Legs pain burning
 

I am 47 years old, male, suffering almost 7 years from:
Legs pain, buttock pain (hips and legs with contact with seat), mainly the pain is during setting and driving.
Legs pain if I stand up without moving
The type of pain is burning pain in the skin like sun burning pain. The pain increase until point that I can set any more,
To release the pain I have to stand up and start walking, I always have switch between setting standing and walking, I can’t stay in one of them more of 15 minutes ( about).
Lying on the bed is the most comfortable position for me.
I was checked by all kinds of doctors (Orthopedic, spine experts, Neurologists, Rheumatology, Pain clinics, psychiatrics
Most of the checks are good:
MRI brain, OK
MRI spine ( all spine)
MRI Lumbar , Lumbar Degenerative disc L5-S1 without pressure on Nerves
EMG test twice, OK
Blood tests OK, B12=580
LP test is OK
Bone scintigraphy: OK except Lumbar Degenerative disc
Neurological sense test heat cold test, OK
Rheumatology test : No Fibromyalgia
Orthopedic leg raise test : within normal
Orthopedic doctor is not sure if my pain is from the Lumbar spine, some Orthopedic doctors propose fusion surgery L5 S1

Medicines that I tried:

Elatrolet
SSRI medicines ( Paxxat, Cipralex….)
Gabapentin, minor improve
Symbalta, medium improve
Currently I am taking: Elatrolet 10 mg Lyrica 150 X 2, and Cipralex 10 mg
It is very hard to me to work to travel and have normal life with my family.
It looks that I have neuropathic issue or / and Lumbar Issue, not sure.
I need help if anybody can advise or had such pain.
Sami

Welcome to NeuroTalk.


Time to look at your diet. Perhaps trying the gluten free diet?

Some people who are gluten intolerant have neuropathy.

Also some foods can cause burning. This is either from a histamine release, or from actual irritation of nerves. Histamine would be a culprit if you had burning elsewhere, but only in the legs? MSG food additive and the nightshade veggies (tomato, potato and peppers) can also be culprits.

Try this, Put an ice pack behind your knees when you sit down.
See if that helps. 20minutes twice a day. Often ice treatments will calm down nerves that are over-firing, and they also calm down inflammation. Don't overdo it with the ice, and avoid heat for a while, which can make nerves fire more.

If the ice works some or well, you can try Lidoderm patches. These applied behind the knee can also stop the nerve back there from sending out signals.

Do you do anything physical that stresses the knee? jumping, squatting alot, bending the knee for long periods, crossing the legs alot? Paratroupers (parachute jumpers) sometimes damage the peroneal nerve behind the knee. If you have arthritis in the knee, this nerve can also get compressed. My right knee has arthritis and I get a severe pinched nerve there sometimes. Typically ice treatments stop it, and if not then I use my Lidoderms for 3 days or so.

It would help if you posted some details of your life and what you were doing when this started. (I know, it was long ago).
But if your issues are confined only to the legs, there may be a clue in your lifestyle, sports, hobbies, job, etc to offer a remedy.
Many PNs that are autoimmune and metabolic or toxic affect ofther parts of the body too, and yours is confined to the leg area. That is the first clue for you to investigate.

Thank you for your quick reply.
Actually sometimes I do have very small burning in my hands and Back but not strong like the legs. As I wrote above my pain \ burning is in the legs Hips mostly above the Knee. I do not do any activity which can affect the Knees.
I will check the Gluten issue with my doctor, I assume that there is some tests that can discover Gluten sensitivity.
Sami

I have some symptoms you mention. It is difficult for me to sit. My legs have some burning, but it is more like creepy crawlies or mosquitoes on them. My pain PA told me to rub legs for two minutes twice a day to desensitize them.

I have some exercises a physical therapist gave me.

My pain is also in abs and side of waist.

I resigned myself to just keep moving around.

I am on gabapentin and lidoderm pain patch.

Mrs. D I read part about autoimmune. I thought of lupus for myself as I have nerve pain in many areas of body. Sometimes palms of my hands are a very bright red.

Howver, I did have blood tests done a little over a year ago and my ana was acceptable.

Can you tell us what exercises your therapist gave you for the burning in your legs? I have this same problem, and I would do anything to help to relieve the discomfort.
Thanx !!

Perhaps my reply was misleading. I wasn't addressing the burning issue and I don't think the exercises would help with it.

The exercises were to build up my core, the hips and back. I don't know if they help any but it does get my mind off pain while I do them.

There are floor, chair, and standing exercises.
One exercise is lumbar rotation. The one I do is first exercise shown on this page:

http://www.google.com/search?q=lumba...w=1112&bih=558

The thing that helped me the most with the burning problem is giving up the night shade vegetables--potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers. It makes eating a pretty dull and unexciting adventure now, but does help keep the burning down. Being on my feet too long also is a contributor to the burning, so go slow and take it easy--as much as you can. Joan

Oh, another nightshade victim! I don't feel so alone now!

It is amazing how being intolerant to this food family can cause such discomfort and grief! The potatoes are the worst for me.
But peppers of any kind now upset my GI tract terribly. And concentrated tomato products are out too. I can have a small bit of fresh tomato with little problem however.

The potatoes have the most solanine of them all.. so that might be the culprit. Processed potatoes also may be composed of some green ones, since no one can see them. Those have the highest concentration of solanine!
When I was eating potatoes still, the burning would go up my lower legs to the knees sometimes! It was so alarming!

I used to love Mexican food, and couldn't wait to go to a restaurant--I always fix the 7-layer dip when my family comes over (can't eat that now). I can't believe how many places serve tomatoes with their food--even IHOP! Another problem is sugar--it causes burning too. So between sugar and the night shades, eating just isn't any fun any more! (However, it's worth it not to have the burning legs and feet!)