[jakatak]

I know I have arthritis in my neck.....if I go swimming, it does relieve the tightness and it becomes more bearable. I envision surgery on C5/C6 soon.

But, the bigger issue now....and I've sat on my rear for 4 months since retirement, is the searing burning pain...felt mostly deep in my lower leg. I do have a pretty nasty SI joint problem. along with L4/L5....but I've handled the back thing pretty well. I've noticed....that standing...walking....and getting out of a deep chair....the burning is pretty intense. Even at night, I will have the pain lying in bed. I've tried a lunge type exercise to stretch my quad muscle...and I think it helps a little...not sure. I hear about thrombosis vein issues....and I really don't know what to do. I have seen my doctor so many times, I am actually embarrassed to go in anymore. I've had MRI's of my spine, and it does show the degeneration of my spine....no news to me. But, this pain is really crimping my ability to exercise. I have resorted to swimming in the pool....however, I can only frog kick to keep the pain at a minimum. I have considered yoga...I just am at a lose. Any ideas would be very much appreciated.

[jakatak]

Not DVT....but a good chance it is Claudication....or good old hardening of the arteries. I am getting the ultrasound in a couple days to confirm. If not that.....she thinks it could be arthritis in the knee (doubtful). This is really distressing. 61 years old...active my whole life...and on a healthy diet. GREAT! I can see it now...If I don't drop dead from a heart attack, I'll end up with both legs amputated.

[Leesa]

Hi ~ If you have problems with L4-5 there is a VERY good possibility that you also have sciatica. With sciatica, the pain goes from the back, into the hip, then down the side of the leg and back of the leg, into the foot. The pain is burning/tingling/feeling of water running down your leg. Sometimes you get what feels like an electrical shock - a mild one. That's what sciatica is. And it's AWFUL!! I have chronic sciatica and I've had it for 25 years - and I'll never get rid of it, unfortunately. Mine is caused by a botched surgery.

I wouldn't let yours go on for too long before asking your doc to do something about it or yours could become permanent too! Best of luck and God bless. Hugs, Lee

[Dubious]

Originally Posted by jakatak

Not DVT....but a good chance it is Claudication....or good old hardening of the arteries. I am getting the ultrasound in a couple days to confirm. If not that.....she thinks it could be arthritis in the knee (doubtful). This is really distressing. 61 years old...active my whole life...and on a healthy diet. GREAT! I can see it now...If I don't drop dead from a heart attack, I'll end up with both legs amputated.

Jakatak has it entirely right. If you have a vascular issue pending, then an ultrasound is indicated to rule in/out. Lower back/sciatic issues are fairly easy to work up with clinical exam, MRI and neurodiagnostics (assuming your clinican is competent). Sorry, really sucks!

[patttpatricia]

Just found out that my sciatica nerve pain is from spinal stenosis in L5 and L6due from a botched laminectomy surgery . I am under treatment by a pain specialist for Pallative care. I have been on Nuerontin for many years now and my pain mgmt dr. increased the dose. I take 1200 mg. every 6 hours, and also Hydromorphone. I have had a spinal stimulator surgically implanted, however the leads are unable to penatrate due to too much scar tissue. My pain now is all in the scro joint. Epidurals have been un-succesful as well.

Diagnosis:
radiculopathy

I recently went to a Orthopedic surgeon for another opinion for correcting the sciatic nerve. I wished that I was a candiate for a proceedure called X Block whereas a spring mechanisum is implanted between the L4 and L5 discs, relieving the pressure on the nerve. My surgeon evaluated this proceedure for me and told me NO. No one can help restore a damaged nerve. I also have nueropathy and foot drop and noticed I am having issues with my balance. Still there is NO CURE for me. I really need some support and unfortunately my family has no understanding as just to how much pain I am feeling 24 hours a day.

I just need moral support from someone who is feeling the same pain as I.

I just joined today and sorry for the lengthy talk.

Patty:

[Leesa]

Hi dear Patty ~ I can certainly relate. I've had severe chronic sciatica for 26 years -- and there have been times I've wanted to just pack it all in. This pain is just agonizing. The ONLY thing that has given me ANY relief at all has been the Fentanyl patch along with Methadone. We came across this combo after I wrote to a doctor online and she used this for hard-to-treat patients. That's me -- I wake up on operating room tables during surgery!!! It takes 3 men and a horse to medicate me -- and doctors aren't comfortable giving me the amount of medication I need.

It's surprising tho that I don't need a large dose of the Fentanyl patch. I'm only on .75mcg., and 10mg of Methadone 3 times a day. I switch the patch every 3 days, but it really should be changed every 2 days - I'm working on my doc to let me change it every 48 hours instead of every 72.

I know what you're going thru. This is horrible pain -- it feels like it goes right down to the bone. Perhaps the patch & methadone would work for you too. Oh -- and i know all about family too. God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee