Pins and needles

Posted , 6 users are following.

I have sciatica caused by a disc extrussion at L4/5---confirmed by an MRI scan. I have pain mainly in my right buttock but more recently I'm experiencing pins and needles in my right leg all the way down to my toes and to a lesser extent in my left leg as well.

I'm aware that pins and needles can happen with sciatica but this seems quite excessive and I was wondering if anyone else has expereinced this problem?

Don

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Posted

    For me it's my l4/l5 S/1 and a suffer the same except mines mainly the left side and it also affects the right. Have u had a recent MRI scan . If so was the above the results . What has yr consultant recommend. I see a neurosurgeon and to date I can't fault him . I am awaiting further discectomy and wallis ligament s. As a pose to spinal fusion. Good luck

    • Posted

      Yes, I've had an MRI and it confirmed the disc extrusion at L4/5--at that time (a few weeks ago) I wasn't experiencing so much problem with pins and needles. This has come on in the past week. So, you are also getting the pins and needles in your legs--is it all the time or just occasionally?

    • Posted

      Some times it's last for days and other times it's intermittent I gues it depends on how inflamed the nerves are because of the pressure from the discs , also depends on my posture at the time

  • Posted

    Hi Don

    I also have disc prolapse at L4/L5, have been off work for 6 months now, saw neurosurgeon in December (after 4 months of the worst pain, nerve pain etc) and was told, for me there was less than 5% chance of any further recovery and that surgery was my only option. So I have to get a laminectomy and discectomy, just waiting on date (was told it would be end of January but apparently major backlog at hospital so still waiting).

    Have you been referred to a neurosurgeon yet, what medication are you taking?

    yes, I have awful pins and needles, down my leg, in thigh, buttock - it sometimes feels like i have a phone on vibrate attached to my leg,awful.

    I hope things begin to improve for you.

     

  • Posted

    Disc prolapseis a painful one to cope with. I have had injections help,for,awhile. PT helps. I gave up doing a lot of things lifting pushing pulling and follow PT recommendations. 

     

  • Posted

    I have a herniated disc at L5/S1. Started having problems in September of last year.  Sciatica was horrible with leg and hip pain along with the burning, pins and needles sensation you discribed. I finally had a spinal epidural in December.  After about 10 days, I felt back to normal.  So far, no problems, however, the spinal injection was very, very painful and I felt worse for two days after the injection.  Once the meds kicked in, it was a huge relief. 
    • Posted

      I've had three sets of spinal injections but none of them worked! My next step is a visit to my local hospital tomorrow but the appointment is with a specialist physiotherapist so not sure what's going to happen.

    • Posted

      Yes, Jessica, I agree with you so I'm hoping the physio at the hospital will refer me on to a neurosurgeon. Not sure if the system works that way though!

       

    • Posted

      Some do mine was via my doctor I asked to be referred to a neurosurgeon at a private hospital via the nhs . Best thing I ever did so far
  • Posted

    Hi Don

    It sounds like your next step to see the specialist physio is what I had too back in October. I saw the specialist physio unaware of what their role was. The specialist physio is the one who will examine everything again, they'll look at length of time you've been in pain, any changes, they'll go over your MRI and ultimately they are then the ones who will make referral on to the neurosurgeon for you. That's what happened to me, I saw the neurosurgeon in December who advised that only option in terms of recovering further for me is surgery, so I am now waiting on date for surgery.

    I hope this info helps, good luck and let us know how you get on.

    • Posted

      Thanks very much for that very helpful reply----I'm certainly encouraged to hear that the physio is likely to go over my experience and, if necessary, refer me to a neurosurgeon. I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow.

      Don

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