Chronology
1998
July
Lower back pain and sciatica begin after working overtime at the office. Pain resurfaces at times, but not serious. I play softball, exercise, work full time and swim.
2004
May
Running bases in a softball game. Painful strain of right calf. Felt like a gastro rip. ER doctor instructs me to use crutches for 6 weeks. Heals after 3 months.
October
Packing boxes, lifting. Pain in lower back; right hip burning. PCP (general physician) examines and concludes pain is muscular. Take Tylenol and rest.
November
Pain increases and moves into the right buttock. A burning long lasting pain for several days.
Dr. R. (Pain Management Specialist) performs EEG and NCV tests test for disk problems.
Lumbar MRI reports 2 herniated disks L4/L5 and L5/S1.
I began Physical Therapy 3x per week for 2 months and the oral steroid dose pack. No benefit.
I sampled Tylenol with Codeine. Advil. Naproxem Sodium. Temporary relief at best.
Dr. G. (Orthopedic Surgeon and Spine Specialist) examination. Says I should try conservative therapies.
December
Dr. Rosenblatt administers 2 nerve block injections (cortisone steroids) in the dural spaces at lumbar levels L4 and L5. After initial pain, sciatic pain subsides. 2-3 months for good relief. With only minor back and leg pain.
2005
March
Within a week, the pain returns, injections wear off. Strong sciatica in the right leg down to the calf and big toe.
Dr. F (neurologist) administers epidural shot to lumbar and prescribes Relafen. No benefit. Pain worse.
April
Dr. G orders new lumbar MRIs to confirm herniated disks. Diagnosis, diskectomy L5/S1.
May
Dr. G performs disckectomy at L5/S1. Reports surgery was successful. Pain returns to rt. Leg after a few days in bed.
June
Dr. G says the pain is probably decompression pain. Sitting hurts. Sciatic pain stronger with bowel movements. Advil and Hydrocodone provide no benefit. Dr. G says to swim, walk, rest.
Pain begins in left leg and hip. He says I am favoring that side. Normal. New pain in big right toe.4 days of tingling.
July
After pt exercise in the gym, I develop strong stabbing pain in my hips and neck. Cold packs and Advil provide no benefit. In the evening I felt strong pain in my feet and hands. Burning strong in the left foot, left calf, left leg. Some pain in hands. Intense constricting pain in chest.
Dr. H. (neurologist) believes sciatic pain is result of post-surgery scar tissue. Cannot explain nerve pain in limbs
Pain worsens. Big toes on both feet tingle, left hip strained, muscles weak. Lower back, knees, joints ache badly. Feels like raindrops are falling on my toes. Cold rain.
Dr. N (Orthopedic Surgeon) Consultation. Xrays taken of spine. Suspects L4/L5 is the cause of the sciatica. Cannot understand why Dr. G. did not operate on the L4 level disk. Does not see evidence of pinched nerves. Prescribes Gabapentin for nerve pain. Big headache from dose.
Left foot becomes blue and cold. Limbs become hot and cold. Testing reveals circulation is normal.
August
After panic attack, Dr. E (new PCP 2) sends me via Ambulance to ER. Teams of doctors examine me for 3 days and cannot find reason for sciatica and neuropathy. I leave the hospital.
Dr. S (Neurologist) prescribed Diclofenac 75 mg, Flexeril 10 mg and Neurontin 300 MG 3x per day. Pain eases. Dr. S ordered cervical MRI. Osteopaths and small herniations in neck revealed, cannot say when pain will end.
Cannot sleep. Too much pain. Hands and feet marked up with lines and scars. Tingling arms and legs, numbness, burning, aching muscles. Could not breathe in the middle of the night. Felt constricted in chest. Lemon tea helped ease the pain and release tension.
Dr. S (Pain Management Specialist) administers proper nerve block injection under fluoroscopy. L4/L5. Pain in rt. Leg is better, but left leg hurts. Burning and tingling continue in limbs.
Septmeber
Dr. C. (Psychiatrist) prescribes Zoloft and Lyrica and Skelaxin to treat weakness, headaches, jaw pain, teeth nerve pain. Pressure. Burning. Anxiety attacks. Relief is better.
Dr. M (Sports Medicine M.D.) and Dr. L (Chiropractor) prescribe exercises, chiropractic treatments and adjustments. Suspects nerve bundles in neck are causing pain in hands. Injects Lydicane into upper back and neck areas. Some pain relief noted.
November
Dr. D (neurologist) reports no major problems to address after series of x-rays, EEG and NCV testing. Take Lyrica 150 mg and Zoloft 50 mg. Give it time, rest, stretch.
