Apr 06, 2008 01:00PM
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InI November of last year, I was diagnosed with a muscle spasm and given some advil to take. After about 10 days, I began to feel better and was able to walk more. However, at that time, I developed a terrible pain in my right thigh and was unable to walk more than 1 minute. I went to a doctor at my Hmo and told hime I believe this is sciatica.
He wrongly diagnosed me as a pulled muscle in my back. After the second week I went to a physical therapist with the hmo. By then, I had numbness in my right foot and ankle. After getting a referral I was allowed to see a specialist at the hmo. An mri was taken - had large bulging disk at l4l5
I was given a 6 day tablet (cortisoid steriod). After a couple of days my leg pain and foot numbnes was gone. However, the 6 days completed, though my right leg was much better and I was able to walk more, a foot problem began - when I drive a car - symptons include a stiffness, squeezing, tightness, spasm, cramp in my foot, on top, on the ball and or the toes. It makes it very difficult to drive. I also experince these symptons while sitting but not all the time.
I went to a chiropracter and had spinal deocmpression. He helped these symptons in my foot somewhat but still have the problem. He also tried various foot manipulations which helped a little. He tried laser and electrical impules.
The problems persists - the foot symptons make driving a nightmare - but one must drive to survive. My back does not hurt. Well, sometimes after walking a while I have some stiffnes in my lower back but I stretch and feel better and walk someone.
The main problem is not being able to drive a car any amount of distance - I have started with a acupuncture person but only because of desperation.]
I went to a neurosurgion at the hmo - he did not recommend surgery at this time, because, he said it does not always 'do well with foot problems'. He sent me to a physical therapist at the hmo who only prescribed back exercises.
I went to anothe neurosurgion outside of the hmo who does endosocpic discetomy. Yes, he wanted to do the surgery. Howeve the chiropract said I might have nerve damage as did the other specialist a the hmo - if that is the case I don't know if having the surgery and spending allot of money would help the foot.
Now, I have asked the hmo for a epidural injection thinking that it is inflammation caused by the bulge disk and pressure of the sciatic nerve. I was told by the nurse when making the apppointment that first there will be a consult before the injection and the doctor will decide if he thinks it will help. this doctor, I was told is an anesthigologist. Not a neurosurgeon. Maybe he sees so many patients with back problems that he knows about things things.
I am desperate for help and advice.
Al
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