PAIN, Parathesia and raw nerve sensation in one leg following stroke-like episodes

[smerf2377]

Hi all!
7 months ago I experienced 2 separate stroke-like episode (1 week apart).  I was referred to a stroke prevention clinic and the neuro there told me it was simply a form of migraine and that I had nothing to worry about.  (Head CT & 1.5T head MRI were "unremarkable).  Because i insisted that I was concerned about the residual Parathesia in my leg and hands he referred me for a NCT and EMS.  (Long story short) in 7 months the sensations have only gotten worse and the pain occurs daily sometime all day, sometimes just a few hours.  The pain ranges from 1 or 2 out of 10 to 9 out of 10. Very occasionally i have mild aura symptoms (light headed/brain fog, scintillating stomata, blurred vision, Parathesia in my left ring and baby fingers ) but I've never had an episode again like I did 7 months ago.   the peripheral nerve conduction test that the neuro ordered showed an abnormality and as a result he has ordered a spinal MRI.  He said rather flippantly as he handed me the MRI requisition "it's not a pinched nerve!" ...
So my question is, how does he KNOW it's not a pinched nerve? What could this abnormality that showed up actually MEAN?  I've been lucky and only have a few more weeks to wait for the MRI but the guessing game my nearly-fed-up mind is playing is almost as bad as the pain I feel.
Also, does anyone have any suggestions for managing the pain?  I have started using a heating pad Almost constantly and ibuprofen doesn't seem to do much for me.  The discomfort is often worse at night especially when I try to lie down in bed; I often can't straighten my leg out without causing EXTREME pain.

Thank you for reading and even more for any suggestions you can offer.  
:)

[caregiver222]

The fact that muscle relaxants help hint toward a diagnosis of nerve entrapment somewhere along the signaling system. You might try 2-3 grams of L-Arginine. It works to enlarge the vessels in the microcirculation, which will assist in drainage of fluid that may cause pressure on a nerve. If you can localize the area of entrapment it would be helpful. As a means of differential diagnosis, scrounge up several transdermal lidocaine patches (they are prescription) and use them for no more than 12 hours a day over L1-L5. Relief of pain will suggest entrapment in that area, regardless of the MRI finding.

[smerf2377]

Thank you caregiver! Is there a difference between a trapped nerve and a pinched nerve? I'm very interested to know why the neuro said "it's not a pinched nerve!"  Do NCTs somehow indicate pinched nerve from demyelination?  I've been concerned since the onset that this may be MS

[smerf2377]

Hi thanks for your input.  I do have a family physician, he told me it was likely that i wouldn't get a diagnosis for what is going on, that the body is a mysterious thing and sometimes feels things for which there are no answers. That response doesn't sit well with me! I don't think many doctors became doctors by answering their exams with that kind of answer.
Muscle relaxants help a bit but I've yet to try one that doesn't make me super drowsy.

[Karen99]

Hi. Do you have a primary care physician who can help you with managing your symptoms?  Have you had a complete physical check-up with someone other than a neurologist?  A PCP might be able to spend more time with you and figure something out for pain relief.  It sounds like you may be having a tightening spasm type pain in your leg.  A muscle relaxant may help.