NERVE COMPRESSION, looking for a solution

[skateguy]

Has anyone had experience with a tumor compressing a nerve in the spinal cord, causing a symptom, then getting that nerve to work again?

In January of this year a tumor in my spine compressed a nerve that caused me to lose my ability to walk. I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion on what to do, to increase my chances of walking again. Thank you in advance for responding.

A little background on me: I have been living with metastasized prostate cancer for 11 years. The cancer was contained to my bones (9 years) and life was pretty good. Recently, it traveled to soft tissue, lungs, liver, and lymph nodes. This past January two oncologist recommended Hospice and a third put me on Jevtanna and Carboplatin, which stopped the cancer from killing me. Since January I have been wheelchair bound. I feel pretty good, as funny as that may sound. I go to physical therapy 2-3 times a week and do exercises at home. But having lived an active life, not being able to walk is devastating. I rather have my ability to walk again than to have cured cancer and be wheelchair bound, as crazy as that sounds.

[Javelin18]

I didn't lose function, but I did have a lesion pressing on a nerve root causing extreme pain. A single IMRT treatment shrunk the lesion and got rid the pain.

I don't know whether a nerve will recover after being more severely compressed. Do you have a neurosurgeon that you can consult?

I have had recovery from peripheral neuropathy in my feet from acupuncture treatment. That may be helpful to restore nerve function in your case,, but I don't know.

[skateguy in reply to Javelin18]

I have had radiation on my lower spine for pain as I think you have experienced. My situation currently is much worse. I prefer to seek non-intrusive methods first, before considering surgery. My oncologist isn't giving me much hope with surgery, but I have read that the nerve, not being severed, could work again maybe 6-18 months out. I'm hoping someone out there has a suggestion. I'm trying electrical stimulation and going to physical therapy 2-3 times a week. I'm determined to walk again. Thank you for responding.

[GP24]

There are surgeons who specialise in operating spinal cord compression. The objective is to get you walking again.

[skateguy in reply to GP24]

A Surgeon at the Mayo Clinic said he may be able to do something to help me. I have other issues with my spine, so I will have to find out if he meant for me to walk again. A number of local surgeons didn't give me much hope. I may end up contacting him if this situation persists. Thank you.

[tango65]

You need surgery to decompressed the nerve, if it is not to late for recovery. Talk with an orthopedic surgeon specialized in spine surgery.

[skateguy in reply to tango65]

I'll start calling around on Monday. I had a surgeon at the Mayo Clinic tell me he could help a couple of months ago. I'll call him Monday, thanks.

[Walkingwell]

Surgery helped me. T6&7 replaced by titanium, Dec. 2020, soon could walk again. Beam radiation therapy also has helped. Are these options for you?

[skateguy in reply to Walkingwell]

I'm not sure, but I will look into it this week, thanks.

[MateoBeach]

Nerve decompression surgery, if technically feasible, and as soon as possible. Recovery and rehab must be done patiently and carefully as the nerve recovers.

[skateguy in reply to MateoBeach]

It's been four months, and I was told to get the cancer under control first. Hopefully it isn't to late, thanks

[nobaday]

I had spinal compression November 2017, tumour compressing nerve in spinal chord at T9. Could hardly walk before surgery which cut out tumour as much as possible and a rod put in. Could hardly walk after surgery but used a walker and Physio 3 x 1 hour a week for about 6 weeks. Took 6 months for me to be skiing and playing soccer at about 70 to 80% of pre surgery.

Good until 4 years later when T9 to T12 tumours growing and causing some pain. Had radiation T9 to T12 but now suffering from numbness in legs and a fair loss of balance. Can walk sort of ok but can’t jog fast or balanced. So now playing soccer in goal , doing some Physio and my hope is that nerve damage will slowly recover .

My advice do lots of Physio and balance exercise and see if you can go from a wheelchair to a walker.

Have you had spinal surgery?. With a great spinal surgeon ( mine was) I was able to get back to QOL, walk, run and ski!!!😀

[skateguy]

Cancer sucks. I'm glad to hear that you had success with surgery and walking again. If only there was a drug that would stop cancer from progressing. I currently do plenty of exercises and I'm motivated to walk again. I will call an orthopedic surgeon (Mayo Clinic) that I spoke with previously, to see if he could help.I live in Virginia and willing to travel anywhere in the US to have a chance at walking again. thank you for the encouraging reply.