Pars syndrom

[notarobot]

Recently I have had some leg pain and lower back pain. I go and get looked at, x-rays are taken and it is determined I have Pars syndrome. Pars syndrome is when your tailbone does not quite line up with the rest of the spine. This reduces the size of the channels that nerves run through and can cause leg pain, hip pain and of course, it can cause incontinence. When the Nurse Practioner told me about the possible incontinence part, I had to laugh since I have been dealing with incontinence for years now. The solution (non-surgical) is lower back and leg exercises and stretching. And of course, losing weight. That's all for now.

 

[Pam53]

Recently I have had some leg pain and lower back pain. I go and get looked at, x-rays are taken and it is determined I have Pars syndrome. Pars syndrome is when your tailbone does not quite line up with the rest of the spine. This reduces the size of the channels that nerves run through and can cause leg pain, hip pain and of course, it can cause incontinence. When the Nurse Practioner told me about the possible incontinence part, I had to laugh since I have been dealing with incontinence for years now. The solution (non-surgical) is lower back and leg exercises and stretching. And of course, losing weight. That's all for now.

Very interesting. So, your IC is strictly functional? Just curious, did the lower back pain and the IC start at the same time? - Glad that you finally got an answer. I am guessing that the exercises are daily and will always be a part of dealing with your condition. Do they help? - Pam

 

[notarobot]

The incontinence has been going on for several years now. The Pars has been an unknown condition that I have had my whole life. The leg and back pain have been recent manifestions that can be traced to the lower spine misalignment. (The Pars) The nurse practisoner that was working with me was surprised that the misalignment took over 60 years to bother me. Is that what caused my incontinence to start? Unknown.

 

[Pam53]

The incontinence has been going on for several years now. The Pars has been an unknown condition that I have had my whole life. The leg and back pain have been recent manifestions that can be traced to the lower spine misalignment. (The Pars) The nurse practisoner that was working with me was surprised that the misalignment took over 60 years to bother me. Is that what caused my incontinence to start? Unknown.

Indeed. The fact that it took 60 years to be diagnosed is difficult to believe. Do the exercises help with the Pars and the IC as well? - Pam

 

[notarobot]

Indeed. The fact that it took 60 years to be diagnosed is difficult to believe. Do the exercises help with the Pars and the IC as well? - Pam

It is not so hard to believe. the symptom that manifests most with Pars is pinched nerves causing leg and hip/lower back pain. Which I have had only recently.
As for the exercises helping, so far the pain has lessened quite a bit, which is encouraging. The incontinence is unchanged.

 

[Pam53]

It is not so hard to believe. the symptom that manifests most with Pars is pinched nerves causing leg and hip/lower back pain. Which I have had only recently.
As for the exercises helping, so far the pain has lessened quite a bit, which is encouraging. The incontinence is unchanged.

I will tell you this. I had a lower back MRI to check for nerve damage that might explain my IC. No nerve damage. I do however have stenosis of the spine. Because of the pain, I have difficulty moving and I cannot exactly run to the bathroom when needed. My neurosurgeon suggested 2 steroid shots in my back to help with the pain and possibly improve my IC situation. So far I have had only one set of shots. It took about 5 days to kick in. The pain isn't removed completely, but my gosh I felt so much better just being able to move more easily. Interesting the shots did improve my IC, and not just because I could move better. I stayed drier longer, didn't have to make a change as often, and when I did have to pee - I didn't have to run at the first twinge. - I can only get the shots every 3 months. For me the shots lasted 2 months and change. The pain came back first and thankfully I got a bit more time before the IC was back in full force. - I say all this wondering if steroid shots in your back might help you. Worth a try? - Pam

 

[notarobot]

I have had cortisone shots in my neck for a bad disc. That helped. The doctor wanted me to exercise to strengthen and stretch the muscles and move on from there. I have put on about 20 pounds in the last two years. That may also be a contributor to my issue.

 

[Pam53]

I have had cortisone shots in my neck for a bad disc. That helped. The doctor wanted me to exercise to strengthen and stretch the muscles and move on from there. I have put on about 20 pounds in the last two years. That may also be a contributor to my issue.

Exercising is hard for me at this point. Pretty much in a wheelchair, though I can stand and do dishes and laundry. I could drive if I could get to the car. - I used to use one of those 4 wheel push carts. Still can, but it hurts my back after a while. I used to go to the YMCA and do the pool class. I didn't drink anything before I went, and I didn't have to worry about falling. It kept me going, and helped keep my weight steady. It helped alot until Covid hit. Thank you Dr. Fauci. Water exercise is easier on the body. If you can do it, by all means GO! Nobody cares about fat, thin, cellulite, sagging skin. Lots of fun, and good social time. - Pam

 

[notarobot]

Pam, thank you for the poolexcersize suggestion!

 

[Pam53]

You are very welcome. I loved it, I miss it, though our Y has not put water aerobics back since Covid. What a waste of a pool. - One suggestion. Before I got in the pool, I used a pre swim cream called Dermaswim (Amazon) It helps protect your skin from the chemicals. Of course I couldn't reach everywhere and part of my back would itch. One convenient thing about it is you don't HAVE to take a shower right away. There were days that I had stuff to do, and it was handy that I could wait until I got home. - Pam