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Severe Pain In The Back. Difficulty Inn Walking And Coughing. Prescribed With Antacid And Diclofenac. Pain Radiating To Legs. Is This Sciatica Pain?
hi there i been having a massive pain starting from the lower lumbo saccral region i cant sit for long since sunday night all of a sudden. neither i can walk properly and micturation is very difficult including coughing. i have seen a surgeon he has given me antacid and diclofenac twice daily...the pain has subsidized as off now till the effect of painkillers but if i stop taking them the pain resurfaces back again although not like the one i had 3 days before but its like a chronic pain and it goes down the legs?has been advised a week of complete bed rest . just want to know is it a sciatica pain?
posted on
Mon, 10 Sep 2012
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 11 Sep 2012
Answered on
Wed, 12 Sep 2012
Last reviewed on
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
You are most likely suffering from prolapsed intervertebral disc or cauda conus syndrome.
Do you have radiating pain in lower limbs/ weakness in lower limbs?
You should consult with orthopedic surgeon/ neurosurgeon and should go for x ray lumbo-sacral spine as preliminary investigations.
You should also go for CT/ MRI scan lumbo-sacral spine for better clarification.
You should do strict bed rest.
You should take pain killers with serratiopeptidase and chymoral forte for reducing swelling.
You should stop sitting & lying down on floor.
If not treatable with medicines then you should go for surgery.
Take care,
Dr. Mayank Bhargava
Thanks for posting your query.
You are most likely suffering from prolapsed intervertebral disc or cauda conus syndrome.
Do you have radiating pain in lower limbs/ weakness in lower limbs?
You should consult with orthopedic surgeon/ neurosurgeon and should go for x ray lumbo-sacral spine as preliminary investigations.
You should also go for CT/ MRI scan lumbo-sacral spine for better clarification.
You should do strict bed rest.
You should take pain killers with serratiopeptidase and chymoral forte for reducing swelling.
You should stop sitting & lying down on floor.
If not treatable with medicines then you should go for surgery.
Take care,
Dr. Mayank Bhargava
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User's Response
Welcome to Healthcare Magic,
From your description is very suggestive for low back pain with sciatica ( your pain radiate down to legs , this is neuralgia specific for sciatica ). Mostly caused by nerve root compression due to intervertebral disc pathology. In sever cases may appear stabbing, burning pain, limitation in movements, sensory and motor deficits ( numbness, weakness), etc.. Very easy to determine by MRI or CT scan plus Nerve conduction studies (that will show you exactly affected level). You may continue diclofenac with antacids or in persistent pain try analgesics such acetaminophen with codeine, or hydrocodone, plus local anti-inflammatory creams ( voltaren, icy hot, deep heat, finalgon , etc. ) plus hot packs, gentle massage. Additionally once or twice a year physical therapy. Total , strict bed rest is advisable only for 2 days ,because prolonged immobilization may worsen pain and extend recovery time, you have to start your daily activities as soon as possible and avoid lifting heavy weights, rapid movements in torso, bending, etc.. carry lumbar belt.
I wish you good luck and speedy recovery,
Hope this helps and I have answered your query. If you have additional queries don’t hesitate to ask.
Best Regards,
Dr.Mihail
From your description is very suggestive for low back pain with sciatica ( your pain radiate down to legs , this is neuralgia specific for sciatica ). Mostly caused by nerve root compression due to intervertebral disc pathology. In sever cases may appear stabbing, burning pain, limitation in movements, sensory and motor deficits ( numbness, weakness), etc.. Very easy to determine by MRI or CT scan plus Nerve conduction studies (that will show you exactly affected level). You may continue diclofenac with antacids or in persistent pain try analgesics such acetaminophen with codeine, or hydrocodone, plus local anti-inflammatory creams ( voltaren, icy hot, deep heat, finalgon , etc. ) plus hot packs, gentle massage. Additionally once or twice a year physical therapy. Total , strict bed rest is advisable only for 2 days ,because prolonged immobilization may worsen pain and extend recovery time, you have to start your daily activities as soon as possible and avoid lifting heavy weights, rapid movements in torso, bending, etc.. carry lumbar belt.
I wish you good luck and speedy recovery,
Hope this helps and I have answered your query. If you have additional queries don’t hesitate to ask.
Best Regards,
Dr.Mihail
I find this answer helpful
Hello,
The description of pain does sound like sciatica pain. Since it started all of a sudden, you should undergo investigation for the cause like slipped disk. Probably an MRI will be needed to ascertain the level and extent of disk bulge. What makes it more worrying is that micturition is also difficult and so compression may be severe. Complete bed rest is a good suggestion by your doctor. Stick to it.
Good luck.
The description of pain does sound like sciatica pain. Since it started all of a sudden, you should undergo investigation for the cause like slipped disk. Probably an MRI will be needed to ascertain the level and extent of disk bulge. What makes it more worrying is that micturition is also difficult and so compression may be severe. Complete bed rest is a good suggestion by your doctor. Stick to it.
Good luck.
I find this answer helpful
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