bettyk

Had much the same problem as you and also thought it was my hip. But it wasn't. It turned out I had 2 herniated discs in my lower back that were causing the pain down my leg. I went to Europe without having anything but a 100 mg Celebrex to treat the pain. And I was miserable. I could not stand for very long without unbearable pain and my legs felt like rubber after walking long distances.

Have you had an MRI? If not, then everything up to this point have just been guesses.

I did the chiropractor route as well as physical therapy and while it really did help for awhile, I ultimately ended up having surgery. I don't regret having surgery. I still have back issues but they are nothing compared to the pain I was in before my surgery.

Suggest you see a neurologist and have an MRI if you haven't done so already. While surgery should be a last resort, sometimes it is the only thing that can relieve the pain and give you back your life.

Tabernash2

I agree, bettyk. I struggled to alleviate nerve pain in my butt and down my right leg, for about 18 months. At first, I thought it was sciatica, too, as the symptoms were identical. But at my first visit, my PT said Not Sciatica. She could rule that out right away.

We did a CT scan last June, which showed my disc was bulging. Worked on it for a year, with weekly visits to our amazing PT, losing weight, doing tractioning exercises. My spine wanted to curve, my right hip wanted to be out of alignment, the pain was especially bad when lying down, so my sleep was really hindered. It was a constant battle.

The pain would peak and fall, but not go away. I was very limited in walking, standing and doing anything.

This spring, we followed the CT scan with an MRI, which showed my disk was badly herniated, and pressing on nerve roots on one side. Not good news, as it had become worse, not better, with all the work I had done.

I just had mini-discectomy surgery on Monday, to fix a herniated disc at L4-5. I am now free of nerve pain, just have some surgical site tenderness.

I agree that surgery should be a last resort, but if it's indicated, it could work for you like it did for me.

Good luck. It is not fun to feel that kind of chronic pain.

mlgb

I second and third all of those who are asking if you've had an evaluation (MRI) for bulging/herniated discs. If physical therapy hasn't helped (and you are really doing the exercises) you might ask your physical therapist about using a back brace/support. If I know I am going to be standing a long time somewhere, I use one. Walking is not so much of an issue for me, though, and I don't have sciatica.

DARK_MAGIC

I have now had about 8 chiropractor visits with no change in status. I have a appointment with primary physician on Monday to do a final assessment before he spends off referral/request to insurance company for approval of MRI. But now the last 2 weeks I have now a new ailment (UGH) My right hand has been going numb/falling asleep during sleep. I have been adjusting my position while sleeping and seems to help but during the day it seems like my pinky finger and ring finger and part of my palm cant "fully" wake up. Its like it comes back to life for 90% but cant quite get back to 100%. Chiropractor says probably a pinched/compressed ULNAR nerve. tried to do adjustments on neck for a week with no status change. He states that if the MRI would show nothing and pain is still here that my next course of action might be looking into possible Vascular issues. I asked him about my trip and he stated if he were in my shoes he would still go, no questions asked, that it would just be a matter of pain management. Unfortualy the whole MRI process more than likely wont get taken care of before I leave for Europe on the 25th. And with all the doctors appointment and tests, my wife said to me last night.."your problems are probably stemming from that darn 15 year old couch you keep falling asleep on every night" Ironic if that would be the root cause huh?

Tabernash2

For your wrist, try a simple brace, like this one: http://www.joann.com/hand-aids-lycra...bWYRoC0-3w_wcB

I have the same problem you describe, from an old neck injury. This brace feels good on my wrist, and eliminates the tingly, numb feeling, while wearing it.

There are hard braces, too, which work for sleeping. But these ones can be used 24/7 without being difficult to live with. Also washable. I carry one in my purse at all times, because mine comes and goes.

DARK_MAGIC

Tabernash2
Thank you so much for that advise! I am defiantly going to look into that!

thursdaysd

""your problems are probably stemming from that darn 15 year old couch you keep falling asleep on every night" Ironic if that would be the root cause huh?"

If that's true, you should get better on the trip...

I don't care much for wrist braces, find them too hot, but I never travel without at least one Ace bandage. I always seem to need it, alas.

DARK_MAGIC

"
If that's true, you should get better on the trip..." that's right!! I was talking with my mom last night and she said that ironically enough it might be a blessing that the trip is happening now. She stated that if after the trip my aliments are improved sigfinicalty than its possible that they issues could be due to something here at home. Would just have to figure out what. And if I get back from the cruise and the issues are still there, well then just look at your pictures from the trip while enjoying a cup of coffee!! HA! Aaahh, mom is always good and putting things perspective!!

Sassafrass

DH has terrible foot, ankle and leg pain issues. It took three pairs of custom orthotics and several different kinds of shoes before any helped. So, don't discount that the ones you got may not be right.

HappyTrvlr

When my hips were out of alignment, a physical therapist corrected the problem with yreatments and exeecises. It was corrected in a a short time.

Sassafrass

You may already be on your trip, but had a thought. Recently, my neurologist prescribed Lamictal, an anti-seizure medication, for post stroke nerve pain. It has been a miracle. It doesn't aliviate it completely, but takes the edge off enough that I can work and sleep. It works only on nerve pain, not other pain, but you described numbness and possibly a pinched nerve, so it might help. Using Lamictal for nerve pain is fairly recent, and some Doctors would probably not think about it for anything except seizures, so you would have to ask. It takes about three weeks to get up to the full dose.

With the numbness, do not rule out some neurological issue. The MRI should be useful for that.

Shaima

Hallo i am a new member here. I hope you already feel better but to travel with any kind of pain i would recommend alot of painstillers.