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Post by pepper59 on Mar 8, 2015 21:32:43 GMT
I saw many had responded to this old thread and wanted to update. Thanks for caring!
***update 8/16 Thanks for all the input, ideas and well wishes. The road is long and I am still here. I wrote in my OP a few days before I got the cortisone shot. It did help but 10 days later in Hawaii my legs went into horrific muscle cramps to the point I tore a muscle. That was March and here 5 months later the cramps continue. In my frantic search on the net of what causes the sudden onset of extreme muscle cramps I kept stumbling across cortisone. While it did help my symptoms of Sciaitca and bursitis, apparently there is a small segment of the population that it causes extreme muscle agitation and hyper sensitivity. My neurologist explained like how 9 out 10 people take Benadryl and go to sleep. The other person gets hyper. So, needless to say no more cortisone for me.
I am currently on my 3rd round of physical therapy. The neurologist believes my pain stems from my pelvis being out of alignment, due to a dislocation of my hip at age 11. Over the years my body has tried to compensate and I am now very crooked. It isn't something a chiro can put back in place but it am doing specific exercises for my core muscles to bring it back into place and create muscle memory of where it should stay.. I have tried a TENS unit with no relief. I am having Strain/Counter Strain massage therapy, myofacial release massage which seem to help some and most recently laser treatments. I have to say that in all the time I have been treated, the Laser is the ONLY thing that brought any relief. I am now having an occasional good day, where as for the last 2 months good days were almost non existent. I originally though my piriformis was the problem but those stretches bring no relief. My PT also suspects an annular tear in my L4-L5 disc. Hard to see on an MRI but can leak caustic fluid that irritates the nerve and causes alot of pain. My MRI was closed with contrast and showed mild bulging and fluid and inflammation but apparently not enough for surgery. I also was found to have a Vitamin D level so low it hardly registered, which can apparently cause muscle pain and cramping and I am now on mega doses but it can take 6 months for recovery. I'm at month 2.
The cramps have been horrible at times and I have taken every muscle relaxer in the book. Then they just go away completely for a few days then BAM this morning at 4:40 I was woken with severe cramps in both feet, left calf, toes curling. Tried to walk off, no luck. Used heat and a Valium and finally after an hour drifted off to be woken again at 8:00 with more cramps which have continued to threaten now at 10:45 am. Despite taking a zanaflex muscle relaxer and being wrapped in heating pads.
Thanks for reading this long update. I am very discouraged by all of this. It has taken over our life. My sweet DH is such a help. We went on a cruise to Alaska 2 weeks ago and we took a wheelchair. I felt so miserable in it but had to do it. We cancelled our trip to Europe in November, my life long dream, because I probably will still be too debilitated to enjoy it. It's so hard to believe in this day and age they can't just fix it.
Sorry so many of you are suffering as well and I wish you quick healing and all the best.
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This is long. Thanks in advance for reading. I've been suffering on and off for 3 years with severe hip pain. Starts in butt cheek and shoots down back of leg to knee where is curves to the outside down to ankle.. Had an MRI when it started which showed a little arthritis and some narrowing of spinal space but no disc issues that would cause sciatica. The probable diagnosis is piriformis syndrome, meaning piriformis muscle above sciatic nerve is spasming and pinches nerve. I'd have miserable weeks/months then it would completely disappear for weeks/months. Over the last year it's been more and more frequent with less good times and the last 3-4 months almost constant.
Doc sent me to a specialist, a Physiatrist, who prescribed physical therapy. He said chiropractors are great but in the case of sciatica they aren't really helpful. I've done postural repositioning exercises, deep tissue massage, in water therapy and exercises, heat, ice, foam roller, stretching, started wearing a lift in my shoe due to slight leg length discrepancy.
i now appear to have developed bursitis in my hip because of all the stress, limping, etc and therapist says it may be SI joint problem and/or IT Band syndrome!!!!
I'm getting my first cortisone shot Wednesday. Which may help if is in fact bursitis. But won't help sciatica. I can't sleep, I'm in almost constant pain. NSAIDS don't touch it. The only thing that helps is Percocet. I've had a prescription since November and rarely take but the last 2 weeks my pain has been an 8-9 all the time so I have taken 1 when I just can't bear it any longer.
All that hat to say, help me!! Please, if you know anything that has helped you or someone else, I'd love the input. This has taken over my life and I'm desperate!
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Post by sugarmama on Mar 8, 2015 21:45:43 GMT
I've had it but mine was a disc problem. I think you might benefit from yoga. Go easy at first and don't do anything that hurts. I had back pain for years until I started doing yoga. Give it a month to 6 weeks to see a difference in how you feel.
eta: I just re-read your post and you seem to be in too much pain for anything! Maybe you need a second opinion? I recommend someone who specializes in spinal problems.
