OW! My thigh! - ChronicPainSite Forums

Monie,

When I get bad aches and sciatic I find it hard to do anything.

I can only lay on my right side and I have my left leg elevated

on a body pillow. I have numbness and tingling in my left leg.

I can't stand to walk when the pain gets really bad. Thats about

it. Oh yes! I also have my tens machine on my low back. I can't

stand sitting on my left cheek (butt) too long as that makes

everything hurt. My therapist stopped working w me as If he or

even me touch the right spot on my butt It hits the nerve, talk

about pain. I probably haven't helped you, but laying down w my

tens and body pillow is how I deal w it of course the ER morphine

IR morphine help also, it doesn't take the pain away but dulls it

enough to function a bit. I hope I helped in some small way.

Roni

1st injured Feb, 1997. Was told it was "Soft Tissue" and sent back to work - no X-rays
Late 1997 attended 1st “Rehab Program” to strengthen back. Mid ‘98 PCP took me off work. Tried going back to work over the next couple years, mostly off work due to pain.
June 2000, met with OS for first time. Did MRI , damage was L5-S1 totally blown out. Surgery done Jan, 2001.
Another Rehab program late 2001, attempted to go back to work early 2002. Slipped on water, fell flat on back – screw fusion broke.
Went to 3rd Rehab program summer 2002.
Oct 2003 – 2nd Surgery, due to broken screw, had to operate from the front.
No improvement. Attended 4th Rehab program in 2004, at time it was decided NO work.
March 2006, had 3rd Surgery, this time fusion and instrumentation from Si to L3.
June 2008 Surgeon finally admitted I had Failed Back Surgery.
August 2009 WCB Finally put me on Long Term Disability

Roni- Thanks for your input. I do sometimes lay with my leg on a pillow. That sometimes helps a little bit, or at least slows down the process of it turning into the horrible burning my-leg's-on-fire! pain. The Vicodin that I have usually does not help this.

Stevie- I basically have only been told that the disc is touching the nerve root at L5. Thats pretty much it. I have been to 2 orthopedists who both treated me like crap and refused to do anything to help me. They said that surgery was a passive approach and that I was not a candidate. So they were no help at all. Thanks for bringing it up though, I might have to consider getting it removed in the future if this persists.

I cannot stand ice anymore. I haven't tried it in a while, but I'm sort of afraid to now. Maybe I'll convince myself to try it again though. Do you think I should put it right on the thigh, or on my lower back?

It is possible too that my piriformis muscle gets strained a lot- my pelvis twists and rotates in ways that it shouldnt because of my hypermobility. So that is definitely a possibility. I have some physical therapy exercises I can do to realign my pelvis, so that could help. Thank you for bringing that up.

I have some stretches that my physical therapist gave me, I need to start trying them (I completely forgot about them). I will read that article too and see if there is anything in there that I can do.

Thank you both so much! I will try these things and let you know how it goes.

Thoracic spine:
1.)Dextroconvex curvature of thoracic spine (Scoliosis), Degree unknown
2.) 4 Schmorl’s nodes:
      -T9-T10
      -T10-T11
      -T11-T12
      -T12-L1
3.) 2 possible interosseous hemangiomas:
     T7 vertebral body and T2 vertebral body
4.) Aberrant right subclavian artery
Cause unknown, possibly from birth
...
Lumbar Spine:
1.) Left paracentral disc extrusion. T11-T12. Indents left ventral aspect of the thecal sac
2.) Multilevel disc bulges:
     L3-L4, indents thecal sac
     L4-L5, indents thecal sac
     L5-S1, touching L5 nerve root causing bilateral sciatica
3.) Disc dessication at L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1.
4) Arthiritis of the facet joints of the lumbar spine
...
Other Musculoskeletal Conditions:
1.) General Hypermobility Syndrome
2.) Left shoulder instability with possible bursitis
3.) Slight nerve damage in left elbow
4.) Distorted ribcage
5.) Carpal Tunnel syndrome and tendonitis in right wrist
...

