A Nagging Problem

[Godzilla2000]

Well, for the past 15 years, ever since a nasty Roller Blading accident where I flipped while skating when I hit a crack in the sidewalk, I have been experiencing intense pain in my hip area that especially extends down the left leg. It will itch every so often to as well as radiate pain. I've seen many doctors and all they ever seem to do is try to look at everything else but what has been causing me the most distress. All I ever get from them is that they tell me there's nothing wrong with the bones according to all the bone scans and X-Rays they've done. But whenever I mention the possibility of nerve damage it's like I just told them a Yeti ran through the room. I used to be a very active person, walking great distances, but now I'm in so much pain at times that I can barely walk a few blocks without feeling intense pain, yet the general practitioners I've seen have done nothing about this, perhaps thinking I'm just being a hypochondriac. But I know the level of pain I'm going through and I know it's a problem. It often prevents me from feeling well rested when I get sleep and it shows outwardly. I just don't know what to do because I have no more health coverage and can't afford to see more doctors who might treat me seriously.

 

[Teelie]

There's probably some kind of nerve damage although why any doctor would look at you like you're crazy for suggesting it is bizarre. Nerve damage is a common problem when you get injuries like that. Then again some doctors are just not very good or observant. And I'm no doctor so I don't know what they'd know I wouldn't. I do know how bad some doctors are at treating patients however.

If you can't afford to see a doctor let alone a specialist then there's probably not much anyone can do. Maybe see an acupuncturist. They may sound quacky but there is legitimate science to suggest they are onto something. No guarantee it'll do anything but it's something to try.

 

[Godzilla2000]

Thank you so much for your advice. Unfortunately I live in a small town where if the doctors can't see it on an X-Ray your problem does not exist. There's not very many doctors that I have seen that would treat my request to search for nerve damage seriously. The worst thing of all is that when I was 13 I spent an extended stay in the hospital from an infection on the left side hip joint that was the size of a quarter. Basically part of my bone turned to mush and started draining down into the marrow of my left leg. I was so sick, running fevers of 105, I still can't remember most of that hospital stay because I was that out of it. Yet this was not considered as something that might be a problem for me later in life nor was it ever considered when I told these doctors of the pain in my hip joint, especially on the left side, which is tender sometimes and hurts when pressure is put on it.

I guess what scares me the most are my treatment options. I have thought about doing acupuncture as that seems like a very relaxing way to ease the pain. But if that doesn't work and I can get health coverage to see a really good doctor my only other option are nerve blocking injections, which terrify me as they are initially quite painful when being injected.

 

[WildcatNC]

You need to find a good specialist and go see them.

Acupuncture is awesome but its more preventative medicine rather than western which is drug and cut medicine, usually AFTER there is a major problem. I would definitely look into Acupuncture as an ongoing treatment if you can get it though. They could very possibly help diagnose the problem too.

Most small town doctors are band-aid stations and glorified pharmaceutical distributors and thats about it.

It sounds like nerve damage to me, I have it in my left leg also but its mostly recovered. I only get electric jolts here and there or when my lower back is under stress.

A chiropractor might help also. I know it sounds odd but all your nerve endings begin in your spine and radiate throughout your body. They are actually trained to spot nerve disruptions and where they originate. Pain in your arm can be from a spinal issue for instance. Your very lower spine can be responsible for leg issues. I think a chiropractor would mainly be helpful in diagnosis, narrowing down the problem, and then ongoing rehab though.

Like I said though, you need to go see a good specialist even if you have to travel a good distance to do so. Find one of the best around and go see them. I know its easier said than done, but living with pain is not worth it. You'll wish you had done it long ago.