Pinched nerve

[Colin]

Two weeks ago, I rolled over in bed in the middle of the night and felt a twinge in my lower back.  When I awoke about four hours later, I had a severe pain, like a cramp, from my left hip to my knee. The pain was so bad that I could not stand up.  Eventually I began walking.  I took ibuproferen with virtually no relief.  I thought it would work itself out. After a week of this pain and immobility I went to my GP.  He prescribed 200mg Hydrocodone for the pain and cyclobenzaprene for a muscle relaxer and refered me to a orthopedic.  The orthopedic took xrays and saw no disc problems but did not feel a strong beat from the artery in my groin area.  I am scheduled for an MRI and arterio doppler tests on March 9.  For the past week the severe pain has continued but has changed somewhat. There is still a dull ache in my lower back (left side)but no feeling of cramp in the thigh.  Now there is a severe constant burning and numbness sensation from my knee to just above my left ankle. I have been unable to sleep more than about 4 hours since this occured.  I have only about 70% mobility in my left leg. Occasionally a sharp jolting pain will shoot from my hip down my left leg.  Question:  What will the arterio doppler tests show? Does this sound like a pinched nerve?  I have never had back problems longer than one or two days( from straining) I have blood pressure 145/90, taking lipitor and norvasc. Is there a relationship between blood pressure and leg pain. What are possilbe therapies.  Thank you for any help or information.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Colin:

Sorry to hear about your back and leg pain.  Your description does not sound like the usual radiculopathic pain that radiates, but more like a severe muscle cramp.  It is difficult to tell over the internet.  Since you do not describe shooting pain (at least only one event), I would lean in the direction of a muscle cramp.  However, the severe parasthesias that you describe suggest a peripheral nerve problem also.  It seems to be related in distribution to the left side.  A x-ray is good for boney abnormalities, but I think a MRI might be more helpful in finding soft tissue and nerve damage.  Anyway, maybe a second opinion from a neurologist might help.  The doppler will be looking for changes in blood flow from the artery.  Occasionally we will see a parasthesia or muscle problem from low artery flow due to athrosclerosis.  However, unless there is a systemic disease such as diabetes, this is rather uncommon.  I would wait for the MRI and see if there is disc/foramen damage.  Depending on this, your physician will institute rehab and therapy.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[JDeeziac]

A related discussion, Pinched nerve in head was started.

[Dennis]

Colin, regarding that problem you described on 7 March 2000, you should consider your physical health and the possibility of a subluxation. Check with trusted friends and loved ones to find a qualified chiropractor to see you. A good chiropractor will conduct assessments that MD's and surgeons don't even consider. Remember San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana getting a chiropractic adjustment on world-wide television before going out to win another Super Bowl; chiropractors have been gaining respect from the traditional MDs, who mainly are trained, and therefore focus, on two restrictive areas: Medicate or Operate. Chiropractic care and improvements in your own health including stretching, exercise, weight loss and more, will get you on the way to not only feeling better, but actually being better.

[Judy King]

one morning I woke up with what i thought was a "qrick" in my
neck. I could not move my neck to the left and i was in quite
a bit of pain. After several days of pain i went to my G.P.
he prescribed muscle relaxers and pain pill. this did not help.
I went to see a neurosurgeon. He prescribed physical therapy
which only provided temporay relief. I had an mri which showed
a small bulging disc. he suggested a mylogram & ct scan. then
surgery . Oh yea the disc is c5 & c6. I refused but am now having
flutters in my shoulder and down my back. I have also had a
couple of episodes of what felt like electicity . one in my right
hand (the only episode on my right side) and one around my left
elbow.I still have lots of pain in my neck and down my left shoulder.I am afraid of surgery but I dont want to wait too long.
any info would help.              
                                    Thank you
                                     judy

[kris]

Neurology Dept.:

I have had a pain in my shoulder area for over a week and am wondering if it is a pinched nerve or not. This time the pain comes and goes. Sometimes the pain extends up towards my neck and even down towards my elbow though it is centered in shoulder.

I think that it was caused while doing dips or bench pressing at the gym. I have had a similar short term ( a day or so) pain in the same spot and it went away naturally. This time it persists at the same intensity regardless of giving myself more than three days off from any workout. Any advice would be welcomed.

Thank you,

Kris

[Vivian]

Dear Dr Cooley

I have weakness, and some redness in my right arm. The MRI showed a slight bulge in the 6th cervical vertebre.
Could it pinch on a nerve, and can that be the cause of my arm problems. And if it is a pinched nerve, what can I do about it.
If any kind of exercise could help, I am good following exercises.
Thanks for you time
Vivian

[debbie]

Not to beat the topic of a pinched nerve to death, but about 3 weeks ago I started having pain just to the left of my right shoulder blade.  I also couldn't turn my head to the left or right (which makes me fun to drive with, since I can't look over my shoulder to change lanes!).  After about a week the pain started traveling down my left arm.  I put up with the pain for over a week and then finally scheduled an appointment with a chiropractor, even though I'd never been to one before.  I didn't know if it was a problem for my family physician, chiropractor, or someone else.  The chiropractor that was recommended to me said he thought a couple of visits would do the trick.  Now I'm on visit #7 with #8 scheduled for Wednesday and I'm still having pain.  He tells me it's a pinched nerve, but I'm wondering what my next step should be.  My husband (bless his heart) tells me this just goes along with my old age, but I just turned 40.  I'm not ready to hang it up yet.  Any suggestions?

[debbie]

Not to beat the topic of a pinched nerve to death, but about 3 weeks ago I started having pain just to the left of my right shoulder blade.  I also couldn't turn my head to the left or right (which makes me fun to drive with, since I can't look over my shoulder to change lanes!).  After about a week the pain started traveling down my left arm.  I put up with the pain for over a week and then finally scheduled an appointment with a chiropractor, even though I'd never been to one before.  I didn't know if it was a problem for my family physician, chiropractor, or someone else.  The chiropractor that was recommended to me said he thought a couple of visits would do the trick.  Now I'm on visit #7 with #8 scheduled for Wednesday and I'm still having pain.  He tells me it's a pinched nerve, but I'm wondering what my next step should be.  My husband (bless his heart) tells me this just goes along with my old age, but I just turned 40.  I'm not ready to hang it up yet.  Any suggestions?

[Dawson]

I have dizziness, pain in left side of my back and neck.  My left arm is sore and heavy sometimes burning sensations.  When the dizziness gets intense my left hand is ice cold. I have had it for nine months now.  What is it?

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Mr. Cooley:

I am sorry to hear about your nerve problem.  Likely, there is very little that can be done.  There is still an outside chance that the nerves might regenerate, but as time passes, this possibility becomes very remote.  

Sorry, there is really no good news.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Tara]

I know this is off subject but am curious to find out about this.  Do you know what a brain spasm is?  Is it similar to the pain you get from a migraine or all they both the same?  What kind of damage can you get from a brain spasm if it is not a migraine.

Thanks for any information you have to offer.

Tara

[Buddy Cooley]

I've had a total knee replacement last Sept. This was a2nd one on this knee. I have severe nerve damage in my foot . My foot is also numb. Kept telling Dr. I had very bad pain in this foot . Now 5 months later tells me the nerves are damaged .      waited to late for the nerves to be put back together. I would like to know is there any thing that can be done for this situation?