Sometimes, my left leg will go completely numb... which was the case on Saturday during formation (drill weekend). Our capt saw that I was having problems with my left leg and he walked me over to the wall that way I could have someone look at me. Due to the back pain, I was taken to the medical squadron on base and the doctor told me that I have a possible bulging disk in my lower spine. The capt (doc) requested that I have an MRI done. (rest of the story later)
Here are my symptoms... It is extremely uncomfortable to sit (emphasize extremely); uncomfortable (but bareable) to stand and when I lay down, my left leg will go numb. The disk will pinch the nerve (I was diagnosed with sciatica last year) Driving is the most painful thing to do. Road bumps... OUCH! I have a nice gingerly walk going on right now.
I went to the walk in clinic here at home and the doctor there told me what I knew already... and I quote "your nerves are working right" well DUH!
I told him that my military doctor wanted an MRI done. But he was like.... you don't need an MRI... it will not show your problem. (yes, it will!) He gave me 500mg Naproxen (which doesn't work!) and Flexeril... (due to my crazy daily schedule, haven't taken any yet... M,W,F up at 0600; T,R up at 0400; Sat up at 0500... Sunday up when my body tells me its time to roll my butt out of bed.) From what I heard from my boss, Flexeril is good stuff! No adult beverages with that.
My boss had the same exact thing and he went through rounds of cortizone injections, but finally had to get surgery. I talked with a doctor that came into the Y to swim during his lunch break and he told me bluntly that I have a herniated disk and that the doctor that I saw during walk-in should have granted the MRI request. I have to call down to the Medical Squadron down on base and have an request for an MRI faxed up to my doctor. I have a follow up appt with my OWN doc and I hope she requests an MRI and hopefully, I can get an recommendation to see the NeuroSpine Center here in Appleton.
Anyways, I was investigating my problem on the Mayo Clinic site... Sciatica happens when a herinated disk presses on the nerve which 1) will cause numbness in my leg or 2) will cause shooting pain down my leg. Both of these have happened in the past couple of days.
This is what Mayo Clinic website says:
A herniated disk occurs with:
Marked bulging of the disk into the spinal canal
Pieces of the disk breaking off and entering the spinal canal
This can damage or put pressure on nearby nerves.
Herniated disks are painful. Depending on the location of the problem, signs and symptoms may include back pain that shoots down your arm or leg.
A doctor may confirm a diagnosis of a herniated disk by:
X-rays
Magnetic resonance imaging
Computerized tomography
Electrical nerve conduction tests (electromyography)
Depending on the severity of the problem, treatment may include:
Rest
Pain medication
Heat or cold therapy
Surgery
Needless to say, these upcoming weeks will be fun. I have my Physical Conditioning Test on 24 Oct... and right now, any kind of PC is painful... It is hard enough to stand after sitting.
but let me say this REALLY QUICK, "DO NOT" let them talk you into back surgery UNTIL you get 2nd, 3rd and even 4th opinions. I have degenerative disk disease and let me tell you, like Ed said, myself along with Bill AKA Streetsoldier, are EXPERTS on bad backs. I'll post more later when time allows.
