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To Be Answered By Dr. Prof XXXXXXX Saha. Doctor Saha,

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Posted on Thu, 18 Jul 2019
Question: To be answered by Dr. Prof XXXXXXX Saha.
Doctor Saha, I have not spoken to you lately, but this is Rosemarie. I have been having trouble with numbness in my feet and the outer side of my calves and lower back and groin .
I have several herniated discs and one bulging disc and spinal stenosis.

Two spinal surgeons do not think It would be good to operate and suggested physical therapy which I have been going to since March. I can walk better but the numbness continues. I am taking the B-12, 1500 mg and the Vit D 2000. I tried the gabapentin but it gave me headaches and dizzines. I was on it for 8 days.

Now the neurologist is , and has suggested Cymbalta. I am afraid of these new medicines because I am told they can cause dizziness and nausea and can cause suicide. I also take lorezepam .6mg twice a day and understand that I have to continue to take it until the other medicine kicks in. I am having a difficult time with the lorezepam now and afraid to add anything to it. I

If you remember, last year , I had a problem with nausea and dizziness and you told me I had to take a psyllium fiber.

Can you please help me once again. I have faith in your ability to help me. Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Surgery seems to be the preferred option

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting me once again.
Sorry once again for the inadvertent delay in responding.

I have gone carefully through your query. With the herniating discs and spinal stenosis, surgery would be the only source of permanent relief and I would advise you to go ahead with it. Physical therapy needs to continue. Cymbalta (Duloxetine) is good medicine and I would not worry about side effects.

Suicidal attempts that have been reported, seem more likely to be due to the conditions Cymbalta treats, rather than Cymbalta itself. You can feel free to take it. I think that it would help.

In fact, it should also help with nausea.

Feel free to write back.

Regards


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 days later)
Would an x ray guided epidural help the numbness?

Should I still take the Ativan if I go on the cymbalta? and how much should I take? I am on .5 now 2-3x a day.


doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Ativan can be taken along

Detailed Answer:
Epidural can help but surgery would be a better option.

Ativan can be taken along with Cymbalta but I don't think that more than Ativan 0.5 twice daily would be needed.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 days later)
Can the Ativan alone be used as a maintenace medicine.

Would transfering from the ativan to xanax or vallium be better for me?

Can the therapy alone stop the numbness in time?

Can Gabapentin cure the numbness?

I have a fear of the SSRI meds. The Cymbalta said it could raise your blood pressure and I already have high blood pressure and something about taking diuretics which I take plus many other warnings. Please answer soon. Thank you once again. I need some direction.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (58 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Unfortunately, without surgery, there is no cure

Detailed Answer:
Ativan alone is used as a maintenance medicine.

You would have to try out between Ativan, Xanax, and valium to see which works better for you. It varies from individual to individual.

No, the therapy alone cannot stop the numbness in time. It can just keep it in control.

Gabapentin can relieve but not cure the numbness.

I understand that you have a fear of the SSRI. However, my experience with SSRI's has been rather positive. Do decide for yourself.

Regards




Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (4 days later)
Dr Saha,

I am not walking as well as I was. I fell forward on my knees. I am not sure if it was because I took the Ativan at 5 am because I woke up at 4 and could not get back to sleep or if I am getting weaker in my legs.

I also have been having pain in one hip area or the other. The therapist thinks it is periformis or sacrum. It was a sharp pain which went down my leg and lingered. I hope you can answer this question.
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Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 minutes later)
Can the Cymbalta help with pain? I am very aprehensive about taking it.
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Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)
what would the surgery entail. What would they have to do? What would be the recuperation time? Are there any dangers? I have several heart valve and trace pulmonary insufficiency. I wear a cpap at night. Could I be paralyzed? Would it make my legs stronger? take away the numbness?

Could a chiropractor help my condition of spinal stenosis, bulging discs, herniated discs, and scoliosis?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (21 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Cymbalta is unlikely to have contributed to your pain

Detailed Answer:
Sorry that I could not respond earlier.

Your fall could have been due to the dose of Ativan. Cymbalta is unlikely to contribute to the pain.

The surgery involves removal of the compression of the intervertebral discs on the spinal cord and thereby is likely to relieve the numbness in your legs.

This sort of surgery is unlikely to leave you paralyzed and irrespective of gains, things are unlikely to worsen. Most often recuperation is fast. But since any surgery involves risks, especially if you elderly or have heart issues.

So, you should have to get a pre-anesthetic checkup first whether the surgery would be permissible in your case.

A chiropractor is unlikely to be able to help you with these conditions.

Regards

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1954

Answered : 4467 Questions

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To Be Answered By Dr. Prof XXXXXXX Saha. Doctor Saha,

Brief Answer: Surgery seems to be the preferred option Detailed Answer: Thanks for contacting me once again. Sorry once again for the inadvertent delay in responding. I have gone carefully through your query. With the herniating discs and spinal stenosis, surgery would be the only source of permanent relief and I would advise you to go ahead with it. Physical therapy needs to continue. Cymbalta (Duloxetine) is good medicine and I would not worry about side effects. Suicidal attempts that have been reported, seem more likely to be due to the conditions Cymbalta treats, rather than Cymbalta itself. You can feel free to take it. I think that it would help. In fact, it should also help with nausea. Feel free to write back. Regards