Dread nights, extreme leg pain, both legs, please help

azuresky · 06-09-2008, 12:05 AM

Diagnosed in 2003 after MRI's with degenerative disc disease, cervical and lumbar spondylosis, moderate stenosis, 4 bulging discs lumbar and 4 cervical with spurs.

I'm seeing a family practitioner now who has also diagnosed me with polymyalgia rheumatica, but she doesn't seem interested in dealing with pain, numbness or cramping problems I'm having now. Suggestions on the type of doctor I need would be appreciated.

Right now though I feel I am having critical pain, for which I have little relief.

During the day, buttocks to ankles, more left leg, than right I am in frequent pain. The left, front thigh to the knee has been continuously numb since 2003.

During the night I frequently have paralyzing, painful cramps...both left leg and right. Left leg occurs inner thigh, running towards the front. Right leg ALWAYS happens outer calf down past the ankle. The slightest wrong move in bed can trigger it. Adjusting does no good, it only gets worse. Trying to stand doesn't work.. I can't straighten up. Its crying, near screaming pain... that subsides over a couple of hours with soreness and like... shadow pain during the day.

Both feet cramp up with severe pain too... ALWAYS pretty much as soon as I lay down.

Wierd too... I have severe pain in my middle toes too.

I won't go into shoulder and hand pain here...but that is a problem too.

I'm just curious at this point...is this coming from my spinal problems? Polymyalgia rheumatica problem? What kind of doctor can help me? I'm scared to go to bed.

btw... if it helps.. for high bp.. I am on 100 mg Avapro, 25 mg HCTZ, 12 mg metoprolol, 81 mg aspirin, 2000 mg Vit. D...and ibuprofen 600 to 800 mg, 3 to 4 times a day.

And yes... I do have kidney changes...but the doctor I have now doesn't seem to be concerned about any of that.

Doctors I had in the past kept me on muscle relaxants for spasms, pain meds such as tramadol or hydrocodone and an antiinflammatory, usually Lodine 500 XL. But, I haven't had any of those since I switched doctors due to winning my SSDI and the Medicare plan I had to sign on to didn't include my old doctor.

Now...I have been put on a WA Medicaid complement insurance plan along with my Medicare... so I should be able to choose either my old doctor or a different one.

Advice needed... PLEASE!

happygirl440 · 06-09-2008, 01:07 AM

Hi,

How about a pain management or a neurosurgeon?

Cindy

lfoster21 · 06-09-2008, 01:11 AM

I am sorry for what you are having to go through. I have to say, I thing out of al my pains, the leg pains seem to be the worst to have to deal with. I too have a terrible time at nights, as i just can not find a position to ease the pain down the back and out side of my legs.

As for which type of Dr. to use, I would say if you already have dx. and you are going to be dealing with chronic pain, then I'd look for a pain management Dr. That is who I see at this time, and I have never been treated with such care and concern. I thought that this Dr. would just give me pain pills and send me home, but he has been working with me for a couple of years and he still has not given up on trying to find the best things to relieve my pain.

Now, if you thing that you have not been fully dx., then you might want to see a Neurosurgeon or Orthosurgeon...either way, they would need to specialize in the spine. I personally have seen both and liked my Neuro. better than my ortho.

Good luck and keep up posted.
Lorie

123dietdrpepper · 06-09-2008, 01:14 AM

I have been told I have failed back syndrome and post laminectomy syndrome Have you had any surgery?

francinej352 · 07-18-2008, 09:41 PM

As strange as this may seem, I read on line last night to take a new unopened box of soap put it under the sheets near the area of your pain. Well, I tried it last night and it worked. Now however, my hands are cramping so I'm going to put an unopened box of soap under my hands and to see if it work there also. I slept wonderfully after I did that.