Hi, welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

Your chiro back in Jan 2020 mentioned Piriformis Syndrome. Did anyone else that you've seen talk to you about that? edited to add: although the MRIs probably would have picked that up wouldn't they?

Piriformis Syndrome Video
A good video about Piriformis Syndrome from Spine Health dot Com

Also, where are your bulging discs exactly?

hey Daniel2,

Your initial front/side thigh symptoms sound like Meralgia Parasthetica. There's plenty of information on here/ YouTube about that condition. Sitting cross legged and nerve gliding are successful management techniques.
You definitely have nerve compression issues and I agree with Lara that it's likely to be Piriformis Syndrome giving you Sciatica like symptoms. This is a soft tissue issue and I see that you've learned a chiropractor can't help you.

Consider myofascial release. This a link to Elisha Celeste. She has plenty to say about pain and how the body stores pain. And how to release it.

Quad and Hip Flexor Release – This ONE Technique Relieves Piriformis, Glute and Tailbone Pain, Pulled Hamstrings and Groin Pain | Mobility Mastery

Best wishes,

Atty

atty: I remember one of the neurologists saying the numbness in left thigh is Meralgia Parasthetica and didn't seem concerned; saying it usually goes away by itself. I had another doctor mention that term Meralgia parasthetica, but I don't recall him being alarmed or giving any specific advice.
thank you for your advice about finding a learned chiropractor that can help me and that video, thank you for that. I have saved it and will try it. One thing I don't understand is why a chiropractic adjustment would trigger an intense trigging of numbness down my right leg, super tight and sore right hamstring, and very tight and sore butt muscles. the adjustment that was done was on the back; so I don't get it.

Hey Daniel2,

I was actually arguing against a chiropractor. It sounds like the chiropractor somehow irritated your sciatic nerve. This branches from your lower back and you can feel pain anywhere along the nerve pathway down your buttocks (I'm British, I can't bring myself to say butt!) back of thigh and calf. Give that video a go. It may not be for you but it may be a game changer. Please report back your experience.

Best wishes,

Atty

atty, sorry I misread what you said about the chiropractor. with the experiences of how more than one chiropractor trigged this condition, I am not going to get adjustments anymore. however, I was thinking if I can find a chiropractor that has knowledge and experiences (and the resources of course) in his/her office to deal with this condition with therapies other than back adjustments like massage, etc, I would consider that (and my insurance would cover it). I have noticed since yesterday, the pain when I walk now has settled into my left hip. I how get a dull-ish sharp pain in my left hip area and an ache lower down my thigh on the same side when I walk and its VERY uncomfortable. I tried the video once yesterday. not sure how many times I'm supposed to do it and I'm also concerned that if I am rolling on this area, and its not the right thing for this mystery condition, I might make it worse. thanks again atty! (that's funny about the brits and not being able to say "butt" LOL) I say worse than that actually

The 2 chiros I went to for other issues were very helpful..
one used many other modalities besides adjusting, and he was very gentle/careful with adjustments also..
He used -
IF stim (much better than TENS)
Low level laser (also called cold or soft laser) great for specific pain areas
Ultra sound
Also did some manual trigger point release

The other used KT (kinesio) tape (also other similar products)
kinesio tape - Google Search

After I found how well it worked I googled of course & bought my own and have used it many times for shoulder, knee & back pain..
That's the colorful tape you see on many athletes..so if it works for them in competition...
Tons of videos on how to apply or find a pro to apply it the first few times...

If any provider is not helping much , keep looking for better ones..

Hey Daniel,

I think these protocols are designed for people without nerve issues (like allodynia for example), so that if its too painful for you don't do it. But if you find you can do it and that it helps continue. You know your own body best. I'm not actually sure about frequency, I use a foam roller every day, but sometimes my thighs or calves are too sensitive so I leave it for a few days and concentrate on my back.

Best wishes,
Atty

lara, I assume the mri would have picked that up; especially the pelvic MRI. from March of this year.

The report from the pelvic MRI is as follows: 1. No acute abnormality is identified. 2. There are degenerative changes in the visualized lower lumbar spine. If clinically necessitated, a dedicated lumbar. spine MRI may be performed.

Before I had the caudal injection, I saw an orthopedic doctor. I brought all my MRI's and radiologist reports. they took xrays of my hips, said they don't see anything wrong with hips. The doctors assistant had me do some physical tests with my legs while I was sitting on the table. they did not seem to think it was piriformis. doctor said he thinks its back related even though my MRI's show nothing being pinched in back. he referred me to the spinal pain mgmt doctor who did the caudal steroid to see if the steroids would hit something that that was not being seen my MRI's, explaining that this was just a first step in trying "something" and it might not work, which it did not. Spinal pain mgmt doc said he is considering something in the hips that is trapping the nerve and sent me to a different orthopedic doctor, to investigate that. I meet with that doctor soon. that was a very good video, btw, thanks for that.

2018 lumbar MRI: 1 mm broad-based right paracentral posterior disc protrusion at L4-5. Desiccation within L5-S1 disc.

2020 lumbar MRI with and w/o contrast: 1. Mild diffuse annular bulging the posterior disc contour at L4 through else of L4 and less so at the L4/L5 interest level. 2. Mild diffuse annular bulging posterior disc contour.

All the doctors I've seen including the back surgeon said there is nothing in the mri's that show its pressing on any nerve. the back surgeon said this is typical for someone my age and my back looks "pretty good", "go back to playing racquetball" he said. so did the spinal pain mgmt doctor. my legs feel too "wonky" at times do not feel confident playing right now. sometimes too much activity can trigger my symptoms.