Lorena. Massage Therapist and Acupuncturist. 20+ sessions over two months. Chinese techniques used to break spasms and relieve pain. Acupuncture needles with heated herbs. Needles in toes, hands, neck, head, back, legs, etc. Recommends I swim and stretch. Minor relief.
I cannot return to work because I cannot sit. My position is terminated.
December
Dr. S nerve block injection wears off. Right leg sciatic pain is strong again. Pain in calf, foot, under foot, buttock, hips.
Numbness and tingling continue in all limbs. Deep arm muscles and shoulders hurt. Neuropathy.
Dr. E (Hollistic Chiropractor) says my neck is bent and hunched forward from years of computer work. Could be the cause of my red burning hands. She adjusts a rotated and out of alignment pelvis with gentle pressure to move the L4/L5 disk back in place. 3 sessions per week. Four months total. Some relief in neck pain. Sciatic pain worse.
Dr. E. recommends Bio-Freeze, MSM, Glucosamine Chondritin, Fibro-DMG, Andrenogen for relief of pain and energy. Little or no relief to report.
2006
Jan
Dr. E thinks L5/S1 is causing the sciatic pain because it extends to calf and beyond. Could be scar tissue, inflamed disk, bone, etc. Dr. E says my back looks better structurally, but cannot diagnose the pain problem. Suspects muscle memory. I begin to swim regularly and quit Dr. E sessions.
Dr. R (new PCP 2) says stay the course, take supplements, rest and exercise. Zoloft 50mg, Lyrica 150 mg, Diclofenac 75mg. all help.
Mr. B (Herbalogist, Acupuncturist) says I have blood stagnation. Tongue is dusty. Says scar tissue, herniated disks, nerve pain are the problems. Prescribes and administers homeopathic meds, cupping, acupuncture, massage treatments, magnets and herbal teas. No relief after 8 sessions.
February
Dr. J (Holistic doctor) said my digestive system is compromised with occlusions. My immunity is suppressed. Prescribes heated castor oil rubs; herbal powders, raw food diet and olive oil to clean my organs. I cannot stay with the regimen past one week. Nausea.
I add Fish Oil, Primrose Oil, Holistic Sciatic formula, multi-vitamin, B-complex to sample. Some nerve pain relief is noted by the supplements.
Dr. G (new PCP 3), says my chronic pain will never go away. Live with it. Control it.
Dr. B (Pain Management specialist) orders new lumbar MRIs, examination, etc. MRI reports disk herniation at L4 level. Suspects L5 level also causing pain.
March
Dr. S (Master acupuncturist) performs deep acupuncture sessions on my muscles. Breaks and releases spams. But spasms return soon after. 4 sessions. No long term relief.
Dr. J (Holistic Health Counselor) scans me using energy meridians with feedback on computer. Quantum Wellness machine. Display shows scar tissue, nerve pain, cervical and lumbar disk problems. Recommends I eat nutritious mineral rich organic foods. Buy supplements to break up scar tissue.
May
Dr. L and Dr. S (chiropractors) say their spinal decompression machines can solve my sciatic pain by using gravity and pressure to suck back the herniated disk into place. After 4 tryout sessions, I am weary. After 3 failed attempts, I successfully wean off Lyrica and Zoloft.
June
Dr. D (neurologist) says I might need a fusion. Suggests oral steroids and another nerve block. I hold off.
Dr. R (physiatrist) conducts a new nerve conduction test and EMG. Reports nerve impingments at L4 and L5 levels.
Dr. O (Orthopedic Surgeon) recommends a discogram to pinpoint the disk pain.
July
Dr. S injects diagnostic nerve block injection into L4 nerve root sleeve under fluoroscopy. 2 -3 months of 60% relief from the sciatic pain.
August
I try Dr. S. TMS therapy. His program says the subconscious mind is the reason for the pain, causing mild oxygen deprivation. I recalled painful moments and brought them out of the unconscious. After 3 months of therapy 2x per day. No relief. Quit.
Neurological pain still widespread. Sparks of pain flare up when eating the night shade foods. (tomatoes, white potatoes, eggplant) and sugars. Learn to avoid them.
I sampled doses of R-Lipoic Acid daily 100 mg. Acetyl-L-Carnitine 500 mg. Does not relieve the burning and stinging pains in my feet and hands. B complex and Vitamin C helps more.
Dr. G has no answers why the sciatic symptoms continue. Suggests another L4 diagnostic block. Refutes TMS therapy.
September
Dr. Z (Podiatrist) says my rt. leg is 1 cm shorter than the left. Prescribes a rt. heel lift to try. No relief.
