I am having a great deal of pain in my left leg. I am going to have an MRI on Monday. Anyone else been through this.

YEA! And there is nothing that can be done except pain med's.
Lasted 10 weeks for me last year. Started at 11:00 and went on for most of the day. Wife slept in another room because of my moaning and groaning at night.

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

Yep. About 10 years ago. Very sharp pain shooting down my left leg. It eventually and slowly got better and went away. Probably about 6 months total.

I have lived with this since my first injury in 1991 . As of last year I was on 1400mg of Gabapentin a day , which is for nerve pain . I've had 3 back operations , the last one was a spinal cord stimulator . Mine is made by Abbott and is a new type . It operates on a wave length , so there's no buzz like a Tins unit . I am now off Gabapentin and walk 3-4 miles a day with my dog . So , there is hope . You have to find a good Dr. that is willing to help you , not just go through the motions . You didn't say , is this work related ?

Mine started at the beginning of July after a bike ride. I have been out of work since mid July. I am doing over the counter pain meds and have my final session of physical therapy next Tuesday. The physical therapy has helped my flexibility a lot and my pain some. The couple of times I have gotten some steroids from the doctor the pain has diminished but does return. My doctor recommended doing things that reduce the compression on my lower spine since that is what is causing the pain. I ordered a Inversion Table the other day, it is expected to arrive next Tuesday.

Work kicked me out when I showed up with a doctors not limiting my lifting, the only good thing is that I had almost 6 months of sick-time saved up which is enough to get me to long term disability if needed then off to retirement.

From what I have heard, the inversion table may solve the problem in short order.

My wife of 46 years is going through it right now. She went to two different chiropractors, physical therapy and finally an neuro surgeon. The MRI clearly showed what the problem is - L5 has moved. Even I can see the nerves coming down the spinal column and when they get to L5 they just spread out in a tangled mess. They then did x-rays having her bend forward and backward and straight up to see how much it moves each time. That was very helpful.

Remedy: tried all the above and then shots in the spine. They work great for about two weeks, insurance company only allows four of them a year. She did two right away and is holding on to the two she has remaining if the pain increases. She is on a pain med that seems to be helping. Low dose and she doesn't take it every day.

The bottom line for MOST of these is they do not get better without surgery, you just learn to manage the pain. That is what she is doing. Walking, especially stairs and a few exercises she does at home help. She did get a strap device called Not A chair, I think and she really likes it. Uses it when we drive somewhere or she is sitting at home.

Not fun to deal with. YMMV

The MRI suggests the doc thinks there is compression on the sciatic nerve. This is usually caused by a disc bulge at one of the lumbar discs, often L5.

Conservative treatments such as meds, physical therapy and rest are usually tried, but surgical intervention very often is the treatment folks end up with to get a good, lasting result.

I’ve never personally had this problem, but have had many, many clients over the years that have gone through it.

I've suffered from Sciatic nerve pain for 30 years. Several MRIs over the years have shown normal skeletal structure, which is good; however that means that I can do nothing for my Sciatic pain other than stretching excersizes ( like "cat-and-the-cow" ), and pain meds. Walking is good for me because it helps keep the muscles toned, and when I'm active, I don't feel pain because my mind is occupied. Unfortunately, the pain is worse at night when I lay down and try to sleep. However, I must admit, a lot of it is "between the ears"; I lay there and think about it. One last thing; the pain is not an excruciating, but more annoying-probably a 4 on the 1-10 scale.

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John

About four years ago, I had "spinal cord stimulation implant" which has helped me considerably. Besides the implant unit inside my back (with two wires going into my spine), it comes with a remote unit that contains 16 programs for different areas of my back and legs. The logic of the unit is to block pain. What I feel is like a vibrator shaking my insides. Can increase intensity and a few other options. Prior to this unit, I had back surgery in 1970 and later in the 80's where they put two plates w/screws & bolts in my back. You might want to ask you doc about this unit made by Boston Scientific. Since I still experienced high levels of pain even after the two prior surgeries, and before the implant, was on 120 pain killers a month. That's what finally made me seek the implant. One good thing about the implant process, they do a trail where the implant goes on the outside of your body and you have temporary wires into your spine. You wear this setup for about five days to see if help or not before actually having the unit implanted into your body. Anyhow food for thought if it can help your situation or not. IMHO pain meds are not the answer.

Following an auto accident when I herniated my L5-S1 disc, my doctor told me to get rid of my gut because it was aggravating my spinal injury by keeping my spine out of its natural S-curve alignment. He said that my pre-existing gut, weak back, and relaxed S-curve may have contributed to the degree of injury I sustained in the accident.

