Seeking Guidance on Prolonged Sciatica Pain
I am a 42-year-old assigned female at birth and have been navigating several health challenges, including suspected hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, ADHD, complex PTSD, and a history of traumatic brain injury. Currently residing in Philadelphia, I am open to seeking assistance through telehealth or traveling if necessary. For over eight months, I have experienced persistent **sciatica pain on the right side**. My symptoms encompass: - Continuous pain radiating down my leg, accompanied by tingling and nerve discomfort, which intensifies during the night. - Difficulty with walking and prolonged standing. - Extreme stiffness coupled with debilitating fatigue. - Despite numerous visits to emergency rooms and urgent care, no imaging or laboratory tests have been conducted. - Various treatments have been attempted, such as cold therapy, magnesium supplements, turmeric, TENS therapy, the Theragun, stretching exercises, maintaining good posture, and over-the-counter medications. My requests for intravenous fluids, imaging studies, and even basic neurological examinations have been overlooked. In one incident, a healthcare professional performed a rectal examination without my consent while my neurodivergent brother was present. Unfortunately, I have not received any follow-up care, and my condition has continued to deteriorate. I feel utterly drained. What could be the potential reasons for my symptoms? Could it be nerve entrapment, a disc issue, instability in the sacroiliac joint, or something vascular in nature? What specific tests or treatments should I advocate for next (such as imaging, lab tests, or possibly injections)? And where might I find a practitioner who will take my concerns seriously? Any advice or insights would be greatly valued. I am overwhelmed and running out of options.
Answers (1)
7/1/2025, 1:20:54 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm truly sorry to hear about the challenges you've been facing with your sciatica pain, especially given your extensive background with other health issues. It's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed when you're not receiving the care and answers you need. Let's break this down into manageable pieces.
Key Points:
- Persistent sciatica pain can stem from several conditions, such as nerve entrapment, disc issues, or sacroiliac joint instability.
- Advocating for proper testing (imaging, neurological evaluations) is crucial to determine the underlying cause of your pain.
- Finding a healthcare provider who respects your concerns and needs is important for effective management.
Explanation:
Sciatica is often caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. In your case, symptoms like pain, tingling, and fatigue can arise from issues such as:
- Herniated discs or disc degeneration putting pressure on nerves.
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction caused by instability, which can be more relevant given your suspected hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
- Nerve entrapment syndromes might also contribute to your symptoms.
Your report mentions various treatments you’ve tried without sufficient relief, indicating that a more thorough diagnostic approach may be necessary.
Next Steps:
-
Request Imaging Studies:
- Advocate for an MRI of your lumbar spine and pelvis to identify any structural issues.
- Consider asking for a nerve conduction study to assess nerve function.
-
Seek Specialised Care:
- Look for a physiatrist (physician specializing in rehabilitation and pain management) or neurologist. They can perform specific nerve and muscle tests and potentially offer treatments like nerve blocks or injections.
- Check if there are multidisciplinary pain clinics in Philadelphia that focus on chronic pain management, which can provide comprehensive care tailored to your needs.
-
Document Your Symptoms:
- Keep a detailed symptom diary including when your pain occurs, its intensity, activities that worsen it, and any potential triggers. This may help healthcare providers understand your condition better.
-
Communication with Providers:
- Prepare a written summary of your health history and current concerns before appointments to ensure that your key issues are addressed.
- Clearly express your frustration with previous care encounters, highlighting the importance of consent and respect in your treatment.
-
Explore Support:
- Consider joining a support group for individuals with chronic pain or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Learning from others can offer insights and emotional support.
You deserve to have your concerns taken seriously, and it's important to be persistent in advocating for your health. If you feel comfortable, share your concerns with a trusted advocate, like a family member, who can support you during medical visits. Remember, your chronic pain is valid, and exploring these steps may lead you toward the relief you’re seeking.
Related Questions
Severe Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease with Potential Secondary Infection
A six-month-old infant is currently experiencing a severe case of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). After receiving treatment at the emergency room, the baby was sent home to continue recovery. We are now on day four of the condition. Just two days following the discharge from the ER, we've noticed that a few of the blisters have started to appear yellowish and somewhat cloudy. These particular blisters are quite small, measuring less than one centimeter, with some even smaller than half a centimeter. Fortunately, there have been no fevers, and the baby continues to feed adequately and appears to be in good spirits. However, certain blisters have developed yellow scabs. Is this a usual progression? Would it be advisable to return to the pediatric emergency department? Unfortunately, our general practitioner is unavailable for consultation for another week.
