Chronic sciatic pain

[Brandon82]

Hi,

I am a 22 year old student and I have been living with considerable sciatic pain for 3 years now. A year and a half ago I had a laminectomy and a disectomy with just a little bit of relief from the intensity of my sciatic pain going down my right side. The pain has been getting worse for the past year and I can't even sit down for more than 25 minutes without getting in considerable pain and discomfort. I just recently had another MRI and it hardly shows anything different than my post surgery MRI. Should I have surgery again? Is it likely that they will find something 1-2 mm in size that is impinging on my nerve and causing my pain? Also, are there any very good neurosurgeons in Oregon, Washington or California that someone would recommend? And what is everyones' impression of the motion MRI, and do most insurance companies cover it? Thank you so much and I wish everyone luck in the pursuit of a pain free life.


Brandon

[dmjames]

Sounds like piriformis syndrome. Look it up. they can remove the muscle surgically. Good luck.
Denise

[Brandon82]

Thank you. I will contact one of them to get a second opinion. I hope everyone is doing okay.


Brandon

[Joface]

Hi, again....I just checked for Top Doctors in Portland, Oregon, since you mentioned that state.  According to Portland Monthly magazine's 2007 list of Top Doctors, the following two were named as Neurological Surgeons:

Surgery-Neurological  
Kim J. Burchiel
Johnny B. Delashaw Jr.

Hope this information helps!
If you want to check yourself, Google Portland Monthly magazine Top Docs.  You can do the same with any other large metro area. Best of luck Brandon.....sounds like you've been through the mill and tried everything short of surgery.  Jo

[Brandon82]

Hello,

I really appreciate everyone responding to my message. Thanks for you input and suggestions. I will definitely use healthgrades.com to find a neurosurgeon. I am having a very hard time with classes starting and trying to find a solution to my pain. I have tried so many conservative therapies and approaches with no avail and pain relief. I have spend 3 months doing water decompression therapy, several months with different PTs, acupuncture, massage, and I have had two cortisone shots and also strong anti inflammatory medication. I also do yoga off and on but it doesn't do much to get rid of the pain. The pain is constant and debilitating. I can hardly concentrate and think from one moment to the next when I sit down for more than 15 minutes. I used to be able to take a couple tramadol and sit down for about an hour or two without severe pain but I can't anymore. All I want to do is stab my lower back and right leg with a knife..... I didn't know life can be so painful and full of suffering. At least I am lucky to have a wonderful girlfriend who has stood by my side through such a hard time. My pain has really opened my eyes to how much suffering there is in this world. Before I had sciatic pain I didn't even know what the word meant. Thanks for you help again. I wish everyone the best.

[Joface]

I would echo the recommendation for warm water pool therapy - many rehabilitation facilities and hospitals have pools that they keep at 92 or 93 degrees, which is what you want for therapy.  I found the pool walking and other exercises prescribed were very helpful....they're gentle and don't create a lot of stress on your joints, muscles, etc.  I would also do as High Noon suggests and get another opinion.  If you don't know a good neurosurgeon, there are a couple of things you can do.  One is to go to Healthgrades.com and look up neurosurgeons in your area to see what patients have said about them.  If you live in a metropolitan area, there is usually a magazine with the name of the city (ie: Phoenix, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Boston, etc.) and every year they conduct surveys of the "Top Doctors"......check out your community and see if they have something like that.  If all else fails, call a major hospital in your area and ask for names of neurosurgeons you can research. Good luck.  Jo

[High Noon]

Back problems and back pain are very common.
The source and cause is very difficult to determine in many cases.
In your case I assume that the cause was thought to be a lower disc herniation impinging on root nerves, the sciatic nerve. Since you had the operation and it did not succeed in reducing the pain and subsequent MRI's much show no additional impingment  then the initial diagnosis was not correct. I would not have another surgery. Would I get another opinion? Sure I would see another spinal surgeon and bring the most recent MRI's films and get an evaluation.

Tuck is correct in that you may be suffering from TMS . Itmight be useful to explore this non surgical approach to back related pains.

Good Luck

[Teck]

You are too young to have problems with your back!  Sorry to hear that.  I am from AZ and cant give you names of Dr. in the states you requested, nor give you any info on insurance companies.  But I do have an idea for you to try for your back pain.  My Dr. advised me to sit on one of those exercise balls any time I sit at home.  I do find it more comfortable than most chairs.  He also told me to walk in a pool for exercise and his last advise was to read a book by Dr. Sarno.  His most recent book is about helping people with back pain.  I have read it and I think it has helped me a lot.  The other thing I would do is get another opinion.  Just be aware that a lot of Dr.'s will put you on pain meds.  Be very careful.

I hope all goes well with you.  Good luck.