irritable legs

[chrissieworne]

Hi all, I haven't been on here for a while.......but would like some input please. :?:

I have had back pain on and off over the past year and my GP says I currently have Sciatica, prob due to inflamed nerve because I have a pain in my left buttock which shoots down the back of my leg, through my knee and down in to my foot. This is often accompanied by tingling/pins and needles in the foot and a crawling sensation up the shin. :evil:

It is driving me potty, especially at evening/night when the pain subsides but the tingling is worse and I have to keep moving my legs. :cry: :cry:

She has referered me for physio and I am taking co-codamol (can't take NSAIDS) and a small course of Valium.

Despite her saying not to worry I am worried it's neuropathy but I have full sensation in my limbs and full control/no weakness. My BG is in reasonable control and my annual chiropody check in Dec showed no probs, Doppla result excellent.

Any ideas and any remedy suggestions? I am mobile and am stretching, carrying on as per norm, not sitting about.

Thanks
Chrissie

 

[cugila]

I too get bouts of this, due to a damaged disc at L5 which I did years ago. I get the same pain and discomfort that you mention. In the acute phase of this I have to just rest, I cannot move hardly without intense pain. It all stems from my lower back injury as the damaged disc presses on the Sciatic nerve.

A few days spent lying flat most of the time and doing absolutely nothing eases the pain until I can move about a little with the aid of some good painkillers. Last bout a few weeks ago put me out of circulation for nearly two weeks ! Co-Codamol is useless as far as I am concerned. I had to get another painkiller Dihydrocodeine from the Doc after telling him that I was getting no relief from the otherdrug. Seemed to work for me. It allowed me to start moving and the pain eventually wore off.

Only thing that works for me is rest, painkillers, Ibuprofen, then gradual moving around with the aid of the painkillers. It then wears off over time. I have had Physio, traction, spinal manipulation over the years but it still comes back after a time pain free.......I am now very wary of doing anything (almost) which sets off my lower back as that then triggers the Sciatica.

There is one other possibility.......I see you are on Simvastatin. There are many well documented cases of pain similar to your symptoms which have been attributed to the drug, even in people who have been on it for a long time. Just a thought.......

 

[Sid Bonkers]

Like Ken I have suffered with this type of pain for years and in the last two years have undergone a years worth of physio which made things worse, a back rehab course which was useless, told everyone there that chronic pain was all imagined and in our heads and most recently the local pain clinic who have so far offered me three drugs the only one of which worked for me was Pregabilin but unfortunately that made me put on weight and caused erectile problems so I quickly stopped taking it, next appointment is the end of this month, not sure what they will try next :roll:

When things get bad I find Co codamol and a hot pad applied to the lower back give me some relief, I buy the Boots hot/cold pads that are reusable and so more cost effective than the disposable ones, some days and nights I will reapply it every hour but it does relieve the pain.

I have tried using them cold, out of the freezer, but I seem to get more relief standing them in boiling water for 10 minutes

Drugs that didnt work (for me)
Tramadol.......gave some relief but I would feel like a zombie
Amitriptyline
Gabapentin
Pregabalin

 

[chrissieworne]

Hi guys
Thanks for the replies, since my last posting things cleared up until 3 days ago when my back started to ache and then I got what I can only describe as electric shocks up and down my leg and tingly foot, Sciatica back again !!!

Am really fed up with this now, Co Codamol, Diazepam and rest, heat and ice does help but I feel as though I can't do any exercise without fear of aggravating it. I can't take NASAIDS as has an ulver last year. Physio has not helped and tests show there is no disc damage (MRI scan and bone density scan to check for Osteoporois all clear) so GP says its just the nerve geting irritated. My tens machine brings some relief but I can't wear it all day at work.

