1. < Chronic Pain

Is it nerve, muscle or something else pain?

Posted by blue717 @blue717, Apr 30 12:33pm

I've been going through this for years. Started with lower back pain. I had the minimal laminectomy. It helped somewhat. The I started getting pain in my butt and back of thighs. Saw several doctors, one said that was impossible to have pain there, another told me he didnt know what it was but it wasnt dangerous. Both of them offered drugs. Next Doc said it was sciatica and offered cortisone shots. The doctor after that told me that if didnt want drugs or shots, then she didnt know what I expected her to do for me. So for the next few years I suffered. Went to Neurologist who did MRI, now wants to send me back to the pain management people. In the meantime I did find I have Osteoarthritis in my hips. The pain in my butt, thighs and hips is 8.93 and thats a good day. I cant sit in a chair without being in pain, cant ride in a car. Pain feels like all those areas are just on fire and tingling. I cant bend, and when I do the muscles from my butt to my ankles feels like they are strteching so bad that they are going to split. I dont want the shots or drugs because that doesnt fix anything and creates more problems. The only way I am comfortable is lying on my stomach and I didnt get to be 73 so I could do nothing in my later years. Any help, suggestions would be so appriciated.

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blue717 | @blue717 | May 2 10:59am

Hey Joe, Thanks for the reply. I have had the MRI. I do have Osteo. The stretching has helped with some of the muscle pain. There are several spots that the sciatic nerve is being squashed, so far I dont think anyone read the report. But no matter, there will be no replacing parts on this ole lady!

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kmdenton33 | @kmdenton33 | May 2 11:26pm
In reply to @heyjoe415 "Yikes blue I'm sorry for all you're going through. For your lower back (and I've had..." + (show)
@heyjoe415

Yikes blue I'm sorry for all you're going through.

For your lower back (and I've had laminotomies at S1/L5/L4), you may need to stretch the lower back to relieve some of the pressure on the sciatic nerves in the lumbar spine. An MRI would reveal this. In my case, I was surprised that there was such a simple answer. I would get periodic pain and cramping, mostly in my hamstrings. The stretching helped. I'm not talking about long term sciatica-related pain - just short but intense cramps in the hamstrings, calves, even foot arches.

Your hips are another matter. Have you had them xrayed to see if there is osteoarthritis present? You may need to get them replaced.

I think you'll need the guidance of a back surgeon for sciatica, and a hip/knee ortho surgeon for your hips.

Sorry I don't have more to offer. I do wish you all the best.

Joe

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Hi - quick question - If you have osteoarthritis present in your hips you need to have surgery on them? I am having severe hip pain and have osteoarthritis in my back so I'm sure I probably do in my hips as well. That is scary to think I would have to have them replaced.

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2 replies
blue717 | @blue717 | May 3 7:57am
In reply to @kmdenton33 "Hi - quick question - If you have osteoarthritis present in your hips you need to..." + (show)
@kmdenton33

Hi - quick question - If you have osteoarthritis present in your hips you need to have surgery on them? I am having severe hip pain and have osteoarthritis in my back so I'm sure I probably do in my hips as well. That is scary to think I would have to have them replaced.

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Its a personal choice. No one is going to force you to have it done. Check with a professional or two, then make an educated decision.

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ichbindck | @ichbindck | May 3 9:44am

I hear your pain. I have been to 3 back surgeons, 4 neurologists plus a pain clinic. They each have different opinions but no diagnosis. I have MRIs from brain to lumbar spine. I really love hearing they don't know why I have any pain and just refer you to another specialist. Just kick the can medical expertise.

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1 reply
thomhorowitz | @thomhorowitz | May 3 11:36am
In reply to @covidstinks2023 "blue717, God bless you. This sounds miserable. The key words I take away were "on fire..." + (show)
@covidstinks2023

blue717, God bless you. This sounds miserable.

The key words I take away were "on fire and tingling". Typically, these are symptoms of nerve pain. Has
sciatica flare been mentioned to you? This is horrible pain and can be treated with muscle relaxants, Tylenol
and heat. It can radiate down from your hips into your legs. Just some thoughts.

I personally, would see someone else in another pain clinic and get another opinion. Have you been to an
Orthopedic Doctor? Does heat help at all? Have you tried Voltaren gel for the pain? Talked to your doctor before trying it. It has helped me tremendously with Fibromyalgia & Osteoarthritis pain.

Cortisone shots have worked great for my knees & shoulders with osteoarthritis. I realize they are not for everybody.

Praying for you to get relief. Blessings....

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PM&R physicians tend to be more helpful than orthopedic drs.

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1 reply
blue717 | @blue717 | May 3 3:19pm
In reply to @ichbindck "I hear your pain. I have been to 3 back surgeons, 4 neurologists plus a pain..." + (show)
@ichbindck

I hear your pain. I have been to 3 back surgeons, 4 neurologists plus a pain clinic. They each have different opinions but no diagnosis. I have MRIs from brain to lumbar spine. I really love hearing they don't know why I have any pain and just refer you to another specialist. Just kick the can medical expertise.

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You sure got that right and in the meantime the pain just gets worse. I’m afraid that eventually I’m going to give up a take the pills and I really don’t want to do that. I go to pain management next week. I have no high hopes at all but I have to try.

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blue717 | @blue717 | May 3 8:07pm
In reply to @thomhorowitz "PM&R physicians tend to be more helpful than orthopedic drs." + (show)
@thomhorowitz

PM&R physicians tend to be more helpful than orthopedic drs.

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Pain Management and ?

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | May 4 6:31am
In reply to @kmdenton33 "Hi - quick question - If you have osteoarthritis present in your hips you need to..." + (show)
@kmdenton33

Hi - quick question - If you have osteoarthritis present in your hips you need to have surgery on them? I am having severe hip pain and have osteoarthritis in my back so I'm sure I probably do in my hips as well. That is scary to think I would have to have them replaced.

Jump to this post

Hi km,

I just had my right hip replaced 6 weeks ago. An xray should reveal what cartilage (if any) is left as well as the presence os osteophytes (small but painful bone growth from OA).

You could try a cortisone injection first to see if you get any relief. As for the operation, if the surgeon uses an anterior (frontal) incision no muscles are cut and recovery is pretty fast.

I had pain in my groin from my arthritic right hip. It got so bad I could barely lift my foot off the ground. If you need to have it done, do research and find a good surgeon. Unless you have to, avoid having the replacement done via a posterior to lateral incision. These approaches cut the gluteus muscles, are harder to recover from, and leave scar tissue.

All the best.

Joe

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