Bilateral leg pain with chronic pelvic pain

[Rocky68]

I have had chronic pelvic pain for 13 years. It is currently causing bilateral leg pain feeling like tingling, stinging pain going all the way to my feet. Does anyone else have these problems and what do you do to get relief? Rocky 68

[endoTHENmesh]

Hi Rocky - So sorry to hear that! How old are you? Have you been diagnosed with any uro-gyn diseases? Does the pain come and go - ie are you still cycling?

I had a terrible case of endometriosis. It caused that kind of pain, because it affected the nerves in the utero-sacral ligaments, but it was cyclic - which was a hint it was related to my endometriosis.

I would also mention that pelvic floor spasms (you mentioned pelvic pain) - can cause compression of the sciatic nerve(s) over time. A good test might be a short course of muscle relaxants - the best is baclofen as a suppository (may need a compounding pharmacy to make up the prescription). If that gives you some relief - it is time to pursue pelvic floor therapy...

Just my (non doc) opinion...

PS Baclofen takes houra to come out of your system. Use the suppositories before bed, and do not drive in the AM until you are sure you are not sedated?

[Rocky68 in reply to endoTHENmesh]

I am now 77 but have had this problem since I was 64. I have been diagnosed with hypertonic muscles and have had two rounds of physical therapy which did not help, numerous injections, acupuncture, Botox,etc

The leg pain started a couple of years ago, and I am currently taking Robaxin muscle relaxer, 400 mg of pregabalin, 50 mg of tramadol and 60 mg of duloxetine.

They have told me I have Pudental neuralgia and then someone told me it was Periformis Syndrome. I have been told no MRI will actually show nerves. I have had my entire spine checked and it showed no problems. I am just trying to find my own treatments for this condition. Someone had recommended taking magnesium for nerve pain. I am going to ask the doctor about this. Rocky 68.

[endoTHENmesh in reply to Rocky68]

If you are taking Robaxin orally, I would try Baclofen as a suppository. A gyn should be able to prescribe it, and a compounding pharmacy can make them. It would be a more localized treatment and may delivery better relief.

They are correct, no MRI is going to show the problem. Sadly the only test I know is not fun. A nerve conduction study (ie see a neurolgist) can attempt to find the nerve that is involved. Alternatively, a neurologist might try lidocaine injections to try to find the nerve via pain relief. Of course lidocaine is a short acting medication - so not a treatment.

If a neurologist can isolate the nerve, you could have an ablation (ie burn the nerve with chemicals, heat, cold or RF engergy). The nerve will grow back (ie bridge the gap), but it does last anywhere from 6 months to a year. I am assuming that there is a section of nerve that can be "cut" without the loss of vital function. Another reason that lidocaine first is a good idea - test the loss of function.

I know this is not treating the cause, but by the time we reach over 65 (me, too), it is more a matter of managing than fixing. Please feel free to write back. Hoping you find some relief!