nothing can be done for L5 nerve compression

Has anybody been told after a nerve conduction test that they have a nerve compressed but there is nothing that can be done to fix the problem and they have to "learn to live with it?"

Can't they even do an ablation to relieve the pain?

Hi Cindy & welcome to the chronic pain forum. By chance have you had a second opinion? If you have not seen a neurosurgeon, I would suggest getting an appt with a board certified, fellowship trained neurosurgeon.

You have not given much info as to what kind of drs you are treating with. Perhaps if you provided a little more info it would help.

Take care.

2010 Began seeing an orthopedic dr after having sciatic to my toes and low back pain on the right. He did a couple rounds of shots in to L4-L5 region. First shot gave some relief. Second shot did not. Did not have insurance so could not get MRI or physical therapy. Since 2010, symptoms have grown into constant low back pain on the right, Sciatic kicking into right buttock sometimes down to the toes, heaviness in right leg, started out as just numbness in med thigh but now complete right leg except back of thigh is numb, tingling and burning in right leg and right foot. New symptom just developed in past 3 days of feeling like I'm walking on daggers when I put my right foot down. Also, right leg and foot feel like it is in a vice grip.

After getting insurance, had an MRI in April of 2014. (Old orthopedic dr left practice to go back to Ohio) New Orthopedic dr literally spent 5 mins with me after MRI; said nothing wrong with my back and he can't help me. Referred me to Neurologist. Couldn't get in with him until end of June 2014. He did a Nerve Conduction Test. Immediately after the test, he told me that the nerve at L5 was compressed and that because I had the numbness, tingling, pain and burning for a couple of years that it is most likely permanent nerve damage. He also said there was nothing he could do for me and that I was not a candidate for surgery. Here is where I should have asked a lot of questions but long story short, I was so upset that his answer was nothing could be done and maybe I should try yoga and meditation, that I just lost it and cried like a baby. He did order Physical Therapy and put me on low does of Lyrica.

At PT, I learned some new exercises, bought myself the moist heating pad and found a TENS unit. I have started doing yoga and the stretches seem to help. But at physical therapy one day she decided to do "traction." She had something like a thick belt and had me lie down on my back on a tall table. She placed the "belt" under my hips. She pulled the "belt" while another therapist pullled my arms. It was not fun and I did not like it! lol Anyway, by the end of the day, my back on the left side began hurting. I have NEVER hurt on my left side!! Since then, I have low back pain across my back at all times instead of just my right. I quit PT shortly after that. The main reason being that I can't physically do the 35 min drive twice a week and the $60 a week copay.

I went back to my primary doctor and asked for his opinion and he has referred me to Wake Forest and he very cautiously increased my Lyrica to 100mg twice a day. And he's the one that has been prescribing my Norco all these years. Since the new symptoms appeared a few days ago, nothing is completely helping my pain.

Anyway, I assume I will be seeing a neurologist as they haven't called me yet to make the appointment. Wake Forest is a teaching hospital in North Carolina.

That's the point that I'm at now.

White Beard:
Both the Orthopedic and Neurologist told me nothing can be done and hopefully with this new referral to Wake Forest, I will find some answers!!!

Has a decompression been ruled out?


M.

Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions. It is so nice to talk to people that understand!! I will definately let you know how things go at Wake Forest.