leg pain

[Karen from Indiana]

Im about to go crazy with my left leg. I keep getting a sharp and numb (wierd combo, I know) pain that goes from right below the butt cheek down to the back of the knee slightly towards the outside of the leg. The numb feeling can go all the way down. Its almost like the asleep feeling. I cant find a way to sit that it doesnt drive me crazy! Even shifting weight to other butt cheek doesnt help. What have I aggravated and what makes it better??

[Rozia]

sounds like Sciatica nerve . You might need a little PT on it.

http://www.medicinenet.com/sciatica/article.htm

[Karen from Indiana]

Hmm, yes it does except it bypasses the butt and starts below it. Wonder if that is common with that or not. I keep moving from chair to couch back to chair and it just wont stop...ugh!

[lobelsteve]

Hmm, yes it does except it bypasses the butt and starts below it. Wonder if that is common with that or not. I keep moving from chair to couch back to chair and it just wont stop...ugh!

1. Lumbar radiculopathy often presents without back pain.
2. Piriformis syndrome presents similarly

Little else should be considered until these two things are looked at.

History and Physical by the right doctor. Of course I'd recommend a PM&R trained Pain Specialist. THey will likely think one way vs the other and order one or al of the following: MRI L-spine, EMG, Selective Nerve Root Block, Piriformis injection (performed under fluoroscopy with contrast).

The pain from either of these conditions can be treated with neuropathic agents including any of the following: Elavil, Lyrica, Cymbalta, Keppra, Effexor, Neurontin, many others. All have their own set of side effects.

[Karen from Indiana]

I will go read about those things. But if they go telling me they're gonna do any of those except the mri my big behind is gonna run! I cant remember exactly but I do have some degree of ddd in I think is last L area...cant remember for sure what numbers. I been praying they didnt start causing me any more problems because I am scared of the tests they do.

[Bobbi]

I'm glad that you asked about the type of pain you're feeling.

I still haven't any idea how docs make the definitive differential re: sciatica and, say, neuromuscular stuff re: ischial tuberosity. I mean, I lack the know-how, and that's why I rely on all their years of education, experience, etc.

I probably wouldn't know sciatica if it bit me in the butt, though my docs say I have it at times. For me, I definitely know when it's the ischia in turmoil.

I do hope that you are able to find relief from the pain you're feeling, Karen :).

[Mark N]

I am glad Dr Steve gave you the first two things to have checked. Often it is just eliminating one problem at a time until you find the true cause of your pain. I hope this gets you on track to reduce your pain.

[mainepain]

Karen,

It seems a lot of folks are dealing with this issue myself included. It sounds almost exactly like what I have going on.

My Right Hip and Leg has hurt for years and in fact I was told that I have a slowing of the Tibial and Peroneal Nerves along with some bulging disks at L4, L5 and S1

Although my PCP is telling me I have bursitis and wants me to have a cortisone injection.

and let me tell you I don't blame you one bit for not wanting to have one done.

[lobelsteve]

Karen,

It seems a lot of folks are dealing with this issue myself included. It sounds almost exactly like what I have going on.

My Right Hip and Leg has hurt for years and in fact I was told that I have a slowing of the Tibial and Peroneal Nerves along with some bulging disks at L4, L5 and S1

Although my PCP is telling me I have bursitis and wants me to have a cortisone injection.

and let me tell you I don't blame you one bit for not wanting to have one done.

Other things causing this pain (less likely) include trochanteric bursitis and hip arthritis. Bursitis usually only hurts over the side of the hip as aching and burning. It does not radiaite down the leg. It hurts to touch, can be red and swollen, and is not something you can sleep on (literally- it hurts to lie on that side). OA of the hip hurts when weight bearing, it hurts in the groin, but more often in the lower buttock. It is a deep ache, non-radiating, and goes completely or near completely away when not weight bearing.

[Kathi49]

Karen,

I just wrote a long post and deleted it. I was rambling. :) Suffice to say Dr. Steve is right...have your doc check out the two things Steve listed because I have radiculopathy and also have had to have my Piriformis muscle released.

[Karen from Indiana]

I did look up what steve said could be going on and it does sound like it is radiculopathy. Was reading what symptoms each of the lumbar disk cause, bingo, l5 causes exactly what is going on with me. And that is the area I have the ddd. Just wondered tho, is that a sparatic thing? This isnt staying constant but is very frequent and when it hits it is aggravating as all hell.

[Nana4&cntn]

Karen, I have the same types of pain you described. I get shots for the bursa and they really aren't that bad. I have also had PT for the periformis and continue to do them daily, so far I have been lucky and not needed shots or a release done.

The first thing to do is to get your doc to determine what is causing the pain. Like Dr. Steve said there are meds to take that do help. Still it is inportant to know what is causing it.

Take care,
Kathy