Question
When I was 14 I started suffering from migraines  and had high blood pressure, then when I was 16 I was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis of the spine and had a lump removed from the bottom of my spine, for several years I suffered from chronic back pain , I became pregnant for the first time at the age of 20 and was in severe pain . The 2nd time I became pregnant I lost feeling in my right leg and began getting severe pain in my hips and lower back , neck and shoulders. After I had my children about 2 years later I suffered a massive seizure that hospitalized me for several days. I continue to this day suffering from the occasional seizure without knowing the exact cause. I was recently diagnosed in the last few months with Degenerative disc disease and mild scoliosis that may be associated with Scheuerman's Disease. I have found that my seizure seem to happen when I am in severe pain . I have on occasion lost all feeling in my left side and went to the emergency room. If I stand straight I suffer from a shooting pain that starts from the top of my head going all the way to the bottom of my feet . My doctor is not doing her job properly she has not put me through any of the proper tests or treatment. I am desperate for some sort of answer as to what is exactly wrong with me. I am now only 24 years old, with out proper diagnoses I fear for the next 20 years of my life. I am in severe chronic pain now , what am I to do in 5 , 10 , 20 years?
Please help me.

Answer
Hello Shannon,
Firstly, thank you for taking the time to reach out to me. I can only say that it must be nothing short of frightening, disturbing as well as painful with your suffering - especially when you don't have clear answers as to what is going on.  

My first question relates to your lump. I would like to know just exactly what was the lump: was it a benign tumour, was it cancerous.
Also I would like to know with certainty was it on the vertebrae or perhaps on the muscle etc.

With regards to your seizures, while I cannot say with any certainty, it may be triggered by your pain. I know of patients who have suffered like the way you have described, had a similar response and then passed out.  To be sure you must be assessed by a neurologist. They will likely perform an EEG:
click on the link to read more about EEG's :   http://epilepsy.about.com/od/diagnosis/a/EEG.htm

I understand that you live in Ontario. Given your long history I run Back Clinics of Canada which is located in Vaughan - directly across from Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre and down the street from Canada's Wonderland. If you're capable of making it to my office I can perform a series of exams to help better understand what's going on.

You mention that you were diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the spine at the age of 16. I would be interested to see a current X-ray of your lumbar spine as well possibly suggest that you obtain a MRI of the lumbar spine.

If you wish to know more about the kinds of problems that I treat you can go to www.backclinics.ca .

Can you please take a moment out to rate my answer and consider nominating me as Volunteer of the Month.

I would be interested in hearing back from you to understand your circumstance better.

I genuinely wish you success in your pursuit of answers and relief.

Dr. Ron Nusbaum
CEO Back Clinics of Canada
www.backclinics.ca