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.

[kencat]

My boyfriend has surgery for a tethered cord on Dec. 17, 2007.  He has pain and numbness in both legs, the pain is so severe at times... they told him to take Neurotin and it has not helped him at all.   Is there any other meds out there or a procedure that would help him, the doctor seems to think he has nerve damage from the cord pressing on his nerves for 3 years.   Can anyone help or offer advice, it would be so greatly appreciated.

Cat

[ZAHID]

I was told to have my MRI taken by E-Surgeon due to back pain which traveled down towards my leg. and foot right side .after seeing the MRI report i was told to have surgery .I had a second opinion result was the same friend of mine took me to see   Orthopedic surgeon his remarks were that i dont need a surgery instead i should take a shot as i was laying on the couch pain was irritating me and  itried to move to one side i heard a cracling sound in my back spine i was in sereve pain Orthopedic S injected morphine injection in my left arm .the next day all pain was gone but leg and foot are still numb its 8 days still no back ,leg or foot pain since then i had seen another E-surgeon who said i dont need surgery but wants me to have another MRI limited plus suger and cholesterol test which i do on monday hope positive results come out

[drnll62]

I have had disk replacement surgery on my l5 s1 and i am still in pain. i just had a fce done and my lower back is swollen and the numbness has tripled down my left leg.could that be permanent nerve damage?

[idesofmarch]

Ditto the only thing that helped me, my husband and my son was surgery! L5S1 for all of us. Neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon will do.

[bjquil]

I can't believe they told you not to have one done as it would make the pain worse!!!  If they had told me that i probably wouldn't have had it done.  i did go by the hospital and picked up the disk with my x-rays and st scans on it.  i have also put a call into my dr to see if they rec'd the diagnosis letter yet.  the dr prescribed lyrica however my insurance denied it as being experimental for the condition being treated (back pain) - i've heard from numerous people that this is great and helps reduce the amount of pain meds taken.  right now i am taking 2 tramadols every 3-4 hours and 1 tizanidine every 4 hours and 2 at night to help me sleep.  sleeping is really a pain - i've told the dr that i wake up anywhere from 2-4 times during the night with severe back pain.  only a couple of weeks left before i see the neurosurgeon.

good luck to you

[spackle]

Sorry to hear your mylogram went so bad. I went to a doctor last year to see if anything more could be done for me. He said most likely not and that he would have to do a mylogram to really give me a definate answer but recomended not to do one because it would increase my pain. After reading what you have said I am glad I didnt do it. Hope all your other tests go well. Here is wishing you freedom from pain.