My Predicament

[xeuporiax]

Here it is..

About a year ago I had very acute numbness in my left leg and, more embarrassingly, my testicle. Worried that I had testicular cancer or something, I went to an urgent care and they identified the problem as sciatica. The doctor there gave me a shot of steroids, but it did not really help. Eventually (a week or so later), the numbness went away. More recently, the numbness returned. After I ignored it for some time, the numbness turned into pretty severe and constant pain. I just went to my doctor who prescribed me ibuprofen. He was at a loss for words when I explained; if the copious amount of ibuprofen I had been taking was working, I would not be there. I really do not know what to do. How can I get more serious medicine? What are the magic words? Do I need to see a different doctor? I am becoming desperate to relieve myself of this terrible and constant feeling.

I am very new so I am not sure if I posted in the correct section. Kindly let me know, and I will move it.

I know my misspelled username contradicts the sentiment of my statement. I did not understand the culture of this website before I joined. I was just creating a name I thought would help me fit in.

[crucibelle]

Here it is..

About a year ago I had very acute numbness in my left leg and, more embarrassingly, my testicle. Worried that I had testicular cancer or something, I went to an urgent care and they identified the problem as sciatica. The doctor there gave me a shot of steroids, but it did not really help. Eventually (a week or so later), the numbness went away. More recently, the numbness returned. After I ignored it for some time, the numbness turned into pretty severe and constant pain. I just went to my doctor who prescribed me ibuprofen. He was at a loss for words when I explained; if the copious amount of ibuprofen I had been taking was working, I would not be there. I really do not know what to do. How can I get more serious medicine? What are the magic words? Do I need to see a different doctor? I am becoming desperate to relieve myself of this terrible and constant feeling.

I am very new so I am not sure if I posted in the correct section. Kindly let me know, and I will move it.

I know my misspelled username contradicts the sentiment of my statement. I did not understand the culture of this website before I joined. I was just creating a name I thought would help me fit in.

My advice would be to see a different doctor. There really are no 'magic words' for a doctor who does not like prescribing stronger pain meds. You could order online, but it will cost you a pretty penny.

[xeuporiax]

I am fine paying a pretty penny, I just really want some security. I want to know that I will not get caught. Reading around, this does not seem possible.

*This post was auto-merged. The following text was added 4 minutes after the last post:*

My advice would be to see a different doctor. There really are no 'magic words' for a doctor who does not like prescribing stronger pain meds. You could order online, but it will cost you a pretty penny.

Also, if I see another doctor, how can I be assured he/she will be more likely to prescribe to me what I feel I need?

[crucibelle]

I am fine paying a pretty penny, I just really want some security. I want to know that I will not get caught. Reading around, this does not seem possible.

*This post was auto-merged. The following text was added 4 minutes after the last post:*



Also, if I see another doctor, how can I be assured he/she will be more likely to prescribe to me what I feel I need?

Yes, it is true you will always be taking a risk when ordering online. Some don't mind the risk, others do. As for how to be assured a doc will prescribe what you need, that is out of my league, I'm afraid. The only thing I could suggest is to go to an actual pain management clinic. I'm sure there are other members of the forum that can give you better advice. I hope you're able to get the pain relief you need.

[Stevo1]

Here it is..

About a year ago I had very acute numbness in my left leg and, more embarrassingly, my testicle. Worried that I had testicular cancer or something, I went to an urgent care and they identified the problem as sciatica. The doctor there gave me a shot of steroids, but it did not really help. Eventually (a week or so later), the numbness went away. More recently, the numbness returned. After I ignored it for some time, the numbness turned into pretty severe and constant pain. I just went to my doctor who prescribed me ibuprofen. He was at a loss for words when I explained; if the copious amount of ibuprofen I had been taking was working, I would not be there. I really do not know what to do. How can I get more serious medicine? What are the magic words? Do I need to see a different doctor? I am becoming desperate to relieve myself of this terrible and constant feeling.



I am very new so I am not sure if I posted in the correct section. Kindly let me know, and I will move it.

