Nerve pain or damage? B12 deficiency possibly?

[woo woo 872]

Hello all,

I am almost 10 months out and have severe nerve pain in my left leg.

I am working with my doctor to determine the source of the pain.

In googling for answers I have seen both wls (related to B12 deficiency) and long term use of ppi medicines as possible causes of nerve damage.

Just wondering if anyone in our group here has experienced anything like this?

[JamieLogical 8,684]

Has your doctor been doing regular blood work? A B12 deficiency should have shown up there.

[Sharon1964 2,530]

A quick lab test can determine your B12 level, so that should be easy to rule out/rule in.

You didn't mention if you were seeing your primary doc or a specialist, so depending on your situation, I would also suggest a referral to a good pain management physician or a good physical medicine and rehab (PM&R) physician. They are usually more skilled in determining nerve pain issues than a primary care doctor.

[woo woo 872]

I'm working with my primary. He does seem to be struggling a bit with this.

@@Sharon1964 I didn't realize that pain management docs also do diagnoses? Can I see one without knowing the cause for the pain?

Most recent labs was in November.

[bluesclues 49]

See a rheumatologist. I've had pain as well but blood work came back fine so it wasn't a Vitamin deficiency. Turned out to be muscle spasms and getting physical therapy.

[woo woo 872]

I am also having numbness along with the pain. Forgot to mention.

[TammyDTM 391]

Might be disc pressing on sciatic nerve.

[able2cope 193]

I have had meralgia paresthetica for a few years - this sounds similar - like a burning sensation at times?

[woo woo 872]

Yes, it's a burning pain, mostly at night.

Eta: most severe at night, not mostly

[able2cope 193]

Sounds like meralgia paresthetica to me... its an unreal pain - I've got it in both legs. Just the upper part though, above the knee?

I get celebrex, lyrica and other pain pills for it... be lost without them - before getting diagnosed there were times I even just had to sit on the pavement (sidewalk) as I couldn't stand any longer...

The doctor tried steriod injection with me first - it didn't touch it...

I hope you find something to relieve your pain.

[Sharon1964 2,530]

@@Sharon1964 I didn't realize that pain management docs also do diagnoses? Can I see one without knowing the cause for the pain?

You don't have to know what is causing your pain, and yes, pain docs can diagnose the same way your primary can.

I work for a pain management doctor. He is dual board-certified in pain management and rehab. He is also a physiatrist (a physiatrist is a nerve, muscle and bone expert who treats pain and injuries that affect the way you live and move). Most people are referred to us for chronic pain. Their primary doctor usually has done everything they can for them. Sometimes, the primary doesn't know what is wrong with them, just that they have pain that isn't getting better.

Our patients have nerves that are being compressed, or spine problems, or nerve damage from diabetes or other causes. Some of our patients have arthritis, or scoliosis, or even brain injuries that are interfering with the way they move.

That's the type of patient that a physiatrist treats. It sounds like you might want to seek out a physiatrist for a consultation.

I do want to say, though, that there are pain docs who just dispense medications and don't do anything else. You want a physiatrist that will take a full history, do a full musculoskeletal exam, and explain to you where your pain is coming from. My boss spends at least two hours with each new patient to really understand their history and how they came to be in chronic pain.