Question: Hi Dr,
I am 26 year old female, who has been experiencing pain for about five months now. In feb 2014, I had a kidney stone in my left kidney- which did not pass normally and I had to get a surgery to get it removed (cystoscopy with ureteroscopy with stent placement).10 days after my surgery (2 days after stent removal)- I started having pain in my buttock (on left side) and my left leg. At that point, any more kidney stones were ruled out- and dr told me i might have a pinched nerve in my back. So i went to see a orthopedist- who did an MRI and told me I have a bulge in my disc L4-L5 and L5-S1- 2mm each. Dr said that it might be pinching on my sciatic nerve causing the symptoms. He told me it should get better overtime with physical therapy and movement. But 5 months later I am still suffering with pain- I experience aches and pain in legs all the time- i cant walk much, my legs feels like i have walked miles even after i go for short walk inside the house.

About 1.5 month after initial pain, one night i started feeling pain in my right leg too. So for no new reason- i started having pain, burning and tingling sensation in both of my legs. Over the last month, I have also noticed stiffness in neck and pain in arms occasionally too.

One thing that I did notice which dr could not provide any explanation for is that- pain either occurs in my arms or legs in one time- if it is happening in my arms- it doesn't happen in my back, if it happens in my legs- it doesn't happens in my arms- seems like pain travels between my legs, back, arms, and neck- but mostly the trouble is in my legs.

So presently my pain is mostly in my buttock and legs- left leg being worse and constant tingling under the foot. I had all kinds of blood tests- with most tests negative except EBV and tested positive for mononucleosis in april.
From my symptoms- I am confused what I might have....is it a possible neuropathy from mononucleosis? Is it sciatica? or is it back issue causing problem? is it pinched nerve possibly caused by my surgery? or fibromyalgia- I get a different answer from every Dr- so i am confused.
I have done 5 months of PT, tried chiropractor, acupunture, nothing helped.
Tried neurontin- had allergic reaction to it. Tried cymbalta and lyrica- didnt help.
Now taking elavil-which help very slightly.
Can you give me some advice- what I need to do? or what could help me?

Hi dr XXXXXXX

thanks for your reply.

following up on my question.

Before all this happened- I was very active person, also eating healthy.

I weigh 117 lbs and i am 5'2" tall.

I used to exercise 3-4 days a week.

I did had one epidural shot in april 2014- which didn't help much.

My vitamin b12 level was in 500's- I am taking supplements for b12

My vitamin D levels were fine- 31.4

what would be my options at this point? since i have been suffering from this for 5-6 months without relief? - would surgery be an option? or I should try something else first?

just to follow up on your reply!

is lumbar root block same as epidural shot? I had an epidural shot in april- at two levels L4-L5 and L5-S1- i did not had immediate relief- but overtime the pain in my leg turned from sharp shooting pains to achy pain.

Should i opt for another epidural? My physician currently keeps on sending me to physical therapy- and has not given me option of surgery

currently my legs feel more achy all the time- like I have done intense workout and it feels like that all the time.

I have tried yoga generally- but i can ask my yoga instructor particularly about these exercises.

If I do opt for surgery- what kind of surgery would it be? would it involve taking out disk bulge? spinal fusion? I would like least complicated way?

Is surgery something I should opt for since i have suffered from these pains for almost 6 months.

thanks.