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Sciatic nerve problem (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Ghost of Red Blaik
- Start date
glock
"Don't grumble, give a whistle!"
Hawks64
Footballguy
Could be (and likely is) a herniated disc that's pressing on nerve roots. I have one at L5/S1 and the leg pain was unbearable. Had the surgery and am about 90% recovered now and pretty much pain free. Go see a Neurosurgeon/Orthopedic surgeon ASAP.
17seconds
root of all aliai
I had x-rays a while back when I had the same lower back pain. They told me my spine looked like a model spine. No issues.
So I'm thinking you and I both need to get MRIs. I have no leg pain though
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Hawks64
Footballguy
Low back pain + pain shooting down the leg and or foot/pain in the leg or foot = see a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon. Once that pain goes down the leg it means something is impacting the nerve. MRI is the only way you will see what it is.
Jayrod
Footballguy
I don't think I'd be very healthy at 30 lbs.
Jayrod
Footballguy
I'm going ice on thigh (where most pain is) & 2 Aleve & 3 ibuprofen. Will throw down a few beers after dinner.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Hawks64
Footballguy
No. You are likely having what is called referred pain like I did, meaning that the pain is from something touching the nerve. I had pain in my thigh and numbness in my foot. I iced my back and it felt better.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Precisely. Plus scotch has roughly 16 times more pain killing power than beer per ounce. I chose my instructions carefully, GD it.
glumpy
breeze
Do you wear your wallet in your back pocket? Get it outta there.So I have been dealing with a MAJOR flare up. In the past 2 month I have had a debilitating pain down my entire left leg and complete numbness on the outside of my left foot.
I was reffing basketball and had to quit after working through excruciating pain for a couple of nights. I have seen a doctor who put me on a prescription painkiller, anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxer, visited a PT (4 visits), chiropractor (3 visits), massage therapist (1 visit) and yesterday received accpuncture.
Today I am just as bad as ever. On the pain scale of 1-10, I've been fluxuating between a 5 and 9 for weeks now.
Best part is that no one knows what my root cause is. Never been more frustrated in my life. And even better is that I am a CPA and it is tax season which means a lot of extra hours in an office chair. Hooray!
Hawks64
Footballguy
Nothing and I mean nothing touched the pain I was having. Norco/Hydrocodone just put me to sleep, but didn't stop the pain. The only thing that gave me complete relief was having back surgery. So happy I made the decision to have it done.Precisely. Plus scotch has roughly 16 times more pain killing power than beer per ounce. I chose my instructions carefully, GD it.
Soulfly3
Footballguy
I get scrips of Naproxen for the inflammation and percocets for the pain. Merely masks it...
The pain in unimaginable at times, and people look at me like Im full of ####. So frustrating. 31 and sometimes it takes me 5-10 sec to stand up straight from sitting position as the pain is that bad.
The pain in unimaginable at times, and people look at me like Im full of ####. So frustrating. 31 and sometimes it takes me 5-10 sec to stand up straight from sitting position as the pain is that bad.
glock
"Don't grumble, give a whistle!"
See, now I've been resisting surgery for years because my "major" episodes only flare up every 4 years or so. My kid brother is a beast who does a lot of physical work and has no patience, so he opted for surgery and has gone back for seconds... one of my sisters has had to go through all kinds of pain management to get a handle post surgery... So, I have my triple headed cocktail in a bag that goes pretty much everywhere I go: hydrocodone/cyclobenzaprine/piroxicam (pain, muscle relaxer and anti-inflammatory) and self medicate as needed. My orthopedic spine surgeon is the bomb...Nothing and I mean nothing touched the pain I was having. Norco/Hydrocodone just put me to sleep, but didn't stop the pain. The only thing that gave me complete relief was having back surgery. So happy I made the decision to have it done.Precisely. Plus scotch has roughly 16 times more pain killing power than beer per ounce. I chose my instructions carefully, GD it.
flapgreen
Footballguy
Ice won't do much of anything for pain of that nature.
flapgreen
Footballguy
Give it a few years. Back surgeries have very poor outcomes over the long-term. It should be a last resort, definitely not after only a handful of visits to a therapist as in Jayrods case.Eta: Didn't mean to sound like all back surgeries are mistakes, just that there's more to it than the immmediate relief you feel.
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flapgreen
Footballguy
Jayrod, what type of Doctor did you see? If it was your pcp, you should definitely seek out the help of a specialist, like an orthopedic doctor. If they think you need an MRI, they will order one. You won't have to ask for specific tests to be done. They should know what needs to be looked at.
Jayrod
Footballguy
I've gone to all of them intermingled over the past four weeks. I haven't quit any of them. I just am getting like zero relief from any of it and no one seems to have a good answer or even suggest if I need to come back or not.Here is a list of serious sugestions I have received from all kinds of people (some even professionals)....stretching, walking, eliptical, yoga, ice, ice bath, epsom salt bath, heat, TENS machine, chiropractors, massage therapists, physical therapists, xrays, pain killers, muscle relaxers, anti-inflamatories, ginger root, blueberries, magnesium, potassium, etc.
