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18yr Old Undiagnosed Pain in Leg
I’m a 18 year old male, who has had 4 years of severe, chronic leg pain. Currently, I have seen over 19 doctors and not one can lay a single or even multiple diagnoses on. Right now, I sit at a neuropathy diagnoses, and a bunch of other random, none conclusive diagnoses.
My pain is in my left leg and only my left leg. It’s beyond severe now. A sharp pain can sometimes arise in my left buttocks. Constantly an aching, burning pain flows through the back of my thigh and as far as down to the back of my knee. The pain skips the top of my shin, but continues down the left side of my shin to my ankle. It then picks up to a burning/tingling sensation at the end of my heel/middle of my foot. It can go as far as my toes, but usually settles in the ball of my left foot, and this pain can be aching, burning or tingling depending on “God knows What.” I also, lately, have been having a new pain which arose in the entire bottom of my foot. it feels like a pool of blood is just resting in the arch of my foot. When I touch it or put pressure on it, my foot feels as if a cold wind suddenly is blowing on it. It’s a very strange pain but now has brought my to using my cane again, because once I put pressure on it, it hurts.
When I sit, my feet turn blue/purple, yes both of my feet, and though remember I only have pain in the left. Also, my knees turn blue/purple, and both my feet/knees are cold, freezing cold, always.
I have sensitivity in both sides of my buttocks, if someone was to poke my cheek, I would hit the roof.
This pain, at sometimes, especially when sitting, can spike to such a severity, that I would seriously rather prefer death.
At first they thought it was L5 herniated disc, or any disc above that. I’ve had over 4 MRIs, disproving any herniation, and also an EMG study, which came back extraordinarily good. Still though, I had a lumbar block, 3 of them for the L5 disc, which did nothing. So then I went onwards. I was then told that I was too skinny by a orthopedic and to do extensive physical therapy, well I was sorry that my metabolism was so extravagant, but I did enlist myself into physical therapy (for the third time.) Then again, it did nothing for me. I then went to a neurosurgeon, who thought that I may have a clear case of Piriformis Syndrome, which threw me, but after explanation, I believed that I may have had it. So I followed through with a series of Piriformis injections, which did very little. I also had a trigger point injection, which was terrible, but did nothing. So then I followed through with Piriformis surgery, in which they dissected my Piriformis muscle. They found a tethered nerve entrapment, (sciatic) and a small problem with the muscle, the surgeon then corrected it. The surgery was rough but I did it, and that was 6 months ago.
No positive reactions resulted from the surgery. I’m still miserable, if not worse.
I’ve also been in pain management all along this time, about 2 years. Since I didn’t get better, my pain management doctor thought maybe just maybe I had RSD, so we did a lumbar sympathetic block, which also, did nothing. I again recently had another one of these. Also I have done many steroid injections in all different areas. As well as acupuncture, all of this did not help.
My medications: I have done steroid schedules, I have done Lyrica/Neurontin which neither helped it almost seemed like the Lyrica made it worse, I am currently on: Valium (muscle), Oxycodone 5 mg, Percacet, Morphine (MS CONTIN),), and Tramadol. Pain killer’s help, but they don’t cure, we all know this…
RSD, Discs hierniations, Piriformis, and pretty much anything practical has been ruled out.
Please, if a doctor has any idea what I may have, I will worship the ground you walk on. I dumbfound doctors for some reason. My doctor thinks possibly a Spinal Cord Stimulator is my next step. I DON’T WANT THIS, I’M 18 YEARS OLD. Please help.
Thank you for reading, TwistedBen
My pain is in my left leg and only my left leg. It’s beyond severe now. A sharp pain can sometimes arise in my left buttocks. Constantly an aching, burning pain flows through the back of my thigh and as far as down to the back of my knee. The pain skips the top of my shin, but continues down the left side of my shin to my ankle. It then picks up to a burning/tingling sensation at the end of my heel/middle of my foot. It can go as far as my toes, but usually settles in the ball of my left foot, and this pain can be aching, burning or tingling depending on “God knows What.” I also, lately, have been having a new pain which arose in the entire bottom of my foot. it feels like a pool of blood is just resting in the arch of my foot. When I touch it or put pressure on it, my foot feels as if a cold wind suddenly is blowing on it. It’s a very strange pain but now has brought my to using my cane again, because once I put pressure on it, it hurts.
When I sit, my feet turn blue/purple, yes both of my feet, and though remember I only have pain in the left. Also, my knees turn blue/purple, and both my feet/knees are cold, freezing cold, always.
I have sensitivity in both sides of my buttocks, if someone was to poke my cheek, I would hit the roof.
This pain, at sometimes, especially when sitting, can spike to such a severity, that I would seriously rather prefer death.
