Tingling in both legs

[ifigeniazen]

Hi. I am a woman. 46 years old. I am 5'6". 135lbs. I have more than 20 years suffering from my back. Most of the time my coccix. I have had many years without crisis until I have an histerectomy in april 2006. I have had 3 crisis of lumbago. The last one, past 1st. january 2008, last more days, like 2 weeks, i had sciatica in both legs, and tingling. The pain gone, the sciatica too, but I still have the tingling in both legs. The MRI said about 2 discal protrusion, ona full L4-L5, another discret bt L5-S1. I have visited 2 neurologist. One said, my tingling is not related to the protrusion, and prescribe me cortisone, B complex, Lyrica and amitriptiline. I havent taken them. The other neurologist said, my tingling is related to my protrusion. He suggested me to reduce 10 pounds (recover my average, exercise to strengh my back and abdominals, and B complex.). Now, I have like 5 weeks with the tingling. Still have some tender points in my back and buttocks. I will appreciate your opinion. Thanks in advance.

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hi.

Your concern about Neurontin is apt. But you can always reduce the dose or stop it if you see a weight gain. Neurontin is not a definitive treatment. You won't lose anything if you stop it.

Go in for an MRI. Let the Neurologist rule out different possibilities. It helps if you follow the advice. It helps to build a good rapport.

You should then ask him about the plan of action for the lumbar spine problem.

Regards

[ifigeniazen]

I had the electromyography  yesterday. The neurologist said evething is ok in my legs. Very goog conduction, excelent strength in my legs. His opinion is the tingling can be related to disk or to the central nervous system. He sent me to do craneal MRI. But, he only prescribed me Neurontin. I read about all the secondary effects of this drugs, and I am very scared to start with this. It seems treatment has to be for a long time. I dont want to gain weight, because this is not good for my disk. My low back is starting to hurt again, maybe because I already begin my pilates class again. All this situation make me feel so nervous and sad. I really dont know what to do.

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

The present symptoms of yours do appear to be due to the disc protrusion. The MRI should be able to tell the exact direction of protrusion. If the protrusion is impinging upon the intervertebral foramen or the nerve roots, you will get the symptoms.

You could get a nerve conduction study done for the lower limb. It will tell which nerves are not working well.

The suggestion by OSS55 is also good. It will be good to rule out arthritis.

Regards

[OSS55]

The Lyrica and Amitriptyline are both used as Pain Blockers, and they are both very good medications for doing so.  I used to be on Amitriptyline.  Now just on Lyrica for my chronic burning pain from my sensory neuropathy.  I would take them as they were prescribed, as they will help you with the tingling and nerve pain.  I am 55 and also have Moserate Lumbar Spondylosis.  Much of my neck and spine (tailbone) pain turned out to be Arthritis.  You might want to see an Arthritis doctor as well.

Blessings -