back & leg pain

[blondie7sbiz]

I have been to a rhuematologist and nuerolgost with terrible back and leg pain.  I was put on nuerontin which did not help. The MRI SHOWED 3 discs bulging but they say they were not bad enough to cause this much pain.  Now I have been on 6 nortriptiline per day which helps but not much.  now they are switching me to cymbalta weening me off of nortriptiline and the pain is getting worse again.  I have been off work for 6 months and am going crazing from pain as well as losing my house.  I need help.  Discs 3. 4. & 5 are bulging but they say not bad enough and my nerves are fine, yea they are screaming!  But it keeps getting worse now I can't touch my leg, it hurts to touch my skin, I can't even wear pants just touching my skin hurts and my back is getting worse since they are trying to change my medicine again.  I am at the point, I am going to lose my mind from the pain.  I do not know what to do.  I am taking 5/500 vicodin and 4 nortriptoline aand 800 mg ibuprophin with no relief.  Any suggestions?  I am going crazy!  Please help!  Lisa

[helenlegs11]

It seems you have sciatica if your pain is down the leg. Usually that kind of pain is from a prolapsed disc impinging the sciatic nerve so it made sense doing the MRI. BUT if isn't showing any nerve impingment there check out piriformis syndrome (PS) In this case the piriformis muscle, in the bum, can spasm and as the sciatic nerve runs just underneath and in some cases through the muscle it can irritate the sciatic nerve at this point. Google it and You Tube Dr. George Best and Dr. Aaron Filler they explain it much better than I can here. A physio and or chiropractor often have a good knowledge of this syndrome and can may be able to help you. On another tack, periferal neuropathy is worth checking out aswell.
There are certain nerve pain medicines that can possibly help you too, like Gabapentin. Ask your Dr if they might help you?

[squirtatious]

I've gained some relief by seeing a chiropractor who practices The Pettibon System. Have u had a standing up mri? Those are the most accurate to show the true level of any root nerve compression, etc. I wish u the best!!!!

[Londres70]

Where are the bulging disks/Lumbar?   It sounds to me like you need to be hospitalized for intractable pain so that it can be controlled.  I know you really don't need another bill to pay, but.....I think that would be the way to go.  

What does your PCP/Family Physician say about all of this?

I noticed that you added the "exercise tracker"; hope you are not doing any of that until your pain situation is sorted out.