Hi! I've been told I have chronic nerve damage in my L3/L4 L5/S1, mild on left and moderate on right. The pain most the time on my left is bad but tolerable and at times excruciating! I was told it will probably progress in time. Two neurosurgeons have said they can't fix what's basically already dying. I can't return to work because I can't walk, sit or stand for very long without having to lay down with my knees up. Does anyone else have this problem? What should I expect for my future? Will I walk some days and be in a wheelchair or walker the next day then a walk again depending on the pain and function of my nerves? Help!
I have also experienced similar pain in my L4/L5 spine. I had this acute pain from my buttock all down my right leg. The pain got so bad I could only walk a few steps, and eventually I had to used a wheelchair when outside my home. I waited a year after having an MRI and CT scan and eventually had my spine operation in April this year. This operation was to move the trapped nerves away from the spinal disc.
I'm pleased to tell you that the operation went well and after a short course of physio I am pleased to tell you that I am in no pain and out of my wheelchair!
i had been on so many painkillers and found then all useless. Eventually the hospital put me on Oramorph which is a liquid morphine. This was very good and helped a lot. At first I was taking Oramorph 4 times a day but now, after my op I don't take it at all!
The good news is that yesterday I saw the Consultant surgeon who is pleased that my scar on my spine has healed and he has discharged me from his care.
i believe the operation is called a Discetomy. Hope I've spelt that correctly!
i cannot believe you have been told your problem cannot be fixed! You should be referred to an Orthopaedic Consultant. He told me the cause of this chronic pain was because of a "prolapsed disc pressing on my nerve roots".
This really, in my opinion, is a case for orthopaedics!
Good luck and best wishes for the future.
Hello Katrina, I also have the same thing. Iwill not go on about my problems but go back and ask for a nerve ablation as it may help if they can find any nerves that are causing you so much pain, also ask about if a laminectomy would benefit you.
Good Luck
Hi Katrina, When you are describing right, and left side pain, and with that, I'm imagining the upper butt area. I think you may be reffering to sciatica. For my sciatica, I get an RF ablation procedure in which the nerves are deadened with microwaves. It lasts about six months before it has to be done again, but it works for me. But that's just for the sciatica. For some people, they can do epidural injections in the discs. (I have a friend who said they worked great for him.) They won't do them for me because I have stenosis. If you are worried about future function of your legs, ask to have an EMG test, and nerve conduction study done.
Thank you! I did also see a Othopedic surgeon and they are telling me my MRI's don't show need for surgery. Even though I have compression fracture L5 with disc herniations. It's very aggravating!
I also have stenosis. I had an EMG done. Two neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons have said surgery can not help me. I have severe osteoporosis also with L5 compression fracture that won't heal and disc herniation. I go to pain management and get triggered point injections every month but are becoming useless. Thank you for your response. I will ask about the RF procedure you mentioned.
Thank you!
Trigger point injections are not the same thing. I also get them, but in my case, those are muscular injections in my upper back, to soften and loosen the muscles up, from constantly trying to compensate for issues with my lower back. I was reffering to steroid injections. I to have many lower back issues, that I'm avoiding going into depth on.
I do get cortisone injections if that's what your referring too. Thank you.
Bonjour Katrina, j'éprouve certaines des mêmes choses que toi, il y a presque toujours une sorte de douleur de mon côté gauche. Marcher est une tâche la plupart du temps, surtout marcher pendant une certaine durée. Je suis également en arrêt de travail car je travaille dans un magasin de détail et je suis debout toute la journée. Mon médecin n'est toujours pas sûr de ce qui provoque ma douleur et j'attends actuellement de passer une IRM. Je trouve la douleur et les sensations que j'ai dans ma jambe/hanche/genou difficiles à expliquer. Cela peut être une question bizarre, mais tes articulations (surtout ton genou pour moi) semblent-elles craquer/claquer beaucoup ?
No I don't have any popping. Are you seeing a neurologist? If so have you had a EMG test done to check your nerves? Some days I hurt worse then others. Nerve pain is horrible! Good luck with your MRI!
Je ne consulte que mon médecin traitant, il a demandé que je fasse un scanner, mais ils ont répondu qu'un IRM serait plus adapté pour moi. Certains jours sont pires que d'autres pour moi aussi. Je suis allé faire une petite promenade aujourd'hui, en chemin vers l'endroit où nous allions, je commençais à avoir un peu de douleur et un certain inconfort, mais sur le chemin du retour, j'ai cru que j'allais tomber à quelques reprises. J'avais mal et une certaine raideur, et ma fesse était engourdie pendant un moment. Mon médecin m'a prescrit un type d'antidépresseur pour traiter la douleur nerveuse, jusqu'à ce que j'aie les résultats de mon IRM et que je sache ce qui se passe vraiment.