Piriformis syndrome; post discectomy

[KatyMac]

My dad is in terrible pain

He had 2 discectomies about 3 years ago, then another 2, 6 months apart (last one in April)

For a year he was walking hunched over & now has the most awful pain in his hip/leg; he is wondering if this is what he has & if there is anything he can do.

He has re-evaluated his pain scale & everything previous to this is now down at 7 and he has spent the last 2 nights in A&E getting stronger & stronger pain killers - he is on morphine. He can only crawl, he cannot stand or sit or lie down.

Help?

This sounds very distressing.
There are two issues that need to be addressed, the pain and the nerve compression.

Phone the secretary of the consultant who did the initial procedures, explain the procedure and ask for an urgent review.

Then get an emergency appointment with his gp tomorrow to discuss pain control.
He should consider muscle relaxant (diazepam) regular analgesia (morphine based) anti inflammatorys and other adjuncts to pain relief such as pregabalin.
If ur GP is struggling, suggest that he phones/refers to the pain team at ur local hospital.
Also ask for an urgent referral to physio, as some stretching exercises may help when combined with pain relief.

Hope this helps x

Thanks
He has an urgent appointment (4 weeks) with his consultant - who has previously said 'that's it, no more surgery'
He is self referring to his physio (I think next week)
He is on diazepam & rohypnol, a nerve drug (I can't remember the name) & a 'something' morphine - he is scared of overdosing so my mum is keeping the drugs

Unfortunately they just moved house & therefore GP so they have filled in the forms & are awaiting the first appointment

My mum has been asking for the pain clinic/pain consultant for 4 weeks now - he is almost suicidal

Pain is the symptom and not he cause. If you know that it is piriformis symdrome that is causing the discomfort, a sports and remedial massage therapist can help. Piriformis is a deep muscle in the buttocks and can cause terrible discomfort if in spasm. A SRMT can use various techniques to help bring the muscle out of tension and work with all the other muscles that could be contributing to the problem. Please look on the Sports Massage Association website for your local practioner. Good luck and I hope he gets relief soon.
www.tinaleake.co.uk

He is worse today & at the big hospital for hours last night
& his consultant (& secretary) are uncontactable - A&E went spare last night as my dad cannot wait 2 weeks to be seen