follow up on can a mri miss a herniated disc

[tinkerbel14]

Hi im new to this, i had replies to the first question i put which was ( can a mri miss a herniated disc). I did reply to questions but not sure if i done it properly so here goes again.  Yes i have had epidurals i have 4 children all by c section and they tried the epidural each time but it didn't work all i felt was a cramp like pain down the left leg. With my last child whom is 5 i also got sterilised so they insisted on trying the epidural again along with the spinal block the spinal block has always worked well. Then 15 month ago when i had my hysterectomy i had the spinal block combined with the epidural and it seemed to work well this time only my left leg took 24hours longer to come to and it still doesn't feel right. I have had sciatica before and lower back ache but now i am suffering bad pain in my left buttock and down my leg i have had a few falls which has resulted in me hurting my knee im currently waiting for mri on the knee. I can't lay on my left side i get burning sensations in my back hip and knee and the outside of my left leg still feels numb and the last to toes i can't move properly and do not feel the movement. I am currently waiting to go to the pain management clinic but im sure they think its in my head. I am on Dihydrocodiene which doesn't stop the pain it merely helps it. Really want to come off them and get something that would help me free from pain so i could walk and play with my kids getting so frustrated now. Any advise is welcome. Many thaks for the replies to my previous question.

[caregiver222]

An MRI will not miss a hernmiated disc, as zlundbe stated.

The left buttock and leg pain are classic pains characteristic of inflammation of the sciatic nerve.

This pain does not respond to opiates. They are inappropriate. It responds to anti-inflammatories and a program of special exercises.

A TENS device is also helpful.

Do a search on "sciatica" on Medhelp and on google.

[zlundbe]

First, an MRI should not miss a herniated disc (but there are bad doctors, like all professions). If the numbness/pain has been continuous since your last epidural it could be peripheral nerve damage from the anesthetics, but not likely. Your probably just experiencing muscle tension in your buttocks/thigh creating nerve compression, most likely piriformis syndrome. I would look for some form of muscle therapy (PT, chiropractic, massage) whatever your most comfortable with.

Good luck