constant pain

[Tokillamockingbird21]

nerve damage after 2 operations. Have compromised sciatic nerve and cervical narrowing of foramin . In constant pain. Have nerve pain all down the left leg. Only partial feeling in left foot. Chronic sciatica and the cervical pain goes through shoulders, down the arms and into the hands. It initially happened at work when a patient fell on me . Now I’ve been reading about Fybromyalgia I’m sure I have it . How do you get diagnosed ?

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Hi and a warm welcome. A diagnosis is usually based on tests to rule out other conditions, together with your patient history

The core symptoms for a fibromyalgia diagnosis are

Widespread chronic/persistent pain

Fatigue

Unrefreshing sleep

Cognitive issues (brain/fibro fog)

There is general information on our website fmauk.org, asking with NHS and royal college of physicians website, which has diagnostic guideline documents for both health professionals and patients

[Tokillamockingbird21 in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Thankyou so much for your reply. I have suffered with pain since 2016 I have worked for the NHS for 14 years and initially hurt my back at work when a patient fell on me, I suffered a prolapsed disc and compromised sciatic nerve. Had first operation then 4 years later the same disc prolapsed and this time had to have a disctectomy and an operation to try and widen the foramin left with permanent sciatica and nerve pain. After 2nd op had terrible pain in my arms and shoulders going down to my arms, I often cry from the pain in the morning especially.

[mrdarcy1]

Hi Tokillamockingbird 21

Sorry for the pain your in.

Sounds as if you've damaged the nerve, and it's not healed by now, then it's going to permanent.

I've had acdf c5/c6 operation 10 years ago, it was amazing, straight away I felt so much better.

However I had compression on the thecal sac. I have been left with numb left leg at thigh and constant ciatica, down to my toe.

Some days it's so bad I'm like a cat on a hot tin roof.

After a lot of trial and error i find it manageable with pain killers and chillie cream and there are exercises you can do.

Cold and hot compressions are a god send, I totally get the frustration, speak to your doctor and see about physical therapy. I have had 3 DVTS in my right leg, 2 below the knee and 1 above, I've never felt pain like it before.

So you will get thru this, keep positive and try different remedies, it will amaze you what can work for you.

I also have l4/l5 S1 compression. I wouldn't do anything on that, as the injections never helped and I'm not willing to take the chance.

It's a long road and just try different things, you never know what will work.

Don't give up and speak to different people,

Good luck and I hope you get it sorted.

Have a fantastic 2024 and I hope you find something!

[Mrdiagnosis]

Hi , did you write this in the accident book at work ?

[Tokillamockingbird21 in reply to Mrdiagnosis]

We don’t have an accident book but I did fill out a Datex form. The NHS have been very good with me and have supported me so far but I’m now trying for I’ll Health Retirement and don’t know if I will be successful .

[memees]

Hi sorry to hear about the nerve pain and damage! The only way to get diagnosed with fibromyalgia is your GP has to refer you to a rheumatologist. The rheumatologist will take bloods to rule out other rheumatology conditions and assess all the 18 pressure points for fibromyalgia over your body. So ask your GP to refer you to a rheumatologist. The rheumatologist diagnosed me on the first assessment from the 18 points on body and ruled out other conditions from blood tests.

Then they may suggest the pain clinic. The only 2 medications they prescribe for this is 2 types duloxetine and pregrablin. I stayed on the pregrablin as tried duloxetine and had all major side affects. Definitely sounds like nerve pain and damage which I get constantly up and dow left side of body. It's very painful constant and relentless! Sometimes I have to increase 3 pregrablin up to 6 a day as it's really bad. It helps a little bit even so the pain and nerve pain doesn't go away! Just found some under skin lumps (lipoma's) around all the nerve pain/damage which radiates around the lumps and is pressing/pinching the nerves! So have to seek medical advice about this too.

I feel for you and please get a referral to a rheumatologist soon as you can through your GP they can only refer you.

Good luck and let us know how you get on!