At first they thought it was L5 herniated disc, or any disc above that. I’ve had over 4 MRIs, disproving any herniation, and also an EMG study, which came back extraordinarily good. Still though, I had a lumbar block, 3 of them for the L5 disc, which did nothing. So then I went onwards. I was then told that I was too skinny by a orthopedic and to do extensive physical therapy, well I was sorry that my metabolism was so extravagant, but I did enlist myself into physical therapy (for the third time.) Then again, it did nothing for me. I then went to a neurosurgeon, who thought that I may have a clear case of Piriformis Syndrome, which threw me, but after explanation, I believed that I may have had it. So I followed through with a series of Piriformis injections, which did very little. I also had a trigger point injection, which was terrible, but did nothing. So then I followed through with Piriformis surgery, in which they dissected my Piriformis muscle. They found a tethered nerve entrapment, (sciatic) and a small problem with the muscle, the surgeon then corrected it. The surgery was rough but I did it, and that was 6 months ago.
No positive reactions resulted from the surgery. I’m still miserable, if not worse.
I’ve also been in pain management all along this time, about 2 years. Since I didn’t get better, my pain management doctor thought maybe just maybe I had RSD, so we did a lumbar sympathetic block, which also, did nothing. I again recently had another one of these. Also I have done many steroid injections in all different areas. As well as acupuncture, all of this did not help.
My medications: I have done steroid schedules, I have done Lyrica/Neurontin which neither helped it almost seemed like the Lyrica made it worse, I am currently on: Valium (muscle), Oxycodone 5 mg, Percacet, Morphine (MS CONTIN),), and Tramadol. Pain killer’s help, but they don’t cure, we all know this…
RSD, Discs hierniations, Piriformis, and pretty much anything practical has been ruled out.
Please, if a doctor has any idea what I may have, I will worship the ground you walk on. I dumbfound doctors for some reason. My doctor thinks possibly a Spinal Cord Stimulator is my next step. I DON’T WANT THIS, I’M 18 YEARS OLD. Please help.
Thank you for reading, TwistedBen
Update - I've been taking prednisone and been recently perscribed to Methadone, The prednisone seems to have been helping just my broken foot type pain, lessening the burning, but it didn't really help the overall intensity of the pain. I've taken prednisone and steroids in the past with no relief, but this time it seemed to help just a tad for now I can walk slightly on my foot.
Strange, but physically if I would stretch or place my leg in certain postions or W/E, I dont get striken with pain, that's why I dont think I have sciatica, but maybe, if you could tell me, there may be no physical trigger of pain as well? Like a stretch or w/e.
Also I'm never physically detered, like I dont HAVE to lay in bed because I can't move my legs, but I have to lay in bed because of how much pain I suffer. No matter how bad the pain really is it never deters me physically, only mentally... which I also think is odd and not usual.
Thanks for replying twice though Bubbly
Also I'm never physically detered, like I dont HAVE to lay in bed because I can't move my legs, but I have to lay in bed because of how much pain I suffer. No matter how bad the pain really is it never deters me physically, only mentally... which I also think is odd and not usual.
Thanks for replying twice though Bubbly
Hi with plantar fascitis, the only promblem i have is when standing, ie putting pressure on it. Also with Sciatica yes it can get that bad, i have spent many days totally laid up with the pain unable to walk, when its been really bad, i have had people had to help me to walk as i cant put pressure on my legs. Sciatica can get so bad it can land you in a wheelchair if you are not careful.. I have never injured myself not even a broken leg. I am of excellent health otherwise. Sciatica can strike anyone of any age at any time. I was in my early 20s now im 38 and like you it came out of nowhere. Tc
I looked up Planter Fascitis and most of the cases seem physical, I don't really have any physical problems, I am 18 years old like I said, the only problem physically that I have now is that I can't put pressure on the flat of my foot and the pain gets worse over the course of the day.
Sciatica seems to be what I have, but is it this bad? the pain is not miniscule, and why would I have it, I have never injured myself badly, I broke my leg once when i was VERY young and have had shingles when I was very young as well.
Thanks for your reply.
Sciatica seems to be what I have, but is it this bad? the pain is not miniscule, and why would I have it, I have never injured myself badly, I broke my leg once when i was VERY young and have had shingles when I was very young as well.
Thanks for your reply.
Correction to my post: RSD Hasn't neccessarily been ruled out, we still don't know but in terms of the injections for RSD, they never helped, so as far as my doctors and I know, I may not have it.
Hi This sounds like what i have Sciatica like you ive had all the tablets, pain clininc, injections etc. Ive found the only thing to help is HYDROTHERAPY, your Physio should be able to sort this out for you, if not gentle swimming can help to keep you mobile. Sciatica also travels to the feet, which can lead to a condition called PLANTER FASCITIS, your physio can check you for this, orthotics and exercises can be helpful, also strapping your feet for support. Hope this helps.
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