Suggestion for mystery?

Posted , 3 users are following.

In a nutshell...

Discomfort started 6 mths ago after long hike in boots with poor support over about 100 miles in a week on fairly tough terrain.

Some sciatica discomfort right side more with activity and spreads down rear of right leg a little when used a lot. Tingling in equal amounts on both sides in feet esp after walking a couple weeks later, not on the actual hike though. My feet just felt wayyy more tired than normal and way longer. Then I got back and it developed over a week after a long flight. 

Was bad at first, stabbing pain in heels and intense tingling for a bit Additionally tingles in hands AND also on nose. Definitely related to use as all are felt often at same time. Though docs say that's not possible it affects whole body - therefore what's causing it? 

Went for xray and mri. some extra curve in spine at bottom, its a more open curve, you know. mri says some minor expansion of discs but not much in the 4th n 5th or 5th n 6th. Saw physios and given exercises and tbh I haven't been religious with them but I still haven't found that great combination that I know works.

Getting small of back into mat in exercises def helps but never gets rid of completely. Lots of exercises irritate it.  Need to find that magic combo still. 

Everytime i have at least 5 days without being in the office (and away from huge city at 7000ft polluted) and stress, it gets better - particularly one time recently in the UK it went away about 80% and was able to do some decent hikes. I fear it's the office chair or stress or both, I'm not sure. 4 hr train12 hr flight def irritated it. 

Been up and down since getting back from long break but a hike really irritated it yet again, tho same length hikes in the UK didn't cause it major issues. 

Today I was sneezing and when my head jerked forward, for sure my nerves in my hands twinged quite noticeably. I recently banged my head slightly and my nose had a burst of tingles.

I feel like I for sure have some sciatic irritation on one side, but why so much of my body affected for other nerve symptoms. Suggestions?

 Im leaving this job and this city in 7 months, but can't before. I'm concerned because I want to do a huge hike of 5 months in April and that I might not get better.... 

Also about 15-18 kilos overweight, tough diet starts today

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • Posted

    Since your symptoms are so widespread, you should look at the possibility of something in your spine AND having all of this caused by some kind of infection or allergic reaction to something.  I'm throwing in the latter possibility since it seems to get better or worse depending on your environment. 

    For the spine part, X-rays and MRIs can be inconclusive.  To rule out any spinal issues, you need to get a CT/Myelogram with contrast.  This is the "gold standard" test for the spine and nerves.  It gives a neurosurgeon a complete map of your spine.  And, yes, you need to see a neurosurgeon for a final diagnosis or clearance that your issues are not spine related.

    If the spine is OK, an allergist can do a bunch of tests to see if that's the problem.  Finally, an infectious disease specialist may be able to correlate your symptoms to a known protagonist.  If this was me, that's the path I'd follow.

  • Posted

    Sounds stress related (work) with a possible walking injury triggering widespread symptoms. Have you read about TMS? (Dr Sarno) not saying that’s what it is, as that’s generally suppressed anger etc but the premise is the same. If symptoms decrease, even with activity, when you’re not working, that’s a strong indicator.

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