The doctor had me go to the fitness center for abdominal, glute, and back strengthening exercises on their machines - Not free weights. Losing the gut was hard back then because I hadn't heard about low carb diets.

It did the trick. I'm still going to the fitness center and keeping the waistline from expanding thirty years later.

Murphy , is yours loaded on an iPod ? Mine has two modes . One is like yours here you feel it . The one I use , you feel nothing . It blocks the nerve pain in some way . Then you have different levels . I was on my third trial when I got this one . My Doc kept telling me , they are getting better , smaller , plus mine I can have an MRI . I understand they are not for everyone , but for me it was the answer .

Be very careful and do a lot of research on your condition! I am not a doctor but I can tell you my experience.I hurt my back at work,I then went to a chiropractor and then a doctor.The chiropractor was new in the business(do your research) and the doctor after an MRI said he thought I had a bulging disc.Another chiropractor who worked with a surgeon told me I had a case of Pyriformis Syndrome.I listened to the doctor,had the surgery and it was a mistake.I did have Pyriformis Syndrome and after surgery things did not get better.My new chiropractor,the one working with a surgeon helps me from time to time but the damage that was done in surgery cannot be un-done.I am not telling you that this is your problem just do your research before you let the doc cut.It may be necessary,just make sure.

Of course the George Costanza wallet you sit on couldn't have anything to do with it?

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

Mine goes away with stretching and pressure in just the right spot. Push hard with your knuckles on the side of your but near the dimple keep moving around when you hit the spot you’ll know it. Sometimes I stand and use a door knob instead of my knuckles.

The stretch that works for me is as follows. Kneel in front of the couch try to put your butt cheek on the floor to the side. Your other knee will slide out a little it's ok. Then come back to center. Then try the other side. You don’t have to reach the floor with your butt just until it’s tight. Don’t bounce. The point is to cross the knee past your center line

You can do the same stretch standing with a chair and a wall. Foot on the chair knee against wall and push it across your body.

Obviously proceed with caution at your own risk. What works for me might not be right for you.

Had a case of this 6 or 7 years ago. Nothing worked but time and moderate exercise. At one point the pain was so severe I decided that if I was going to have a life time of acute pain I'd end my life instead. Thank goodness I started a slow but steady recovery shortly after that.

Max, wishing you a full and complete recovery.

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Always Stay Strong!

I had severe pain several years ago from sitting on my wallet while driving. The only thing that worked for me was a massage regiment every 3 days for 15 days. The pain meds, shots, etc didn't work. I went to a massage specialist and the massage from the lower back, my right buttock, down to behind my right knee.....each time I got better and eventually was pain free after the regiment.

I had sciatica about ten years ago. Va sent me to a neurosurgeon.
He told me he could operate or I could go home and go to bed for
a week. In either case I would be well in about a year. He was an
honest doctor. And it was gone after a few months and never came
back. (But a lot of other things came along.)

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In Omnia Paratus

I have had this for many years, I could not get in a position where it did not hurt. In 1994 I had a couple of bulging discs pruned off when I woke up the pain was gone and I was about an inch taller as I didnt stoop to keep the pain away. I have had many other problems but the terrible pain down the back of my right leg has not bothered me since. Good luck with yours Jeff

Cherry .......No, not on an iPad but a small remote (easy to carry in your pocket). It has a LCD screen +&- buttons, and a up/down/right/left arrows, almost like a tv remote. No, I can not have a MRI whereas CT scan is ok. There's also a big "red" button in the middle which quickly turns off stimulations. Believe the model is SC-5232 but not one-hundred sure that's correct. Bet if you look up Boston Scientific you'll be able to find it. I also on one of the 16 programs is a "silent" option where I feel nothing. However as mentioned, all other programs if I want, can rattle my teeth but others seeing me detect nothing (which suprises me). In my case it sure helps.

I've had three incidents in the past 10 yrs. The first two resolved after muscle relaxants and hydrocodone. The last was about three weeks ago. Two weeks of pain killers, muscle relaxants and prednisone didn't help. After two weeks of physical therapy my pain stopped today.

Nope, never had one. For 30 years or so I have carried a 2X3 inch folding wallet with just my credit card, driver's license, CCW permit and insurance card. I carry it in my shirt or front pocket of my pants. I carry cash in the same pocket.

Even as a youth, I never understood the need for those fat wallets.

I will see the DR on Wed after my Monday MRI. I am hoping for a quick spinal injection after that.

Off and on for about 12 years.Once it’s passed (hopefully) it’s time to lose some weight and start exercizing to strengthen your core muscles.If your job requires sitting for long periods or lots of lifting and twisting you need to rethink that or you’ll just keep injuring your back.Good luck!

I was having bad pain and numbness in my right leg. Went to the Dr who said it was diabetic neuropathy. Nothing could be done!

