you lots of healing thoughts.

        Emily

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        • Dear Emily,

          wonderful, thank you!

          Yes, this numbness thing isn’t bothersome, it’s just a nuisance. And i think you’re right – exercise and some yoga.

          Oh, and another Camino!

          Bill

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        • Emily, I’ve been having injections in my knees for a long time. My kneecaps are out of alignment, so instead of sliding back and forth as they should with synovial fluid, all my life it has been just cartilage on bone. My kneecaps are shot-cracked and pitted underneath. Twenty years ago my spcialist said I have the knees of an 80 year old. The injections haven’t really helped. About six weeks ago, I switched to having the knee injections in my hips instead.What a difference!Even with the damage, some of what I felt was referred pain, and I would never have believed that. All I can say to anyone with pain and nerve problems is, keep trying, and keep an open mind.

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          • Oh Sister that sounds so painful! But I’m glad the hip injections are helping. Referral nerve pain can be quite confusing but I have learn over the years that most of my numbness and pain comes from my back.
            Love and Light,
            Emily

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  3. Dear Bill, not a medical expert, but a number of years ago, I had excruciating pain in the area of my hip, and it turned out to be referred pain from osteoporosis in my spine … so I don’t question what an amazing organ our body is and how it can play tricks on us!! Whatever ails you, I hope that the experts are able to find a solution and in time for you to go to Portugal to let the Camino there find another part of your body to alienate!!! Just kidding 🙂 and it’s obvious from the post above that there’s no need to tell you to keep your sense of humour up to speed! And just quietly, congrats on the result tonight; I guess I was right that the best team won … again …

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  4. Bill, yes, this is blog worthy. We all care about you now. EMGs are not fun, that is for sure. My son has had two, and I had to leave the room each time. Good news that it isn’t one of the diseases you were worrying about. Good news they are your doctors are proceeding methodically. Good news is your sense of humor is intact.

    Ingrid, I hope you are ok!

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    • Julie B, Bill, looks like I’m going to have a few weeks of Physiotherapy, Massage and Acupuncture. Saw my Dr. today, just to make sure I am not overlooking anything. I am pretty in tune with my body and just didn’t feel great this morning. Otherwise everything is peachy! 😉

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  5. Bill, fifteen years ago I spent 6 months off work with back pain from two squashed discs, S4 and S5. Thought I would never get back to work. Now, nearing my 60s, my back is as good as ever. The body has amazing ways of dealing with pain and problems. Never give up! Peter

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    • Thanks Peter –

      I’m not in pain now though, just this slight numbness in my foot, which is aggravating.

      You’re right – the body does have a wonderful capacity to rectify any problems it might have.

      Bill

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