Re TCS question

[Guest guest]

I did not show TCS(Tethered Cord) on my MRI's either. I was postive on

the questionaire that The Chiari Institute uses to screen for TCS.

In the neuro exam, when Dr Kula pulled on my legs, and had me heel

walk, that did not give me the urge to urinate. But then, I had just

gone to the bathroom before the exam.

So, I did the urodynamics testing. Even though I went to the bathroom

before the exam, the nurse emptied another 75cc of urine from my

bladder. The urologist told me he did not find neurogenic bladder, but

thought that my results said that my bladder showed it was under

constant high pressure, which was why I had the urge to go all the time.

I had a bladder capacity that was in the low normal range. (At least I

made it to with in the normal range at all!) The urologist said my

results were consistant with Intersticial Cystitus, a problem with

irritation of the lining of the bladder that I have.

So, after a few weeks, I sent the results to Dr Bolognese, thinking that

I really didn't have anything to present to him. Well, Dr Bolognese

wrtote back, and said that my results were consistant with those that

have Tethered Cord.

Having that information, that was the deciding factor for me to go

ahead and schedule the Tethered Cord surgery. Until I heard from him

about the urodynamics results, I wasn't sure I was going to go through

with it. I figured I could deal with going to the bathroom frequently.

But, If I have the chance to resolve my remaining symptoms of weakness

in my legs, high pressure headaches, tinnitus, brain fog, lower back

pain (they are going to repair a bad disc at L 3-4 too as a bonus!)

then I am going to go ahead and give it a go. What other chance do I

have at this point to try and get more of my life back? At this point,

I spend a good bit of my life laid out on the couch with headaches. Or

so fatigued and in a fog.

I wil do this surgery during what would normally be our summer

vacation. So instead of a trip to New England, I will be in the

hospital on Long Island. Now if I could just find a way to sneak my

toy poodle there, it wouldn't be so bad. Think I could fool everyone

and disguise her as a therapy dog? She makes me laugh during the day

andhelps me have a positive focus. She is also my neck warmer. I

could make her a little blue vest and harness.

Betsy, Erie PA