Does anyone have a sciatic nerve that is "tender to the touch"? +update

[chefjosh]

Most of you probably already know my story, but for those who don't, here's a quick recap.

After about 1 year of hip, knee (mostly behind the knee), and foot pain, I had a laminectomy at l5-s1 about 4 weeks ago. Following that, my pain got far worse and I developed lots of wonderful new symptoms...anyhow I had a quick question about one of those new symptoms.

My sciatic nerve is now painful to the touch. It is mostly in my butt and my calf, but if i go digging for it along my hamstring I can find it's tender there as well...

I discovered this symptom upon trying to sit down on the toilet, a little erabarrassing, but what the heck, we're all frienRAB. As soon as my left butt cheek hit the seat, every part of my left leg screamed out in pain. Obviously this isn't normal, but has anyone else experienced this kind of nerve pain? is it simple irritation or something more?

Also just a quick update for those who have been offering me support through this process (especially MM!)...my ESI may have helped a little, maybe 10% when all was said and done, so the doc has ordered another myelogram, and put a rush on the whole business. I spoke to him yesterday about where I was and how I was feeling, and he ordered the myelogram immediately, scheduled it for this afternoon, and scheduled a follow-up appt to review the results for tomorrow morning. His concern obviously has me more than a bit concerned, but I am trying to keep positive and hope that today is the day we figure out what's causing my pain and tomorrow is the day we make a plan to eliminate it.

I hope everyone else is feeling okay...Don't give up hope!

-josh

"keep on keepin' on..."

 

[mznell]

Hi Josh ~

Wow, your doc IS interested in seeing what's going on. As you stated, at least you'll have a much better idea of what is the source of your pain. I'm a little surprised he would do this so close to your surgery date, but he must have his reasons. I guess I would wonder, as you do, if he suspects that something else is going on to cause you so much pain. Obviously you have had more reaction than he normally sees.

Try to stay positive. By lunchtime tomorrow, you should have some answers. I will say that the nerves can become very touchy. Are you aware that what we call the "sciatic" nerve is really a big bundle of nerves and is the size of a pinkie finger?

I have acupuncture every week. The sciatic nerve runs under the piriformis muscle in the buttock and I often have a spot that is VERY tender. She knows right where to push to find the spot and I squeal almost every time. If this spot is continually agravated, the pain starts to radiate out and becomes highly sensitized. I think by this point you are probably one big, overly sensitized nerve mass. :dizzy:.

The piriformis is often a source of pain and might be in your case, too. It is a fairly large muscle and the sciatic nerve wraps around it. If it becomes irritated or inflamed, the sciatic nerve can be compressed or otherwise irritated. This in turn makes the sciatic pain seem more intense. I am currently exploring this as a possible source of my nerve pain that prevents me from walking very far.

I'll be thinking of you this afternoon. Remeraber to practice deep breathing and try to stay as relaxed as possible before and during the myelogram, and remeraber that you will be glad to have the results once it is all over. How's your GF handling your issues these days?

Stay positive. SounRAB like you have a good doc who's willing to work with you until he gets to the bottom of all this!!

xx M:wave:M

 

[chefjosh]

Hi MM!

Yeah...my doc does have me little worried with the big rush, but i think all we're going to find is some scar tissue and nerve that's red hot. Last time around they told me there was some neuritis, and that was before the surgery.

My g/f has really been great. I know how hard this is for her...I really need to figure out the root cause of my pain, address it, and get off these meRAB! The medication is the hardest part for her, I think. We all know how the pain killers can affect personality on such a base level. But all things considered, she's still with me, and I think she'll be by my side when we finally reach the end of this.

Time for me to get going to myelogram, but thanks again!

-josh

"keep on keepin' on..."