Talked to my dad who had the same problem (he drove for Carnation Milk). Said an older driver said shifting his wallet (a long thick order book) had helped. He did it and it worked for him. I did that and mine went away and it hasn't been back--been 25+ years. Just saying!

Mine was fixed by a stretching exercise the relieved the soaz (?) muscle that passes through the pelvis. My sports physiotherapist showed me the stretch, I put in 15 minutes twice a day and the pain went away in a week. My problem was caused by inflammation of the soaz muscle and it swelling, putting pressure on the sciatic where it passes through the pelvis.
The pain was down around my knee.... I also used naproxen anti inflammatory for a week while doing the stretch regimen.

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Halfway and one more step

Absolutely. Nothing in my back pockets keeps me from getting a soaz. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

Gotta get better glasses for phone posting. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

Is one leg shorter than the other?
The reason I ask is that I was ejected from a crash in my teens which affected my posture for over 40 years. Always had back and leg pain. Several back surgeons and several chiropractors couldn't figure it out.
Finally on my wife's advice I went to a DO. Dr of Osteopathic Manipulation. He started moving me around and said he thought he knew what my problem was. This was with no X rays, back Doctors had missed it on X rays.
Lying on my back he grabbed my left leg, the short one, and gave a huge tug. I saw stars, literally, but when I stood up it was the first time in over 40 years I was straight.
He told me that my hips had been locked, probably from the accident. Since freeing them I have not had any leg or back pain in over 4 years.
The Doc told me that a lot of people's problems are their hips and it is missed by Doctors and Chiropractors regularly. Hope you find the cause.

I had sciatica about 4 years ago. Worst pain ever. Mine would go away temporarily after standing up straight for awhile. My chiropractor was able to help me and pain went away in 3-4 weeks. Like others have said, strengthening the core is very helpful and beneficial. Good luck to you.

My sciatica was caused by periformis syndrome. I work out on a regular basis and apparently I overworked my butt. My periformis muscle was inflamed and pressed against the sciatica nerve.
Gotta be 'bout the worst pain ever.
The only relief was laying flat on my back on the floor.
Lasted a coupla weeks and slowely got better.

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Keep on Chooglin'

I assume it’s sciatica that’s bothering me. Pain from my behind down my right leg. Tried shifting my wallet to the left side with no results. I sleep on my left side to get relief. I have an inversion table at my old home. I’ll give it a try.

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I told you not to use Lifebuoy

Had an MRI early this AM. Took 2 Vicodins so I could lay still. It was a "closed" machine, but I survived it. Didn't take as long as I thought it might.

I got my Teeter inversion table this morning, put it together and tried it out. After a few minutes of slight inversion and rocking back and forth the pain is slightly diminished. I am taking it slow with the inversion angle, but I could spend all day on it.

I had a spinal injection on Wednesday. I am feeling a bit better, but not back to normal at all.

I can support this,surgical, resolution. Went 10 years with no positive treatment until one morning as soon as I hit the floor the pain was unbearable. Couldnt stand on my right leg.
My Dr ordered an MRI, called the next morning stating I had a severe L5-S1 bulge with scar tissue forming on the sciatic nerve. 2 days later Dr removed the L5-S1 disc. As soon as I woke up from surgery I got up. Pain gone, leg working again. Never looked back and was home the next day.
Jim

I had it for about six or eight months several years back. It was difficult to sleep at night. One day I cut up a tree, and sprayed my face and other areas with poison ivy. I went to a clinic to get a steroid shot for the ivy, and they ivy and sciatica both went away in a couple of days, and it has not returned. It's worth a shot! (The steroids; not the poison ivy.)

I have had my inversion table for 2 weeks now, the pain has diminished significantly, looks like I may have to go back to work in a couple more weeks.

It probably DID...my physical therapist advises NOT to sit with your wallet in back pocket...carry it in your front pocket...when it's in the back pocket it puts pressure right on that sciatic nerve...you don't want to do that...

I am steroid reactive and it makes the pressure in my eyes rise. I have to work with the 2 doctors if taking steroids. The injection was a steroid and drops controlled the increase in eye pressure.

Max, those injections take a few days to a week or so do do real good. The first round of relief is the numbing agent that is a component of the shot. Be patient, if you can. I'm waiting on my 2nd round of neck injections in a week or two.

I had both an L5-S1 slipped disk in the exact spot I have lumbar spinal stenosis. The canal is narrowed to begin with in that region. Intense pain that took months to unravel. The docs saw the obvious stenosis, and missed the disc that had shifted just a mm or so.

I am not sure the 2nd injection did anything. I am headed to Chicago on the early train in the morning to see a neuro surgeon.