Bulging discs back pain

Hi Wayne, I have and still have problems with my lumbar 3,4,and 5 discs. I have been told that basically I cannot have an op because they are 3 together ( I don't know if thet are fobbing me off). My pain is in lower back down the left leg and I find that the last 2 toes of left foot go numb. However, like you I am now suffering with burning and very painful heels and it's painful especially when on your feet, even for a short while. I have got really sick and tired of being in pain and I went to see my doctor recently , only I could only see an ANP due to staff shortages, who advised me to go through all the procedure again of physio, podiatry tweeking meds etc. I am going to see them but what I really want is to see a neurologist as then they may confirm that I am suffering with neuropathy in my feet due to nerve damage caused by my back condition.  Then maybe they will finally do something, as I hve had this for 40 years.Try your doctor and ask for a referral to neurologist. Good luck and I hope your pain gets alot better soon.window.post_1494067341553_37 = function(win,msg){

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If you havnt already had MRI then maybe u should and see a good neurosurgeon the only way Ull see on quick, is if u pay private or ask yr GP to send u to see on at a private hospital. Via the nhs but not a good out come if u keep putting of u could end up with permanent issues

It sounds to me you have developed what used to be called reflex sympathetic dystrophy back when I was a practicing pain management physician, they have renamed the syndrome several times now since I have retired, LOL it is still the same thing.  All it means is that that your nervous system consists of different kinds of nerves, for instance motor nerves supply your muscles and stimulate them to move.  Sympathetic nerves supply your blood vessels and when they work properly they dilate your blood vessels to help you get rid of heat, constrict them when you are cold to reserve your heat for your essential organs like your brain.  In reflex sympathetic dystrophy the sympathetic nervous system has run amuk and is causing constriction of blood vessels that don't need constricting causing your limbs to be cold and painful to the touch.  This may be what you are feeling Wayne.  It often occurs in chronic pain patients as a response to chronic pain.  The brain just doesn't know how to handle the bombardment of constant pain signals and it does crazy things to try to adapt to the situation.  Docs have come up with ways to deal with RSD, there are nerve blocks and medications you can try.  You need to see a pain doc.  Any time I hear someone complaining about temperature changes in their limbs I think RSD.  You could also have developed damage to the sensory nerves that run from the spine out to your limbs.  Neuropathic pain is really hard to treat and is a lot more painful than other types of pain.  It also is more responsive to things like anti-seizure medications instead of narcotics.  HTH

Lynn

"Four weeks into..."...so you had the fusion?

If so, this could all be post-op normal.  I just had an LLIF fusion at L2/L3...saw the doc a week later and complained about severe nerve pain in my lower back and down the front of both thighs.  He told me that L2/L3 controls those nerves and retracting those nerve roots for the operation inflamed them.  Told me it was normal for the op and to expect 4-8 weeks before the pain resolves.

2 1/2 years ago, I had an L3 through S1 fusion.  Wearing my back brace for almost 3 months except for sleeping and PT mitigated a lot of the pain although there was some post-op and after a tough PT session.  I was back to normal in 4 months; I put A LOT of time and effort into rehab and it made all the difference.

Considering your fusion, you have a lot of nerve roots involved that could be causing your residual pain.  What does your doc say?  Get the answer there...

Hey guys I'm heading back to doctors Friday new doctor hopefully some new answers anyone with L4/L5/S1 herniated discs have trouble with sitting driving I can't sit or drive for more than 10 mins without excruciating pain now going from my bum around towards front of kidneys sort of thing and running up my back lately I've been feeling like something is grinding in my lower back but I'm not sure what the go is with pain running up to my shoulders and down right arm is

Regards frustrated Wayne