Severe Nerve Pain?

[Hawte]

Hi, my boyfriend has had two surgeries on his back in the last 3 years. He had the L4 and L5 vertebrae the first time and this last December he had the same vertebrae and also the ones on the other side of his spine done at the same time. He had slipped discs. Anyway that is just the background that maybe you might want to know. His problem is that even before his surgery he also had severe pain in his left leg. From the bottom of his buttocks to his calf muscle. Once he had the surgery in December he had no pain in his back and for the most part his leg was fine as well. I guess I should have mentioned his surgeries were done in Lebanon. Anyway  since he has been home he has been complaining of severe pain in his leg. He has even tried acupuncture twice last week. I have massaged it and it seemed to have made it worse. It is now so bad he can barely walk. I was wondering if his nerve is too short and is straining on him or if it could possibly be pinched still? His doctor in Lebanon did another MRI after the surgery and said it was 100% successful. He gave him medication that they do not sell here in Canada but they do not work at all, he also has ulcers so it limits what he can take. Do you have any advice as to what I can tell him to do? Cortozone shots? A good medication? I am desperate to help him. Thanks for your time.

[Hawte]

Sorry it took me so long to respond, it didn't notify me of your post. Yes six months is a long time and because of that he is going back to his surgery doctor in Lebanon. He just left me for two months and he has been back for only two and now he is going to be gone for Gawd knows how long because our healthcare system is flawed. Our health care is good compared to the states as far as we dont have to pay for every procedure. MRI's are free but there is a long wait all over Canada. But if he wants it tomorrow he can pay $800. Doesn't make sense does it? In any case. I am super mad that he is leaving, because the doctors here aren't capable of diagnosing him. What do you think about Cortisone shots? Do you think that might help. I have been reading about them on the internet and they sound promising. What are your thoughts?

[Tuckamore]

Wow Hawte,

Six months is a long time to wait for pain relief!!! Is it possible that he could see another PCP?  I don't know a lot about Canada's Health Care Delivery System but six months doesn't seem acceptable to me. I have been to your Calgary several times in my youth (lots of relatives there) but know nothing about health care. Is it possible to go elsewhere for medical care?

Has he tried the usual heat rubs? It is my guess that he has been there, done that. Nothing worked for me either until I got on a good pain medication regime. And still there are days that nothing really helps significantly. I know that is true for many CP sufferers.

I am sorry that your boyfriend has to wait so long for pain relief.  I will look forward to your future posts and hope you two can find a solution sooner than six months.
Peace, Tuck

[tanglewood]

He might look into getting a Spinal Cord Stimulator. I have one and have done a lot of research on the SCS. Some times when surgery is not an option the SCS can help a lot. You can google it to find out more. My unit was made by Medtronics. There are potential problems like with anything else, but it might be a good option. Good luck.

[Hawte]

Thank you for your response. I have told him to see a specialist. The wait is 6 months. He is in so much agony I just wanted to see what he could do in the meantime. Heat and ice is what i have said but he said it does not help. In any case, thanks so much for your informative response.

Pamela AKA Hawte

[Tuckamore]

Hi Hawte,

Welcome to MedHelp's Pain Management Forum. I am glad that you found us but sorry to hear about your boyfriends pain. Is is lucky to have  a concerned friend in you.

His symptoms sound like sciatica. It is cause from inflammation, pressure or entrapment some where along his sciatic nerve. This can have many causes from Sacroiliac dysfunction to an entrapped spinal nerve and more. He needs to be seen by a good neuro or ortho physician in Canada. His symptoms may be totally unrelated to his previous spinal surgeries or it may be directly attributed to them. In either case only a well trained physician can give you the answers to his pain.

In the meantime ice or heat may help. There are medications sold in Canada that should address his pain and I encourage him to return to the physician that ordered the medication that is not effective. Explain to him/her what you have told us and go from there. If he/she is unable to help him I suugest he see a specialist.

Good luck to both of you. Please let us know how he is doing and take care, Tuck