Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Severe Pain While Standing
Question: One can see the xrays on the original question to a radiologist.
My mother has significant spinal arthritis.
She typically has chronic lower back pain upon extended standing.
However 2 weeks ago - she had acute lumbar pain where she was agonizing with pain
Doctor did an xray and supposedly no compression fracture.
About a week later, the acute pain drifted into the right upper quadrant of the buttock/hip. Its a coin sized stabbing pain. She cant walk without a cane/or walker.
If she stands up sometimes, the pain is also acute where daily task are becoming difficult. She gets relief upon sitting or laying down.
One person states its arthritis, another an irritated neve and yet another a ligament
in the sac-ileum joint
Her doctor prescribesd morphine - low dose which she cant tolerate.
My mother has significant spinal arthritis.
She typically has chronic lower back pain upon extended standing.
However 2 weeks ago - she had acute lumbar pain where she was agonizing with pain
Doctor did an xray and supposedly no compression fracture.
About a week later, the acute pain drifted into the right upper quadrant of the buttock/hip. Its a coin sized stabbing pain. She cant walk without a cane/or walker.
If she stands up sometimes, the pain is also acute where daily task are becoming difficult. She gets relief upon sitting or laying down.
One person states its arthritis, another an irritated neve and yet another a ligament
in the sac-ileum joint
Her doctor prescribesd morphine - low dose which she cant tolerate.
Brief Answer:
Likely pinched nerve and instability.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Pain relieved by laying down is most likely related to spinal instability.
Pinched nerve is the most probable cause of your mother's pain.
There are significant degenerative changes on x-rays you uploaded together with abnormal bending of vertebral column.
Instability is evaluated by having done dynamic x-rays ( flexion and extension position ).
Nerves and ligaments are evaluated best by MRI of the spine.
So, I suggest you to discuss with your mother's treating Doctor about having done above mentioned imaging studies.
I think epidural or periradicular injections may help improve your mother's condition.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
Likely pinched nerve and instability.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Pain relieved by laying down is most likely related to spinal instability.
Pinched nerve is the most probable cause of your mother's pain.
There are significant degenerative changes on x-rays you uploaded together with abnormal bending of vertebral column.
Instability is evaluated by having done dynamic x-rays ( flexion and extension position ).
Nerves and ligaments are evaluated best by MRI of the spine.
So, I suggest you to discuss with your mother's treating Doctor about having done above mentioned imaging studies.
I think epidural or periradicular injections may help improve your mother's condition.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
My mother doesn't qualify for an MRI
She has had facet injections which gave her temporary relief for the back pain (a few days) and burning nerve was not effective.
No one can still explain why this pain is so concentrated now in the right buttock.
She gets up from her chair - pain free and upon walking 20 feet is overcome with hellish pain in the hip/buttock area. She is 89.
I thought a pinched nerve would cause radiating pain or numbness.
No one can definitively gave a clear cause.
Tylenol gives her no relief.
She takes heart medications and no inflammatories can be prescribed.
Her doctor has been callous in saying accept the morphine or nothing else
Its cruel I tell you health care in Canada
She has had facet injections which gave her temporary relief for the back pain (a few days) and burning nerve was not effective.
No one can still explain why this pain is so concentrated now in the right buttock.
She gets up from her chair - pain free and upon walking 20 feet is overcome with hellish pain in the hip/buttock area. She is 89.
I thought a pinched nerve would cause radiating pain or numbness.
No one can definitively gave a clear cause.
Tylenol gives her no relief.
She takes heart medications and no inflammatories can be prescribed.
Her doctor has been callous in saying accept the morphine or nothing else
Its cruel I tell you health care in Canada
Brief Answer:
Fentanyl patch may help improve the pain.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
MRI could give detailed information about your mother's condition, however, dynamic x-rays can be done to evaluate any spinal instability.
Fentanyl patch can be a good alternative to control the pain.
Hope I helped you.
Take care.
Fentanyl patch may help improve the pain.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
MRI could give detailed information about your mother's condition, however, dynamic x-rays can be done to evaluate any spinal instability.
Fentanyl patch can be a good alternative to control the pain.
Hope I helped you.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
I was told by a pharmacist today this patch is the last resort if all other painkillers work and definitely not the safest option for a XXXXXXX
You should be careful with the advice you dispense
You should be careful with the advice you dispense
Brief Answer:
It is an alternative and a suggestion.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
All drugs have possible adverse effects on health, including Fentanyl patch.
It is my opinion that Fentanyl patch (low dose 25 mcg/hr) is a good alternative to morphine, since the pain was unbearable.
Studies have demonstrated no geriatric specific problems that would limit the usefulness of fentanyl patch in the elderly, that is why I suggested it.
Of course, this is just a suggestion and cannot replace the opinion of your mother's Doctor.
Again, in my opinion there is necessity for a correct diagnosis and imaging tests are needed for this.
After a correct diagnosis we will know what to do.
Morphine, Fentanyl patch, etc. are painkillers that control symptoms, but don't affect the underlying causes.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
It is an alternative and a suggestion.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
All drugs have possible adverse effects on health, including Fentanyl patch.
It is my opinion that Fentanyl patch (low dose 25 mcg/hr) is a good alternative to morphine, since the pain was unbearable.
Studies have demonstrated no geriatric specific problems that would limit the usefulness of fentanyl patch in the elderly, that is why I suggested it.
Of course, this is just a suggestion and cannot replace the opinion of your mother's Doctor.
Again, in my opinion there is necessity for a correct diagnosis and imaging tests are needed for this.
After a correct diagnosis we will know what to do.
Morphine, Fentanyl patch, etc. are painkillers that control symptoms, but don't affect the underlying causes.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Okay thanks for your insight.
I am sorry for the backlash.
Its frustrating to be online as no one in the real realm cant help
I am sorry for the backlash.
Its frustrating to be online as no one in the real realm cant help
Brief Answer:
There should be a solution.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
I think there's a solution about your mother's issues.
Feel free to discuss with us about any health related issues.
Regards.
There should be a solution.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
I think there's a solution about your mother's issues.
Feel free to discuss with us about any health related issues.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
