Guillain Barre Syndrome - not - Pinched Sciatic Nerve

[oliver2-44 9,725]

 A week ago (Monday) I started feeling a little sore. By Wednesday I was hurting like I did something to my back and I couldn't bend my left leg to put a sock on. But why?  I hadn't lifted anything heavy or  crawled in any odd positions in a while.  Trying to sleep in bed, couch, recliner but couldn't find a comfortable position.  By Thursday major pain in by right hip and down my leg. But also lower back and shoulder pain and pain at both calves like leg cramps which confused things.  Went to Dr. and he said Back or Sciatic Nerve. He ordered an MRI, but insurance was dragging there feet approving it. Pain was getting worse so Friday Dr. called in some mild pain med for me as the muscle relaxants weren't touching it for relief.  Saturday evening the pain med wasn't doing anything and I was hurting more than I've ever hurt, plus my blood pressure had climbed to 200 and rising.  I've never have blood pressure problems, so that sent me to the ER.  They gave me an IV and quickly knocked my pain and blood pressure down.  They did a CT Scan and said my back/disc looked good and no blood vessel damage from the high blood pressure.  So that was a relief.  We also figured out the secondary pain that was floating around was probable from me trying to sit/ lay in any odd position that felt comfortable for a little while and lack of sleep.  So it strongly indicated I had a pinched Sciatic Nerve down my left hip and leg.  While it took the strong IV to stop the pain for 2-3 hours at the ER, they would only send me home with more mild pain med and no Blood Pressure med. My wife found some light stretches for me to do hourly and they seem to be helping a little bit. This is the first time in 5 days that I can sit in my office chair at my computer.   Today I go back to Dr. to see if he still wants the MRI, and where this goes from here. 

While this isn't life threatening, I'd appreciate any prayers for pain relief and healing.

Edited February 24, 2022 by oliver2-44

[Achto 27,562]

Be keeping you in my prayers Olie. Hope they can figure out what the issue is soon. 

Edited January 31, 2022 by Achto

[pfrederi 17,697]

I have had a couple rounds of sciatica (not as severe as yours) but in both cases a few Physical Therapy visits and at home exercises worked wonders  haven't had an issue in 3 years now (knocking on wood!))

Edited January 31, 2022 by pfrederi

[953 nut 55,155]

7 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

Went to Dr. and he said Back or Sciatic Nerve. He ordered an MRI, but insurance was dragging there feet approving it

Insurance companies have no compassion.  The sciatic nerve problems you have are in all likelihood the result of spinal misalignment. I had to go through the whole gambit of jumping through hoops, x-rays, CT scans, physical therapy etc. before the MRI was approved. The PT helped but only for a few weeks at a time. MRI was conclusive for pinched sciatic. Keep after your doctor to line up all the tests and steps needed to get to the MRI promptly. Any delay will only compound the problem. 

[Ed Kennell 38,112]

Sorry to hear of your suffering Jim.     Best wishes and prayers for some speedy relief.

 

 

[oldlineman 1,481]

I have also dealt with this condition over the years. Started in the 70's spent 2 weeks in traction, was on and off over my working years. Thankfully since retirement it has given me a break. Still have to go to chiropractor on occasions. Praying you find relief soon. Bob  

[rjg854 11,356]

Prayers sent your way, been there, done that, no fun at all.  I hope they find the cause of the problem quickly for your sake.

[Pullstart 62,829]

Being, younger than the masses here, it’s no secret that I’ve had my fair share of back issues.  A crooked spine or nerve pinch will put a man to his knees in a hurry.  Get well soon Jim, there’s a couple Horses needing your attention!

[squonk 41,050]

I've had back issues for years. 3 years ago I couldn't walk far, sit, or lay flat. I had what felt like a little train running around inside my hip and butt. I remember driving home from the show and I wanted to just jump out of the moving truck at times. Went to the back doctor and I had advanced arthritis, degenerative disc disease and Spinal Stenosis. Doc wanted therapy, shots ect. Finally got approval for MRI. Doc looked at it and said "You're having surgery"  Spinal laminectomy. Drilled a hole in a joint in my back and opened an area where some nerves were pinched on my right side. Had 1 good year. Now the left side is doing the same thing but not to the point where it was before. My doctor left the area. When it gets bad enough I have to start all over again with a new Doc. 

[oldlineman 1,481]

I know that feeling Squonk, I found taking my wallet out of my rear pocket while driving helped relieve the pain somewhat. Now I can't drive with it in my rear pocket. Bob

[Pullstart 62,829]

14 minutes ago, squonk said:

little train running around inside my hip and butt. 

that’s last week’s burrito stuck sideways…

[Ed Kennell 38,112]

14 minutes ago, oldlineman said:

I found taking my wallet out of my rear pocket while driving helped relieve the pain

Yep,  it worked for me.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,524]

Been there. No fun.

Prayers for relief…

[rmaynard 15,434]

You can take all the PT, injections, and chiropractic that you can find, along with good juju and other witchcraft, but if there is stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or something else pressing on a nerve, nothing is going to fix it but surgery.  I had all the aforementioned stuff in 2015 for my back pain, and finally in November of that year I went under the knife. That fixed it, period. No regrets. Mrs. M had the same issues that you are experiencing. Her MRI revealed not only stenosis and degenerative discs, but two large arthritic cysts pressing on the spinal cord. Same basic surgery as me in 2020 and she was back to normal in less than 3 months. The longer you wait to do what's necessary, the more damage may be done.

