[David___]

#36294

Hello Doctor Corenman, before I begin, thank you for the work you’re doing and any help/guidance you can provide is much appreciated.

How I got here:
In 2012 (~16 yrs old), I sustained a herniated L5-S1 injury from intensive weightlifting and soccer, leading to worsening sciatica, left leg weakness, and constant pain, L4 also herniated due to compensation (I kept playing) eventually making the team Dr force me to stop sports in 2014.

Thereafter, over the years, my sciatica didn’t get much worse BUT other symptoms began and gradually worsened including severe fatigue, brain fog, incontinence, reduced energy, and diminished sexual function. I saw Drs in Canada during this time but none of them looked into my back issues nor did I think for a second my back could be causing this. Finally, in 2022, a sports physical therapist I saw in NYC (MOCEAN PT) did testing and noted chronic pain was keeping my nervous system in a sympathetic state. This pain likely stemmed from the 10 yrs of nerve irritation/pain, even if I didn’t feel the pain it affected my system.

In 2023, I saw a postural restoration specialist and a custom dental splint (I have bad occlusion) improved my symptoms, posture and stability, but I still experience flare-ups and it’s tough to know how I’ll feel day to day. I also have flare up resulting in not being able to walk for ~7-10 days. In addition, more recently, I started having periods of blurry vision, intense headaches, nausea, and disorientation triggered by certain movements like raising my hands above my head to decompress my spine. I had to visit the ER ~2 weeks ago due to this. I recently completed a brain and back MRI. Back results are below. Brain MRI looked good, I just need additional testing for Idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Summary of my MRI lumbar MRI report from last month:

“indicates stable degenerative disc conditions at multiple levels. Specifically:

L3-L4: Stable small central disc protrusion with mild canal narrowing, but foramina remain patent.
L4-L5: Degenerative disc desiccation with a small central disc extrusion that impinges on the bilateral L5 nerves. There is mild canal and foraminal narrowing with compression.
L5-S1: Disc desiccation and bulging causing moderate left foraminal narrowing, compressing the exiting left L5 nerve. There is also narrowing of the left subarticular zone and compression of the left S1 nerve.
No fractures, marrow edema, or significant findings at the sacrum or higher spinal levels were reported.”

Below is a list of what triggers my symptoms (brain fog, tension etc):
• Sitting (especially in soft chairs; immediately triggers symptoms).
• Lifting over ~5lbs (body/system immediately becomes tense; start to experience below symptoms).
• Any exercise, even if not weight bearing (e.g. push-ups, pull-ups, running etc; walking is ok; experience below immediately after)

Here are the symptoms when triggered:
1. Initial symptoms (no severe pain but):
o Extreme stress throughout mind and body, overthink, and significant brain fog
o body tension, feel “locked up”/body feels disconnected (torso and legs); hard to engage/properly flex muscles/become relatively weaker
o Fatigue – oversleep for ~4 hrs and will still feel tired; increased hunger.
o Can’t (much harder to) sweat and decreased sexual function.
o Worse incontinence (always have but become worse when have flare up).
o Swelling/inflammation across my body, as noticed by third parties.
o Very cold hands and feet, for no reason.
o Noise sensitivity
o Body shakes when minimal pressure applied (e.g. if hold arms out to the side and someone tries pushing them down I’ll shake; this also occurs when I feel “normal”, but less intensive)

2. As symptoms improve:
o Start to feel pain (all on my left side) in lower back, inner/outer hip, under my rib cage, groin and pelvic bone area, and calf cramps/tingles.

3. Severe flare-ups (~4x in last 8 months):
o Extreme pain causes me to drop to the floor. Have to crawl for next ~5 days. Sharp leg and back pain with any movement.
o Relief through “legs up on the wall” pose, muscle relaxants, ice/heat. Takes ~7 days to walk without assistance

Relief Mechanisms:
• PRP (March 2023): 3 days of immense relief. Most effective to date, but only 3 days.
• The below aren’t perfect like PRP but help:
o Lying down for extended periods (I have to lie down all day, incl for work)
o Muscle relaxants (not Advil).
o Spine-decompressing stretches (at times).
o Tried Ozone and it didn’t work. Chiro worsens symptoms. Osteo helps at times

When Feeling “Normal”:
• Significantly improved focus, information processing, and memory retention.
• Significant improvement in sexual function.
• Less risk-averse, more creative and energetic.
• Wake up earlier and feel well-rested, with less sleep (require less).
• Other minor changes: increased saliva, able to sweat, have dreams when sleep, enhanced taste and smell, and more.

I understand this is a lot but any guidance would be extremely appreciated. I’m located in Canada and the system is extremely slow.

Also, I called your offices yesterday but wasn’t able to get in touch. A paid consultation would be great but all of my files are online, and I wanted to see if I could just share my files via our online portal (Pocket Health). Otherwise, I’ll have to print 200+ images and not sure if this is the best route here. Thanks again.

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