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Old 09-21-2013, 07:33 PM
Hopeless Hopeless is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 1,232
10 yr Member
Hopeless Hopeless is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 1,232
10 yr Member
Default Unanswered Questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by lfw57 View Post
Hi all -

I am a 49 year old woman recently diagnosed with MP. I work in the computer industry so I sit for many hours a day and am not very active, with the exception of walking several times a week.

In an attempt to get back in shape I started doing some "gentle" yoga and I over stretched my hip flexor. A few weeks after that I had shooting, burning pain down my left outer leg and since then (about two months now) severe pain in my lower left back.

After two ER visits, two inconclusive MRIs and countless doctor visits, I was finally diagnosed with MP by my chiropractor. I believe mine was caused by an inflammation/aggravation of the tendon(s) in the pelvic area due to over stretching, combined with some muscle tightness in my hip and butt due to sitting for too long,, poor posture, etc.

I did recover almost 100% in about 3 weeks mainly due to a technique called Active Release Technique (ART) which is a soft tissue treatment performed by my chiropractor. Unfortunately, I had a relapse two weeks ago because I went back to work too soon and sat for too long. The second time my symptoms were the same but seemed to shift slightly to also include tenderness in my outer-lower back.

I think for me I have nerve entrapments going on in a few places: my pelvic area and outer lower back which seems to be consistent with the path of the femoral nerve. I'm hopeful that if I continue with the chiropractor and make the necessary lifestyle changes I can free myself of this condition. It has been a frightening time (as I'm sure you all can relate to).

None of the pain medications prescribed to me worked... Tramadol lessened the pain slightly, but not all the time. Has anyone had success with a specific pain medication when the pain gets severe? When it was at it's worst, I would resort to taking Flexeril since it would knock me out which was the only thing that would relieve the pain. Not a good long-term strategy, I know but I was desperate.

Also, I had a partial laproscopic hysterectomy two years ago, and I'm wondering if scar tissue can form over a long period of time... that it might be contributing to the problem. (Not sure if anyone can answer this question, but what the hell... thought I'd throw it out there anyway)

Am so thankful to have found this message board... seems this is a common problem, unfortunately.

Thank you to all and my best to everyone here,

Lisa
Hi Lisa,

I am sorry I rambled on with my other responses and never answered your questions. Getting a diagnosis puts you way ahead of the curve. Sometimes it takes years for MP sufferers to get a diagnosis. They are often undiagnosed and mis-diagnosed. While there are MANY different causes of MP, entrapment after a surgical procedure is definitely one of them and could very well be the culprit for you. On the other hand, it could just be a temporary insult to the nerve from stretching as you mentioned.

Some people have a spontaneous improvement while others suffer for years.

Personally, and from much of my research, most medications for other neurological pain, have little to no effect on MP, but it is still one of the early and conservative methods of treatment. Physical therapy is one of the first steps in treatment.

Sitting for prolonged periods of time can be a trigger for some with MP.
Walking and standing were and are my worst precipitating factors. Sitting used to give me relief several years ago.

MRI's are good for ruling out other conditions, tumors, radiculopathies, etc.

There is no specific test for MP, it is diagnosed by clinical exam and ruling out other possibilities. That is why it is so frustrating and difficult to get a diagnosis some times.

Have you seen anyone other than your chiropractor? A neurologist?

I hope you will continue to drop in and visit with me and keep us posted on your journey.

Thanks for your post.

Hopeless
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