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Pain in the butt - Can't sit down
Chronic Pain | Last Active: Jun 17 9:37am | Replies (316)Comment receiving replies
I too have low back pain that follows the track of Sciatica; low back through butt, down leg and into feet (mostly on left side). I do have issues with L4, L5, and S1 as seen via MRI (degenerative discs). Radiologist has not seen any nerve compression, but I sure feel it; especially when sitting. I’ve been through PT many times, have had cortico steroids in those areas plus piriformis and sacroiliac joint. I’ve been through rolfing, myofacial release, laser therapy, chiropractic and acpuncture. Nothing seemed to help except the last two modalities. Just this past Wednesday, I went to the chiropractor. He adjusted me and asked if I had some time. He took me to the room Nextdoor and he had a new machine I believe called Stim Wave. It sounds a bit like an MRI when it’s pulsing. They apply gel to the area, and move the wand back and forth over the area - which for me was the lower back and side of hip. After one treatment (and he’s offering 5 for free since the laser didn’t work), I felt immediate relief in my lower back. The hip pain was down, but not gone. I’m going back for two more treatments this week. I live in hope that I’ve found the magic bullet. He said that if after five treatments I don’t feel any better, then more won’t help. If this does work, I plan to be on maintenance for quite a while. Good luck to all of you, as I know how hard it is to get a good diagnosis and treatment. It feels as if you must advocate and do your own research since doctors just don’t seem to know what you think they should about the nerves and skeletal interfaces. By the way, there’s an article on “the war on chronic pain” it’s the big story on the cover of the June AARP Bulletin. Might be worth a read for some.
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I almost thought this was a post I had posted a few weeks ago at first. I had L4-S1 fusion my L5 was loose biggest mistake 3 weeks later a neighbor came up behind me and twisted me while I was sitting. The surgeon refuses to leave me in pain and says everything is healed , no pinched nerves , no scar tissue. The front and sides of my left leg are numb it comes and goes on the right. My left leg is on fire from what feels like nerves being ripped apart. Now my right leg is starting too, I use a cane and Walker. Waiting on a pain stimulator since I’ve went to 4 surgeons who have said nothing is wrong . 4th surgeon sent me to a hip specialist who laughed and said it wasn’t my hip. I seen someone mentioned falling they should see a pelvic therapist there’s not many that do men . It’s beginning to help but the nerve pain hasn’t slowed down yet but I can now tell when the tailbone gets out of alignment, bowels won’t move right.
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Thanks Karen and I truly hope you find an answer. Pinched nerves are probably impossible to see on an MRI, but they can certainly be implied from vertebra and disc degeneration, stenosis, scoliosis, and on.
I had this problem about 10 years ago when I was 60 y/o. First Dr. would only do a fusion at S1, L4 and probably L5. Second surgeon did a laminotomy, removing a minimal amount from the affected vertebrae and releasing pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Life changing and an easy recovery. Now I do work very hard to stay in shape, keep my weight appropriate for my height and build, and do a lot of core strength exercises. The core is not just the abs, but rather a collection of 30 muscles around the lower spine.
My current surgeon tells me that if I experience sciatica-caused pain again he will need to fuse, but probably won't be necessary as long as I stay fit.
But damn, before that lamitomy, I couldn't stand for more than a minute. I also had a ruptured disc at S1/L5 - ruptured, not herniated - that was removed. So there is next to nothing as far as cushioning between S1/L5. But I do a spin class 4 times a week, use a rowing machine once or twice a week - all for cardio and to maintain weight. And then do resistance/strength training 3 days/week with a trainer. And I consider stretching and core exercises to be "table stakes"meaning I do them everyday.
All the best to you Karen! Joe