I am off work at present for a flare up in my Carpal Tunnel Sundrome and work are getting nasty. They want me to go to Occupational Health. I have had advice from the Union who advised if I need any more time off to blame the Diabetes because that is covered under the DDA but I can't do that in fairness as there is no proof to say the Diabetes is in any way responsible. My BG is farly good. I have only had one day off in the last yr due to Diabetes when I was very high and felt ill. However, I have had some length off work in parts due to back and wrist pain (I also broke my wrist 3 months ago)

Can anyone advice me what I should ask for from my GP? I can't keep being off work (I work full time)but I can't type all day either. Non one seems to know where I can get wrist splints from and I am concerned I am going to lose my job. My GP is nice but they don't seem to have any ideas.

Is a ref to Occ Health a ppositive move do you think?

Please help as I am so anxious it is making me ill.

Thanks
Chrissie

 

[jaykay]

Okay, yet again, may I make a plea for trying alternative therapies? They are generally non-invasive and pleasant procedures and can have wonderful outcomes. For Sciatica, I have known osteopathy, massage and Bowen Therapy to have a high success rate. Acupuncture is usually my last resort but only because I don't love the actual treatment but have personally had several successes with it. Just a thought

 

[mehdave]

I have for the last 3 weeks had a constant tingling almost like a slight pins and needles in the arch of my left foot mainly at night. It is driving me utterly insane and I have no clue whats causing it. I dont have any back pain at all and never really injured my back or foot so I am thinking its diabetes related.

Looking it up is certainly scary due to it possibly being neuropathy etc. Im going to be making an appointment about it. Seems to be a few of us here with the same thing. I also get twitching in my fingers and my hand shakes really badly sometimes

Never thought about pain killers for it though like yourself im not allowed nsaids do you find they helped?

 

[chrissieworne]

Hi folks
Been to GP today, he has measured me for some wrist splints to wear at night to give Carpal Tunnell a rest and has persuaded me to try v low dose of Amitrptyline (10mg) at nght to see if it calms nerves down in neck, wrists and back. Can't have any NSAIDS even by suppository as he says it still affects stomach by the way it works.
Has said I can have injections in wrists if this doesn't help. Back to work next week but half days and with other splints if needed.
He says he is sure I do not have Diabetes based neuropathy but have "over sensitive nerves" the Amitrip is supposed to whet the nerve reactions down.
He says the type of pain I am having is not due to the statin and my recent blood tests included Liver function which would have showed anything related to the statin up.
He thinks work referring me to Occupational Health is actually a positive move as it will force my employer (a big local authority) to make any necessary provisions to keep me IN WOK, NOT GET ME OUT.
I am very worried about the Amitrip (don't know why really) is anyone else on it?

I had thought about Accupuncture and Osteopathy but when I was seeing the Physio (which was useless) they forbade it most vehemently!
Thanks Chrissie

 

[bowell]

Hi chrissieworne

I use Amitrptyline for spinal nerve pain I take 80mg per day all in one go
I found the Best time to take it ,is around 2hrs before bed time as it does make you sleepy
(good thing with pain) sleep is the best escape
if you find you are still a bit dozy mid morning take it a bit sooner
other side effect you may get is a dry mouth to over come this chew some gum
you may find you dreams are bit clearer ((you remember them)
it takes a few days to build up and get the full effect from it, so keep taking it

You will find it does not get rid of all the pain but knocks the top of it
ie turns a sharp stabbing knife into a wooden spoon
with 80mg my Dreams are now in HD :lol:

The other drug I take for Nerve pain is Gabapentin 2000mg

re NSAIDS only one i am allowed is Naproxen (GP and Hospital drug review )
As I take 50+ tablets a day i am given lansoprazole to help protect my stomach

Morphine MST slow release then morphine liquid for top up when needed
found this works best for the deep non stop pain

I also receive spinal nerve block injections every 6 weeks

All that and the wife still gives me a head ache :lol:

 

[JUSTFOCUS]

hi chrisse
i too have had 10yrs of life with 2 prolapsed discs and spinal chord infringement. B has hit it right on the head amatryptaline is a 3 in 1 firstly you get a cracking night sleep. Secondly it can certainly lift your mood and thirdly it is a relaxing drug. I only got my proper diagnosis when my old dr retired and my new one sent me for a scan. I am now awaiting a op for my back. You might find you have to badger your Doc as surgery is very expensive good luck stick in there .