I know my misspelled username contradicts the sentiment of my statement. I did not understand the culture of this website before I joined. I was just creating a name I thought would help me fit in.

Definitely try to find a different Doc!
I have had Sciatica in my Groin also(thank God it didn't last long and was Not severe) It Sux Big Time!!
It sounds like the Injection Did work!!! Steroid Injections do not have an Immediate effect..Actually it takes 4 to 14 days usually to get the full effect!!!
So it may very well have been the Injection that caused the symptoms to go away!!!
As far as your Username goes you can have it changed.

[Kexessa]

I am fine paying a pretty penny, I just really want some security. I want to know that I will not get caught. Reading around, this does not seem possible.

Also, if I see another doctor, how can I be assured he/she will be more likely to prescribe to me what I feel I need?

I get confused easily, so I have to ask, get caught doing what? You can go to as many doctors as you want as long as you aren't receiving prescriptions from all of them for controlled medications, ie - doctor shopping.

So, just going from doctor to doctor is not a problem, it's obtaining prescriptions for narcotics, generally within the same 30 day period, that is the problem, so I don't think you have anything to worry about.

As others have suggested, I think you should see another doctor.

The US National Library for Medicine lists sciatica as a symptom of another medical problem, not a medical condition on its own. I think it's important you get to the bottom of what the root cause is. Without knowing the cause, they are just treating the symptoms, not what are generating those symptoms.


Sciatica - PubMed Health

[QVC1212]

@Kexessa makes a good point. Get caught doing what? Ordering prescription painkillers online? Or doctor shopping? You need to learn to explain things better and in more detail.

Go see another doc is the best advice anyone on here can give you. All you can do is try. There are no magic words for getting painkillers. Did you really think it would be that easy? Man, I wish it was that easy.

There are things which warrant painkillers regardless of the doctor's opinion on prescribing them. For instance, a broken leg, or a severely infected abscess of the shoulder area both of which required surgery, or wisdom teeth removal, automatically warrant painkillers and every doctor on the planet should feel comfortable prescribing pk's. But things like back pain in the absence of physical evidence proving something (like degenerative disk disease, or herniated disks) are a doc's personal prerogative. If you're in such a gray area, it's a crapshoot getting pain meds. However, many docs are expert at reading signs of deception (check out the Waddel's test for back pain) and drug-seeking.

Plus, check out the NIH's latest report on prescription painkiller abuse. We're in the middle of an epidemic. More people die from prescription painkillers each year than cocaine and heroin overdose combined. I'd say that's a serious problem. Which means it's harder, for everyone, to get the drugs they need.

[fireforeffect]

Many times, nerve pain like you describe responds well to gabapentin, aka Neurontin or Lyrica. Your primary doc should have no prob prescribing these. Of course you will want to find what is causing the sciatica. Perhaps your doc will order an mri and refer you to a specialist if indicated. Keep us updated.

ffe

[Kat0711]

I fully agree with what the previous members have told you, I would try the steriod injections again it did sound like they worked as it does take a few days for the medicine to work on the inflamation. I would try another doctor as well, and try to find out whats causing this sciatica, and maybe you can get to the root cause of your pain. I was diagnosed with degerative disc disease in 05 and believe me, if the shots would work for me again I would take them as mine stopped working on me the second injection series I had. I was then put into pain management (aka hell). I hated it, the looks you get when you fill your scripts, being considered a Drug Addict by some family and friends all because I was a WALKING ZOMBIE! My tolerances build up quickly because of that I was heavily OVER medicated and would tell them this and got this "what are you STUPID" look, at one time I was taking Norco 10/325, Kpins, Amitriptiline, Xanax and prozac! I finally had enough and quit on my own, I had hell with it for a few months, but I am now just on Tramadol, I do take anti anxiety medication sometimes, but only during periods of extreme stress and not all the time! I understand believe me being in pain is no picnic! If I were you I would start with another doctor or go back to yours and just tell him "HEY this is NOT working if you cant help me refer me to someone who can!" and start there! but PLEASE think twice before being put on pain managment!!

I hope you get the relief you need!!

Have a great day!

Kat