Hi and hope everyone is doing good. The past few weeks I’ve had the most excrutiating lower back pain. The pain radiates down my leg, hips, in particular on my left side and goes to my foot. It is also causing yet more spasms in my legs. I can only cope with the pain if I take clonazepam, which is making me feel very grouchy. I hD a spinal MRI back in January which was clear, so wondered if any of you suffer this type of pain and whether it is related to the issues I’ve had go on that led me to a neuro or if it could be something completely seperate? I’ve been to the doctor about this where I was given the clonazepam but wondering whether to go back or wait until I see my new neuro in 3 weeks time, thanks v much
Hi, the pain radiating down your legs sounds like siatica which would normally be due to a back problem such as a slipped disc or trapped nerve. But as the spinal MRi was clear i;m not sure.Maybe L’hermittes?
I have degenerative disc disease so back pain is familiar to me but i don’t associate it with the Ms type stuff I have as i already have a back problem.
Myabe some physio for your back might help. I found co-codemol and/or diclofenic very good for back pain. Aso a heat pad or hot water bottle helps too.
Sorry you in such pain, i understand how awful back pain is. Hope you feel better soon.
xxx
I get sciatica and can trace the pain in a line down the nerve from my lower back, through the buttock and down my leg. I find ibuprofen is the best painkiller, and I second Bunnythecat’s recommendation of a heat pad or hot water bottle.
My sciatica long pre-dates my MS and unfortunately just because you have or might have MS, doesn’t mean you won’t also get other, unrelated, medical issues. It’s good that you have an appointment with your neuro booked - he’ll be able to shed light on whether this is related to MS or not. On the other hand, it sounds like the clonazepam doesn’t fully suit you so it may be worth contacting your GP next week to discuss whether there are any alternatives that might suit you better.
I hope you feel better soon.
Hi thanks for the replies. I was thinking perhaps sciatica myself but confused as sure this would have shown on my MRI. However this pain has got really bad a few months after my MRI so I suppose it could be a new thing. At present I can’t help but wonder whether everything is related to the neuro probs that I have had, quite aware that realistically it could be something entirely different. I thought lhernittes occurred when the neck was bent? This is a more constant ongoing pain and is much worse when I have been sat for long periods. I will pop to the gp this week and see if there’s another form of pain relief. Clonazepam just sends me a sleep. Thanks for the advice. Hoping soon I will get all the answers I need xx
Hi jojow, You don’t necessarily have to have a slipped disc to suffer from sciatic pain. However, because MSers seem to have suffer weak core muscles, that can predispose us to back pain and if unlucky, back injuries. If I were you, seeeing that it has gone on for so long I would attend your go surgery. It could be that you a, need something stronger than ibuprofen, such as a nerve modifying drug such as gabapentin, or b, you need a repeat MRI to rule out a prolapsed disc. I doubt for one minute it is l’hermittes, as this is a completely different sort of experience…if that is the correct word. Good luck J x
That should say gp, not go
Thanks miss demeanour, I’m not actually diagnosed with ms, just under investigation. I do have gabapentin and a few days ago I tried to take this rather than clonazepam however it didn’t even touch the pain, that’s what’s really getting me down, all that settles it is the clonazepam. When I took only the gabapentin I had only what I can describe as the worst period type pain in my Lowe backs hips and nerve pain in my left leg. I think you are right that another MRI should be done. Hopefully my new neuro will offer me one. If the pain gets any worse thus week I feel I will end up in a&e x
Hi jojow, I think you would be wise to go to a&e especially if you start having problems with bladder and bowel, or you experience sudden numbness. Hope you get sorted. J x
Thanks a lot. My clonazepam does seem to be doing the trick. I was experiencing bladder spasms as well. If the pain gets worse I will defo be down a&e this week. Have been wondering if perhaps I have spasms somewhere in my back and this is causing all the discomfort. Fortunately my bowels are behaving x
Hi, I have gone thrpugh periods of excrutiating lower back pain too, so I know what you mean hun.
Mine has always been caused through poor support.
I have support cushions from wheelchir services and a new recliner from social services. So fortunately, i`m good now.
luv Pollx
Hi poll hope you well. It’s excruciating isn’t it. If anyone ever mentions back pain to me from now on they have my full sympathy. Mine has behaved today as kept myself topped up with pain relief but when I finally sat down at a family party I found I was in agony again. Once I got up and was on the move again the pain was relieved. I am determined I will do my up most to get to the bottom of all of this this year. Even if I only get to the point of finding a good neuro who will help me explore the problem x