@teg and @vklittle61 EXACTLY! If you are able get on the nattokinase and serrapeptidase and higher levels of vitamin C and also add quercetin and resveratrol as supplements. I basically had a bursitis / tendonitis in the glute and high hamstring region. It was stubborn. However, I believe it was from excessive fibrin (i.e. the protein involved in blood clotting) on the bursa / tendons & nerves. I had nerve pain (nerve compression; some type of myofascial pain in the glutes, and all manner of sitting pain). While speculative, the fibrin might cause not only stiffness but promotes inflammation as it naturally recruits white blood cells (granulocytes) that promote a mild autoimmune inflammation of the tissues. This is a natural process for fibrin- essentially what happens in a cut or wound - but it may be more prevalent for that process to go haywire - especially as we age. The enzymes (nattokinase / serrapeptidase) can help reverse this - a small amount is actually absorbed somehow.

I also had a prior history of plantar fascitis and also phlebitis (and pain when pressing on lower legs). This is all consistent with tissue stiffening. As you may be aware, many people are eventually put on anti-coagulants by Western medicine due to forming clots / fibrin deposition - which may be more common with age and improper healing / tissue remodeling. The enzymes and Vitamin C and stretching & exercise took care of much of it for me - I only have a little residual sitting pain now. I believe what I had could have led to many different issues including amyloid polyneuropathy (eventually) and possibly other related disorders (other neuropathies) - had I not intervened with the alternative treatments (I was getting burning and tingling down in my left foot - that is now lessened). NSAID's don't help this and that is what Western medicine tries. The stiffness and irritation can definitely cause nerve compression and nerve irritation leading to burning pains, spasms, etc., and sitting pain.

The enzymes are taken on an empty stomach (i.e. between meals). About 10% of the people get digestive issues. Most people have no
problems with the enzymes, though. You'll need to listen to your body. I've used: 2000 U nattokinase (Drs. Best in both am and pm) as well as a couple Serrapeptidase (Biomedix Laboratories brand; several different strengths are available in the am and pm, too) from Amazon. There is also a stronger enzyme called Lumbrokinase, too. Start slow and ramp your way up. See how it goes. My doctor checked and if you have a bleeding disorder or are already on anti-coagulants they might be counter indicated. Otherwise, barring you have a clotting disorder or if you have an infection (discontinue during an active infection; as infections are often walled off by fibrin). Many people use these without issue and my doctor found little information - but not much for adverse effects, either. Most likely, these enzymes are safer than Warfarin and other anti-coagulants. I am convinced the enzymes and the other supplements I mentioned above helped "cure" me of my sitting pain which maps to the pudendal and other interconnected nerves, too. At least, that was my case. I am 100% convinced about my fibrin hypothesis - for me at least. Your cause may be different - or maybe not.

In the meanwhile, there are old posts from me on here (old posts on this thread) or on the "Pain in the butt - Can't sit down" thread under chronic pain where I detailed specific cushions I used, etc., and all manner of specifics about exercise before the resolution of the sitting pain. You can look them up. While some nerve pain meds help - they won't cure the problem - they just mask the pain. Maybe for you, the enzymes as well as some pelvic floor therapy and some of the specific exercises I'd mentioned before might cure your issue. Please do your own research and fact checking. Be sure to check your blood pressure when on various supplements. They might affect it either raising or lowering it. Good Luck. Rich

Thank you so much