My right leg has been painful for over one week. I thought I had sprained a muscle and was taking paracetamol 500mg caplets daily. The pain tonight is very severe in that I can hardly move. The pain extends from the hip to my lower leg. Can you advise? I am male, 77 years old and was recently seen by a doctor who gave me treatment for eczema on both shins.
Dear patient, I read your question carefully, and I do understand your concern. I think you are experiencing a Sciatica nerve pain crises. This is an inflammation of sciatica nerve that innervates hips and leg when the nerve root is compressed. This condition is common for persons more than 40 years old, for people who have had physical heavy jobs during life, but this is not a condition. The pain may alleviate, but it is a chronic disease so all that can be done is to keep it in control. I do suggest heat or ice treatment. Choose either one, it depends on you. Repeat every 20 minutes patches with ices or hot water bags to the place where you feel the pain. Acupuncture and massage also helps. If the pain is very, very strong, steroids injections are considered, but these are done in the hospital.Meanwhile you can substitute paracetamol with ibuprofen 600 mg. Take it 3 times a day after meal, and some muscle relaxants which you can buy to your Chat Doctor. Thank you for choosing Chat Doctor. Feel free to write me any time, All the best,