Periformis / Sciatica sydrm , experiences cures?

garyk · 06-01-2005, 07:59 PM

Looks like I'm working my way through a bout of periformis/sciatica. Really limits my quality of life. Now that I have some understading of the problem, I'm just beginning to get into the analysis stage to determine the exact origin of the problem.

There's a ton of info on the internet; Google returns like a quarter-million returns on the topic.

Talking to three doctors results in three opinions.

Have any of you successfully resolved your sciatica and gotten back to normal activities? What worked? What didn't?

Looking forward to your feedback

Spinhead · 06-01-2005, 09:09 PM

I dealt with sciatica (I had a different name for it

) due to a herniated disc, about 4 years ago. All I can say is, Vioxx saved my life! I had an epidural steroid treatment that gave relief for exactly a day-and-a-half, but once the Vioxx got in the system (takes a few days to start working), I felt human again! I know it's not gonna work for everyone, but it worked like a champ for me!

The disc injury will always be there, but the sciatica has been at bay since then. Good luck!

happybrew · 06-01-2005, 09:18 PM

Sciatica can have different causes. Basically, you have a nerve that is being impinged upon. Have you had back pain as well? Have you had a lumbar spine MRI? A disc can bulge or herniate and hit that nerve. A muscle spasm can hit the nerve too. Or something lower in the hip (like the piriformis muscle)can be hitting it. If you've seen three different docs, and gotten three different opinions, well, that really doesn't surprise me. It can be difficult to differentiate clinically. I've seen bad discs mis-diagnosed as hip bursitis until further work up clarifies the situation. If you've been recommended anti-inflammatories like Mobic or Ibuprophen by your doctor, your doctor may want you to take them regularly for best results, as they can prevent pain from occuring, as well as taking care of pain you already have. Confirm this with your physician, first, though, as I am not a doctor, and hence, cannot give medical advice, and sometimes a person can have medical conditions which preclude taking these drugs, or may need to take other medications in conjunction with them to avoid side effects like gastric upset.

For interesting reading, go to The Wheeless Textbook of Orthopaedics
and do a search on "sciatica" and "piriformis". Don't use "syndrome" in your search, or you'll come up with a bunch of unrelated stuff containing that word. The skeleton on the home page is also interesting. Click on the low back and read to your heart's content. I hope you feel better.

happybrew

garyk · 06-01-2005, 10:02 PM

Happybrew. Right. Once this acute phase is over, I hope to set up an MRI to determine what exactly is causing the inflammation and resulting SEVERE pain.

Than I'll be able to make some informed choices about curative actions.

I was just hoping to hear about more Ifishers experiences wiht this problem to continue my education....thanks for the reference - hadn't seen that one, thanks

wannacatchem · 06-01-2005, 10:39 PM

9 months of pretty bad pain in my left hip/leg from a heriated disc at L4-5. Epidural Steriod and I feel good as new. Get a MRI and talk to a good Doc. DR. Sanquist at St. Vincent in Beaverton is very good, Dr. Ruff in West Linn is very good for the steroid shot. I am getting two more in my neck next week for bad discs that are causing a numb left hand. Can't wait.

skybuster · 06-02-2005, 05:00 AM

I just got over a bad bout of sciatica. I had something wrong in my lower back and it ended up pinching the nerve. My left leg was all messed up. The pain started in my left "rear end" and traveled down through my hamstring and calf, into my shin, and stopped in the ball of my foot. It was the most uncomfortable pain. I had trouble sleeping and could barely move for a while.

I treated with 2 different chiropractors to fix it. The first guy got me feeling better, but I still had some problems. The second guy was able to really get my lower back to move and in only 2 visits I was fixed. It took about a week or so for the nerve to heal after the second visit to him, but I have been pain free and sleeping well since. I never believed in Chiropractors before, but will have no problem visiting this guy again at the first hint of a problem.

walkersteelhead · 06-02-2005, 05:54 AM

I dealt with it for years the pain down the leg. Did the chiropractor thing for years.It would seem to come back after time. I finally had an MRI and surgery was recommended. After being fed up with dealing with this decided to take the plunge. The only time I feel any discomfort now is when I lift something I shouldn't be lifting. I know surgery is a not always the answer but I had come to the end of my rope. Also if you opt for surgery I suggest checking out your surgeon. I had a good one and have recommended friends and so far good luck. I have heard of other people having the same surgery and have had nothing but bad things to say. Good Luck.

Jennie@ifish · 06-02-2005, 06:04 AM

I had that last year and physical therapy really helps.
They say that it comes on when you get out of shape. I found that to be true in my case!
The problem is trying to get into shape when you are hurting so badly!
Jen

Molly B · 06-02-2005, 08:03 AM

If it is a herniated disc, don't waste your time futzing around with chiropracters, physical therapy ect. Take the plunge and get the surgery. The key is to take your time recovering. I'd say it takes almost a year to feel normal again. My husband is the stubborn sort, and was literally crawling before he broke down and got it taken care of. Dr. Dan Rohrer at St. Vincent's in Beaverton did the surgery. He was recommended by several other doctors and has the reputation of being about the best in Oregon.

yankemnbankem · 06-02-2005, 10:41 AM

I have it now every once in a while. I say this because I was seeing a chiropractor every 1-2 weeks when it used to be an every day thing. I found a good Chiropractor and he told me to see a massage therapist. I vivited a few until I found a good one and now I see the massage therapist once every six months or so and chiro about once every year. This may not work for everyone either but...... Sciatica is usually caused by inflamation of the muscles surrounding the nerves which pass through the holes in your hips. When a muscle spasms it causes terrible pain in your buttocks all the way down your leg. SOmetimes mine would start out slow aching other times it would come on like I was stabbed with a big needle in the back of my leg. I would highly recommend seeing a massage therapist and a good one....not just anyone. And then work on stretching your leg and lower back muscles every day. Your sysmtoms come from either working in a chair all day or working a little bit every once in a while physically. I would really hesitate on any surgery

stilly bum · 06-02-2005, 02:15 PM

I am going through it now because of herniated discs and totally understand whay you mean about getting different opinions from different doctors. I'm starting to think they don't know what the hell they're talking about. I'm not sure what's worse though, dealing with the pain or dealing with the business office at the medical center.

garyk · 06-02-2005, 02:57 PM

Thanks for all the input, as you've described , acute pain can be caused by several things , either individually or in combination.

Here's a site that despite the self-promotion, I've found quite interesting as it doesn't focus on golden-bullet miracles but rather what is actually causing the underlying problem, as in, a herniated disc causes the pain, but what actually caused that damage? And how can future damage be prevented?

http://www.losethebackpain.com/index.html