I am having nerve pain all the time

[teirtat]

I've had five disc's replaced in the next and it's been years since the last surgery, 1995,96,2001, Now my legs and feet are going numb and my doctor wanted to do an MRI so we did that and he said there is scar tissue like we already knew but we would need to do a myelogram to get the bigger picture. I've had three of those and I can't tell you have badly I was dreading it. The pain from that test on me was something I wasn't looking forward to. But I was going to do it. I asked him if it is the nerves dying like we thought what could be done to help this pain and the numbness. He said if it's what we thought there is nothing that can be done. So we both decided to wait because like I said, nothing could be done about it and the test is so bad, I didn't want to do it. Now my wrists are feeling like they are being electrocuted when I type or just laying down. It feels like the end result of being shocked with electricity. I would like to know if anyone else has gone through the legs, feet, and wrists going numb and hurting.  

[teirtat]

I can't thank you enough for reaching out to me. Some of things you mentioned have already been done but you do have some ideas that I will discuss with my doctor. At this point I have given up thinking the nerves are dying and nothing can be done but just having a different approach to this aggravating problem gives me a little hope for my old age not being in bed till the end. So again thanks, Theresa Dean

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
I am sorry to hear about your medical problems.  The sensations of sleeping foot, sleeping hands and legs (or numbness as some may describe it as), pins and tingling (needles) or paresthesia are generally due to peripheral neuropathies or vascular pathologies. Hence peripheral vascular pathologies like deep vein thrombosis have to be ruled out either by angiograms or by dopplar studies.

There are several causes for peripheral neuropathies including diabetes, hypothyroidism, chronic involvement of liver or kidney, chronic alcohol use etc. Hypoparathyroidism too should be looked into apart from hypothyroidism. Neck strain, spondylotic changes in cervical vertebrae, bone disease or bad posture should be looked into.

Nerve infections as in lyme’s disease too should be investigated. Nerve conduction studies should be done along with blood tests for above mentioned disorders. Vitamin B12 deficiency too should be looked into. Multiple sclerosis is another possibility.  

In your case the location and extent of scar tissue may determine whether it is causing the numbness and tingling. All the above causes should be looked into. If there are degenerative changes or disc prolapsed causing pain then it can be managed conservatively with physiotherapy, exercise, traction, hydrotherapy, acupressure etc.

Since a confirmed diagnosis cannot be given on net please consult your doctor regarding this. Hope this helps. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.