Lower back or hip pain that generates to the thigh area

[Debbie St. Ange]

For about two years now I began having pain in my hip area, and around the end of my spine.  It is not a sharp pain, rather dull and strange.  There are time when it feels as if my spine is separating at the hips if I stand too long. This pain also generates to the pelvic area.  Making a bowel movement is sometime a chore, because the pain is there.  Walking accessively brings on the pain in the hips and thighs.  Xrays have revealed inflamation in the lower spine area, which my doctor diagnosed as arthritis.  I have been put on anti inflamatory pain medication, This is a chronic conditions that never goes away.  I have notice that this discomfort lessens around the time for my period.  I will be 49 years old this year, and I am wondering does hormones have anything to do with this condition.  Please help.

[Ruth Proffitt [email protected]]

I have had severe lower back pain which seems to go into my right hip and down my leg. It also if I walk the mall my right foot goes completely numb and I must sit down for 30 minutes or so to regain the feeling. I really could usr advise. I have been told that my neck has buldging dics, could this affect my lower body?

[John Moschetta ([email protected]]

Dear Bertha,

My wife had a serious auto accident about four years ago suffering two shattered discs resulting in leg paralysis and severe foot-drop.  Subsequent surgery was performed and was successful in alleviating the paralysis, however, the pain became even more severe.  Until about three months ago she was loaded with narcotics and analgesics but none worked.  Caring for our son (now five) was nearly impossible.  Then my father-in-law began using a mineral supplement to help his artheritis and got such good results that my wife tried it too.  After just two days the pain was 90% better and is now gone completely.  The supplement is a substance called methylsulphonylmethane which is just biological sulphur.  Its not sulpha or sulphite!  Its the same stuff we get in food but these days we don't get enough of it.  We were so impressed that we became distributors for a company called "All That's Natural".  Because of what it did for our family and friends we have a strong conviction about this product.  Its non-toxic and has no known side-effects. Please, feel free to contact us and we'll get you some information.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Debbie:

I am sorry about your sister, however, with a normal MRI it is difficult to give any advice.  I would think that the best thing to do is get a second opinion from a very good neurologist.  The physical exam might help localize the area of pain generation.  The fact that a spinal block didn't help, together with the MRI suggests that the pain is not coming from the spinal column.  It may be more outside the spinal cord, in the perpherial nerve.

CCF Neuro MD

[debbie]

My sister for the last 3 weeks has sever lower back pain that
goes down into her hip and leg to her knee.  She had xrays and
a MRI but they show nothing.  Her pain is so great that she has
been able to sit, walk or sleep.  They did a block to no avail.
She describes the pain as if something is ripping away.
Where does she go from here.  Her blood pressure is way up because of the pain.  Pain killers and inflamation drugs don't
help.  The doctor says they can tell there is inflamation but
don't know what is causing it.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Patti Huffman:

It is so difficult for us to diagnosis problems without the benefit of seeing the MRI films and doing the physical exam.  I think what you need is to sit down with your neurologist and go over these questions with him/her.  Although it does seem that there is a nerve problem, without knowing the spinal level, cervical, thoracic, or lumbar it is difficult to tell you if the area where you had your surgery is the culprit.  I would have a talk with your neurologist and see what he/she has to say.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[patti huffman]

I HAVE HAD 2 LAMENECOMIES.  LAST WITH HORIZONTAL SPINAL FUSION AT 4 &5 WHERE THEY FOUND LOTS OF NERVE DAMAGE AND ARTHRITIS.   1ST OPERATION WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY.I CONTINUE TO HAVE SEVERE PAIN BUT NOT NEARLY TO THE DEGREE I HAD WHERE I WAS TOTALLY BED-RIDDEN. CRUSHED DISCS & INSTABILITY.  WHAT BOTHERS ME MOST NOW IS THE NUMBNESS THAT OCCURS SOMETIMES AT BUTTOCKS OR SOMETIMES EVEN VAGINAL. I MANY TIMES HAVE NO CONTROL OVER BOWEL MOVEMENTS. IT IS LIKE THAT AREA BECOMES NUMB ALSO. I AM CONSTANTLY WORRIED ABOUT IT AND I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO CHANGE UNDERCLOTHING. NO DOCTORS HAVE HAD A CLUE AS TO WHY..OR WHAT I CAN DO.  THIS IS AFFECTING MY LIFE CONSIDERABLY. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO WHAT COULD BE OCCURING. WHEN I SIT FOR LONG PERIODS THAT IS WHEN BUTTOCKS/VAGINA BECOME NUMB. HOWEVER...ALTHOUGH  BOWEL PROBLEMS HAPPEN AT ANYTIME, I NOTICE THEY ARE MORE LIKELY AFTER STANDING/WALKING ANY LENGTH OF TIME AND AFTER LIFTING GROCERIES ETC. THANKS