Toe and foot numbness from L5/S1 herniated disk

[demtlard]

Is there anything I can do to manage the numbness in my feet? Or for that matter managing the numbness anywhere?  I am assuming not.  

Recently I found out I have a herniated disk in the L5/S1.  I bent down to pick something up the other day, and after two months of feeling better my waste felt like it was jelly and I just about fell over from the pain. That part has pretty much subsided now, more quickly then it had before, which is odd. But I started having big toe numbness about 2 days prior to this, and I still have it now, it has been about 6 days. I had an acupuncture treatment today which helped for about 4-5 hours.  

My numbness is slowly spreading throughout my foot and it is especially noticeable when I lie down. Walking and standing are better then sitting or lying.

I take Solaxin 200mg and Naposin 250mg, once a day, they want me to take it three, but I do not think I need so much, I take it during my busy times of the day only.  I dont have much pain my back, it is tolerable, but the numbness really worries me as I do not want to have surgery.  The strength in my toes are fine so far. Both are equal.

Any suggestions?

[lahoriya]

Hey everyone,

I have had sciatic nerve pain in my lefty leg like 8 years ago, I didn't try many medicines or treatment in the start but when the pain worsened I tried some muscle relaxants.

I was cured after like 2 years of continuous pain, numbness etc. A year ago, I started to get it all back but in the right leg. I have my thumb/fingers totally numb almost all the times, no pain in the leg though. Right hip joint has severe pain but only at times, I am married and am 34. Dr once suggested diazepam which made me feel sleepy and stuff.

I might have thought of Acupuncture but there is a solution to BACK PAIN / NECK PAIN.... Its called cupping, just youtube it and you will see many videos. Get that done by an expert and it gives good results.

Ruptures, disc problems, pain... relief in a few months, if cupping is done at least once a month. I don't believe in medicines much and I guess sex makes the situation worse.

Anyone has a permanent solution, please share !!!

[willis1973]

Hi Mike

My experience is similar to yours.

I went to a Doctor about a week ago with extreme back and leg pain... had already diagnosed myself with herniated/ruptured disc causing sciactic pain in leg and feet. Doctor referred me to hospital where I requested an MRI which confirmed my diagnosis.

Pain was so strong I stayed in the hospital and 4 days ago they gave me a epidural steroid injection. So far have noticed relief of pain in my lower back  (which may be just due to rest and not the injection) but the nerve pain and numbness has not changed, and it is not only in my left foot and toes but all the way up the side of my left leg.

You say at day 9 after the injection the nerve pain is almost gone and only some numbness in toes remains.

I'm interested to know how long was it after the injection when you started to notice an improvement?

I'm hoping that its normal that it takes up to 4,5 or 6 days before improvement really starts to kick in.

I also note it has been a couple of weeks since your post, so I'm interested to hear how you are doing now? Also what kind of meds are you on?

Thanks,

Willis

[MikeL45]

I am 25 years old and am pretty active. During a baseball game a couple weeks ago my back started tightening up. There was no specific incident(collision or slide) that triggered it.  The days following the game my back started loosening up but the nerve going to my left leg started to bother me. 8 years ago, a piece of my vertebrae broke off and was resting on the nerve to my leg, i had the piece surgically removed, but nonetheless I recognized the recent pain in the nerve and knew it was a similar issue. As the week progress my leg pain worsened to the extent where I could not even sit, lie down, sleep, or even go to the bathroom. I went to the ER in such severe pain the following week that I nearly past out in the ER and literally wanted my leg amputated. I was rushed in for an MRI where they discovered a severely ruptured disc and it was almost completely constricting the nerve to my leg. The next day they gave me an epidural injection of steroids to try to help with the inflammation. I had absolutely no hopes for this after seeing just how bad the disc was ruptured and how much was extending into the nerve sack. I remained in the hospital for 2 days following the injection. It is now 10 days since I entered the ER, 9 days post injection, and the nerve pain is almost completely gone. However my toes are still numb and I am unable to lift my toes up. I can curl them down but not bend up.

I have yet to have my followup MRI to determine if the disc has being receding, and do not know if this injection is only a temporary solution. As of right now I would recommend this for anyone who this seems possible for. My concern is just getting the mobility in my toes/foot back since I am young and active, I dont want to live with a "dead foot".

I will update in the future with any information I get from the doctors since most people on this forum are asking questions and not posting answers. I am located in Boston so I am fortunate enough to have a lot of the best orthopedic surgeons in my area. If anyone has had something similar and knows if the mobility and numbness of my foot/toes will return, please reply, as not knowing is the worst part.

[damntoes]

i have developed numbness in my 3 outer toes on both feet. I have been given serveral diagnosis, one of which could be a herniated disc, i have no abnormal back pain but my left calf muscle is weak. My right toes occasionally come back to life and then are gone again. My left toes went numb 3 days ago and i have not felt them since. I am also unable to move the toes. Any ideas?

possible diagnosis 1. herniated disc 2. Guilliane-Barre syndrome 3. possible neurological damage

[Troylady]

I have disc degeneration of the L5S1 with symptoms starting as a burning sensation in my left toe (would wake me up every night) but now has turned into a  very sore left leg and hip for months now.  Suddenly now the tingling and numbness is in my right toe.  I tried an epi and PT, chiropractor and acupuncture,  but the one thing that has actually helped me manage the pain is swimming.  Really.  I swim for half an hour every other day and that way I can keep the pain somewhat under control.  The PT said that the buoyancy of the water is like traction.

[sc2006]

I have had left back and leg pain since Oct. 08-had PT, anti-inflammatories, 3 ESI's over the course of a year.  Started having right back and leg pain a week before surgery.  Had left L5-S1 microendoscopic disctectomy Jan 2010 and surgeon said my disc was in shreds.  Pain got somewhat better but continued to alternate right and left back and legs. Did repeat MRI and showed mild perineural scarring.  Went to chiropracter recently who did accupunture, stretching, and manipulation.  Had another ESI on right side.  My right side is bothering me worse than left with numbness and tingling down to toes.  I am currently taking Neurontin, Aleve, flexaril, and sometime hydrocodone.  This pain and numbness is driving me crazy and is chronic.  I am only 29 years old and ready to have children.  I'm concerned the chiropractor aggravated something worse.  I hope tere is no reherniation.  Any advice??