[Virginia Therese]

Earlier today, I logged into the forum (after not having been active here for a very long time. I wasn't looking for anything specific, but to my amazement, there was a thread related to Sciatica/Neuropathy...something I believe I am experiencing now. I say this because I have had a physical therapist tell me that she feels that Sciatica is causing a lot of my pain. To back up a little...I fell and broke my hip in January followed by partial hip replacement surgery. At that time, I experienced a great deal of pain...but, ultimately, that seemed to dissipate...felt quite good. However, recently, I have been experiencing pain in the Sciatic area AND it is now thought that I could have neuropathy...saw neurologist last week...went for blood work...still waiting for results. The numbness/tingling started in my feet approximately 2 years ago. Every time I saw my internist, I would mention this to him. His response was that it was arthritis. Given my age, I thought this probably was the case. However, this numbness/tingling continued to spread upward into my feet and legs. I mentioned this to my internist who dismissed it at every visit...even mentioned neuropathy to which he responded: "It could be...but, there's nothing you can do about that!" That was my cue to find another internist. I recently started with a new internist...and, now, am following up with a neurologist. I seem to have digressed, here...I began by stating that I had come to the forum earlier today...was amazed to see a thread related to Sciatica/Neuropathy and wanted to continue to read...to attempt to find out what others were taking for the pain, etc. Could someone direct me to that thread? I would appreciate your help...and any thoughts that you may have pertaining to what I've written, here. It's good to be back at the forum. Thank you.

[Lara]

Hello Virginia Therese,

I'm not sure if this is the thread you're looking for or not, but it's fairly recent.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread206319.html
Sciatic Neuropathy

That's from the
Peripheral Neuropathy Forum
which is directly under PD in the list of forums here.

In fact I just did a quick search in the PN forum just using the keyword "sciatica" and there are quite a number of posts.

Forum Search Feature

[Virginia Therese]

Thank you so much, Lara, for your very quick reply to try to help me. It is just amazing to me that there is so much on the forum pertaining to Sciatica/Neuropathy. I decided to return to the forum yesterday to look for information related to my pwp's more recent issues with the disease. She was dx'd w/PD 16 years ago...mostly just tremor for most of those years...but, recently, experiencing more of the progressive symptoms associated w/the disease...just thought I'd check at the forum for information that might be helpful for her. I couldn't believe my eyes when I noted the "post", Sciatica/Neuropathy which, in fact, related to me...Someone must be watching over me to have somehow brought me back to the forum and find information that could be helpful to me. I have read some of the posts at the site that you recommended. Interestingly, the topic of antibiotics was discussed, i.e., that many of the antibiotics can cause problems (especially, tendon problems) months and even years later). I remember having read this on , and I'm wondering, now, if this is related to what I am experiencing, now...something to discuss with the neurologist. I also question whether partial hip replacement might be impinging on a nerve or tendon, or both. I am thankful to have been able to read other's posts which have given me thoughts to discuss with my neurologist. He'll probably be impressed by the questions that I am now able to pose to him having gotten information from the forum!!!

Thank you, again, Lara, for your help...I so appreciate it...and I would appreciate any other help that anyone else might be able to provide, e.g., re: medications...other methods of controlling the pain. I meant to mention that I may still be the only one, here, who does NOT have PD...only joined a number of years ago because I felt it the best way to try to understand the disease...gathering the thoughts of those who are actually afflicted with PD. I'm happy to have returned and intend to visit more often. My thanks to anyone, here, who might be able to give me more input re: Sciatica/Neuropathy.

Virginia Therese

[Lara]

Hi Virginia Therese,
You're welcome.

The best thing to do really would be to make a new thread in the Peripheral Neuropathy Forum where you were reading or even to reply to the Sciatic/Neuropathy thread/s so that would bump them up to the top for more input from others who may be experiencing similar difficulties.

Peripheral Neuropathy Forum

I'm glad that some of the posts there were helpful to you.

[Virginia Therese]

Thank you, again, Lara. I'm now investigating a medication prescribed for neuropathy...e.g., Garapentin. My neurologist called me today...lab reports came back as "normal" (whatever that means related to neuropathy!). We discussed the pros and cons of taking medication. My neurologist is one who believes in "less is best". He asked me if I would describe my condition as just a "nuisance"...or, something that is quite painful. I told him that sometimes, I would describe it as a "nuisance"...but, there are times when it is quite painful. I guess I will have to make a choice...thus, my reason for asking about the Garapentin....what results, if any, anyone has had who has used it...what side effects, etc. Or, something else that they have used that has proved helpful. I have started some research on the internet...but, I'd prefer to hear from those who have actually used Garapentin...or, whatever other medication they have used that has proved beneficial. I am always reluctant to take any medication and I am tending to just "live with it"...to just view it as a nuisance. Any input anyone can give me will be much appreciated. Thank you...Virginia Therese