Hi all,

So many different forum topics....I could post topics in Chronic Pain, spine problems, Herniated disk and NP. Since my 2002 full, central HNP I've had chronic pain that's been getting worse in the last 3 years. In Sept. 2007, I started to have new problems. I spend about 1-4 hours a day, it seems like, trying to find answers. Here's a list of all the things I've had going on with me, maybe someone can relate.

Sept. 2007 - A worsening of LBP left side. Sleep disrupted. Lower left leg and foot become numb-tingly(intermittently), but no pain in this area.

Oct 2007 - Numb/tingles continue lower left leg (intermittently). I call it deep Groin pain, but it's more sacroiliac joint( left off center), end of Oct. dule pain (burning) in both ankles (very painful), had 2 instances (at different times) of right hand instantly getting tingles without pain, 1 instance of sharp pain just above left knee cap (distal).

Nov 2007 - Lower left leg numb/tingles ((intermittently), groin pain continues, Ankle pain shifts to soles of both feet (mainly heels and balls/toes), "burning" pain increases with standing and sitting, walking becomes painful, 1 instance on instant numb/tingle in right hand (no pain), 1 instance of left ring finger getting numb/tingles, 2 instances of sharp pain above right knee cap (distal, each a week apart), left hamstrings felt a little like they wanted to cramp up, but didn't.

Dec 2007 - "Groin pain felt on left and right side off center, LBP shifts from left to right side off center, sharp pain in upper right hamstring-lower gluteus maximus (intermittently-mostly after getting up from sitting), hurts in buttocks (burn/throbs) when sitting and this increases the pain on my feet soles.

Jan 2008 - LOA, 1st wk laying down,2nd wk PT (physical therapy) 3x wk (60-90mins) doing McKenzie extension's and few other minor exercises. PT says NO FLEXION bends, pain in LBP decreasing, tingles in lower, left leg decreasing, pain in upper right hamsting still present but fading, burning feet-soles still present.

Feb 2008 - Still on LOA, overall feeling better, been walking 1-2 hours (feet hurt, but not as bad if I keep moving), doing some light lifting (ok) but standing still still causes pain under feet, LBP still present but not as bad .

I drive a stand up forklift at work, so I've been trying to simulate my standing at home while I watch TV to see how long I can stand it.....I'm going back to work for the first time since Jan 1, 2008, part-time to see how things go.

I've seen a neurosurgeon, neurologist, my Primary, my chiropractor and a physical therapist. The neuro's and my primary all did/do the same test which results in "no nerve problems". My chiropractor "thinks" I might have central spinal canal stenosis for my central disc protrusion, but my new MRI doesn't reveal any type of stenosis. My physical therapist says I might have neurogenic claudification. I looked it up and it doesn't sound like my symptoms.

From what I've read and from my own self diagnosis, I'd say I have a form of Sacroiliitis/lumbar spinal stenosis. But again, the MRI doesn't show it.

About a year ago, I started to notice a funny internal sound when I did a pelvic tilt. Sounds like and feels like, but the doctors say "no", like Spondylolysis and/or Spondylolisthesis, like my vertebra's shift a little.

For anyone that might have something simular, I will try and keep an update. The only medication I have ever been prescribed is Naproxen 500mg, 2x day back in 2002. I also had a full physical done in Dec. 2008 and nothing spiked. I'm also taking a Vit B-Complex and I think I'll start taking a Vit b-12 too.

I feel for so many of you that are going through NP. At least, with me, my symptoms of NP don't effect me while I sleep. That would drive me crazy cause I know what disrupted sleep (chronic LBP) can make you feel like (crap). Good luck to all...

Hi, did the neuro get Quanitive Sensory Testing done or a Skin punch biopsy to check your small fiber nerves ? burning is typical of small nerve damage, if [i am guessing] they only done a nerve conduction test, it won't show any small fibre damage only the speed transmissions of larger nerve impulses.

Brian

I'm wondering if your job and perhaps even the pelvic tilts have caused some wear and tear that is irritating the nerves in the area. Have they done bloodwork for inflammatory conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis? This includes Sed Rate, ANA and RA factor?

Billye

I' Sue,,

Welcome,I must say I very much agree with Billye,
I know you feel like you have been through the
mill already..

Welcome to NeuroTalk, pain is awfull and there is
not always a easy answer..I wish you luck. Sue

Thanks much for the welcome...

I've done a fair share of reading, but still a newbie to terms and procedure's that I should be doing. In my last doctor visit, I got a little upset with him because he think's it's muscles and tendens and he hasn't even mentioned that I might have NP. When I saw him in Nov. with numb/pain/burning feet he did nothing, the dork. But I'm the dork for not forceing issue's and treatments. I'm learning. I should have ask for an MRI then at the height of my pain. My bad...but it probably wouldn't have shown anything.??

All three doctors did the needle poke around the legs, feet and did some of the AMA test, leg lifts and strength. I had no sciatic reactions and I could feel all the pokeing.

This was a work related injury. I saw 2 IME's, a psychiatrist (for depression) and a neurosurgeon. The Neuro was so sloppy and he didn't write nothing down, his test were poorly done and the psych doctor left me in a room to do a test (took over 2 hours). He left after 40 mins and told me to turn the lights off and lock the door when I leave. I was there about 3 hours.<----they suck.

The insurer denied my aggravation claim for both claims. I'll be looking into an attorney. I'm too proud to let this go....denial makes me look like I'm lying.
So I'm dealing with this too....

I'm going back to work 2/25 for about 4-5 hours a day to see how things go. I will be seeing my doctor again in about 2 weeks. I'm looking for a "specialist". Any recommenations of medical field?

If it's true that no nerve damage is showing up on your left side, where you have the radicular pain, then something is irritating that nerve (sounds like L5-S1, having been there myself), there are still a few things to do.

First, you could find a pain guy who needles. Even with a normal MRI, if you're having such specific pain, I'm pretty sure a pain guy would want to give you a transforaminal epidural. First, they shoot a bit of saline on the nerve, and if it gives you the same pain you're complaining of, they've got it. Then the epidural calms the inflamed nerve down.

That's just about the left leg.

Another approach to the left would be a different form of physical therapy. I found feldenkrais to be amazing. It's a mind/body integration thing, and the therapist essentially moves your muscles in patterns that are efficient for use, but pain-free, and re-patterns the way the brain moves you, so you avoid pain. I've been sustained by feldenkrais for over a year now. Given my MRI, I should be in agony and I'm not.

In terms of the burning feet---I'm not at all sure this means you have PN. While it is a symptom, typically we get other sensations with the burning---numbness, tingling, electric pain, wormy feelings. You just have burning. That could be mechanical from you back.

Sometimes I get into problems with my feet. My feldenkrais worker watches me walk down the hallway and has me report my sensations, so I grow more aware. Invariably, when my feet are bothering me, it's because I'm landing hard on them, and my center of gravity is not gliding over them smoothly. That's not something I can fix on my own, although I can approach that. It is something she can fix, however, by doing things like moving my feet, and then hips and more, in the movements they need to make to have my center of gravity glide over my feet, not land like a thump.

You might google it. I know it sounds like mumbo-jumbo, but it's not.

I understand it's a real problem being a worker's compensation case. Worker's comp pays doctors less than insurance does, so you get them putting in less time, and also being a bit cynical. Is there a way to drop the compensation claim and use your regular insurer? That might get you better doctors.

I think your problems sound mechanical and anatomical, with irritated inflamed nerves, and skewed posture and movement from years of back trouble. That's just my guess.

Hope this helps. Best of luck.