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Suggest Treatment For Back With Tingling And Numbness In Leg

Posted on Fri, 4 Apr 2014

Question: Hi, I am in pain all the time, I have degenerative discs and herniated disc in my lower back left side that is laying on a nerve. I continue to have what seems like a tight fist in my left butt check, my legs burn and they feel like pins or needles are sticking me. I very uncomfortable sitting and I usual set to my right side. If I am cooking or washing dishes my back hurts so bad. I cann't sleep at night no more than 2-3 hours a night. I am not able to have surgery because I don't heal well I get keloids and scar tissue really bad where from one surgery I had to have two more because of scar tissue. So far I had five surgeries. I am wondering if I am on the right meds, I take percocet 10/325 one every six hours,zanaflex 4mg , one 3x a day, fentanyl patch 50mcg every 72hrs. A lidocaine cream 5% and amitriptyline 25mg,nothing is really giving me where I can work or just enjoy like, yes I am very depressed this has been going on since 1997. I have had shots so many times and physical therapy. What would you suggest? I really need Help Please.THANK YOU for your time. My email is down, you can send it to my granddaughter.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: You need surgery if drugs are not working. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks four your query. Degenerative disc disease in you causing two problems. One is back pain and other is tingling and numbness in leg. I also agree with you that since you have undergone multiple surgeries it is difficult to go for another surgery. I have following advice for you. 1. You should not stop physiotherapy as when you stop it your back muscles will hurt, so continue physiotherapy. You do not need therapist every time, you can understand exercise and can do it at home. 2.Lumbosacral belt is also helpful because it prevent abnormal movement of spine 3.Apart from medication you taking i will also suggest Pregabalin and Methylcobal also so nerve pain will also be relieved. 4. If nerve pain is not improving then you can get discectomy, if you are worried about your scar and keloid then you can opt for endoscopic discectomy. 5. All other medication you can continue to take, i would suggest fluoxetine at the place of Amytryptalin,. I hope these measures will help you. Let me know if you want to ask any thing else. thanks and take care. regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (6 minutes later)

Some people Soma may work better than zanaflex,also is percocet the right med I am not really getting a lot of receive.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer: pain killer medicine can be change Detailed Answer: Hi, You are getting pain killer and muscle relaxant exercise. None of pain killer is superior to other. It depends on patient. I mean one pain killer can work in one case but not in other, so you can choose drug according to your need.I will ad that zanaflex is not good for long time as it can cause high bp and kidney issue. Percocet is relatively safe. You can take tramadol , which is also safe. If pain is very severe then morphine shot can be used, if your doctor permits. I think as far as possible take less pain killers. Soma is very mild pain killer and not very effective.Feel free to ask any other followup question. regards,

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T