L5-SI back pain - sciatic nerve

[bjquil]

I have an L5-SI protruding annulus - with sciatic nerve damage on the left side (numbness in left leg). I am being seen at a pain management center and am in the middle of havng shots in my back. I have had a total of 4 so far - each one being in different areas.  After each injection they tell me it will take a few days for the shots to take affect, however I hurt worse and the pain intensifies.  The last shots I had were the worst - I know have numbness in the right side - the shot must have hit the sciatic nerve.  Now I have numbness in both legs.  I am taking tramado hcl 50mg and tizanidine hcl 4mg for the pain and muscle spasms.  I have an ulcer and am limited on what I take. Trying to sleep at night is stressful, I wake up every 2 - 3 hours in extreme pain.  I went through PT and that did not help - i was in more pain after wards.
I would like to hear from someone who has similar problems and what they have done.

[idesofmarch]

The only thing that helped me when I had L5S1 ruptured disk into the nerve sac was surgery.  The longer you wait the damage to the nerve gets worse and will take longer to heal.  In my case surgery wasn't done for a year, I had 5 very stupid doctors with 5 stupid opinions, and the damage done to the nerve was mild but never really totally went away. I still have bouts of sciatica 21 yrs after the surgery.  I know there are many great changes now but I don't know of any one who had success with the shots when the herniation went into the nerves.  I have had many shots in my butt and in my back for various reasons and 75% of them did nothing good.  The same for many people that I know that also had the shots.  See a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon for a consult.  Good Luck to you.

[bjquil]

thanks - i will check with my primary doctor and see what he says - thanks for your info -

[embla_2010]

It sounds like you def need to see a Neuro surgeon due to the location.

Do you know anyone that may know of a good one in your area ?

[StephieBee]

My situation is very similar to yours, except my pain comes and goes.

First, I was wondering if the PM doc you were seeing is a specialist in Spinal Procedures only?  My Rheumy wanted me to see one to get epidurals...but he only did spinal procedures and thats it.

Second, if they numbness continues then Im going with embla on this one...I would find a neurologist.  Maybe a neuro would be able to run some tests to see if there is any nerve damage that would be causing the numbness and tingling.

[bjquil]

the doc i see is a specialist - they did the test on my leg and found nerve damage.  they do a lot more than just back problems - they also do headache problems too.  i'm in the KC area and the place i go to is the headache and pain center.  i just had a check up with my primary doctor and asked him a bunch of questions about the treatments i am receiving.  he said the place is really good and he has quite a few patience that go there - the only thing he did tell me is that the amount of pain i am in that maybe i should consider surgery.  my pain is constant at about a 7 - 10 every day/night.  i have another appt with the treament center this week and i will speak to them about the further treatments, etc.  i'm just tired of being in pain constantly.  my primary doc did give me talwin nx to take instead of the tramadol - he said it is a little stronger and should help with my sleeping at night.  

[bjquil]

i had my visit with the pain management today - they have referred me to a neurosurgery - will have to have an mri done in the meantime and then set appt with them.  pain is still severe - let me know what i can expect.

thanks

[mourningpain]

I have had 5 surgeries on my L5-s1. The first lasted 4 years with no pain.Subsequently I needed another, this time i was not so lucky. Ihad a neurosurgeon, that i trusted very much, I worked with in the ER, I saw this surgeon do a craniotomy in the middle of the trauma,this is unheard of. Anyway, she was definitly qualified to do a simple discectomy. She "accidently" severed my L5-S1 nerve. Leavingmy right leg paralyzed. After I was releasedfrom the hosptial and she left town. I found a really great surgeon and after 3 surgeries he was able to fix some of the damage. The moral of all of this is please please check the background of your surgeon VERY carefully. You never know what your getting.

[bjquil]

thanks for the insight - sorry to hear that you have gone through so much.  i'm a little nervous with all this - i live in the KC area and there are bound to be great docs here - i'll have to check with my primary and see what he says.  i would rather have the myelogram done somewhere else than the pain management center - don't get me wrong they are great it's just they are not in my network and it's really pricey - will let you know what happens next - thanks!

[bjquil]

i am having problems getting my rx's refilled - the pharmacy called the pain mgmt and the nurse called me - i explained to her the way i have been taking the pain meds is not how the doc prescribes them - i also told her that i have informed the doc about this for the last 2 months - she was horrified when i told her i was taking 2 - 3 tramadols every 3-4 hours for the pain and not getting the relief i should - she said she will discuss with him tomorrow and may call my primary doc as i do need to be on something stronger (narcotics!) as the pain has increased over 100%!!  hopefully i can get something to help ease the pain more - before i went to the pain mgmt my other doc had me on hydrocodone and i was on that for 6 months - been on tramadol for 3 months - the hydrocodone did better but i went through 30 (blue tabs - higher strenght) in 7 days - i even told the nurse that - she about flipped -  i think it's about time they actually listen to me -

wish me luck - i only want to be pain free and doing the things i used to do -

[bjquil]

3/22 i have an appt at the hospital to have the myelogram done - then i have an appt on 4/17 to see a neurosurgeon - the pain mgmt center and my primary are in talks to see if they can get me something more stronger than the tramadol until i get into the neurosurgeon - i have the nerve damage in my left leg and now i am experiencing numbness in my right leg (not all the time) i don't mind the left leg but it sure makes a difference when you drive and really don't know if your foot is on the excelerator - luckily i drive a big ford bronco (like OJ's except it's a standard) so it's not like driving a regular stick -

if you have any insights please let me know - thanks -

[spackle]

I had the exact same problem as you. I will tell you what happend to me and let you decide. After 3 years of on again off again pain in my left leg (ranging from moderate to through the roof) and numbness I finally elected to have surgery at "The hospital for special surgery