Question Title: Extreme Leg Pain

I am currently undergoing testing for MS. So far I have had EMG, cervcial spine MRI, and brain MRI. EMG was questionable but brain MRI showed no lesions, cervical spine MRI showed deterioration,(very noticable) between C-4 through C-6, a small spur but no spinal intrusion. Most of my symptoms, ie: numbness, tingling, burning sensation, etc is more prominent on my right side. I also notice lately that I'll reach for something, say a glass, and knock it over due to "jerky" motion. Now to the issue of the leg pain. Many years ago I was involved in a bad auto accident and after many, many failed knee, hip and foot reconstructive surgeries, I have been a wheelchair user for about 6 yrs. I have experienced some pain in the past from Ortho problems, but nothing like I'm going through now, and all this started about the same time the above symtoms started. To explain how bad it is, it's like arthroscopy about an hour post that never goes away. The pain seems to start from the inside of the bones and knee joints. It is bad enough it makes me physically sick. I'm tired most of the time, like I haven't been to bed in days. I'm very comfortable with my Nero and Primary care Dr. but I'm searching for options. I'm currently on 750 mgs of Hydrocodone every 4 hours and 10 mgs of Diazepam (leg spasms)a day. Even at this dosage of Hydrocodone, the pain is still there, just not as bad. I never even liked taking asprin, now medicated bigtime. Would a nerve block be something to dicuss with my Nero? What other treatments might be beneficial? If a nerve block is performed, do you loose the mobility you have left? The nurse ask me if I would have a problem with being "numb". My answer was no if it took care of the pain and wold get me off these pills. With all the meds, I'm finding it hard to funtion at work and home. My goal is to at least get off the medications and get my head back on straight. I can deal with the "chair", but the pain is unbearable. As one wants to be an informed consumer, I want to be an informed patient. I can see where this is difficult for the Dr's. With all the exsisting Ortho problems, and now this, it's taking it's toll on me. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help.

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Thanks for your question. It is a bit unusual for sensory anterations of
MS to manifest as such an acute and severe pain as the one you are describing
for your legs and knees. Therefore, one should consider other possibilities
as an explanation. Given the its localization, one should definitely consider
osteo-articular causes; another possibility is vascular etiology (however
you did not describe any association with prolonged activity); and a third
scenario involves pain of neurologic origin, such as a radicular pain, that
is, secondary to compression of nerves as they exit the vertebral column.

You mentioned brain and cervical MRI in your evaluation, but not lumbo-sacral
MRI, so you might mention this to your primary physician. Because of the
severity of your pain, and the type of narcotic medications that you seem
to be using regularly nowadays, you might also consider a consultation with
a pain management specialist (usually an anesthesiologist, but also sometimes
a psychiatrist).

I hope this information is helpful.

This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.
Please consult your doctor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.

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