[52F] With severe lumbar stenosis, herniated discs, and multiple systemic symptoms

What might be happening

Based on the symptoms and history you've provided, here are some possible explanations for your condition:

Lumbar Stenosis and Herniated Discs

• Lumbar Stenosis and Herniated Discs: Your severe back pain, especially in the lumbar region, along with numbness in your left foot and leg, is likely related to your diagnosed lumbar stenosis and herniated discs. These conditions can compress the nerves in your lower back, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness in your legs. The deterioration of one of your discs and the presence of disc material in your spinal fluid can exacerbate these symptoms.
• Typical Treatments: Treatment may include physical therapy, pain management with medications, epidural steroid injections, and in severe cases, surgery to relieve the pressure on the nerves.

Low Oxygen Levels and Dizziness

• Possible Causes: Your low oxygen levels at rest, feelings of suffocation, and dizziness could be related to several factors, including respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, or even the effects of methamphetamine use. Although you mentioned no known cardiac or lung capacity issues, it's important to investigate further.
• Typical Treatments: A thorough evaluation by a healthcare provider, including a blood gas exchange test, pulmonary function tests, and possibly a sleep study, would be necessary to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.

Vision Blind Spot

• Possible Causes: The blind spot in your left eye could be related to a variety of conditions, including optic neuritis, retinal issues, or even neurological problems. Given your history of methamphetamine use, it's also possible that this could be a contributing factor.
• Typical Treatments: An eye examination by an ophthalmologist and possibly imaging studies like an MRI would be necessary to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.

Nerve Damage in Arms and Hands

• Possible Causes: The intermittent numbness and tingling in your arms and hands could be related to nerve compression or damage, possibly from your spinal issues or other factors.
• Typical Treatments: A thorough neurological evaluation, including nerve conduction studies, would be necessary to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.

Falls and Unsteadiness

• Possible Causes: Your frequent falls and unsteadiness could be related to the nerve damage and weakness in your legs from your lumbar stenosis and herniated discs. It could also be exacerbated by your low oxygen levels and dizziness.
• Typical Treatments: Physical therapy to improve strength and balance, along with addressing the underlying causes of your symptoms, would be important.

What you can do

Severe Back Pain

• Seek Medical Attention: Consult with a spine specialist or neurologist to discuss your worsening symptoms and explore treatment options, including possible surgical interventions.
• Pain Management: Continue taking your prescribed medications and consider using heat or cold therapy to manage pain. Gentle stretching and physical therapy exercises may also help.

Low Oxygen Levels and Dizziness

• Seek Medical Attention: It's important to see a healthcare provider to investigate the cause of your low oxygen levels and dizziness. They may recommend tests such as a blood gas exchange test, pulmonary function tests, or a sleep study.
• Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your oxygen levels using a pulse oximeter and note any changes in your symptoms. You can use MDandMe to journal your symptoms and share this information with your provider.

Vision Blind Spot

• Seek Medical Attention: Schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist to evaluate the blind spot in your vision. They may recommend imaging studies or other tests to determine the cause.

Nerve Damage in Arms and Hands

• Seek Medical Attention: Consult with a neurologist to evaluate the numbness and tingling in your arms and hands. They may recommend nerve conduction studies or other tests to determine the cause.

Falls and Unsteadiness

• Use Assistive Devices: Continue using your cane or walker to help with stability and prevent falls.
• Physical Therapy: Consider working with a physical therapist to improve your strength and balance. They can provide exercises and strategies to help reduce your risk of falling.

What you should look out for

Given the severity of your symptoms and the potential for serious underlying conditions, you should seek medical care as soon as possible. Reasons to seek care even more urgently include:

• Worsening Pain or Numbness: If your pain or numbness worsens or spreads to other areas.
• Severe Shortness of Breath: If you experience severe shortness of breath or a significant drop in oxygen levels.
• Vision Changes: If you notice any new changes in your vision, such as increased blind spots or loss of vision.
• Increased Falls: If you experience more frequent falls or increased unsteadiness.

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