Please help-is this a nerve illiness/injury?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Adamhi
  • Start date Start date
A

Adamhi

Guest
I have some unusual aches/pains occurring and the rhuematologist my general doctor sent me too isn't giving me a lot of answers or help and I think it maybe out of her rhelm of medicine and I may need to try a nuerologist or maybe even an orthopedic/spine doctor...please help. I have currently low levels of sharp pain in my lower left back that send slight electrical/tingling sensations into my pelvis area, and pain in my hips when walking, pain on the boney part of the buttocks when sitting as well as sensitivity on my heels and bottoms of my feet. The rhumy ran x-rays and said I have slight OA on my hips and sacroiliac joint but I don't really have any arthritic stiffness (very slight in the knees and hanRAB but seemingly normal amounts for being an active 40 year old male with a desk job), she also prescribed celebrex, vicodin and physical therapy. It's been about 2 months since I've had the symptoms and about 1 month since starting treatment with no improvements or diagnosis. I don't think my doctor is being aggressive enough or knows how to proceed. I was thinking of requesting an MRI and also maybe trying a neurologist or spine/orthopedic specialist or even checking into the hospital for a battery of tests all at once? Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I'm begining to get very nervous/scared about the constant pain and dimished levels of physical activity...thank you.
 
Hi, In my opinion, it sounRAB like you should have an MRI. X-rays can't really show that much & can't show the soft tissues. I've had x-rays on my spine and right ankle - my spine showed mild degeneration and mild scoliosis; my ankle showed absolutely nothing. And I was having so much severe pain all over. I finally had MRI's done of both (plus other areas such as my sacroiliac and hips) and the lurabar spine & ankles showed I had severe problems. I was also seeing a rheumy at time. He only sent me for my spine x-ray, lurabar MRI and sacro MRI. He seemed not to want to look into my ankle, though. You might want to find another rheumy and/or possibly a spine specialist. IT does sound like you have nerve pain (by your description of electric and tingling sensations)...the best way to check what might be causing that would probably first be an MRI. I also get nerve pain (sometimes down my leg, lately it's been more in my hips). I also get occasional front of hip pain; I also get all sorts of pains in my feet/ankles. One ankle is a mess so it' hard to tell sometimes if some or all of the pain in there is coming from my spine or from my ankle. I've also had a few short bouts of pain in my heels, the tops of my feet; I get neck pain and left shoulder pain; and a bunch of other issues. I think I need to find a new rheumy myself b/c the last time I went there complaining of all over joint pains, eye problems, and low-grade fever, he sent me for more bloodwork. But that was it, except to say he didnt "see" any swelling anywhere. No more appointments for any more follow-ups. I assume my blood work came back okay . I know I have arthritis in my spine, hips, and ankle. And a rheum is a specialist in arthritis....but it seems mine does not want anything to do with me anymore. I suggest you talk to your GP and see if they can refer you for an MRI or give you the name of another rheumy. Obviously what you are going through is not normal, especially if its already been 2months. If you do see a spine specialist, make sure it is either a neurologist or orthopedic doctor that only works on the spine.
 
Baybreeze, thanks for the detailed feedback. Ya it sounRAB like we both need new doctors. If you go to your doctor in constant pain and they run tests you'd think they'd get back to you ASAP with answers/ideas/support. I didn't know MRIs showed soft tissue as well as bone, that definitely seems like it would shed more light on my condition. I left a message earlier today with the rhuemy secretary requesting an MRI and possible recommendation to a nurologist or orthopedic doctor...I haven't heard back yet. I hope you find a solution to your pain soon...good luck.
 
Back
Top