Other:
Fibromyalgia

Treatments (non-medicinal):

Pool therapy as often as possible

Medications:
Amitriptyline- 150mg/night
Ibuprofen- 2400-3200mg/day
Methocarbamol- 1500mg 3x/day
Tramadol- 100mg 3x/day
Vicodin- 7.5mg/750mg 1 or 2 pills 3x/day if needed
Lyrica- 50mg 3x/day
Cymbalta- 30mg 1x/day
Vitamin D- 50MIU 2x/week

Monie,

I hate ice too. I honestly can't bear it, but so many people swear by it for sciatica. If you can try it, put it on your lower back as that is where the nerve root is being compressed.

I like Spicey's idea of having someone gently pull your legs. But it needs to be gentle as you can wind up pulling or tearing muscle tissue. I was using a cervical traction unit for awhile and it felt great while I in the device, but I was actually causing damage by using too much pressure.

I wish that there was more advice to offer you. Stevie

Spinal Fusions L5-S1 and L4-L5. Cervical DDD, stenosis, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis and facet arthropathy throughout cervical spine from C3-C7. Tiny cervical syrinx. Thoracic Spine: dextroconvex curvature of the thoracic spine, centered at approximately T8.(Scoliosis with 20 degree curve). At T7-8, a disc bulge. Hemangiomatas from T7-T10. Degenerative disc disease T7-T9. Disc dessication from T3-T11.

NATIONAL SUICIDE HELPLINE 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
http://www.crisisclinic.org/
IN THE UK 0845790 90 90
http://www.samaritans.org/

For help for many things...
Canada: http://www.211Canada.ca/
U.S.: http://www.211.org/

Monie,

I'm sorry I didn't post sooner regarding your aching thigh. I experience the same thing, several times a year for the past 4 years. I am currently in the throes of pain. My pain also effects the right buttock, hamstring, and thigh. It ends at my knee. It does loosen up when I walk but comes back after a while resting. It is a combination of my pirifomis muscle being aggravated along with it aggravating my sciatic nerve.

I have been resting it and ICING it. Sorry I yelled there but the icing has greatly reduced the discomfort. I read where you hate ice. I use these gell packs that you can use over and over by re-freezing them. I put 2 in a gallonn size freezer bag and ice my lower right side back. Thats where the pain is coming from. Please give it a try, it has worked wonders for me. I begin my walking again tomorrow.

Dick

Five knee surgeries from 1970 to 2000. Knee replacement in 2000.Spinal stenosis surgery in May of 2002. Diagnosed with Pseudogout in 2005, effecting hands, knees, and shoulders. Emergency surgery in March of 2006 for spinal infection of L 2 and L 3. During surgery, discovered I had Cauda Equina Syndrome. Spine became unstable after surgery and had 360 fusion with 10 pedicle screws, plates and rods in April of 2007. Retired early as a high school principal. Recently, have had trigger finger surgery on both hands as well as surgery for severe bi-lateral Carpal Tunnel disease.

Dick- Thank you for the advice. Sorry you are suffering now. You pretty much have exactly what I do, except mine is mostly the thigh and side of the thigh, also usually ending at the knee. Sometimes it will go to the back of my leg and my right buttock and hip as well.

I did some research and found out the nerves that are being aggravated in my case- femoral, lateral femoral cutaneous, and of course the sciatic nerve. The first 2 come from just above where I have the disc bulges (if I am remembering correctly), so I wouldnt be surprised if my L2-L3 is now bulging and touching those nerves. It has been 3 months since I got the MRI, so its a very strong possibility.

Spicey- I have a nice thick pillow that I put between my legs when I am laying on my side. It helps with the hip and knee pain that I get while sleeping. Thanks for the tip!

I am going out now so I will get a gel pack and freeze it. Maybe I can stand it now, maybe not. But if it helps my thigh, I might just deal with some more low back discomfort.

Thanks again!

