Thank you for being here! I have had the symptom of sciatica since last June and have had 2 epidurals, burning of the nerves, S-I joint injections, and piriformis injection and some trigger points done.
My MRI done over 2 years ago showed moderate to severe facet disease. Overall my function is better and I am stronger due to having physical therapy and sticking to it no matter how it hurt.

But the burning in my rear keeps my from sitting. Also, I cannot lean over from a standing position, I have to drop to my knees. I lean over a big ball, stand, walk around or lay on my stomach to relax. In social situations I have to get up and down, and travel is impossible. I take anti-inflammatories, topamax, and rub on voltaren gel and sometimes use lidoderm. I do not tolerate narcotics and lots or other meds due to migraines. Is there anything left. I am skinny so that helps with the standing, but my knees are starting to hurt with all the kneeling. Is there anything left to do besides alternatives like chiro, yogo etc?? thank you so much!!! One more thing I have a TENS, I have developed an allergy to the patches, they are sending me hypoallergenic ones, thanks again!

Jeepers, STOP the Chiropractic! You haven't had an MRI in 2 YEARS! You should have another one, with and without contrast material to see what's going on. You could have a herniation in the lumbar area, and any manipulation by a chiro could paralyze you!

I've had a total of 3 Neurosurgeons tell me that manipulation by a chiropractor on a spinal patient could paralyze them!! And I think a Neurosurgeon would know. LOL So until you KNOW exactly what is wrong with you, don't do any more Chiro visits!

Also, when you bend down, bend at the knees -- don't bend from the back. I know it's hard on your knees cause you say they're bothering you, but your BACK will take a huge beating if you bend at the back.

If you're using the Lidoderm patches, those are just topical patches. The medication doesn't get into the blood stream. Ask your doctor for the Fentanyl patches, and you'll get MUCH better pain control.

Believe it or not, I've had severe sciatica for 27 years. I'm on OpanaER, Lyrica, Topamax and Prozac (depression) and also Norco for breakthru pain. This USUALLY works quite well, but right now I'm having a Fibro flare (I also have Fibromyalgia). I've had 3 open spinal surgeries (one was a spinal cord implant and then removal) plus every single procedure a pain clinic can do. Pain clinics won't even take me anymore cause they can't DO anything to me. All I wanted was medication maintenance & control, but they don't even do that!

I would think that instead of anti-inflammatories, they might put you on a long-acting medication, such as OpanaER -- but if you can't take these kinds of medications I guess you're stuck. But the anti-inflammatories are very hard on your stomach, so please be careful! I hope he's running periodic blood work on you.

But for sure, ask for a new MRI with & without contrast material. You need a new one done for sure. And you can bring the report here and we can help you decipher it if you need it. Best of luck and God bless. Hugs, Lee

My pain Dr. says the standard of care is an MRI no more than every 3 years, I have never heard that. It might be that I am older and they think it is just degeneration. I am not getting chiropractic, I met is there something else to do. that being said, they did try to send me but my insurance would not pay.

I was suppose to have contrast with my first MRI but the radiologist said it was not indicated, I might be victim of managed care and the inability to be assertive, I just cry,

When I bend I do bend at the knees as well, but any forward flexion of the spine combined with reaching is most painful.

It seems like a big jump from naprosyn to fentanyl patches. Are they for systemic or local and will they put one to sleep, I hate being impaired, but the end of the rope will soon be reached. I can get on the med site and see about that if you do not have lots of experience with it.
Thanks again

It sure sounds like you have been through much more than me, I am sorry you have had so many problems and pain:

I've been on the Fentanyl patch, and it did NOT impair me at all. And it certainly doesn't put you to sleep. Now I do have to add that I am difficult to medicate, so how YOU are effected by it is unknown. But I would SERIOUSLY doubt that you'd go to sleep!!!

They are systemic, in that the drug is absorbed into the blood stream. So you get pain relief in different areas which is good. You HAVE to put the patch either on your arm, or on your chest -- those are the instructions from the manufacturer. Evidently that is where it is better absorbed -- I'm not sure. But you are not supposed to put it anywhere else. You leave them on anywhere from 48 to 72 hours, depending on what your doctor prescribes. You can order covers for them too that help keep them on, so you can shower with them. They SAY that they stay on thru showers, but nahhh -- get the covers from the manufacturer -- they're free.

My doc usually has me have an MRI every year! But I have the spine from #$#@$ too. LOL I do think next time you should advocate for yourself and insist on the contrast material. Best of luck! Hugs, Lee

The mri thing sounds weird, It may have alot to do with who is paying for it. I would try and get a second opion. I think I had three mri's in three years, so it does happen. I lay on my side with a pillow in-between my legs for some releif. I wish you the best.