 

[chrissieworne]

Hi Bowell and JUSTFOCUS

Thanks for your help, you both sound as though you are suffering much more than me, have just taken first Amitriptyline so wait and see, thought I would go to bed in about an hour. I have terrible burining pain in my neck tonight so am praying in time it helps. :evil:

As for the dreams, blimey, I dream like you woldn't believe anyway so will look forward to the full HD and 3D versions lol! :lol:

Now Bowell, we woman are capable of many things, including giving men headaches............well according to my significant other !!

My GP is very easy to talk to so that does help, I guess it is a wait and see operation.

Watch the space, take care all

Love Chrissie

 

[jmd12]

I was given amtrip to calm my nerve endings when my exzema was really bad and I could not stop itching and therefore make it worse. I found that the tablets helped with that type of problem too and it meant my skin improved as I was not scratching the same.
I was told by specialist to take it about two and half hours before going to bed so as to avoid been still affected by it when I got up in morning.
It was having problems with pins and needles and pain in my right leg at night that prompted me to go to GP who arranged blood test, and then find out I was T2................. GP now thinks that I have sciatica/trapped nerve though. So although the leg problem not sorted it has at least meant the diabetes diagnosed and I can get in control of that all being well.

 

[chrissieworne]

Oh my goodness.............took the Amitriptyline at 9.00pm last night, by 10 was sleepy and very numb mouth so went to bed. Slept through until 11am this morning and woke feeling as though I had been hit round the head with a hammer! Up to midday I felt as though I was very disorientated and the sedated effect lasted through to 6pm this evening. I now feel as though I have a hangover and I am not taking any more as I can't possibly function lke this.

Hubby mad that I am not giving it a good go but I am frightened of it now, I have honestly never felt like that in my life! I have to go back to work MONDAY and I won't function like that.

Also my BG was extraordinarily high first thing (11 am) wondrered if that was cause.

Any ideas? I spoke to the pharmacist who said I should continue for another week to see if I adjusted. I didn't feel like that on Diazepam but GP won't give me that as he says it is addictive.

Chrissie.....................fed up!

 

[bowell]

Thats why you start on a very low dose 10mg
if you can bear with it ,You will find within a very few days
you will get all the benefits from it (similar things happen to me)
Over the weekend is a good time to get use to it

Try to take it a lot sooner if your bit dozy in the day

Honest For nerve pain its one of the bests tools in the box

By the end of 5 days you will think nothing of it just like a sleeping pill
and around day 15 more than likely wish to ramp it up to 20mg

Think of it ,if the first drink you ever had was a triple whiskey
That would also have put you on your Bum

End of the day its your choice and you can always come back to it
when the pain becomes too bad for you

You could ask GP to try Gabapentin also for nerve pain this can make you sleepy most of the time
Ask your GP to refer you to a Pain Consultant

I would not know what to do without mine he is Brill
No sodding around jumping around flowers and drinking fairy juice ,sniffing candles or humming ,
Just hard drugs and injections that work for me 8)


Anyway Im off to bed as i have just dropped 80mg of it :wink:

Bob

 

[Slinger]

hi,

i suffer from neuropathy since 2008, the pain got that bad i was put on sick in jan 09 and been there since. not all neuropathy suffers lose feeling in feet, mine have gone the other way and are hypersensitive. i have throbing pain all the time and sometimes feels like sunburn being rubbed with sandpaper. the major pain comes when walking or standing, that is when i get stabbing pains in my feet.

