Need help with pain

[Gameczar]

Well, to give some background info, I'm 17.  I've had two surgeries on my left knee and I have a third coming up on my right.  I also have sciatica in my right leg.  I'm planning on seeing a doctor Wednesday for the sciatica.  I've developed a minor case of arthritis in both of my knees and meniscus tears.  A few months ago, my right leg started hurting worse and worse.  At first it was the problem with my knee, and then a month later the sciatica.  At first I was able to deal with the pain and get through it.  But since about a week ago, the pain from the sciatic nerve became unbearable.  The only way I can get through it is by icing the bottom of my thigh, a heating pad on my back, and elevating my leg.  Walking around hurts after a little bit but GREATLY reduces the pain when I lie back down.  I swap between Advil and Excedrin migraine relief (which helps better than most other over the counter pain meds).  

I was hoping for help/advice on two things.
1) Pain relief for when I'm walking.  I can't go to the mall with my friends, can't play basketball, and just getting around the house is painful sometimes.  
2) Pain relief for the morning.  The pain through my entire leg is excruciating when I wake up and takes over an hr to get all the way back down.  I normally can't sleep for more than 2-3 hrs at a time and it is very difficult to get to sleep at all.

I would much prefer help with #2.  The pain sometimes is so severe that I end up crying, hitting the wall/dresser/shelves with my fists repeatedly, or even clawing at the general area.  I've been in constant physical pain since I was 13 when I had my first surgery, so I do have a fairly high pain tolerance, but this is worse than I could have imagined.

Any advice or suggestions would be nice and very much appreciated.  I wouldn't bother asking but I really can't wait the 4 days until my appointment.  

[Gameczar]

Well, went to the doctor.  He prescribed nabumetone, 1500 mg once a day and the pain is better.  He set up an MRI and an electric nerve test.  I noticed in the past few days that my ankle is slightly insensitive, I don't feel that numb is the correct way of describing it.  Also since yesterday whenever I walk around for longer than 2 minutes it feels like the nerve in top-mid part of my calf is being pinched by something, sometimes sharp, sometimes dull, and that it's being tugged backwards.  

[Gameczar]

Thank you for the reply.  Yes, my dad knows about the pain but I'm not sure he knows how bad it hurts.  He is in pain himself, more than me (he has stripped nerves in his leg and back) and it seems like he thinks that it is not as serious as I make it sound so he hasn't taken me to a clinic or anything similar.  Thanks for the advice about talking to the pharmacist, I'll be sure to go to the pharmacy around noon.  Also, can you think of any position to sleep in that could reduce the pain when I wake up?  

-Sean

[Tuckamore]

Hi and Welcome to the Pain Management Forum.

I am so very sorry to hear about your acute pain. You seem to be doing all the things that I would suggest as home remedies. Consider talking to your local pharmacist for any suggestions he/she may have for treating your pain.

As you are a minor what is your parents input? I assume the know how extreme you pain levels have become.

You might want to discuss a rip to your local Urgent Care Facility. They may be able to offer you some temporary pain relief. I agree four days can be a very long period of time when your pain is so extreme. Sciatic pain can be debilitating!

I know that you are young and going to the Mall and those kind of activities are important to you. However for the time being you may just have to lay low. There are no magic fixes for your condition. Don't forget to talk to your parents... I am sure they do not want you to suffer with this extreme pain.

I wish you the best and sincerely hope you will be able to find better pain relief. Please keep us updated.

Take Care,
~Tuck