I've tried nearly all of it and almost none of it makes a dent in the pain and it has gotten worse. Even better is no one will even venture to suggest what the cause is. I am going back to my physician Thursday to see if I can get a diagnosis and something that will actually take the pain away. Ice works for about an hour on the painful areas (butt, hamstring & upper calf), but never gives full relief.
At least I can usually get comfortable enough to sleep.
Jayrod
Footballguy
I went in to an urgent care physician because the pain was maddening and I couldn't get in to my PCP. I have an appt with him on Thursday am.
flapgreen
Footballguy
At best, some of those suggestions may give you temporary relief. Any person off the street could suggest that type of stuff. If you have been to an ortho and a PT, and they can't tell you what the problem is, you should try a different one. I know it's a helpless feeling when you're in excruciating pain and have no idea what to do about it. Unfortunately, the medical field is like any other field. There are good and bad professionals all over. You just have to do your research to find ones that know their stuff.
I'm a PT so I see all sides of it. Seeing how some therapists and doctors conduct themselves is sickening. There are great ones out there, but I caution you to take advice from professionals just because they have initials after their names.
I'm a PT so I see all sides of it. Seeing how some therapists and doctors conduct themselves is sickening. There are great ones out there, but I caution you to take advice from professionals just because they have initials after their names.
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flapgreen
Footballguy
If your pcp has half a brain, he'll send you to a specialist. That should get you started in the right the direction.
glock
"Don't grumble, give a whistle!"
Listen to the man! After my fall/first episode it was all about getting the pressure off if the nerve root via PT to quell the muscle spasms via PT- heat and stim (god, I love that stuff
) for staters. But at that time I didn't have the sciatica involvement that it evolved into. You are already there.
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Baloney Sandwich
Footballguy
Call a certified advanced Rolfer and let them know what is going on and see if they think they could help you. Changed my life going to one for similar issues.
glock
"Don't grumble, give a whistle!"
My sister was married to an equine rolfer for a bit. I don't know about the horses, but HE was an ###...
Hawks64
Footballguy
It also depends on the type of surgery you have. I did not have a fusion, and not all disc herniations require fusions. I had a microdiscectomy. I am almost 3mths post op and finishing up PT this week. No idea why I would regress without another herniation.Give it a few years. Back surgeries have very poor outcomes over the long-term. It should be a last resort, definitely not after only a handful of visits to a therapist as in Jayrods case.Eta: Didn't mean to sound like all back surgeries are mistakes, just that there's more to it than the immmediate relief you feel.
ETA The other key, at least per my neurosurgeon, was that there wasn't any nerve damage. If you go to long with the pressure on your nerve root you very likely can cause nerve damage that will take incredibly long to heal.
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glock
"Don't grumble, give a whistle!"
And often never heal. I can handle the numbness and intermittent tingling- I'm most concerned about loss of strength in the foot. As long as I don't lose that...It also depends on the type of surgery you have. I did not have a fusion, and not all disc herniations require fusions. I had a microdiscectomy. I am almost 3mths post op and finishing up PT this week. No idea why I would regress without another herniation.Give it a few years. Back surgeries have very poor outcomes over the long-term. It should be a last resort, definitely not after only a handful of visits to a therapist as in Jayrods case.Eta: Didn't mean to sound like all back surgeries are mistakes, just that there's more to it than the immmediate relief you feel.
ETA The other key, at least per my neurosurgeon, was that there wasn't any nerve damage. If you go to long with the pressure on your nerve root you very likely can cause nerve damage that will take incredibly long to heal.
NCCommish
Footballguy
This is exactly what my orthopedic guy told me. I forget which one but one of my real low disks is herniated. He said to wait until it was a serious issue of more than a flare up here and there before I had surgery. This was reinforced for me when someone I know had basically the surgery I would need and was far worse off afterwards. Needed multiple surgeries. No thanks. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain and I try to watch my weight. I can handle a flare up here and there.Give it a few years. Back surgeries have very poor outcomes over the long-term. It should be a last resort, definitely not after only a handful of visits to a therapist as in Jayrods case.Eta: Didn't mean to sound like all back surgeries are mistakes, just that there's more to it than the immmediate relief you feel.
Hawks64
Footballguy
It's also very dependent on the procedure and how competent your surgeon is. Personally I saw a neurosurgeon and not an orthopedic guyNCCommish said:This is exactly what my orthopedic guy told me. I forget which one but one of my real low disks is herniated. He said to wait until it was a serious issue of more than a flare up here and there before I had surgery. This was reinforced for me when someone I know had basically the surgery I would need and was far worse off afterwards. Needed multiple surgeries. No thanks. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain and I try to watch my weight. I can handle a flare up here and there.flapgreen said:Give it a few years. Back surgeries have very poor outcomes over the long-term. It should be a last resort, definitely not after only a handful of visits to a therapist as in Jayrods case.Eta: Didn't mean to sound like all back surgeries are mistakes, just that there's more to it than the immmediate relief you feel.
