Scared and confused by possible neuropathy

[brandon80w]

Back in February of this year I slipped on ice and fell off my porch. Shortly after I experienced a radiating pain in my left butt cheek area that comes and goes throughout the day. My neck also hurt after the fall but felt better the day after so I didn't see a doctor about it, My doctor said it sounds like sciatica and told me to do some stretches. The pain has never went away in my glute and about a month ago I started experiencing burning feet and also hands. I get jolts and cold shock like feelings that I can't really explain. Sometimes its fire and sometimes it feels like ice. It's so very strange to me. My doctor says something about burning feet syndrome and has recommended I see a neurologist. I'm scared to death now because I'm worried things will only continue to get worse. Has anyone experienced this and returned back to normal? I also had covid and thought maybe it caused it.

[Nuerotyka69]

Brandon80w,

It sounds like you have sciatica with peripheral Neuropathy. I'm NOT a doctor, but I experienced the radiating, shooting pain up and down my leg to my buttock more than once. I have found something that helps with it...many people swear by using Emu Oil. You simply rub it where the pain runs (or have someone rub it for you).

Personally, I swear by a product called Outback Pain Relief. It comes in oil or a cream and its helped with the sciatica as well as the pins and needles, hot/cold shocks, electrical zaps, stabbing and jerking feelings. Its also helped the stiffness in my ankles and wrists that seem to have started about 4 months ago.

You should do stretches and light muscle exercises so you don't lose your muscles. (Trust me, its painful and sucks).

The good news is Sciatica can come and go...and it can go away for months at a time, possibly even years.

The bad news, if it is Neuropathy - with the pins and needles, burning sensations, feeling like you have bugs crawling on your feet/legs, etc .... there is no "cure" for it. BUT you CAN slow it down.

Get tested for diabetes. Most Dr's, that's the first test they do...to ensure that its not diabetic neuropathy which I believe is the most common cause of neuropathy.

Neuropathy is a group of diseases resulting from damaged or malfunctioning of nerves that causes weakness, numbness and pain in hands and feet. (I cheated and looked it up to get the proper wording)

It can occur if you cut yourself chopping veggies or some other type of injury to your body. It can also occur if you have surgery. ANY cutting of the body tissue can bring neuropathy on.

The nerves end up attacking themselves and killing themselves off. Those feelings you keep getting...those are your nerves fighting each other.

Talk with your Primary Care Physician. Ask what supplements or vitamins you can take to heal the nerves or at least slow them down.

Other things to ask:

Is there a medication that I can take, with the least side effects, that will help. (For many of us..Gabepentin/Neurontin is that drug. ) Depending on where you live, your Dr. should be able to prescribe something that will help you.

Ask what foods will irritate or cause the nerves to become over-excited and cause more pain. (For many of us...sugar and fake sugars make the sensations worse.) I know there are foods that can help and foods that can make you feel like death warmed over in pain the next day. Ask for a diet guideline.

Ask what exercises and stretches would be best for you. Many get relief doing yoga while others it makes them hurt worse. It all will depend upon YOU and what your body can handle/likes.

If it is Neuropathy, it won't ever go away but you can work with your Dr. to find what will work for you to slow it down and make it not flare up as much.

I hope I've helped you in some way and that you find some comfort. I'm available if you ever wish to chat. 😋

[CaraCara]

Yeah it's a bugger of a condition. I've had it for 7 years so far. Unfortunately treatment is limited only to pain control type medication. I use cold packs and deep heat at nights. 'Tens machine' works but is limited. Cutting down on sugar might help and taking lyica when it gets severe is helpful for me. I think doctors have dropped the ball on new treatments for this condition. I found google and utube more helpful than doctors on this condition. If u need more info please write.