Bilateral burning back of leg pain

[Alisheva]

Does anyone suffer a burning pain down the back of both legs? I suddenly got this one afternoon last August after recovering from a hip replacement and hamstring repair on my left side. I have been checked out by an orthopaedic surgeon, rheumatologist, neurologist and a gynae. No one had an explanation for this crippling pain. I am a 53 year old  nurse with doctors in my family. Before this I was super active, like snow mobiling in the artic, hiking the mountains of Borneo etc. now... I can't leave the house without medication. I have a great pain management team but last Feb I had to partake in " analgesic boot camp!"... A week long drug infusion through a pic line to get my analgesic requirements down. I'm still working but this whole thing is really affecting my life. I keep saying to myself.. It could be much worse... Which of course it could.. But, it's a very lonely disease( chronic pain). I tell very few people because of being judged. I can't help getting down some days.

[Tuckamore]

Sorry it took me a bit to reply to your response. The last two days has had medical appointments and pain.

It's nice to hear that the analgesia boot camp was such a success for you. I am on a very small dose of one opiate. If I go much lower I'll be off opiate completely. So at this point in my pain management I don't have a need for the boot camp - and doubt in this climate I ever will have a need.

I wonder if it's done in the US. I have heard of it - but don't know how popular it is. I truly appreciate the information. It allows me to pass your good experience about to someone else down the line.

I use to do the same "hiding" in my career as you do. It's strange that I almost did the exact same things. Sadly as I said above, there came a point that my pain and condition progressed to the point that I was unable to hide it.

I too wish you as comfortable as possible day. :0) Stay positive and keep in touch. We welcome your participation in all aspects of our community.

Warm Wishes,
Tuck

[Alisheva]

Hi Tuck, thanks for your comforting and supportive message. It's actually great to be part of community who understands. As I make a big effort to look nice, dress well and be as upbeat and cheery as possible, very few people know or guess there is anything wrong with me! I make certain when I'm at work or socialising I have good analgesic cover so I walk  normally and are able to focus. If  I'm having a bad day I keep my distance from people who know me! . My doctors have been unbelievably supportive over this. If anyone on this forum lives in Melbourne I would be happy to pass on details of my pain team ,( if that's allowed)   The analgesia boot camp I mentioned was a ketamine infusion for 7 days. It was really tough, slowly they increase the dose over a week. It made a huge difference though. It does reset your pain receptors. It lowered the dose of analgesia I needed massively. Maybe you should consider it. I am probably going back for another infusion in November so I'm able to have a more comfortable overseas holiday late December.  Wishing you a day that is as comfortable as possible, Ali

[Tuckamore]

Hi Alisheva,

Welcome. I am so very sorry I missed your post. Please except my apology. It's not a normal practice. I've been having a horrid new flare and I guess I haven't been as diligent. Again Sorry!

I don't have bilateral burning pain - I do have sciatica that can get pretty nasty in one leg and to a lesser degree in the other. I have SI Joint Dysfunction. Have you had your SIJ examined by someone that specializes in SIJ? I took me years to find a DX. I went too long undiagnosed and now nothing has reduced my pain. I encourage you to keep searching for a DX.

Yes Chronic Pain (CP) is a lonely path that no one chooses. We live with a lot of stigma and criticism. We hear it all. Like you I didn't tell ppl for fear of unfair judgement. I maintained my career years longer than was recommended. Finally the condition got the best of me and I am now disabled, unable to continue my beloved career.  

The "down" you experience now and again is called Situational Depression. It happens to many of us CP patients. It's normal sweet friend in pain. I too tell myself that I could be worse off - some days that just doesn't help. Pain is pain, regardless of who has it or where it originates.

I know there are ppl that can't walk - and my heart goes out to them. However when every step is pain you're not always certain you're in a better situation. Knowing someone is worse off doesn't erase our pain, limitations or disabilities. It just makes us have more empathy for them.

You're blessed to have a good PMP in this climate against opiates and CP Patients. Wow. I don't know if I could tolerate an "analgesic boot camp!"  Is that an attempt to reset your pain receptors?

You're Welcome here. Post questions, respond to questions or just vent. You're more than Welcome and again I apologize for my tardy response. Please keep in touch and active in our community. We love more nurses.

Peace,
~Tuck