Nerve Pain

[neptunelisa]

So 6 months ago in March i lifted something heavy at work and felt an immense pain in my side. Didn't think anymore of it until 3 days later when the nerve pain well and truly kicked in! 10 days in bed, lots of drugs & use of a tens machine followed before i could actually start to walk again. I saw a private physio who informed me that one of my discs was pressing on a nerve. This was backed up by a MRI that i paid privately for. It was 2 months before I got to see a NHS Physio who agreed with the private physio. I have had monthly physio since but they are at a loss as to what to do as the nerve is still very irritated. 2 weeks ago I had a L3 nerve root block which hasn't worked and the pain has actually increased! I have recently seen an osteopath who doesn't know what to do either. I am able to walk but in increased pain as the day goes on. I refuse to give into what ever is going on and walking my dogs is keeping me going mentally. But after so long and no one really knowing what is the actual problem I am beginning to feel physically and mentally exhausted. I had your typical case of sciatica when i was pregnant back in 2008. But that was 2 weeks of pain and then over with. This is different in that it would appear to be the femoral nerve as all the pain is in the front of the thigh and knee. My inner thigh was numb for the 1st 4 months but that has now been replaced by pain as well. I just want the pain to be over. I do all the exercises the physio and ostepath have suggested but most increase the pain especially if it involves bending the knee. I am on amitripyline and my sleep is not too bad although I am going to bed earlier and earlier as I am so exhausted. Anyone have any other suggestions. I will try anything at this stage :-)

Hi
I suffer from nerve pain also - at times excruciating.
Amitripyline will leave you exhausted and for me only worked at 30 - 40mg/day. The side effects were too much and I'm currently tapering off at 5mg.

If I were you I would read www.amazon.com/Way-Out-Revolutionary-Scientifically-Approach/dp/059308683X
This is a really excellent book. Curable paid subscription is excellent too.

Have you had an MRI? I probably would do that next and go to a pain specialist.
Before I do that though ID go to a good experienced massage therapist for a work over, specifoically looking at the areas where the pain is.

Do you have a pain specialist currently?

For mine I exercise a little every day and also see a pain specialist for nerve blocks. Massage has been really excellent for me so maybe its the thing for you too?

Are you using painkillers properly? Targeted doses etc?

Thank you for replying ThisisMax. Before all this nerve pain kicked off I was having monthly deep tissue massage which were wonderful and i had never felt so good and then bang this happens. I had a couple of massages back in March and April but she was worried and suggested i wait for the official diagnosis. Strangely the private physio also was wary once she had seen the MRI. But the MRI only shows a mild disc protrusions L3 & L4. I may go back to my GP about pain medication but I am not one for taking pill. I tend to suffer in silence which is not always a good thing. Other than walking I am struggling to find the motivation anymore to try any other exercise and I love exercise. Before this I was walking around 50 miles a months and swam twice a week.

Ok, I'm sorry you are in this - its not nice. The protrusions are there - may be causing pain or may not - you need to eliminate them as a cause of irritation.

Its really really important that you read up on the psyschlogical aspect of chronic pain - once you get in the loop of pain it creates new pathways which are very quickly activated. Just remember some pain is real and some is constructed as a result of pain.

Dont stop exercising - just go gently. But you have to find out why you have pain - if its irritation from nerve you might have surgery or blocks but you cannot do anything without a diagnosis and this is one of the things about chronic pain - a diagnosis is often the hardest bit.

Can you try a restorative yoga class - no mad stuff but gentle stretching. Id go back for massage if therapist is comfortable with that.

I would be looking for expert review of the MRI.

Pain wise dont be afraid to use pain relief properly - it can stop chronic feedback setting in. I'd start with paracetamol, does taking at night help with morning pain, if not use ibuprofen - my pain guy says use ibuprofen in blocks - so if you have pain start it early and keep it up. So I might use x 2 x day for four days then come off - really helps. You might find a very small does keeps edge off.

What dosage of Amitripyline are you on?

Just thought i would provide an update. I have since had a lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block which has provided no relief either. I am still struggling with knee and thigh pain. Some days are better than other but still in constant pain. Tried to come off the amitriptyline but within 3 weeks the pain had seriously increased so started taking it again. I have an appointment with an orthopeadic cosultant next week to see what the next course of action is.