[lynn01]

I have idiopathic sensory-motor peripheral nueropathy and I was wondering if anyone else has hip and back problems. My back and hips ache all the time. I do have osteoarthritis in my lower back, but have not been diagnosed with it in my hips. When I wake up in the morning its like the weight from my upper body is causing my back and hips to start hurting almost instantly and my legs and feet the numbness and weakness is worse when I first get up also. My hip and back starts to feel better after a couple of hours once I get moving. But for my legs and feet the mild numbness and weakness is always present. My back issues started in my late twenties I am now 41 and have been having problems with my hips for about a year now. The doctor said my back issues are not causing my neuropathy cause of the finding on my nerve conduction studies. I am having a hard time believing that they are not related in some way. Thanks for any help with this problem.

[lynn01]

Sorry for some of my spelling mistakes. I am just fustrated at this time. Everything just seems to be unknown with me. My tubal pregancies when i was in my twenties 4 of them by the way. Don't know what caused the blockages in my tubes, well I have no tubes anymore to worry about now anyway. I am very thankful that I do have one beautiful child. With my back issues It's probably just pulled muscles ect., other causes is not common for someone your age. To find out 10 years later degenerated discs, herniated discs and arthritis at 37 years old. Now no cause for my sensory-motor PN. The doctor said it is "NOT A COMMON FINDING IN SOMEONE MY AGE", I don't know how many times I have heard that. I am 41 years old now and feel like I'm 70 at times. sorry for the venting.

[im4dexter]

Mine is failed back surgery with severe osteoporosis in my lumbar spine. I have that severe pain in the hips and back everyday as well. I will say I'm sure it doesn't help my PN. I couldn't tell you the cause or give you much advise other than suggest you try icing your back. It's the simplest thing, but it works. I won't lie, relief is short-lived, but at least there is some relief. I figure that in your current situation what the heck, it's simple, free and worth a shot. I hope you're able to find the relief that you need. Best of luck to all of us.

[cyclelops]

Lynn, get checked for electrolyte imbalances....get your vit d level checked. I have this too, exactly as you described, and have had unexplained fractures....check out osteomalacia.

[lynn01]

I have had blood work done for vitamin deficienies, I know for sure B12 and Folate. And the regular cbc, hemoglobins ect. along with diabeties, hypothyroid, paraprotiens, arthritis, not sure what else but they drew out about 5 to 6 vials. My Neurologist said they all came back normal.

[Leesa]

I've had 2 open spinal surgeries, and I have back & hip pain now, along with severe sciatica. Plus I have osteoporosis.

The hip pain is caused by the sciatica because the sciatic nerve runs from the back, into the hip and down the side of the leg. It COULD be the sciatic nerve, but it just hasn't gone down into the leg yet. I kind of doubt it but it's possible.

Have you had a bone density test done? It might not be a bad idea ~ at least you'll get a baseline for further tests.

Was this diagnosed by MRI?? When was the last MRI you had done? Was it recent? If you haven't had a recent one, you should ~ with and without contrast material.

Best of luck, and I hope they find something to relieve your pain. God bless. Hugs, Lee

[lynn01]

My last MRI was done almost 4 years ago. I don't have classic sciatica sysmtoms even though there was pressure upon the thecal sac affecting my right exiting right nerve root at L4/L5 and also some at L5/S1. My pain is not down the back of my leg it is in the outside and front part of my thigh on the right side and to a small degree on my left. The Neurologist said I did not have active radioculpathy at the time of my EMG/NCS, so he doesn't think my back issues is causing the nueropathy. I do think there is some kind of connection between my back issues and the neuropathy, because my body is telling me there is. Thanks for the help!

[mrsD]

Here is a link to a good article on hip pain:

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000401/2109.html

The first drawing shows the locations of bursae in the hip.
Trochanteric bursitis is easily treatable with steroid injection and PT.

The drawings further down, show where the lateral femoral nerve exits the abdomen, and when compressed (by tight jeans or girdles) it may refer pain down the front of the thigh.
This is called meralgia paresthetica. I have had it in my right thigh from a C-section surgery. I had it for many years without knowing what it was. After Lidoderm patches came out and I tried those in the groin area where the nerve enters the upper thigh, I actually solved the problem with them. After two weeks of use, the nerve stopped firing. Now I only get little twinges, and the larger painful issue is gone. Overextension of my leg or riding a bike seems to set it off some. Heat also bothers it.

If you are using a heat treatment for your discomfort, I'd switch to ice, and see it you get some relief. My chiropractor does not suggest long term heat applications (20 minutes tops at modest settings only). And I did find the steam room activated my nerve after only 10 minutes. Nerves actually get stimulated by heat. So please consider that too. That was my experience and I may have made mine worse over the years, because I used to love the heating pad. (after standing all day at work).