[hurtstosit]

Hi, I am a 31 y/o white male, 6 feet, 145 lbs, no pre-existing conditions, no accidents or injuries. In mid-2011 I started getting diffuse pain and paresthesia in the buttocks and backs of my legs when sitting. It would go away if I stood up or laid down. The pain has gotten much worse and now comes on when I lay down and is interfering with my sleep. The pain still gets worse with sitting and goes away with physical activity. I have tried so many things and no one has even been able to tell me what the root cause of this is. I am worried about losing my job and my wife if I cannot manage this. The joy in my life is gone because there is so much pain everyday.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get a diagnosis and some treatment options? Every test that has been run has come back normal. I went to the Mayo clinic and they had no ideas.

Here is what I have been through-

Doctors: internist, orthapedic surgeons, neurologists, physical medicine & rehabilitation, pain management

Imaging: x-rays spine and pelvic, MRIs of lumbar spine (both lying down and sitting), thoracic spine, pelvis, lumbosacral plexus

Diagnostics: 2 EMGs, blood work, HLA-B27 (negative), celiacs disease (negative)

Prescriptions: NSAIDs, hydrocodone, ultram, muscle relaxers, anti-epileptics, elavil, lidoderm and flector patches,

Steroid injections: lumbar back, piriformis, SI joint, facet joints L4-L5

Physical therapy, chiropractor, acupuncture, TENS unit

[ginnie]

Hello and welcome to Neuro Talk. I really am sorry that you are going through so much. I read with astonishment, what you have been through and the lack of DX through Mayo Clinic. Of course they have been noted for being a DX center. Did nothing at all show on your MRI? No hint of nerve inpingment?
At 31 you are too young to give up. There has to be some solution, and or improvement.
Post where you live, and see if another NT member can recommend a good Neurologist in your area. Also, look into the branch of medicine called a physiatrist. They treat for pain, and also deal with the body at a cellular level. Pain has a source. I do not believe it just is there, with nothing that shows up. Keep a journal of all your symptoms. If you can get all your records from all these proceedures, that would be good to bring with you at your next appt. Have you had a scan of the brain? I know that all signals come through the spine to the brain. Please have faith, and I hope that your wife can stay supportive. What kind of work do you do for a living? you can post to me PM any time if you want to. There has to be an answer. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. ginnie

[Jomar]

Hmm,
Maybe some other things to try acupuncture, bodywork, yoga, hypnosis or EFT ( you can find info or videos on most of those via Google or other web search tools)
did the PT or chiro find any trigger points or postural anomalies?
If they didn't check for those they didn't do the best job for you..IMO.

Did the injections work at all, or the pain always came back after a time?

Have you tried any Vitamins/supplements, no junk food etc..
Maybe a naturopathic dr might have ideas.

6 ft tall and 145lbs? Is that correct?

[Leesa]

Has anyone suggested Piriformis Syndrome? This is where the sciatic nerve become compressed by the priformis muscle. This is VERY hard to diagnose, and from what i understand, they can't see it by an MRI. I don't know why. That's why it's so often overlooked. And I really don't know what the treatment is, unless it's physical therapy, to release the sciatic nerve.

You might ask your doctor about this, to see if it's a possibility. It sounds like it could be. It can't hurt to ask, since all other options have been looked at. Best of luck and God bless! Hugs, Lee

PS -- PLEASE LET US KNOW, OK???

[Spiney95]

I was getting outpatient PT with a gal who has this. They were doing heat, E-stim, various massages and one wild looking sciatica stretch. The patient was experiencing relief. Best wishes.

[pabb]

yup, clean up your diet, (no offense intended) good quality supplements, and celiac testing has ~ 30 false neg. I would wonder about your bone health with that weight and height. I don't see that on your list. Hormone testing, if not already done. Vitamin testing before supplementing if you can get them to do it
! good luck!