Concerns About ALS Following Recent Muscle Weakness
Greetings everyone, I’m a 29-year-old male, and on June 21, I experienced an unusual and intense tingling sensation in my right foot along with pain in my lower right leg, just beneath the knee. There was also a mild tingling in the lower right side of my face. Fortunately, after a couple of days, both the tingling and the leg pain subsided. However, this relief was short-lived as I began to notice a distinct weakness in my right lower leg. Within the past few days, I've also encountered weakness in my right hand, which has made it challenging to maintain a firm grip, and I’ve observed some general weakness in my right arm and shoulder. Concerned about these developments, I went to the emergency room. There, the medical staff confirmed the weakness in my right extremities, and they performed a CT scan with contrast, which returned normal results. I’ve just undergone an MRI and am currently waiting for the findings. Initially, the idea of ALS hadn't crossed my mind since my knowledge was limited primarily to multiple sclerosis. However, after learning more about the conditions, I now find myself feeling quite anxious, especially as the symptoms seem to align closely. It’s worth noting that I have no family history of either ALS or MS.
Unexpected CT Report After Equipment Malfunction
Recently, I faced a concerning issue with a mass I've dubbed "Fred" residing on my right hip. Approximately six months ago, I became aware of it when I began experiencing significant discomfort in that area, which made it impossible for me to lay on my side. A month back, I woke up to agonizing pain in my hip—rated around a 7 or 8. For context, breaking or dislocating my thumb gave me a 6 on that scale, with 10 being an arm severed. Fortunately, the pain subsided the next day, but now the pain is centered around the mass, while the hip joint itself feels only mildly uncomfortable. As I type, an unrelenting burning sensation persists, occasionally easing, although I still can't rest on that side without sharp discomfort. I suspect the pain stems from the tissue surrounding the mass rather than Fred itself. This mass is deep-set and likely rests just above the bone surface. Its visibility is apparent when glancing at my hip, presenting as a firm, immobile entity that appears to be enlarging. My general practitioner measured it to be about 17 x 9 cm, and in recent weeks, its positioning may have shifted, encircling the back of my hip bone, causing discomfort when sitting or leaning back. I had scheduled a CT scan for Friday. Following the administration of contrast after initial scans, the machine suddenly malfunctioned, creating a loud explosion-like noise before emitting a burning plastic odor and starting to smoke. The staff hastily disconnected me while alerting others about the incident, assuring me that results would arrive soon. Today, I finally received those results, which left me puzzled and frustrated. The report stated there was nothing present, which was disappointing; I was at least hoping for a diagnosis of lipoma over something more severe. Multiple physicians have examined and palpated the mass, and my GP expressed some concern about it (hence the nickname Fred for its mundane nature). If not for the CT mentioning my intrathecal pump, I’d question if the report belonged to someone else entirely. Although I saw that my reproductive organs were classified as normal, and it indicated an umbilical hernia, I underwent a total hysterectomy and don’t have any known hernia. Interestingly, previous scans typically include notes on other procedures, such as staples from my gallbladder removal, but those details were missing this time. It makes me wonder if they merely copied standard templates and omitted crucial information since they knew which area to analyze. If the CT machine truly malfunctioned, would they still provide the report? I am uncertain about what steps to take next. Could my physique have obscured the mass's visibility? Was the malfunction responsible for the lack of findings? Waiting months for this scan to yield no answers is disheartening. To complicate matters, I learned today that my GP has a family emergency and will be unavailable for two months. As I am enrolled in an HMO plan, I’m uncertain of how to proceed. The office advised visiting the emergency room, but I feel this situation isn't critical. Should I just wait for two months until my doctor returns? What actions should I consider in the meantime?
Can Side Sleeping Contribute to Facial Asymmetry?
As a 20-year-old female, I’ve noticed that my jaw has an asymmetrical appearance, and there’s also a slight crookedness to the edge of my upper lip (sometimes referred to as the oral fissure). I’m aware that facial symmetry is often more of an ideal than a reality, and I definitely don’t mean to make anyone else uncomfortable about their appearance. Yet, I often sleep on my side, alternating between both sides, and sometimes I end up on my stomach. This leads me to ponder whether my years of side sleeping have shaped the contours of my jaw and lips. When I reflect on photos from my childhood, my jawline seemed fairly uniform—considering the natural changes our faces go through over time—plus I’ve never had braces or serious dental problems apart from a mild overbite. My query isn’t rooted in medical concerns since I don’t experience jaw pain, but rather stems from personal insecurity. Is it too late to change anything about my features since they’ve already formed? Would adopting a back-sleeping position help balance out my asymmetry? Or was my face simply destined to appear this way? Additionally, I understand that beyond sleep patterns, other elements such as stress and diet can also influence how our faces develop over time...
Seeking Clarity and Guidance
I am a 22-year-old male, standing at 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds. Recently, I had unprotected sexual intercourse with my girlfriend. The encounter was brief, lasting only about a minute, and I did not reach orgasm. This occurred on the 11th day of her 28-day menstrual cycle. The following day, she took the emergency contraceptive, Plan B. Shortly after taking it, she exhibited signs indicating it might be effective, such as feeling fatigued and experiencing light spotting. Before our sexual activity, I had urinated at least two hours earlier and hadn’t ejaculated for a minimum of ten hours prior to that. I realize that what we did was unwise, and while I’m aware there’s a possibility of pregnancy, I am primarily seeking a medical professional's insight into my specific circumstances. What do you believe the likelihood of pregnancy is in this instance? Thank you for your assistance.