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Post by mirabelleswalker on Mar 8, 2015 21:50:05 GMT
I'm sorry. Pain is exhausting. Have you tried gabapentin? Might help. Ask your doctor.
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Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on Mar 8, 2015 21:53:34 GMT
Sounds just like my pain in my hips and lower back. but the doctors can't seem to figure it out. I went to a specialist and he said if I wasn't having surgery he couldn't help me. He did how ever give me a prescription for pain killers for 10 days. I felt so good for those 10 days but then the pills ran out and he wouldn't give me any more. They still have no idea what is causing the pain. The xrays so arthritis in my lower back but nothing in the hips and tail bone area.
Can't afford an MRI until I get insurance. Getting close to that happening. husbands work is looking into starting a health insurance plan. But it takes time to get it started.
My pain is a 10 most of the time. I can't sit, can't lay, can't walk, can't stand, and can't be without pain. It sucks.
WE went to Craft warehouse this morning and by the time I walked back to the art supply isles I was in major pain. we were only there for 10 to 15 minutes and I wanted to scream. I don't have a life at this time. I can't go to any stores and walk in like a normal person. When I go to Safeway or Walmart I use a scooter cart. I hate it because when I am using one I feel like I am not injured or ill enough to use them. but I can't shop if I have to walk.
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Post by pepper59 on Mar 8, 2015 21:53:29 GMT
Thanks, Sugarmama. The doctor I am seeing specializes in spinal problems and other chronic issues. Mirabellaswalker, I don't know what that is. Off to google it! Thanks!
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Post by gar on Mar 8, 2015 21:55:09 GMT
I wouldn't agree that osteopaths/chiros can't help. Admittedly my sciatica is pretty mild but my chiro always helps. Certainly I would make sure I had I went to someone on personal recommendations and someone well qualified but I would go down that route.
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Post by pepper59 on Mar 8, 2015 21:55:37 GMT
Unstoppeable, that is exactly how I feel. There is no comfortable position, no way to find relief. My life is just a red haze of pain. :-(. I'm sorry you're struggling too. {{{hugs}}}
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rodeomom
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Post by rodeomom on Mar 8, 2015 21:56:35 GMT
The only thing that helped me was Neurontin. It took seven days to kick in. I was bed ridden for over a month.
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beth44
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Post by beth44 on Mar 8, 2015 21:57:56 GMT
I have dealt with sciatica also. Mine turned out to be a large disc herniation, which I just had surgery on last Wednesday, but I had on and off symptoms since last summer. It is the worst pain ever, so I truly empathize. Percocet barely takes the edge off. But post surgery, No more pain, my leg feels much better already, just still numb which can take a while to recover. If it's been 3 years, I would push to have the MRI repeated, because a disc is the still the main cause of sciatica. Piriformis syndrome is quite rare. One treatment I read about, They can do an injection directly into the piriformis muscle under ultrasound to release the spasm to try to diagnose if it's truly piriformis syndrome. If they think it's a hip problem, then maybe try to get an MRI of the hip joint to see if there is truly bursitis. It's frustrating of not have a definitive diagnosis here when you are in so much pain. IT band pain is not really really in the same location as sciatica, it's more on the outside of the hip rather than behind, and can go down to the knee also. Hopefully the cortisone shot will help, although I guess it depends on what they are injecting. It should work very well for bursitis. If it doesn't work, I would push to get more imaging done to figure out what's really going on rather than guessing at it.
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Post by cahwoo on Mar 8, 2015 22:04:46 GMT
Gee I could have written your post almost word for word. I've had that same pain for 2 years now. I also had a numb leg and foot. I went to a Neurosurgeon and had a Lumbar Laminectomy and that cleared up the numbness. I am allergic to pain pills When my pain gets bad I was told to take 3 ibuprofen which does help. I am now going through the therapy with all you described. So far it hasn't helped me either. The shot only lasted 20 days for me also. If I find anything that is a help I'll be sure to post it. Sorry I know what you feel like and it's no fun.
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Post by littlemama on Mar 8, 2015 22:18:07 GMT
I would try a chiropractor, make sure you use someone recommended by friends/colleagues and make sure he isn't one who thinks you should come three times a week forever. We had one we liked, but he was one of those, so we switched to one who is more about coming as often as you need to once the initial treatment is done.
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Post by pepper59 on Mar 9, 2015 6:01:40 GMT
BTT
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Post by alexa11 on Mar 9, 2015 6:22:19 GMT
I had sciatica a few years ago (lumbar disc problem) and literally couldn't stand/walk for more than a few minutes. The one thing that made it better was a TENS unit. I wore it everywhere that I went and it was a lifesaver. And I also recommend Neurontin.
