--if you have documented ruptured discs, and neuropathic symptoms that can be traced to compression of nerve roots along the dermatomes involved (a type of neuropathy called radiculopathy--"radic" is Latin for "root") are you actually idiopathic?

glentaj,

I just sent MrsD an excerpt from my 2006 MRI. Since I truly do not understand all of the terminology I can only go by what my doctors have told me. However, the one statement about "THERE IS DISC HERNIATION POSTERIORLY ON THE LEFT ENTERING THE LEFT NEURAL FORAMEN WITH MASS-EFFECT ON THE EXITING NERVE ROOT" bothers me. Can you provide any further explanation? Thanks.

When the discs rupture, the contents leak out and can squeeze the nerves exiting the spine.

Some doctors now can repair this easily (in the past not so).

Compressed nerves then hurt..send pain signals.

You should discuss with your doctor what would be best for you.

And you can also try some Lidoderm patches on the back to help with pain.

You see, if you have compression issues, taking other supps may not really help you much. Many of the other supplements are for improving the cells' functions when damaged by toxins or drugs. Compression is totally different. The axons are damaged, so using your list with added EFAs (essential fatty acids) may help repair them. Also nerves can get into the firing mode and not quit...that is what the Lidoderms are good for.

Do you have any cartilage left in your knees? If so, then SAMe may help. In fact it would be far better than the glucosamine mix you take. Long term use of NSAIDs like Celebrex over 6 wks actually prevent healing in joints. This is because some Cox-2 cytokines actually are healers. (some are inflammatory, some healing). So while in the short run NSAIDs feel good, in the long run I believe they do more harm than good.

I used SAMe for about 10 yrs and rebuilt my right knee. I avoided a replacement using it, and my left never followed suit as predicted by the Ortho doctor.

There is even a study showing Lidoderm equiv. to Celebrex in pain relief in the knee. If you want that I can search for it and put it up here.

So at this point, I'd just keep what you are doing, and add fish oil, daily. Start at 3 regular strength, or 1 or 2 double strength and see how you feel in about 2 months. Fish oil also helps with inflammatory pain, and improves the cardiovascular system.

Another great anti-inflammatory is Curcumin. I use Curcugel-500 which has a improved absorption rate promised.
But Doctor's Best makes a nice one too, since you like that one.
Curcugel-500:
http://www.epic4health.com/cuul500mgena.html
Curcumin has some nice studies out now about it...reducing inflammation in the body and in arteries. So it is very helpful for preventing heart disease as well. It might help your back some too.
The Doctor's best version has Bioperine in it...which is an enhancing pepper extract. It is nice because Bioperine is showing some lipid lowering potential in a new 2009 study.
I've been using the Curcugel since Jan and it has allowed me to back off the SAMe a bit. (can't give it up totally tho).
I use NatureMade SAMe BTW.

NSAIDs do deplete folic acid...so you can continue a good dose of that in your list.

So this is what you can try for now. All these suggestions are to help with arthritis and the back pain.

SAMe can be started at 200mg a day in the morning on an empty stomach. I needed 600mg daily for a long time to keep my knee quiet.
But now I am doing 400mg every other day and the curcugel daily.
Some experimenting is necessary to give a more personal result IMO.
You can get SAMe at Costco affordably, or at the RiteAid/Walgreen's Buy one get one Free. If you get generic make sure it is blister packaged since inferior SAMe comes in bottles with loose tablets.
Don't take SAMe after noon, as it may keep you from falling asleep!
(the added energy in the morning is usually welcome in chronic pain patients!)

Thanks for all of the great suggestions, MrsD. I will try the fish oil since I have some that I never really started. Since I have a tiny bit of cartilege left in my knees, I will also try the SAMe. I would love getting off the Celebrex, if for nothing else, the cost alone. I will also check out the Curcumin. I have some Lidoderm patches. Is it best to apply them where the pain is or half them and apply to each side of the tailbone area?

The film produced from the discogram I had actually showed the fluid seeping out to the one side. I still keep thinking that somehow the nerves are being compressed based on how my PN reacts. What is the procedure called where they can now repair this? And I guess a neurosurgeon would be the type of doctor to perform it?

Okay, placement for Lidoderms is really critical for success.

For your back it is pretty obivious. I'd put a whole patch across your lower back just before the crack of the buttocks. Clean dry skin. They tend to move around. If you perspire alot, it may need tape around the sides. If after 3 days you get no relief, raise them up about 2 inches.
You have to find the "right"spot.

For the knee, I use 1/2 patch behind the knee, on the thigh side, on the back of the thighs, going across just above the bend. There are nerves in there that the Lidoderm numbs up. If you have pain in the front of the knee, don't put it there.
For the front of the knee you can use Salonpas patches. These work very well for me. I often get pain on the inside of the leg just below the knee. I stack 2 of them there. After gardening I sometimes need them.
These are great for those other spots:
http://www.salonpas.us/salonpas.php
Use only the ones that have methyl salicylate in them. (unless you are allergic to aspirin?) They make several kinds. So read the labels carefully. They are really good for tendonitis too.
I buy mine in bulk at Costco. But RiteAid and Walgreen's have the smaller boxes -- 40 for about $4.00. Once opened, put the remaining in a Ziploc to keep fresh. You can cut them too.
They will work on the back, but are less effective where there is alot of flesh between the patch and the pain site. So feet, knees, fingers, work better. I have used them on the back however for emergencies. They do have a scent of wintergreen, but one gets used to that...it is a small trade off for relief!

I use them just about every day either for my feet, knees or hands. Something will always be bothering me. ( I have severe osteoarthritis).

I think the interventions you should be looking at are the ones for inflammation.

Lidoderms need everyday use for at least a week. Here and there is less effective. I had a total remission of severe meralgia paresthetica in 2 weeks with them. That was unexpected, and taught me alot. Using them irregularly doesn't turn off the nerves the same way.

MrsD,

Thanks again for the advice, I'll definitely try the Lidoderm patches on my low back. Have you ever used them on the bottom of your feet for the PN burning?

I don't think the Lidoderms work well on the bottoms of the feet.
For one thing, the skin is REALLY thick on the bottoms of the feet and substances don't get thru the thick skin well.
Dead skin cells are not very water permeable.

You can try them there and see for yourself.

Here is a thread about placement suggestions for the feet:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...light=Lidoderm
There is a link in one of my posts there showing anatomy and
why putting the patches is better over larger nerves that are
near the thinner skin on the top of the foot, or ankle.