PAIN IN THIGH AND SHOULDER

Not sure if this is a sciatica question or not but I need some help here.  Back in Dec I had some back pain that radiated to my side and hip.  Hip was very painful.  These symptoms mostly went away in March when my thigh(upper) started to THROB and is very painful along with my shoulder (same side)/  The feeling is pain and throbbing.  The pain in my thigh goes down into my knee, calf and foot and I at times feel tingling in my foot and pain at the bottom. It feels weird after I have stood on it for a while, painful.  I have had MRI's of cervical and lower back, normal.  CT Scan of my abdomen and kidneys, normal.  MRI of brain, normal, all kinds of bloodwork, normal, ruling out MS, infections and Lyme.  I have been on many painkillers which just touches the pain. I have an appt with a rhemotologist next week.  Any ideas????  Really desperate at this point, need my life back. As I am typing this I can feel my foot pulsing and tingling, sometimes my right hand seems colder than the left.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

You have had a pretty comprehensive evaluation with the imaging studies and bloodwork tests you mentioned.  

Sciatica is unlikely with a nromal MRI of the lower back.  I would assume that the bloodwork looked for various rheutmatological disorders - such as a rheumatoid factor, sedimentation rate, and ANA level.  If not, this should be considered.  

If the hip and shoulder is hurting, it may be helpful to image those specific areas with an MRI.  

A rheumatology referral is reasonable.  I would also consider an orthopedic referral to specifically look at the hurting joints.

Another consideration would be a neurology referral given the foot tingling.  An EMG can be considered to look for nerve dysfunction.

These options should be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_

[Lara123]

Arnica plant is used externally for arthritis, burns, ulcers, eczema and acne. It has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities that can reduce pain and swelling.
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[gritsgirl]

I hope this helps.  A friend of my husband introduced him to this natural juice stuff due to chronic arthritic and sciatica type pain in the neck, shoulders and back.  (He is an intense labor worker).  Anyway, it's called Mona Vie.  I am unsure of all the technical bits, but I can tell you he no longer takes his Advil, Celebrex or pain killers.  He's been pain free for weeks! The ingrediants are all fruits that high in vitamins.  It really has worked and anything that got him off all those pain meds I was all for.  I started using it also because it helped people with digestive disorders and for the first time in almost two years I am digesting most of my food again. I was at 102 lbs and now I'm 118!  I feel good.  If you want to look into it, I contact them via email or their web site.  It is a good company.  http://www.mymonavie.com/knight06 or email ***@****

I hope this helps anyone with chronic pain.  I know it has changed my husband.  I tried for years to take a more natural approach and now he understand why.  Best of luck.  :)gritsgirl

[Bera]

I am 44 year old female who has had similar pain - since last October.  I have had X-Rays and just got back results from CT Scan.  Both negative.  I have tried chiropracter as well as deep body massage.  Its now June and I am still no further ahead.  Doing the research on the internet leads me to believe its sciatica related but the CT scan would have showed that.  The pain at times is unbearable.  Mostly in the rear and it moves only sometimes to my leg - sometimes the front, sometimes the back and sometimes in the groin.  AT times it is excruciating and usually after I have exerted myself (ie soccer, housework, golf, standing for long periods, almost anything). Sometimes just to lift the opposite leg (left)hurts so much that I can actually feel it in my lower right back/hip area.  All the pain is on the right side.  Also my right hand while I am sleeping always goes numb - actually every night. I dont know if that is relevant or now.  So I guess now I am back to the drawing board.  I hate taking so much over the counter medication  -like ibuprofin and tylenol.

[mrs dinero]

Bera,

Has anyone diagnosed piriformis muscle syndrome.  I went to another orthopaedic who diagnosed sciatica@piriformis muscle syndrome. I have started physical therapy having gone only once I'm hoping it will help.  As I explained in my earlier post I too have had negative results for tests and am still in pain.  Let me know if you get a diagnosis.  Good luck.