i am also on simvastatin and pregabilin which has made me put weight on, not too much, a little over a stone excess.
i also suffer from ED but cant take viagra or any other drug since cause too much heartburn and throbbing head, so i use an erectile pump.

i have tried other drugs for the pain but pregabilin is the best i have found

cheers
ste

 

[bowell]

For info
NICE Guidelines for Neuropathic pain
http://www.painclinic.org/pdf/articles/NICE Guidelines - Neuropathic Pain.pdf


http://www.painclinic.org/pdf/artic...Neuropathic Pain - Information for carers.pdf

 

[chrissieworne]

Well well, last night gave up on this Sciatica which is again plaguing me to the extent I was sobbing with pain. Took a 10mg Amitrptyline out of sheer frustration 9hadn't taken it since last time)and to my suprise I was not anywhere near as drowsy today (took tab earlier, approx 7pm rather than 1pm as before) felt nicely sleepy by 10 and slept through.

Took another tonight at same time and am keeping fingers crossed.

One question, I can be a bit of a hypochondriac (so I am told) and I noticed about 2 hrs after the tablet last night I felt a little bit itchy, no rash, red skin, weals or whelts, nothing to see at all but my scalp itched and then I felt itchy here and there. It was there a little during the day today so I took a one a day Claritin after checking with pharmacist it was okay to do so. It wore off but the same happening again tonight and the Claritin would still be working surely as not due again until 12 noon tomorrow. I am anxious about these tabs as you all know so am wondering if it is psychosomatic?

When I get worried I can get hot and flushed then itchy and the more I am thinking about it the more aware of it I am.

What do you think?

Thanks Chrissie

 

[chrissieworne]

Sorry, meant last time I took it at 10pm, not 1pm. !!

 

[bowell]

little bit itchy,

Yes i some times get that, but to be honest would not know what tablet i am on does this :?:
as a few of them can do this, I would rather i was a bit itchy, than the pain

Being a bit of a prescription druggy now :? I have found most side affects do settle down or
go with time and have learnt to give things a good testing , before i say NO

I will admit Amitrptyline takes some time to settle thats why its normal start with a low dose
10mg@day next week 20mg@day and so on
You dont take Amitrptyline like paracetamol ( when you please)

Its a 24hr drug so you only need to take it once a day , and keep taking it to build up a level
just like metformin.
when you are used to that dose you then take one more until your are on the correct dose for you
you will find it can take a week or more for full befit to come.

Same if you come off it you need to drop dose slowly with advise from Doc

If you have a deep aching pain opioid pain relief works better the likes of tramadol or Morphine
a lot later down the road.


Again my advise with chronic pain is ask to see a pain consultant


Anther option for pain from the spine is spine block is injections that last around 6<>8 weeks
I have theses and find them very helpful and given by the pain consultant


Sweet Dreams :lol:

Bob

 

[JUSTFOCUS]

Hi chrisseworne
really pleased you give the ams another go like Bowell i too have a large dose 4x50mg / night i honestly can't remember what i started on but it's the best meds i have ever had .And the only escape from pain and a good sleep.
Good luck and enjoy your dreams :lol:
JF.

 

[chrissieworne]

Thanks folks

Actually not itchy today but heady as I slept like a rock for 12 hours! I do recall a very vivid technicolured dream lol!!! Can you break in half and take 5mg?

I will stick to it if I can, I just get worried about all these pills, my hubby keeps saying look at all those pills yr like a junkie which doesn't help and I get upset.

Basically I now take:
Thyoxine 150mcg per day for underactive Thyroid which I have to take for life

Aspirin EC 75mg a day as I have "sticky blood" never had a clot but my son died aged 23yrs due to a massive PE and then they found I had Antithrombin Defficiency which passed to him. So its a prevention thing.

Ranitidine 150mg x 2 a day to protect stomach

Metformin 500mg once a day with eve meal

Simvaststin 40mg at night

Painkillers as req

Now the 10mg Amitriptyline

It does seem a lot!

Chrissie