A pain in the butt (and the leg)

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coriolis
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A pain in the butt (and the leg)

#1 Postby coriolis » Thu Jul 31, 2003 10:43 pm

About 4 weeks ago I started getting pain in my right leg. It quickly developed into killer spasms in my thigh, along with some numbness in my right foot. Along with that was some pain deep inside my butt and some tenderness along the side of my backbone way down there. I went to my doctor who did the diagnostic manipulations, killing me in the process. "Classic Sciatica" she said. I got some muscle relaxers, and some strong (non-narcotic) pain meds. The spasms calmed down and I was left with a dull aching feeling inside my leg, with muscle weakness and some tingly feelings in my foot. I went back to the doc, and we got my insurance company to approve an MRI of the lumbar area to (hopefully) rule out a disc. I went for the MRI tuesday night and we await the results. If it's not a disc, it's either the sacro-iliac joint or inflamed muscles irritating the sciatic nerve. I got brave and went for a bike ride yesterday and even with some out-of-the-saddle climbing, it didn't get any worse. My wife said that I was crazy, but I had to or else I WOULD get crazy.
Has anyone else had back problems or sciatica?
Has anyone had sucess with a chiropracter?
If this is what it's going to be like, I don't want to grow up.
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azskyman
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#2 Postby azskyman » Thu Jul 31, 2003 11:13 pm

Ed,

I have had some ongoing MINOR problems with sciatica, including the spasms and especially the tingling in the left leg. Not enough to be a major aggravation as yet, but there nonetheless.

You will know it if it gets worse. Good luck, my friend.
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#3 Postby streetsoldier » Thu Jul 31, 2003 11:31 pm

I have, among several other disabilities, a degenerative spinal disorder that in some ways mirrors your symptoms.

Since it is inoperable, I have to take steps myself to alleviate the muscle spasms, deep-seated pains, etc. which might not work very well for you...ice packs (NOT HEAT!!!) to relieve the central pain, exercises IN BED with my legs and lower torso (I got these from a book by Pavel Tsatsouline, "Power to the People; Russian strength training secrets for Americans"), and by paying attention to my body as to when to "go", and when NOT to "push it".

Pending your MRI results, I would personally advise you to save your money re: chiropractics...I know there are some that swear by them, but I have had my spine damaged even further by a couple of these 'bone-crackers"...don't take chances.
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#4 Postby Colin » Fri Aug 01, 2003 9:06 am

I hope everything goes well and the pain doesn't get any worse...you're in my prayers!
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#5 Postby azsnowman » Fri Aug 01, 2003 9:13 am

God yes........being a meat cutter (cows ain't exactly skinny!) for 20 years, my back is trashed. I was unloading a box of chucks (front quarters) it weighed around 135-140#'s, the pallet it was on broke with the weight of the box and myself, instead of dropping the box to save myself, I tried to balance the box PLUS another 270 lbs. (me), needless to say, my back has never been the same, I can throw it out by sneezing, coughing, trying to tie my shoes, "AHEM" golfing "LOL!" At any rate, it's out right now, I use the new patches by Icy Hot....they seem to work O'TAY.......but like you Ed.......I've got a never ending supply of muscle relaxers from my sawbones.

Dennis
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#6 Postby Stephanie » Fri Aug 01, 2003 12:04 pm

I have two girlfriends (they are sisters) that have problems with their sciatica nerve. The Chiropractor does seem to help relieve the pressure that they feel.

I hope that it isn't a disk Ed! :(
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#7 Postby blizzard » Fri Aug 01, 2003 3:05 pm

I suffer from Sciatica also, not to the extent of numbness in my legs, but the pain radiating from my back, through my buttocks into my thigh. The Chiropracter has definately helped me out, along with stretching excercises. laying on my back, i pull one knee up to my chest for a five count. Repeat for the other leg. then pull both legs up together for a five count. Repeat this three times. then a couple times a day repeat the process again.

It's helping me anyway
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#8 Postby Amanzi » Fri Aug 01, 2003 5:45 pm

I can relate ED!

Due to all the gymnastics, acrobatics, and dancing Ive done over the years, my back is not too healthy. When I was pregnant with my son I had the same problems as you do with the numbness down my legs into my tail bone and right up into my neck... After my son was born it got a bit better, but still bothered me.. I went to the chiropractor and she told me Siatica was a cause for the numbness, but my right hip was also 7cm in front of my left hip.. so my bones were not where they were suposed to be :roll: I just hope this baby does not put everything back out of place again!
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#9 Postby Pburgh » Fri Aug 01, 2003 6:08 pm

Ed, I have several guys at work who have the same problem. They have tried chiropractic solutions with some help. They have had the most resolution from exercises. Hope this clears up for you. ((hugs))) oops didn't mean to hurt you.

Take care my friend
Karan
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#10 Postby coriolis » Fri Aug 01, 2003 8:10 pm

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and concern. The doctor's office called me today and said that the MRI revealed some "disk issues." :roll: I have an appointment with a neurosurgeon on Sept 4 for an evaluation.
I made up my mind that the first thing to do is lose about 40 pounds. Presently at a "borderline pudgy" 225, I'd be lean and mean at 180. I went out and bought a bathroom scale today. Also planning to stay active. Of course surgery is a last resort. My wife had a disc removed, and while it eliminated the acute pain, she was left with chronic low grade pain. Blizzard, I'll try those exercises.
Right now, the pain is just noticable. Doc said 4 ibuprofen, 3 times a day. They're priced cheap at the dollar store :lol:
Welcome me to the Back Club!
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#11 Postby breeze » Fri Aug 01, 2003 9:14 pm

Well, coriolis - I'm a neurology nurse - sciatica can be hell - but,
the MRI shows disc problems - keep that appointment with the
neurosurgeon. Losing weight is definitely an option - the skeletal
structure of the body has an easier time dealing with problems with
decreased weight....(these things I personally know!)...hold on
the chiropractor 'til you talk with the neurosurgeon!

Good luck, buddy!
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#12 Postby streetsoldier » Sat Aug 02, 2003 12:14 am

Absolutely on the weight loss! Ask your neurosurgeon about a referral to a physical therapist or qualified health club...get into an exercise regimen, pay attention to what's on your fork, and by all means "stick to it"!

When I ballooned to 205, I was miserable, and my back hurt constantly; I'm at 190 now, but should be around 175-180 tops...the less avoirdupois you carry around, the better you'll feel. :wink:
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