
What Causes Back Pain And Urinary Incontinence?

We have been to the chiropractor and a physiotherapist. Only minimal progress has been made, She is now experiencing numbness on her right side, continues to have periodic urine leakage and has only recently gotten to the point where she can be up again for about an hour at a time once a day (she lies down for about 1.5 hrs at at time, and then is otherwise up for about 30 minute intervals). She is unable to stop moving when she is upright; she had a wider stance in late Aug/early Sept which has recently become more narrow and her pace of stepping while upright has finally slowed a little. She is not able to completely open or close her right hand without a sharp shooting pain that goes up to her shoulder. She has great difficulty going down stairs (puts one foot, and then the other next to it, on each step). She is 'faster' going up the stairs but uses the same strategy to complete the task. The last week or so, she has been experiencing cold and tingly feelings in her upper back, primarily at night when she goes to bed. She is very frightened by this, and both of us are exhausted from dealing with this thing which has taken over our lives. I think she probably needs an MRI of her upper back/shoulder b/c these are neurological symptoms, are they not? There is a neurologist in our town, but he will not see her b/c an MRI has already been done and he believes the pediatrician is correct (ie, this is all just in her head somehow). I work full time and am a single parent. I just need to know if it is worth putting my daughter through the stress and discomfort of attempting a 3 hour trip in order to get another MRI.
Further evaluation needed before achieving the diagnosis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Back pain, tingling and difficulty controlling urine, are neurologic symptoms that may be related to several spinal cord conditions ranging from herniated disc disease, trauma to more serious ones such spinal cord lesions.
All these conditions need to be excluded by medical examination and tests, before deciding that are mental issues the cause.
In my opinion, there is need for he following investigations:-
1. Accurate neurologic examination ( gait, sensibility, muscles strength, reflexes etc.)
2. Imaging studies of the entire spinal cord ( x-rays at standing, flexed and extended position )
3. MRI also of the remainder of the spinal cord
These examinations are essential to find out the problem.
If these examinations fail to show the cause of your daughter's symptoms, then the symptoms may be mentally related.
So, in my opinion, get the above mentioned examinations done.
Hope this helps.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.

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