Thoracic spine:
1.)Dextroconvex curvature of thoracic spine (Scoliosis), Degree unknown
2.) 4 Schmorl’s nodes:
      -T9-T10
      -T10-T11
      -T11-T12
      -T12-L1
3.) 2 possible interosseous hemangiomas:
     T7 vertebral body and T2 vertebral body
4.) Aberrant right subclavian artery
Cause unknown, possibly from birth
...
Lumbar Spine:
1.) Left paracentral disc extrusion. T11-T12. Indents left ventral aspect of the thecal sac
2.) Multilevel disc bulges:
     L3-L4, indents thecal sac
     L4-L5, indents thecal sac
     L5-S1, touching L5 nerve root causing bilateral sciatica
3.) Disc dessication at L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1.
4) Arthiritis of the facet joints of the lumbar spine
...
Other Musculoskeletal Conditions:
1.) General Hypermobility Syndrome
2.) Left shoulder instability with possible bursitis
3.) Slight nerve damage in left elbow
4.) Distorted ribcage
5.) Carpal Tunnel syndrome and tendonitis in right wrist
...

Other:
Fibromyalgia

Treatments (non-medicinal):

Pool therapy as often as possible

Medications:
Amitriptyline- 150mg/night
Ibuprofen- 2400-3200mg/day
Methocarbamol- 1500mg 3x/day
Tramadol- 100mg 3x/day
Vicodin- 7.5mg/750mg 1 or 2 pills 3x/day if needed
Lyrica- 50mg 3x/day
Cymbalta- 30mg 1x/day
Vitamin D- 50MIU 2x/week

Great news Monie Clap

I know many people hate cold (myself included), but it does seem to be the best thing for sciatica. Thanks for posting how well it worked. Stevie

Spinal Fusions L5-S1 and L4-L5. Cervical DDD, stenosis, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis and facet arthropathy throughout cervical spine from C3-C7. Tiny cervical syrinx. Thoracic Spine: dextroconvex curvature of the thoracic spine, centered at approximately T8.(Scoliosis with 20 degree curve). At T7-8, a disc bulge. Hemangiomatas from T7-T10. Degenerative disc disease T7-T9. Disc dessication from T3-T11.

NATIONAL SUICIDE HELPLINE 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
http://www.crisisclinic.org/
IN THE UK 0845790 90 90
http://www.samaritans.org/

For help for many things...
Canada: http://www.211Canada.ca/
U.S.: http://www.211.org/

I usually hate cold too, but surprisingly the gel pack did not bother my back at all. I used it again this morning and all I feel in my thigh is a slight tingle. Its great

Roni I hope it helps you too! Did you get the hard ice packs or the soft gel packs? The gel packs might be better, thats what I'm using. Let me know how it works out for you.

Thoracic spine:
1.)Dextroconvex curvature of thoracic spine (Scoliosis), Degree unknown
2.) 4 Schmorl’s nodes:
      -T9-T10
      -T10-T11
      -T11-T12
      -T12-L1
3.) 2 possible interosseous hemangiomas:
     T7 vertebral body and T2 vertebral body
4.) Aberrant right subclavian artery
Cause unknown, possibly from birth
...
Lumbar Spine:
1.) Left paracentral disc extrusion. T11-T12. Indents left ventral aspect of the thecal sac
2.) Multilevel disc bulges:
     L3-L4, indents thecal sac
     L4-L5, indents thecal sac
     L5-S1, touching L5 nerve root causing bilateral sciatica
3.) Disc dessication at L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1.
4) Arthiritis of the facet joints of the lumbar spine
...
Other Musculoskeletal Conditions:
1.) General Hypermobility Syndrome
2.) Left shoulder instability with possible bursitis
3.) Slight nerve damage in left elbow
4.) Distorted ribcage
5.) Carpal Tunnel syndrome and tendonitis in right wrist
...

Other:
Fibromyalgia

Treatments (non-medicinal):

Pool therapy as often as possible

Medications:
Amitriptyline- 150mg/night
Ibuprofen- 2400-3200mg/day
Methocarbamol- 1500mg 3x/day
Tramadol- 100mg 3x/day
Vicodin- 7.5mg/750mg 1 or 2 pills 3x/day if needed
Lyrica- 50mg 3x/day
Cymbalta- 30mg 1x/day
Vitamin D- 50MIU 2x/week


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