Post by Lαrα on May 20, 2015 0:49:51 GMT -8
We already have information posts on the forum but this is a little more specifically explaining the symptoms for you to look out for if you are or have developed Cauda Equina Syndrome.
You must go to your doctor on the onset of any symptoms below and if you are not satisfied that they are taking your concerns seriously then go to the Hopsital!
Taking that initiative and being armed with information and insight into CES may mean the difference of living your life with normal function and mobility to quite the opposite!
Symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome:
-Numbness in the saddle area ( This is the area around your butt cheeks where you would sit on a saddle if you rode a horse ( for example) As i was developing Cauda Equina Syndrome, i started with a small patch of numbness under my right butt cheek, one week later the numbness had spread and I was numb in my Perineal area ( inbetween my legs)
-Perineal numbness Unilateral or bilateral ( This is the area inbetween your legs/thighs , and is found around the male and female genetal areas) This for me was first noticed when I wiped myself after voiding and could not feel myself at all as I wiped...If this ever happens..get to the Hospital, urgently!
-Disturbance of bladder function: Look for any changes in your normal peeing! Is the flow slower, is it taking loner to pee, do you feel that you have not finished emptying your bladder but the flow has stopped? Do you still feel you need to pee? If not then this isnt normal either.
-Sphincter dysfunction Bowel or bladder: If the nerves to these muscles have been damaged, they may not cooperate when you want to tighten or release them to pass urine.
-Back pain Severe: You will know if you have this for sure, if you cannot get easy from painkillers or sleep at night then you know this is something significant, when i developing CES, I couldnt lie flat even because the pain was excruciating.
-Sciatica Unilateral or bilateral ( pain radiates down one leg or both legs). My pain was initially in one leg, then the pain transferred to the other leg as the symptoms and the situation worsened.
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Signs of Cauda Equina Syndrome:
-numbness in the saddle area: This can be verified with a 'pin prick test' make sure your doc is using a pin and not doing the test through clothing ( which happened to me once!)
-Perineal numbness Unilateral or bilateral: Again, a pin prick test can verify!
-Retention of urine: If you are concerned that you are retaining urine, or if the healthcare professional is concerned then they may carry out bladder scans after you pee, this will show the residual amount left in that is being retained and not emptied properly. Eurodynamics ( which shows more about the function of the bladder and sphincter)
-Incomplete emptying of bladder (post micturition residual or bladder ultrasound greater than 50ml) Testings as above
-Loss of sensation of passing urine: You simply dont feel anything or very little when the pee passes to empty into the toilet
-Motor loss or reflex loss: This is weakness in the legs, it can be of varying degree from feeling 'floppy' and weaker to needing assistance to walk, partial or full ( wheelchair)
-Loss of voluntary anal sphincter contraction: In the anus area this will cause inability to pass stools on your own, or pee on your own. It can cause incontinence!