Expert: Dr. Timothy K. Durnin - 10/19/2007

Question
QUESTION: First I would like to thank you in advance and to tell you I understand you can not diagnose me online, I am hoping you will be able to shed some light on my condition and point me in the right direction.
Now some brief history, I have been having problems off and on (mostly on) for a little over a year, started with a numbness/tinlging in my left leg, which adventually ended up as pain in my hip, went to a Chiropractor who was little help, ended up having hip x-rays/lower back which revealed nothing and then had a scoliosis x-ray that said I had scoliosis.
Things didn't stop there though, the pain moved, numbness and tingling along with it, now I have pain and numbness in my neck clear down my back, along with other places and symptoms. (which is my main question I will get to in a minute)
I am under the care of a neurologist, he had me have a brain MRI to rule out MS, he thinks I have fibromylagia.
My question to you is, my big complaint is when look down using my neck it sends like shock feelings all down my spine, sometimes it even feels as if my tailbone is being pulled.
Have you EVER heard such a complaint?  ANY idea what could be causing it or how to go about making it stop?  My lower back will sometimes just tingle, a hot shower usually makes it worse.
Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Diane,

I diagnose thousands of conditions online yearly, 90% of a Dx comes from the Hx of the patient. Knowing that, your symptoms are consistent with a herniated disc in the neck or upper thoracic spine. An MRI will rule this in/out. I recommend you get that next and contact me for further follow up for proper care, these things are usually treated incorrectly and up up surgical problems unnecessarily.

Good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Is surgery the only way to fix that?

Answer
Heck No Diane!

It is a sure way of permanently disabling you if your lucky and killing you at worst.

The fix is easy, towel and home over door traction prescribed by a Chiropractor. Find a DC that does towel traction for cervical discs after you have objective proof of the cause on MRI, then expect complete relief in two weeks and total decompression in 6-8 weeks.

Keep in touch!

Dr. Timothy Durnin