Sudden L5/S1 sciatic nerve damage

Hi,

I have sciatic nerve problems, and would really, really appreciate any help.

a) Sudden, large L5/S1 herniation 2005 - disk-area pain, no leg involvement, MRI, no surgery

b) 5 years of continuous low-back pain, maybe 10-15 periods of 4-5 days stuck on the floor due to moving the wrong way, not from any high-effort actions

c) 1/2010 - something happened - no back pain for 1 week, then woke up with 6-level pain (10=unconscious, 9=on floor trying to scream, 8=on floor screaming, 7=on floor crying, 6=on floor on Oxycodone miserable) - pain was down left leg and into foot, and was exactly the same 24/7 for 4-5 days, then completely went away; left foot outside edge and heal numb, 1/2 of calf non-responsive, numb streak down back of thigh and calf

d) After "waiting a while" (about 6 weeks), probably the worst medical advice ever, had another MRI and microdiskectomy - surgeon said all was well.  However, pre- and post-surgical conditions were identical. Surgeon's release papers stated, in all-caps, bold, underlined: NO RESTRICTIONS, PERIOD.

e) 6 months later, lifting a small lawn mower, it went wrong again.  1 week later, while doing light housework, ended up on the floor again, leg pain again, exactly the same as the first time, 4-5 days of level-6 24/7 pain, Oxycodone and Predisone immediately, then suddenly (like across 1 hour) no pain.  This time I lost the other 1/2 of my calf, and more of the bottom of my foot, and another 1.5 toes went numb (down to big toe and 1/2 of next toe).  "Gave it a while" again, then another MRI and microdiskectomy, with the same results - pre- and post-surgical conditions exactly the same.  Surgeon reported all was well, specifically that the nerve was compressed, had been de-compressed, was not cut or torn, and had a CSF pulse.

f) 6 months later - same exact condition.  I can press about 45 pounds with my left calf vs 300+ pounds with my right calf.  I can walk, and consciously try to push off with both calves, but the left one just does not work correctly.  Most of the outside edge and bottom of my foot, and outside 3.5 toes are numb when I wake up, then get somehow worse, like my foot is being crushed, all day long.  Standing/walking definitely make this worse - too much of that results in pretty bad (5-6) level pain in the center of the ball of my foot and, at its worse, my big toe.  Another MRI with/without contrast shows no clear problems to radiologist or spine surgeon, no more surgery for now.

So: any hope here?  Can the sciatic nerve grow back though an intact sheath, when it was apparently mashed by a disk herniation bad enough to quit reporting pain after 4-5 days, then left to fester for another ~6 weeks before surgery?  Does the increase of symptoms through the day, related to being upright, say anything about the nerve needing to be more de-compressed?

Thanks for any help,
Joe

[jenellermiller]

I had sciatic nerve probles about 2 years ago. The doctors told me i needed to take 600 MG of IBUPROFEN ( motrin or generic equivalent) every 6-8 hours. Make sure to take with food or milk to prevent upset stomach!!!! In my case i had severe lower back pain that radiated down both of my back legs to a prickley numb pain feeling in my calves. The pain was caused by my sciatic nerve being inflamed. Ibuprofen in an anti-inflammatory. I noticed that the pain would go almost completely away after the first dose or two. It would feel so much better that i would forget to take my next dose then i would notice before it was too late that the pain would start to come back. I stayed on an ibuprofen for a few weeks. This kept up on and off for the next year or so.

I did notice that the pain would start up again  if i stood for long periods of time, or if i sat or layed for long period of time. At night it helped to sleep on my back with a few pillows under my knees( this helped relieve pressure on my lower back.(

[bigsissie]

You may want to get a second opinion on the mri. I have severe nerve damage ( I herniated S1-L3) and it crushed the nerves to both of my legs. I have 22% of the feeling from my waist down. It sounds like you work out lifting weights STOP at least for a week and see if the pain and numbness improve. If not you can make it permanent. Ask for a nerve conduction study for the leg with the numbness if one has not been done.  Your nerves can regenerate the width of a index card a year. I know fun huh. There is a chart on my profile that may help you understand the nerves, disk and what can be damaged. If you have any more questions just message me. I have been dealing with back problems for 12 years. I even know some exercises that will help you with your foot if you are interested just add me as a friend and I will send them to you. I have had pt several times to help with muscle control and nerve damage.

Best of luck, Sissie