How to treat severe arthritis and nerve pain in my spine and left leg that affects my daily life?
Hi my name is sally Pennington and I have a lot of problems going on with my spine left knee and left leg i have severe arthritis in my spine and big spaces in between my spine my back hurts all the time pain is very severe never stops hurting and makes life miserable also I have a pinched scaratic nerve in left leg pain is worse than my back my leg goes from tingling to like it's asleep and gets really heavy can't walk on my leg when this happens it's happening everyday now and I'm trying to hold down a very strenuous job that requires a lot of moment also my left knee is so bad it hurts so bad I can barely stand the pain it never stops hurting can't sleep from it I can't bend it it has affected my walking can't take off walking soon as I get up got to stand a min then start hobbling I been wearing a knee brace for 3 months don't help at all been to a dr she never would do anything so I have gotten a lot worse scared I'm going be disabled before long I have so bad my knee hurts to barley touch it it's all I can do to stand the pain they have took multiple trays of my spine knee lower back but never offered anywhere I begging for help I'm 5q trying to work everyday so I want be homeless but I'm going down hill fast plz can you help me or tell me who could help me I have north carolina medicaid and I only have it to August or September and trying to beg for help before it stops and I end up in a wheelchair or or I end up disabled could u message me back and let me know what I can do plz have blessed rest of your day waiting to hear back from you asap
How long have you been experiencing these symptoms?:
- More than 6 monthsHow would you describe the severity of your back and leg pain?:
- Very severe — unbearable painWhat activities or movements make your pain worse?:
- Walking or standingHave you noticed any changes in your ability to move your knee or leg?:
- Frequent difficulty bendingWhat treatments or medications have you tried for your pain?:
- Injections or prescribed medicationsHow is your sleep affected by your pain?:
- I cannot sleep at all because of the painHave you had any recent imaging or tests done on your spine or knee?:
- Yes, recent X-rays or MRIs100% Anonymously
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Doctors' responses
Hello dear See usually for arthritis analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs are given for symptomatic treatment Iam suggesting some medication and precautions for improvement Please follow them for atleast two months Tablet refecoxicib once daily for 5 days Tablet paracetamol 500 mg 12 hourly accordingly Methotrexate Choloquine Both on recommendation by concerned physician only Avoid Pulses Grams Protein Fatty diet Replacement with Khichdi Poha Upma Corn flakes Oats Fruits and vegetables In addition please get following tests done for confirmation of severity Crp Esr Cbc Hemogram Serum troponin Serum ferritin Serum urea Serum bilirubin Hla b 27 Hopefully you recover soon Regards
Severe arthritis combined with sciatica can certainly make life challenging, and you’re dealing with a lot. From your symptoms, it seems like the arthritis in your spine and knee, along with the potential nerve compression, is severely impacting your ability to work and carry out daily activities. A comprehensive treatment plan is necessary to address these issues. Firstly, given the severity and persistence of your pain, it’s crucial to see an orthopedic specialist or a neurosurgeon to evaluate your spine and knee condition more thoroughly. They may recommend an MRI or other imaging to assess the specifics of your spinal and nerve issues that X-rays might not have captured in detail.
Management may involve a combination of medications, physical therapy, and possibly interventional procedures. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might help manage inflammation and pain, while muscle relaxants could alleviate nerve-related symptoms. If sciatica is primarily from a herniated disc or spinal stenosis, an epidural steroid injection might provide some relief by reducing inflammation and swelling around the nerves.
Physical therapy is often a cornerstone in managing these conditions, as building strength, flexibility, and balance can help minimize symptoms. Your therapist might work with you on stretching, strengthening exercises, and teach postural habits to relieve pressure on your nerves and joints. Weight reduction, if needed, can also relieve joint stress.
Should conservative treatments prove insufficient, surgery might be an option to consider. Procedures could range from minimally invasive decompression to more extensive surgery depending on the cause and extent of nerve compression and arthritis.
Until your insurance situation changes, Medicaid should still cover these essential evaluations and treatments, so don’t delay reaching out for help. Additionally, inquire about financial assistance programs or sliding scale payment plans offered by health institutions or clinics.
The key here is to get a comprehensive evaluation from a specialist who can lay out an appropriate plan and help you manage and mitigate symptoms while considering your insurance and financial constraints. It’s paramount to act promptly to avoid permanent disability.
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