Re: Spinal cysts

[Guest guest]

,

Sorry I haven't any experience with cysts...but it sounds like good

news if draining and managing them is not too problematic. Did the

doctor tell you if you had always had them or if they are likely to

have been a recent development?

I have heard of others with 6 lumbar vertebra...but I think it is

somewhat unusual.

I imagine if they do the procedure at the same time as the epidural

they will use xray imaging to get the needle in? Where will you have

the proecedure done?

I hope others know more, Cam

[Guest guest]

Cam;

They think that the cysts may be indirectly caused by the fusion, in

that my lower back is the only place that has any movement. The extra

pressure etc. has caused these over time. I do not think that I had

them when I was young, and I haven't had any medical focus on my spine

until the past year. My leg has been going numb when I walk for about

2 years, and now it is sort of half numb all the time. Being a " 6 "

just makes it interesting for the doctors. My guess is that the cysts

have been growing over time and now they are causing a direct and

continuing problem with my nerve(s). There were some pains, in

previous years, that I just brushed off because they were intermitant,

but in hind sight they could have been the first signs of something

not quite right. Usually you find cysts causing problems in people

65+ years old, and I am only 51. It's very interesting, actually, to

me. They could not have been prevented. Now, we will see if reducing

or removing them makes the problems better or worse.

I remember reading someone's post about feeling violated, or like a

science experiment, to be in view when they had their original fusion

done as a kid. I really did not want anyone touching my back again,

ever, and I was hoping that things would just go along. However, I am

at the point, where some of you are, or have been, where I am willing

to try anything to get some quality back in my life. I so apprecialte

this group. My situtation is certainly not as bad as some of yours,

but it's nice to read about kindred spirits, who encourage me just by

being there and sharing. Thanks!

[Guest guest]

,

I too have been told I have 6 lumbar verbetra. Actually, I'm missing

a set of ribs. I believe that is why they say I have 6 instead of 5?

Kathy

>

> Anyone had any experience with having a spinal cyst drained?

>

> I have 3 lumbar cynovial spinal cysts, 2 on the left and a smaller

one

> on the right. The doctors think these are contributing to the left

> leg sciatica. I am scheduled to go in Friday the 13th for a

cortizone

> shot and to drain one or more of the cysts during the process.

>

> I had a current scoliosis x-ray and my curves are really small.

> Everthing has held very well for 35+ years. They did confirm that I

> have 6 lumbar vertebrae, which I had heard when the fusion was

done.

> My cyst doctor was happy to meet a " 6 " . Hopefully that will make

them

> look a little closer at the MRI before we get to the poke and stab

event.

>

> Thanks for reading.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

, I haven't had a cyst drained, but am aware that spinal cysts and

sinuses are fairly common in people with neural tube birth defects. One of

my uncles had a 6th lumbar vertebra, and one of my cousins does also (not

his daughter but his neice). I guess I have the usual complement of

vertebrae, but my medical records note that I either have 11 thorasic

vertebrae and 6 lumbar, or 12 thorasic (minus a rib on T12) and 5 lumbar.

It depends whether you count from the top or the bottom. My thoraco-lumbar

junction is a twisted mess of mis-shaped vertebrae, I have a sinus at the

tailbone level, and there could be cysts and what-have-you internally. When

I was a tot the doctors marvelled that I could walk, let alone run around

and stand on my head.

So, all that said, I can't tell you much about your cysts, but I can tell

you you're not alone.

:^)

Sharon

[ ] Spinal cysts

Anyone had any experience with having a spinal cyst drained?

I have 3 lumbar cynovial spinal cysts, 2 on the left and a smaller one

on the right. The doctors think these are contributing to the left

leg sciatica. I am scheduled to go in Friday the 13th for a cortizone

shot and to drain one or more of the cysts during the process.

I had a current scoliosis x-ray and my curves are really small.

Everthing has held very well for 35+ years. They did confirm that I

have 6 lumbar vertebrae, which I had heard when the fusion was done.

My cyst doctor was happy to meet a " 6 " . Hopefully that will make them

look a little closer at the MRI before we get to the poke and stab event.

Thanks for reading.

scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

[Guest guest]

---Sharon,

WHat article are you referencing? I would like to check it out. My

Dad is Boston Irish....

In , " Sharon Green "

<sharon.green18@v...> wrote:

>

> Oh, my gosh, Carole, did you catch the part about the highest

prevalence of NTDs in the US being among Boston Irish? Add to that

the fact that they affect females more than males, and I had the

cards stacked against me 3 ways!

>

> Sharon

>

> Re: [ ] Re: Spinal cysts

>

>

> Sharon,

> That is the most complete article I have seen re this business!

Even though I supposedly have scoliosis from an " accident " , there is

so much in there that could apply to me! The problems are that (1)

I am old and (2) my records have been destroyed. My parents are

dead. My sisters and brothers have never understood. But, I had

things like St. Vitus Dance at four years of age (now referred to as

a form of Rheumatic Fever) and so many other things in the article!

>

> I will never stop reading, and will try to never stop learning

about this darned condition. The one thing we all have in common is

that we have " it " !

