Left leg problematic and disappointing

dshobbies · #1 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 03:58 PM

Just got back from European vacation and am very disappointed with my left leg. Though in some amount of pain on a daily basis, it doesn't usually interfere with my life but definitely curtailed my activities while trying to see the sights. We had to limit EVERYTHING. I was in constant pain, often more than level 5 and even had to soak my burning ankle in cold water so I could walk the next day. Skin sensativity returned and putting on socks was painful.

I would have considered a wheelchair but not an option of uneven ancient cobblestone or dirt streets. Inclines, which have been a problem since my surgery, presented additional obstacles and all of Italy (not Milan) is mountainous.

Very disappointing and frustrating.

Dale

BTW, Mt. Vesuvius is an active volcano that is expected to erupt soon. So anticipated is this event that the government is offering 30,000 euros to anyone willing to relocate out of its destructive path!

Rob Wilson · #2 (**permalink**) 06-07-2010, 03:00 PM

Dale,

Why do you think you have nerve damage? It could still be some stenosis or SI joint or ligament issue?

dshobbies · #3 (**permalink**) 06-07-2010, 11:50 PM

Rob,

Upon waking up from surgery, both of my legs were completely numb. Right leg came back quickly, left leg remained and still remains problematic.

I was told that during surgery, my nerve root was 'irritated'. Exactly what that meant -?????

My pm basically agreed. It's now been almost 5 years and at this point, any residual damage is probably permanant, especially, there's been no substancial improvement for 3 years.

My life is my family, friends and artistic endeavors, not very trying physically. Pilates, treadmill or swimming do not present any difficulties so the return of early pain was surprising... Very disappointing

Dale

Maria · #4 (**permalink**) 06-08-2010, 05:32 PM

Dale,
My symptoms after my 2nd surgery were arachnoiditis like in terms of pain and actually even before I started Neurontin I had nearly a year of relief from this type of pain after 5 years of it. I started Neurontin for some residual symptoms because of the location and have been on it since along with the very low dose of Methadone daily and basically my neuropathies were fairly well muted (guess those ESIs since 2001 helped greatly as well).

Skip to my bicycle riding up to 7 miles and daily for about a week on new bike and recurrence of symptoms with a VENGENCE!!! I was pretty shocked.

2 Toradol injections and about 6 weeks later I'm feeling back to normal tho a bit sceptical about getting back on the bike. Hmmm.. don't want this flare up again as way way way too limiting.

What I was wondering regarding your flare up if it was because of the long process with flying to Europe (or perhaps you have successfully done so previously). I just wonder if the all the preparation to leave, the actual whole process of traveling with sitting standing waiting and so forth didn't just aggravate your injury all to heck.

I know for myself if I sit as long as it takes to get cross country (East coast) I will greatly aggravate the nerve related pain as well as low back pain however if I lie down for the flight while I may be slow the first day I'm pretty good to go afterwards as long as I don't get a flare up going on.

If you've not tried a Toradol injection when you have a flare up I urge you try it even tho you may not think it will help because of the type of pain you have or the inflammatory mechanism however just give it a shot if you've not! (I had to do that rhyme)

Hope you're feeling better now and sorry your trip was interrupted by the increased pain. That truly stinks.

dshobbies · #5 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 02:06 AM

Maria,

I don't think this was a flare-up - I think this is the way it is. Since my surgery, even while on Neurontin and Lyrica, my leg posed problems. Despite pt, accupunture and now Pilates, my left leg is not nearly as strong or flexible as the right. My pt told me to exercise both equally and not try to overdo the left to catch the right or underdo the right to let the left leg catch up so that is exactly what I do but the weakness is obvious.

To this day I cannot walk long distances, times or stand in lines for any length of time - and that is exactly what we did in Capri, Pompeii, the Vatican, Lake Como (George says hi), Tuscany....

I was walking everyday, uphill -very difficult- and downhill, stairs, etc. without giving my leg any chance to rest.

Plane didn't present too many problems as we flew business class in bed seats, quite comfortable actually - but over 400,000 points.

At home, I know when to call it quits for a day. Abroad, it simply wasn't possible and there was no laz-y-boy in which to rest, but I didn't think it would present quite the difficulties it did if I took it slow.

Still, we had a very memorable vacation. Think we'll stick to cruising-maybe to Figi in two years or so!

The good news, the sensitivity is dieing down and the visable nerve damage seems to be lessoning. Don't know yet if I'll be left with anything risidual.

Dale

Maria · #6 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 01:51 PM

A good case of "overdoing"? I pretty much know what to expect from my back/legs re past experience and with long distance walking and inclines that took over a year to achieve the ability to not have symptoms that greatly limited me. Still at times this will occur w/walking tho I usually know when it's coming and ignore it thus the onslaught of symptoms (increased neuropathies, burning, horrendous leg fatigue (bilaterally).

Winding cobblestone streets would definately be difficult for me now tho as much because of my bilateral posterior tibial tendonitis than because of my back!

Moped/scooter/taxi might be the only way I'd have managed what you did no doubt...