I began spinal decompression sessions on a 3-D machine. Dr. C (Chiropractor and inventor) used gravity, decompression on my back and stomach. Several angles, manual manipulation, 50 to 120 lbs of spinal decompression pressure used. 80+ sessions. Est . 20% relief and improvement in motion and pain. But progress stalls. I taper off sessions and may stop.
Dr. D (Orthopedic Surgeon) believes L5 disk is pressing on the left sciatic nerve and that Dr. G. performed the proper surgery. Recommends another steroid injection.
October
Dr. K endoscopy reveals hiatial hernia. ALT levels in Liver high.
2007
January
Cold laser therapy sessions with Dr. S (chiropractor). No relief noted after 15+ sessions.
Dr. C (Orthopedic Surgeon) orders and reviews new lumbar MRI films. He said the L4 disk is pressing on the nerve. Clear and obvious. MRI results show impingement at L4 level of nerve bundles and degenerative facets at L1 L2 and L3 left side . I need surgery to remove the blockage.
Dr. C said that PT, chiropractic adjustments and drugs will do little or nothing.
February
Mr. J (Physical Therapist) performs manual manipulation and orders core-building strength excercises 3x per week. He uses a therapy called Neurodynamics. Greater mobility and less pain are evident in spinal column.
Vacation: 1 Week in Arizona. I felt good in the dry climate and sun. moderate pain. I explored the Vortexes in Sedona. Overall well being feelings. Sciatic pain returns upon return to New York City.
March
Dr. L (Neurosurgeon) reviews MRI films and examines my reflexes and strength. He says L4 disk looks perfect. Pristine. Does not see a problem. Believes that the L5 disk seeped liquid onto nerve root and damaged the nerve. I should take Zoloft and anti-inflammatory drugs to cope with chronic condition. Rejects need for surgery or steroid shots. Just swim, take drugs.
April
Dr. K (Pain Management Specialist) injects 2 steroid cortisone shots into L4 and L5 disk levels. Into the transforamen. Painful. Pressure. Spams down the leg. Not sure of the outcome yet. Resting.
Dr. K injects a second round of injections into the disk spaces to soak the disks and nerves to achieve relief.
Some relief noted. 20 -30 percent in back and leg better.
May
Sciatic pain returns. Stronger distribution into instep and toes of right foot. Dr. K recommends another epidural injection and Cymbalta. I decline, seeking other options.
June
Dr. CK, pain management specialist believes I have scar tissue surrounding the spinal nerves; the reason the epidurals fail to give me relief. Dr. CK wants to perform the Racz procedure. An epidural lysis to break up the scar tissue. I need to be tested for iodine allergy, otherwise I cannot submit to the lysis procedure.
Dr. G, Ortho says I should seek pain management. Nothing new to offer.
Dr. T, Neuro reviews my MRI films. He said I may qualify for a Axialif fusion. Recommends an examination.
July - August
Continue Physical Therapy with Jason. Good relief and results. Strengthening core. Temporary relief.
Dr. H, pain management specialist sends me for new lumbar MRI films. His opinion: the L4 disk protrusion causing L5 sciatic pain. Recommends a nerve block injection at L4. If relief is found, I should consider another surgery. Does not recommend the Racz procedure.
September
Left calf is strained or tear during exercise. Results in more back and leg pain. Sciatic pain increases.
October
Dr. H said physical therapy is no the solution to my sciatic pain. Strongly recommends the nerve block at L4 to diagnose my pain source.
Sciatic pain is manageable through exercise and rest. Holding off on injections and further invasive procedures.
2008
July
Dr. K injects lidocane into trapezius neck muscles to relieve neck pain and release trigger points.
September
Ian re-injures lower back during activies by bending down quickly. Pop and crackle sounds emitted from lumbar. Pain and burning sensations in lumbar, right hip to right top of thigh. Sitting increases pain intensity.
Dr. K examines Ian. A "neurological deficit" evident in Ian's right leg from reflex test. Pain pattern and incident history indicates a disk bulge at L2-3-4. Dr. Kim prescribes Arthrotec for pain and inflammation and new standing MRI's.
Dr. R prescribes the 5-day oral steriod dose pack. Ian notices relief. Pain levels of low back pain and sciatica vary.
November
Sitting produces increased pain. Walking and laying ease the pain. Buldge is right-sided, though at times the pain shifts to the left side.
2009
February
Dr. K reviews MRI films. Identifies L4-5 disk bulge and does not recommend surgery at this time. Possible treatments include: epidurals, drugs, Racz Procedure. Continue physical therapy exercises and schedule EMG.