>

> Thank you so much for giving me so much food for thought! And,

good luck on your upcoming appointment!

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Carole

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

--

WOW, that was some article!!!!,PA

- In , " Sharon Green "

<sharon.green18@v...> wrote:

>

> It was the one I referenced in an earlier post on spinal cysts.

>

> Here it is.

>

> http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic2805.htm#target6

>

> BTW, as far as I know idiopathic scoliosis (the most common kind)

has nothing to do with neural tube defects.

>

> My scoliosis is congenital, meaning some of my vertebrae grew

badly in utero and caused my whole spine to curve. Although the

skin was not open, there are external evidences of spina bifida.

This form of scoliosis is not considered to be hereditary, but there

is a strong history of idiopathic scoliosis in my family, so who

knows?

>

> I also am Boston Irish on my dad's side.

>

> I wonder why Boston Irish would have a larger incidence of neural

tube defects than, say, New York Irish. Perhaps people immigrating

here tended to sail for the same port as their friends, relatives,

and neighbors (who were also likely to be related)? So maybe one

part of Ireland has historically had more NTDs? Interesting

question.

>

> Sharon

>

>

> Re: [ ] Re: Spinal cysts

> >>

> >>

> >> Sharon,

> >> That is the most complete article I have seen re this

business!

> > Even though I supposedly have scoliosis from an " accident " ,

there is

> > so much in there that could apply to me! The problems are that

(1)

> > I am old and (2) my records have been destroyed. My parents are

> > dead. My sisters and brothers have never understood. But, I

had

> > things like St. Vitus Dance at four years of age (now referred

to as

> > a form of Rheumatic Fever) and so many other things in the

article!

> >>

> >> I will never stop reading, and will try to never stop

learning

> > about this darned condition. The one thing we all have in

common is

> > that we have " it " !

> >>

> >> Thank you so much for giving me so much food for thought!

And,

> > good luck on your upcoming appointment!

> >>

> >> Sincerely,

> >>

> >> Carole

> >>

> >>

> >> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >>

[Guest guest]

---Sharon,

You stated you live in New Hampshire? Do you know the weather man Al

Kaprelian?? I went to college with him...he was my husbands

roomate... Is he as weird as I hear he is on TV...I've never had the

chance to see him...but he told us he is a weather man in the

area...., PA

In , " Sharon Green "

<sharon.green18@v...> wrote:

>

> I guess that makes us relatives.

>

> ;^)

>

> Re: [ ] Re: Spinal cysts

>

>

> BTW, Sharon, I forgot to mention that one set of my grandparents

came from Ireland to Boston to western MA!

> Carole

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

--I thought you might have seen him?? I think of him this time of

year..he sends us a card etc...I bet he was a crazy weather man!!!

Digression is sometimes good, all spine and no fun, makes a

sad, girl!!LOL!!

- In , " Sharon Green "

<sharon.green18@v...> wrote:

>

> Hi, .

>

> Oh, that's such a funny digression. I don't watch WNDS any more,

but when I was up in Manchester I used to catch Al's song & dance.

Very cute. And educational. I will never forget that HIGH pressure

means good weather!

>

> :^D

>

> Sharon

>

>

> Re: [ ] Re: Spinal cysts

> >>

> >>

> >> BTW, Sharon, I forgot to mention that one set of my

grandparents

> > came from Ireland to Boston to western MA!

> >> Carole

> >>

> >>

> >> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >>

[Guest guest]

---Vonnie, wow 6-8...I guess it differs per patient..but I have no

clue why?? Note Kams response to blood, does make sense..I would

like to have my own, but it is not going to happen for me.. I guess

in the scope of all of this....what's a little blood from the bank??

Al was a strange dude back in college ,so his act, is not an act..it

is real AL!! I have never seen him do the weather, but I have heard

he is funny..,pa

In , vonnie callahan

<vonniec20032000@y...> wrote:

>

> , I 've seen that weather man Al on and I laugh all the

time.My sister lived in NH.He is funny...Vonnie

>

> heatherbenjaminnicholas <heatherbenjaminnicholas@y...> wrote: --I

thought you might have seen him?? I think of him this time of

> year..he sends us a card etc...I bet he was a crazy weather man!!!

> Digression is sometimes good, all spine and no fun, makes a

> sad, girl!!LOL!!

>

>

>

> - In , " Sharon Green "

> <sharon.green18@v...> wrote:

> >

> > Hi, .

> >

> > Oh, that's such a funny digression. I don't watch WNDS any

more,

> but when I was up in Manchester I used to catch Al's song &

dance.

> Very cute. And educational. I will never forget that HIGH

pressure

> means good weather!

> >

> > :^D

> >

> > Sharon

> >

> >

> > Re: [ ] Re: Spinal cysts

> > >>

> > >>

> > >> BTW, Sharon, I forgot to mention that one set of my

> grandparents

> > > came from Ireland to Boston to western MA!

> > >> Carole

> > >>

> > >>

> > >> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision

candidates

> > >>

> > >>

> > >>

> > >>