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gsquaredmom
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Post by gsquaredmom on Mar 9, 2015 8:35:52 GMT
Have they released your piriformis with pressure? A PT can do it and you can do it yourself by sitting on a golf or racquet ball. You have to know where it is. Once you do it is easy to find again.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2015 9:20:59 GMT
My aunt (my mom's brother's wife who is tall and fairly heavy) had sciatica for years and years. Her Gp told her to see a chiro so she went to see one for regular treatments, told her to exercise a bit more than was are doing and lose 20 lbs. he was pretty direct. He was right though. She did lose the weight and it did get a lot better. This won't work for every one and it's just an idea. If you are thin enough then forget that idea, It's just what she was told and her pain got a lot better and now she has no pain at all. She got her pain from balancing the boys on her hip when they were little. It worked for her. You are totally different. I am not suggesting anything. Very best of luck getting to the bottom of it.
Hugs, Elannah
I am sorry I wrote this and was so blunt. I am going to edit it for politeness. I hadn't had any sleep in a couple of days.
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BarbaraUK
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Post by BarbaraUK on Mar 9, 2015 9:48:46 GMT
I can't add any suggestions but just wanted to say that I hope you can find something really soon to ease the pain. I have someone who suffers from that level of sciatica pain and nothing has really helped....including physiotherapy and painkillers. We have an Arnica gel here that, when rubbed on the hip, seems to help with the pain level for a short time so use quite a lot of that.....but there again, some people say that doesn't work at all for them.
It's awful that it's a condition that causes so much suffering and I hope you will find some sort of solution soon and that the Cortisone shot helps.
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Post by pierkiss on Mar 9, 2015 12:10:50 GMT
When I herniated a disc, it put pressure on my nerves and caused me to walk a certain way. Walking that way caused me to develop a knot in my pirformis muscle. I tried months of PT, and had the therapist try deep muscle massage on the muscle (holy crap did it hurt!). Didn't work. She finally used a machine that sent ultrasound waves directed at the muscle. I think after like 5-6 sessions the knot finally loosened and went away.
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lvlybela
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Post by lvlybela on Mar 9, 2015 12:33:18 GMT
I had sciatica pain when I was pregnant with my son; I know the pain. Have you tried yoga and the yoga blocks focusing on that area? It helped me. It's not instant but it helps relieve some of the pressure. You just have to find that spot.
So sorry you are going through this.
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Post by gailoh on Mar 9, 2015 12:59:35 GMT
All I did was sit down on a stool and my lower back went out a bit to the left of the spine...I can now walk but some pain is still there all the time...
I do need to lose the weight and have been given the go ahead to start my waking again...no running...but this was from another medical issue that came up ...prolapse bladder...I had a hysterectomy years ago and now my bladder wants to take a peek at the world...
So much has gone south o this body, maybe I need to stand on my head and things to go back where they should...
All of you ladies in pain...hugs...
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Post by librarylady on Mar 9, 2015 13:10:08 GMT
Our friend suffered for the past 4-5 years with sciatica pain. Finally when he could barely walk, he had surgery. He had a stenosis where the nerve left his back. The dr. opened up the stenosis and he is pain free.
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Post by peano on Mar 9, 2015 13:32:02 GMT
I have been suffering from the same constellation of issues as you off and on since the early 90s, when I woke up one morning and could not stand up straight due to excruciating pain from what was diagnosed as sciatica.
At that time, my pcp gave me some exercises (really more like yoga stretches) to do based on the McKenzie method of "centralizing pain". This got me over the acute stage, but I do have periodic flare ups and later developed bursitis of my R hip (same side) from a running injury and also have piriformis syndrome. I've done all the same treatments as you, but unfortunately have never returned to baseline, which is very frustrating, and I know how debilitating the pain can be.
I'm currently seeing my 3rd PT and have a referral from her to a spine specialist for weakness on my right side that may be nerve related. Sorry don't have much to offer, but I did get relief doing the McKenzie exercises.
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Mar 9, 2015 14:26:54 GMT
When I was teaching full time and working retail part time. I had terrible sciatic pain!!
What helped me was a chiropractor, physical therapy, and yoga.
The yoga and physical therapy strengthen my muscles which meant less pressure on my nerves!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2015 14:37:13 GMT
Ok, well my reply is going to be long. I had the same thing. Mine started in January 2013 but it felt like I had hurt my hip exercising. I went to the doc, had an MRI, showed I had spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, arthritis etc. He sent me to a pain management doc who promptly put me on hydros 4 times a day and they did nothing for me. Well, they got me hooked, and that was fun to wean myself from but whatever.
