Monday, June 30, 2008

insult to injury

Or rather injury to insult.

This is what the Vet thinks might be wrong with me.

Lumbosacral Stenosis (Cauda Equina Syndrome)Holly Nash, DVM, MSVeterinary Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.


Lumbosacral stenosis has also been termed lumbosacral instability, lumbosacral malformation, lumbosacral malarticulation, lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbosacral spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral nerve root compression, and cauda equina syndrome. All these terms describe arthritis of the joint between the last lumbar vertebra and the sacrum, which is one of the bones that makes up the pelvis. This arthritis narrows the canal through which the spinal cord and nerves pass through. The intervertebral disc between the vertebra and the sacrum is often abnormal as well, further narrowing the canal. The arthritis and disc disease put pressure on the nerves coming off the spinal cord. The symptoms of lumbosacral stenosis, then, are a result of nerve injury.

Which means I hurt here every now and then.

Which also makes it hard for me to sleep, poop and be happy. I have some super duper pain pills (hope I don't have an episode like those Hollywood types) that help me to get by while its inflamed. At least I think that's why they give them to me, its all gets real hazy when I take them. I only have to take them for a couple days when I can't wag.

Now this is just a suspicion, there have been no real tests to determine if that is what I really have. The test involves injecting dye into my butt and them x-raying it to see what shows up. I'm not really up for that right now.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ruby, I'm so sorry to hear about your back troubles. My dad has spondylolisthesis, too. Of course, he doesn't have a tail, so we can't use wagging to tell if it is bothering him or not. He had to have several shots before they got it right, but it has been better for almost two years. Hope you feel better, too.

Anonymous said...

Ruby, I didn't know you were in any pain. Is it, chasing squirrels, by any chance? Or maybe the racing around the yard like a greyhound, is hurting you. I hope you feel better. Love Popo

Anonymous said...

Uhh, heh heh heh...you said testes.