Peripheral neuropathy and sciatica: What helps with the pain?

Posted by yeoj @yeoj, May 28, 2022

Hi guys, bear with me...Started out with cramps in shins and feet,then came the numbness, tingling. Hip pain = bursitis, cortisone shot fixed that, but, I still had sciatica. Ortho sent me to a anesthesia doctor. First shot lasted 2 months. My ortho suggested surgery to fix a couple of nerve root. I smoke, he suggested a stimulator. My appointment to discuss treatment is in August. I'm dying over here with only tramadol to take. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

@johnbishop

Hello @yeoj, Welcome to Connect. I'm sorry to hear you haven't found a treatment that helps with the pain. If I am understanding correctly the pain you are having is related to sciatica or the spine? Compressed or damaged nerves in the spine can cause neuropathic pain. Is your ortho doctor suggesting spinal surgery?

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I have spondythesis ( L4 has slipped under L5), which is causing the most pain and damage to the 3 nerve roots exposed = severe sciatica in buttock, though, groun,groin, and foot. Both feet are numb and tingling constantly. My right side is affected. My spine specialist suggested SCS because my 2nd injection did nothing. I'm opting to try chiropractic care and get a 2nd opinion. While I'm waiting to see if the Chiropractor can help me I've been referred to a pain management specialist.

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@julkun

1. Stop Smoking
2. Did you get an MRI for your Sciatica?
Pain shots can help certain things, especially if they know what is causing the problem. Get an MRI or any other tests to be sure what the problem is.
3. Get well

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Yes I've had an MRI, I have 3 nerve roots exposed in L4, L5. I've had 2 shots. The 2nd one did nothing, so he suggested surgery.

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@carlossierra1287

Hi friend in pain. ..

Not a Dr nor am I telling you what not to do ok .
I have been warned before;)

So ..tramadol, as you know is a very addictive
med.
some of us tolerate well , not I.
Hope your trip goes well.,
Let me , us know what to do ///

Blessings always?

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Tramadol doesn't touch my pain.

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@yeoj

Tramadol doesn't touch my pain.

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Just to let you know I have chronic pain along with neuropath, I take Percocet and MSContin it does nothing for my issue with neuropathy.

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@dkappel

Just to let you know I have chronic pain along with neuropath, I take Percocet and MSContin it does nothing for my issue with neuropathy.

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I finally got some relief at the Chiropractors office, it was a miracle. Pain was level 7 before and a 2 after.

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I was in your shoes too not long ago. Had been on narcotics (T&C #3 &4, Percocet) since my back injury in 1988 until 2005. I met a pain doc who switched me to Morphine Sulfate which worked for a few years and in 2012 a rehab and pain doc put me on buprenorphine patch 15mcg to start and now on 20mcg every 7 days. I no longer need breakthrough Percocet which was replaced by THC/CBD oil. Still have PN in legs and feet but able to walk 2 miles daily. Only some docs can write for buprenorphine so shop wisely.

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A minor back surgery called”MILD” fixed my sciatica pain.
I went from walking about 300’ before pain was dibilitating. Have walked over two mile in one stretch and no pain!

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About 3 weeks ago I reached up, and the wrong move cause excuriating pain in my right leg and foot. I have little improvement since. Several years back I had an annular tear at L5-S1. Last month I was consistently pulling my back out. My primary doctor thinks I have a pinched nerve, sciatica, with neuropathy. My foot is numb but hurts even at rest. Anyone experienced this?

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@jamesajohn62

About 3 weeks ago I reached up, and the wrong move cause excuriating pain in my right leg and foot. I have little improvement since. Several years back I had an annular tear at L5-S1. Last month I was consistently pulling my back out. My primary doctor thinks I have a pinched nerve, sciatica, with neuropathy. My foot is numb but hurts even at rest. Anyone experienced this?

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Hello @jamesajohn62 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sorry to hear of your complications/additions of health concerns.

I found an existing discussion where members are sharing about neuropathy and sciatica that I thought may be helpful for you to join so you will notice I have moved your post here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/peripheral-neruopathy-injections-not-working-tramadol-to-control-pa/

Members such as @pjbaratta @jenatsky @yeoj and @dkappel have shared their experiences in this discussion and am hoping they can come back and support you.

What have you tried to date that hasn't work, as a process of elimination?

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@amandajro

Hello @jamesajohn62 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sorry to hear of your complications/additions of health concerns.

I found an existing discussion where members are sharing about neuropathy and sciatica that I thought may be helpful for you to join so you will notice I have moved your post here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/peripheral-neruopathy-injections-not-working-tramadol-to-control-pa/

Members such as @pjbaratta @jenatsky @yeoj and @dkappel have shared their experiences in this discussion and am hoping they can come back and support you.

What have you tried to date that hasn't work, as a process of elimination?

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Thanks for your concern and help. My general practice doctor comes back tomorrow from vacation so I am going to call him and discuss treatment options and further testing. I have found some relief with gabapentin but my right foot is still numb, hurts to walk on it. I can not move my toes. Even at rest I am in terrible pain.

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