I don't expect any regression provided I don't re-herniate the disc. Part of that is on me to be cognizant about what I am doing to not put myself in a position to do it.
NCCommish
Footballguy
The guy who told me to wait until the last possible second was widely touted as one of the best in South Florida. I have known a few people who had the surgery on the lower vertebrae. None of them raved about it, Almost all of them had some problem afterward. I can still walk and as long as I watch my weight episodes are manageable. No hurry to surgery.It's also very dependent on the procedure and how competent your surgeon is. Personally I saw a neurosurgeon and not an orthopedic guyNCCommish said:This is exactly what my orthopedic guy told me. I forget which one but one of my real low disks is herniated. He said to wait until it was a serious issue of more than a flare up here and there before I had surgery. This was reinforced for me when someone I know had basically the surgery I would need and was far worse off afterwards. Needed multiple surgeries. No thanks. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain and I try to watch my weight. I can handle a flare up here and there.flapgreen said:Give it a few years. Back surgeries have very poor outcomes over the long-term. It should be a last resort, definitely not after only a handful of visits to a therapist as in Jayrods case.Eta: Didn't mean to sound like all back surgeries are mistakes, just that there's more to it than the immmediate relief you feel.
Hawks64
Footballguy
What surgery were you told you needed and when was that? My point is all back surgeries are not even remotely the same. Herniated discs typically result in a fusion or a discectomy/microdiscetomy.The guy who told me to wait until the last possible second was widely touted as one of the best in South Florida. I have known a few people who had the surgery on the lower vertebrae. None of them raved about it, Almost all of them had some problem afterward. I can still walk and as long as I watch my weight episodes are manageable. No hurry to surgery.It's also very dependent on the procedure and how competent your surgeon is. Personally I saw a neurosurgeon and not an orthopedic guyNCCommish said:This is exactly what my orthopedic guy told me. I forget which one but one of my real low disks is herniated. He said to wait until it was a serious issue of more than a flare up here and there before I had surgery. This was reinforced for me when someone I know had basically the surgery I would need and was far worse off afterwards. Needed multiple surgeries. No thanks. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain and I try to watch my weight. I can handle a flare up here and there.flapgreen said:Give it a few years. Back surgeries have very poor outcomes over the long-term. It should be a last resort, definitely not after only a handful of visits to a therapist as in Jayrods case.Eta: Didn't mean to sound like all back surgeries are mistakes, just that there's more to it than the immmediate relief you feel.
NCCommish
Footballguy
Been a while since I was diagnosed. But it hasn't been that long since the last person I know who had a herniated lower disk had surgery on it. Not sure what they had done exactly but everyone I know who has had their lower back worked on has told me not to do it until I absolutely have to. It doesn't take much to screw you in the lower back.What surgery were you told you needed and when was that? My point is all back surgeries are not even remotely the same. Herniated discs typically result in a fusion or a discectomy/microdiscetomy.The guy who told me to wait until the last possible second was widely touted as one of the best in South Florida. I have known a few people who had the surgery on the lower vertebrae. None of them raved about it, Almost all of them had some problem afterward. I can still walk and as long as I watch my weight episodes are manageable. No hurry to surgery.It's also very dependent on the procedure and how competent your surgeon is. Personally I saw a neurosurgeon and not an orthopedic guyNCCommish said:This is exactly what my orthopedic guy told me. I forget which one but one of my real low disks is herniated. He said to wait until it was a serious issue of more than a flare up here and there before I had surgery. This was reinforced for me when someone I know had basically the surgery I would need and was far worse off afterwards. Needed multiple surgeries. No thanks. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain and I try to watch my weight. I can handle a flare up here and there.flapgreen said:Give it a few years. Back surgeries have very poor outcomes over the long-term. It should be a last resort, definitely not after only a handful of visits to a therapist as in Jayrods case.Eta: Didn't mean to sound like all back surgeries are mistakes, just that there's more to it than the immmediate relief you feel.
Hawks64
Footballguy
Again, it's very dependent on the procedure and who's doing it. Fusion is much much more involved and the outcomes aren't nearly as good as a microdiscectomy.
At least now you know someone that has had back surgery and is much better for having it done.
oukurt
Footballguy
Had a fusion to fix my sciatic nerve problem. They cut into my lower mid back to fix the issue. Prepare for a lot of soreness and at least 2 weeks downtime. I worked at Fed Ex at the time and it got so bad I would skip my lunch and just lay down to try and get some relief in the back of my truck. My pain ran through the butt and down the full length of the leg. I was offered to try some exercises, but it didn't work. Surgery was successful 14 yr ago. Best of luck.
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