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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covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Apr 30 2:38pm

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....

bunstuffer | @bunstuffer | Apr 30 3:02pm

I've had pain in my lower back, left hip, down the outside of my left thigh to my knee and now going below the knee. I have been to 8 doctors including a major university, pain clinics and the VA. It started at least 30 years ago, first mild pain and gradually progressed. Now I have gnawing pain in my lower back, hip and leg that can only be reduced by hydrocodone. No one has given a name to my condition until my physical therapist told me they were treating me for gluteal tendinopathy. I had suspected that. Just talked with my primary card doctor who told me I have only one option left and that's back surgery. I don't want to have back surgery because I have NEVER known anyone who had back surgery to be better afterward. He understands. I asked for a referral to Mayo and he will do it but says in his experience only 2 or 3 percent of referrals are accepted.

4me | @4me | Apr 30 3:26pm

Has anyone mentioned CRPS?
When u go back to pain management ask him if it could be CRPS.
Hoping you get some answers soon🙏🙏

gently | @gently | Apr 30 6:52pm

blue717,

You might see a chiropractor. Even if you don't want to be adjusted, you'll get the best anatomy lesson.
Some injections are diagnostic. A botox injection in the piriformis could relax the muscle and alleviate the pain.
Anyway, you could probably get in to see a chiropractor tomorrow, they are less expensive than mds, if you take your MRI they'll be able to read it.
I hope you find relief before you turn 74.

blue717 | @blue717 | Apr 30 7:45pm

In reply to @4me "Has anyone mentioned CRPS? When u go back to pain management ask him if it could..." + (show)

No I dont think that checks many of the boxes for me, but thank you for taking the time to write

blue717 | @blue717 | Apr 30 7:56pm

In reply to @covidstinks2023 "blue717, God bless you. This sounds miserable. The key words I take away were "on fire..." + (show)

Yes, sciatica has been mentioned several times but no one does anything if you dont want to the shots which are bad for you especially if you have osteoarthritis, since it thins bone, along with other side affects. Your thoughts are helpful. I hadn't thought of going to an Ortho in years but something to consider. Good Thought! Lately I have been sitting in the pool in a tube and the cool water helps. Heat does not. I bought Voltaren but the product said not to use it on your back. Thank you for your thoughts and taking the time to write. I hope you also find relief

blue717 | @blue717 | Apr 30 8:02pm

In reply to @bunstuffer "I've had pain in my lower back, left hip, down the outside of my left thigh..." + (show)

You're right, the pain is awful and limits what I can do. I feel the same about surgery. No doctor has helped me to the point that I feel I could trust him to cut me open. I did PT, I didn't feel any different. I tried for Mayo in Florida and didn't even make it through the interview to make an appointment. However, they do refer you to other doctors that they recommend. Thanks for writing to me.

blue717 | @blue717 | Apr 30 8:04pm

In reply to @gently "blue717, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psltLA3cD_Q You might see a chiropractor. Even if you don't want to be adjusted, you'll..." + (show)

Boy, that would be great since my birthday is in June! I'm going to take your advice and look into that. Thank you.

bunstuffer | @bunstuffer | May 1 9:00am

I thought I was alone in my frustration and pain from this affliction. None of the doctors I have seen seemed to be able to identify what was causing my pain. I'm feeling more hopeful today. I put my air-activated heat patch on the sorest place and a lidocaine patch down the side of my thigh every morning and take either extra strength Tylenol, Aleeve or Advil Dual. If the pain is worse than normal, I take a half of a hydrocodone and may take the other half in the afternoon. I can at least function that way. I'm also caregiver for my husband who has Afib and heart failure.

heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | May 2 7:11am

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