Then he wanted to do an injection but could never get my iv started! Holy smokes! So then I went to a chiro because I was desperate. Like you this pain was ruining my life. I was in such deep depression over it. The chiro helped some. I would get SOME relief for a few days but nothing permanent.
I then asked to see a surgeon. In April last year I had surgery to remove some of the spinal stenosis (bone growth that was compressing my nerve)
To say that my life is a major improvement is an understatement! I still has some residual nerve damage in my right foot from having the nerve compressed for so long but I am relatively pain free compared to where I was.
Now, after about 3 months I started having what I felt was the same pain in my left hip. Surgeon sent me to pt. I got heated massage, tens unit and actual exercise. He told me my SI joint was out and I need to avoid things like single leg lunges. If I was going to do lunges I needed to do both leg simultaneously to keep the si joint from separating.
Now, when I sit on my butt for a few days and do nothing I have pain at night. It is just an ache that makes it hard to get comfortable for very long.
I will say that for me, exercising regularly keeps my pain to a minimum. I have to move to be able to keep moving. Make sense?
Anyway, that's my two cents. I hope you get some relief because I know how debilitating chronic pain is.
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Post by ~Zoey~ on Mar 9, 2015 15:15:18 GMT
I don't have much to add, other than I, too, have bursitis flare-ups which totally affect my mood and quality of life. The cortisone shots were a game changer. I do have back pain as well, but they are due to 2 herniated disks. I've had PT in the past, but I never get any relief. I pray that somehow you'll find some relief from this pain.
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paigepea
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Post by paigepea on Mar 9, 2015 15:33:49 GMT
I haven't read the replies.
My Mom has terrible sciatica pain. Her dr says she must exercise and stretch. She can't stop moving or it becomes worse. She does see a chiro which really helps her - she thinks more then the physio. Se said the physio was just stretching, which she can do at home.
P.
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Post by scrapcat on Mar 9, 2015 15:48:01 GMT
I had piriformis issues for years, like 15 or so, same thing would act up then go away. When it would act up I could predict when my back was going to slip. I did research and found that in some ppl the piriformis actually winds around the hip joint a different way (forgive my lack of correct medical terms) and essentially gets pinched. Which caused a lot of tightening and pain. I spoke to my doctor a little about it, but I don't take meds, beside just otc pain reliever. At one point the doctor kind of did this weird thing bending my knee up and moving my hip and I would feel it release.
I taught myself how to do it by standing, bending the knee in and gently kicking it out in front of me.
Then I started yoga 2 years ago regularly and slowly it went away and I don't experience issues with it anymore. In hindsight, I believe strengthening my core muscles, losing some weight for relief, and just strengthening back and leg muscles too has helped. I get sciatica once in a while from sleeping wrong or sitting too much, but I know how to stretch it out and deal with it now.
A good stretch for piriformis or sciatica is lay on your back and bring the knee into your chest and pull it towards the opposite side across your body. It's a deep stretch, breath into the space that hurts, slowly stretch and hold.
The biggest thing I learned thru study of yoga is we have tight hips in western living (mostly from sitting too much) and women in general have tighter hips from our physique. Opening up the hips is the key to relieve a lot of hip/lower back issues.
Hope you find some relief!
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Post by ~Zoey~ on Mar 9, 2015 15:50:44 GMT
Sorry, I know this is off-topic., but has anyone tried Pilates for back or hip pain? I sit so much during the day that by the time I get home I'm really stiff. I have a Pilates reformer but I haven't used it in a while. In fact I just decided that that's my goal for this week. I'm going to actually use it a couple of days and see if that provides any relief.
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luckyexwife
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Post by luckyexwife on Mar 9, 2015 15:57:11 GMT
When I was pregnant, I had sciatica pain so bad I couldn't walk at all. I went to the chiropractor, and it was wonderful. Ask for recommendations and find one you trust. I'm not sure why there is such a divide between chiropractors and doctors, I think they both have a place to keep the body healthy.
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Post by worrywart on Mar 9, 2015 16:31:55 GMT
Yoga/stretching (10 minutes) a few times a day, lessening as you start feeling better. Also, do not lift heavy objects...lifting my son made mine worse and I had to work around that. Faithful stretching and focused back/piriformis stretches can work if you do them a couple/few times a day and don't aggravate your injury. Good luck, it is definitely very hard to deal with.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2015 16:42:19 GMT
I'm sorry you're going through this. I also suffer from chronic back pain and sciatic pain (in my buttocks). My pain has gotten progressively worse over the last 6 years, but the only surgical option for me is a double fusion (which I don't want). I understand what you're going through and hope you find some relief soon.
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