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Sudden pain in both legs plus sciatica in right leg

Posted by sarahfloranne @sarahfloranne, Sep 15 5:25pm

I’m 84years old and have multiple health issues-lower back pain,neuropathy in both feet, pulmonary hypertension, etc. I had Polymyalgia Rheumatica for 13 years on a steady diet of steroids & methotrexate. Also a mastectomy & lumpectomy. Recently, I have begun to have pain & weakness in both legs plus sciatica in my right leg-making it impossible to sleep well. Also,extreme pain in my lumbar & both hips. My balance is way off & I “almost fall” off & on during the day. Walking is painful and exhausting. I recently went to the Good Feet Store & was fitted with orthotics to even my leg length discrepancy. Could that cause all this pain?

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gently | @gently | Sep 15 11:36pm

sarahfloranne, it sounds a bit like a herniated disc. I'd ask for an MRI of the lumbar spine and of the hips.
I see a chiropractor who adjusts my si joints to even the leg lengths.

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dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Sep 16 7:03am

@sarahfloranne
I feel for you and all you are dealing with. I have spine issues and multiple surgeries.

Have you seen an orthopedic spine specialist for MRI of lumbar spine and hips/pelvis? Have you seen a neurologist for EMG/nerve conduction studies of your lower limbs to check neuromuscular health? Have you had small fiber neuropathy skin punch biopsy? You may have damaged nerves from compression plus if you had any chemo.

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brewsan1407atgmailss | @brewsan1407atgmailss | Sep 16 11:16am

I am going on five years of pain management with no results? Started with hip then leg gave out on me. I had scraping off of bone to open space of disc L4 and follow up with many steroid shots that eventually did nothing. Proceeding to have pain for five years from that? Constant x-rays with steroid shots, neurologist, nerve tests, left side so bad that leg is burning in pain, groin to knee..
right side sciatic pain like a knife stab. I have three screws on each SI joint? Now I am waiting results from two MRI'S and pelvic x-ray done yesterday in Deltona, FL. Spinal Stenosis and pain through my complete lower back area. I actually just "scream" knowing to sit will kill me then I sit till I get back up. Life has changed completely.

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laura1970 | @laura1970 | Sep 16 2:28pm

Given your history of breast cancer I think the priority is making sure this isn’t metastatic breast cancer. Your oncologist should know the best test or evaluation.

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Sep 17 7:25am

Hi Sarah,

I'm 70 and have had sciatica twice. The first resolved in its own, that was in 2008. The second required minimally invasive laminotomies (not maniectomies) at S1/L5/L4. That was around 2014. My new surgeon says my strong core muscles are literally holding my lumbar spine together.

I use the Good Feet orthotics and love em. I'm not sure if they can help with sciatica. I do think that when fitted properly, orthotics are a great way to get some balance when standing or walking.

You have a lot of stuff going on. If you haven't, I'd find a good ortho surgeon to assess your back. Neurologists are useful as well, it sounds like you're using one. Probably best to get opinions from both.

I wish you the best Sarah and hope you can find some relief. Sciatica can be very painful. Just one suggestion, use ice on your lower back, never heat. Ice and cold shrinks inflammation and swelling. Heat feels good but creates more inflammation where applied. I never use heat.

Joe

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