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,297]

I fell in 2006 and fractured my L 2 vertebrate . I was in severe pain from mid October until end of Feb . 2007 . Nothing helped drugs ( found out I had allergies to most ) all kinds of therapy . Finally had surgery and cement was pumped into the fracture . Helped some then found out I had sciatic pain on right side from hip to ankle. More therapy and witch doctor stuff , finally put me on high dose Gabapentin . I have been on it ever since. I sure hope they are able to help you , I know what you are experiencing. Good luck. 

[8ntruck 6,998]

My wife had stenosis, fractured vertebrae,  and a bad disk.  Pain treatments and pt only gave her temporary relief.  Back surgery got her bact to about 95% of 'normal'. 

[Snoopy11 5,714]

5 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

I'd appreciate any prayers for pain relief and healing.

Sir yes sir.

 

You are certainly in my prayers, and those here on the funny farm.

 

Get better soon Jim.

 

BTW... your Predator 420 carburetor should arrive today!

 

Don

[lynnmor 7,303]

I had Sciatic Nerve issues for years, but in recent history things have been fine.  I too would twist and roll trying to relieve the pain only it made matters worse.  I had shots and medications, but never surgery.  You may well need more aggressive treatment than me, but you can do a lot to help yourself.  One has to walk a fine line between too much rest and doing too much exercise, both will result in pain.  While doctors and insurance companies play the games, find out what the appropriate exercise is for your condition, then do it.

[oliver2-44 9,725]

Thank You Everyone. 

Today I'm learning the game of scheduling appointments with Specialist that are booked 2 months out, and they only schedule out 2 months.  Tomorrow is Feb 1st so I have to call back tomorrow so April Scheduling should be available.   Unbelievable!

[squonk 41,050]

My left side is trouble some all day but more so in the AM. When I go to bed things are normaly ok but by 2-3AM it's a struggle to find a position that gives me enough relief so I can go back to sleep.

[squonk 41,050]

2 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

Thank You Everyone. 

Today I'm learning the game of scheduling appointments with Specialist that are booked 2 months out, and they only schedule out 2 months.  Tomorrow is Feb 1st so I have to call back tomorrow so April Scheduling should be available.   Unbelievable!

Yup pretty normal. Then 9 times out of 10 you see a P.A. My back and knee doctors had multiple P.A.'s Every time I went it was a different one and I had to tell my story over and over.

[953 nut 55,155]

8 hours ago, rmaynard said:

The longer you wait to do what's necessary, the more damage may be done

I'm confident that my outcome would have been far better if so much time hadn't passed when my problems were first noticed. By the time my spinal fusion took place there was nerve damage to the right ankle. Despite the limitations this has placed on me I'm blessed to be able to walk with the aid of a cane or walker. Prior to the surgery I couldn't stand to sing a hymn in church or walk fifty feet without having to sit down.

4 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

Thank You Everyone. 

Today I'm learning the game of scheduling appointments with Specialist that are booked 2 months out, and they only schedule out 2 months.  Tomorrow is Feb 1st so I have to call back tomorrow so April Scheduling should be available.   Unbelievable!

Don't give up, keep calling and don't be afraid to look in another nearby city if it will expedite your treatment

[rmaynard 15,434]

11 hours ago, 953 nut said:

Don't give up, keep calling and don't be afraid to look in another nearby city if it will expedite your treatment

Check with several surgeons. When my wife went to my doctor, he didn't even want to do anything other than emergencies (early 2020 Covid shut-downs). So she searched out and found a different surgeon who scheduled her at a different hospital with a reasonable time. Thank goodness for that. 

[Alex175 784]

About 8 years ago I had a similar bout with pain, though not as extreme as yours.  If I sat too long I could barely walk without immense pain after, laying would provide a little relief but only when I laid at odd angles, thankfully I was single at the time and had full use of my king size bed because I took up all of it.  Worst part was this happened right before I had a work trip scheduled to Australia.  Knowing I was about to spend a 6 hour flight from the east coast to the west followed by a 13 hour flight to Australia I sought help which younger me was not often fond of, I was young and stubborn then, now I'm just stubborn.  After some x-rays turns out I had two compressed discs right along the sciatic nerve, they gave me some muscle relaxers for the flight and thankfully that got me through the trip.  After I got back it cleared up on it's own for a while but a couple years later it reared it's ugly head again.  This time my brother recommended a really great chiropractor to me and I've been seeing her about once a month for a quick realignment and it's kept me in tip top shape.  The back is a tricky thing and for some people it's manageable others need more serious remedies, I'm lucky I was on the easier side of things.  Wishing you luck.

Edited February 1, 2022 by Alex175

[oliver2-44 9,725]

As some of you indicated navigating our medical system can be as big a challenge as getting healed. 

After 6 days of and several phone calls I finally have an MRI scheduled for tomorrow.  They probable will closed due to freezing rain predicted for tomorrow. So the kind lady also scheduled me for Friday also.  My trip to the ER Saturday night was a joke.  I told them serious back pain and unusual high blood pressure.  I made sure to get the full records sent to my family doctor and had to make some extra phone calls to get that to happen before my appointment with him.   When he got them I learned they only did a front abdominal CT Scan it reported no issues to my Aorta and blood vessels from the high blood pressure.  No back/lumbar CT Scan was done. Where the ER Dr. got the info to clearly tell me he didn't see any disc damage and he felt it was just sciatic nerve related.   I called the ER Manager because I was baffled that they were concerned enough about my blood pressure doing damage that they did a CT Scan, but didn't send me home with any blood pressure medicine. Also that they gave me a quick pain killer for my back, but did not do a CT Scan on it.  There answer was they are their to temporarily stop life threatening problems and the rest they put a Band-Aide on (her words) and refer you back to your family Dr. or a Specialist.