Dr. Stan Whisenant

Dear Patient,

The first answer would be yes. If you have a disc in your back that is herniated or extruded, it can irritate any of the nerves that go to your legs, thighs, feet, or buttocks and rectum.
Of course, there are other causes of these problems and a complete examination and review of symptoms would be indicated to determine the cause of your symptoms.

Hope you are getting better.

Stanley Whisenant

That question is very difficult without diagnostic studies and a more complete history. If it just started in your abdomen and went to the right lower quadrant with fever, it could be appendicitis. If it is associated with constipation and/or associated with food intake, it could be some form of diverticulitis. If it hurts in the groin, not the lower abdomen, it could be referred pain from pinched nerves in the lumbar or thoracic spine. This could be associated with upper lumbar or lower thoracic back pain. If you have lesions on your skin in a line pathway, it could be herpes zoster. In summary, the diagnosis is dependent on the symptoms and the exam findings. More likely to be appendicitis if you have rebound tenderness over the lower right abdomen and a fever. You should see a doctor immediately to have dx studies and possible removal.

If sexually active, it could be a lower ovarian pain or infection or an ectopic pregnancy. Ultrasound to work up and check for fever. Sexually transmitted disease can cause these issues if associated with discharge from female region or if pregnant could be some issues an obstetrician needs to evaluate. Some of the nerves from the lower thoracic region (thoracic radiculopathy) could be irritated and cause the pain and may have numbness in the lower right abdomen area of pain. These nerves can also be irritated by Shingles or by intercostal neuralgia if bruised ribs are causing pain. See your PCP, check if pregnant, check if fever, discharge, bleeding, stool changes or changes in strength on right upper legs and abdomen or numbness in this area. If not improving, see your doctor.

Doctor Stanley Whisenant, MD

Complicated question. See a pain doctor or oral surgeon. Causes of pain in jaw can be:

1. TMJ (temporomandibular pain)
2. Shingles or nerve irritation in the facial nerve distributions mandibular or maxillary
3. Tooth abscess
4. Tooth pain
5. Nerve irritation in the neck that radiates to the jaw
6. From some form of throat cancer (rare)

See an orthodontist to evaluate and treat. If no Dx or relief, see a pain doctor. Make sure multiple causes are ruled out, i.e., teeth grinding, nerve irritation in the face, etc.

BOTTOM LINE, SEE SPECIALISTS TO RULE OUT MOST COMMON TMJ DENTAL, THEN FURTHER WORK-UP IF IT PERSISTS. NEED DOCTOR, ORTHODONTIST, ETC., TO SCREEN YOUR HX. PROBABLY SIMPLE, BUT SCREEN FOR HIGH RISK.

GOOD LUCK, HOPE I HELPED SOME. MOST LIKELY EASILY TREATABLE.

DR. W

That is a very good question. It has a complicated differential (things that could cause the pain) that includes hernia, diverticulitis, appendicitis, pulled abdominal muscle, bladder infection, pelvic infection, uterine pain, etc;

See your primary care Physician more urgently if you are having nausea or vomiting or fever or chills. A review of your history and probably some diagnostic studies may be warranted.
I am sorry a simple answer is not available but again if fever or chils, nausea or vomiting a quicker more urgent work up is necessary.

These limited symptoms can be caused by Gastrointestinal system (colon, appendix, stomach, or hernias); Genitourinary (bladder infection, cystitis (bladder inflammation), Pelvic Inflamatory Disease, Uterine issues (fibromas, inflammation etc...). Severity and associated symptoms are important then a work up can be completed based on your responses.

Hope you get better soon. See your PCP or urgent care doctor for an examination and complete history review.

Many things can cause shooting pain around the hip including muscle spasm, arthritis in hip joint or arthritis in back joints “facets” “sacroiliac” discogenic pain and “radicular pain from irritated nerves”.

Increased weight does cause increased strain on the back and wear and tear on the joints. Supplement thyroid is helpful, walking, stretching ,good back mechanics. If no improvement, Dx X-ray and/or MRI by PCP or pain mgmt doctor.

Good luck

Dear sir

Severe low back pain after heavy lifting can be a ruptured or protruded disc, muscle strain, posterior element "facet pain,” or combination of the above. The discs or facet irritation or inflammation can result in “Sciatica” or “nerve irritation.”

Best treatment is ice to sight, antinflamatories (if no HX ulcer or kidney disease). Slow stretching.

Painkillers is vague word, I would assume “hydrocodone or Tylenol with codeine.” These help to turn off the pain, but do not decrease the inflammation.

If no improvement after medications, X-rays, Mri studies, and exam by PCP AND/OR SPINE DR/PAIN DR.

Depending on the above diagnosis, epidural treatment of inflamed nerves “Sciatica” can be helpful, and if you develop weakness or numbness in legs or loss of bowels urine can warrant more urgent surgical evaluation.

Helpful nerve stabilization medications include Lyrica or gabapentin, antiinflamatories ibuprofen aleve or ketorolac.
Best of luck.
Sorry for your Holiday Hardship,
Dr. W

Dear Patient,

The best is to get a diagnosis of the cause of the pain. There are multiple causes of shoulder pain, which could include:
1. Shoulder arthritis
2. Muscle spasm in the neck or referred pain from the neck muscles (arthritis or neuralgia from cervical nerves)
3. Referred pain from carpal tunnel (at the wrist)
4. Referred pain from cubital tunnel (ulnar nerve compression) at the elbow
5. Upper arm muscle spasm or nerve encroachment

In general, ice, rest, and stretching of strained muscles plus NSAIDS (ibuprofen, aleve, etc.), if no Gc of kidney problems or stomach ulcers/gastritis.
Icing muscles after long work hours and heat with stretching before use can be of benefit. If it continues, follow up with PCP or orthopedic specialists for more specific diagnostic evaluation.

Good luck,
Dr. W
Get some rest; less than 7 hours of deep sleep can lead to all types of secondary medical issues

In general, there are two common things that can contribute to pain with sitting.

The pressure on discs in back lower lumbar are about 1/2 body weight when standing. When sitting, it is close to double body weight in general. If you have a protruding disc or torn disc, the increased pressure could make the disc bulge and cause irritation. There are multiple treatments for this type of pain. Also, sacroiliac joint pain commonly causes low back pain. Good physical exam, history and dx studies x-ray and/or mri by pain mgmt physician could result in better dx and treatment.

Get X-ray
Rice: rest, ice, compression, elevation
Probable impingement syndrome decrease inflsmation if candidate
NSAIDS
IF NOT BETTER, REVIEW WITH DR. WALK THE WALL WITH FINGER, WALK UP WALL SLOWLY TO KEEP RANGE OF MOTION. ICE AFTER ALL HEAVY ACTIVITIES
NSAIDS (if no kidney or Gastrointestinal issues)
Ie naprosyn, Ibuprofen, etc

Complex question evaluation by dr specialists

A common thing nowadays is:
Too much stress
Too little sleep
Short acting medications that result in recurrent pain

See a doc
Thanks
Dr w

Having multiple diagnosis can be quite difficult for a patient I am sorry you have it so rough.

However there are medications that treat severe spinal stenosis pain and anxiety the tough part is balancing the sedative part of combining these meds

Recommend
Mental health provider who can communicate with pain Mgmt dr and use of combined skills for best outcome

Hope that is helpful

Yes