Now I'm a little concerned(long)
 I went for PT and ended up in tears. Partly because of pain...but also because of frustration because I'm ALWAYS in pain to varying degrees. Kristin(my PT) suggested that maybe its time to see an Ortho Dr for some kind of pain block. Yes PLEASE! Kristin gave some names of her favorite Ortho Dr's and then went so far as to page one of them  who called back within five minutes He was at home on paternaty leave but he still called back  and talked to Kristine and then me as I was standing right there.Let me back up a moment, Kristine tells me I have Piriformes Syndrome which causes sciatica. Basically what it means is that the piriformes muscle, which lies deep in the butt, is irritated and since the sciatic nerve runs through it, it causes sciatica. So the Dr(that man can talk) prescribed some meds that should help and told me he would call his office to set up a appointment tomorrow to see his PA for a shot of cortisone(in the butt) that should help relieve the pain. If that doesn't work (finally here's the concerned part) its possible I may have a slipped disk . That is so not what I wanted to hear.Kristine told me it was probably caused by the shoes I was wearing. They were the ones with the rounded bottoms that are supposed to be good for the thighs and butt. If you have those shoes...throw them out. If you have considered buying those shoes..DON'T. This is the voice of pain and experiance telling you this |
|
|
| Pam - I agree with time to see the ortho doctor. You have done the PT and waited a long time, but you are still miserable. There may be more going on. time for some radiology tests to take a look in there. Todd did the PT, no help. Drugs were no help. Dr confirmed the herniated discs. They did the block - and the 1st one was wonderful. Todd felt like a normal human again.  Then when he needed a 2nd one, it really didn't work well. The thought is with the block, that you get the nerve to settle down and break the "memory" of the pain path, that it will be a cure. I had one done for upper back pain, and it worked!!  I still get pain and flareups, but nothing that I can't deal with. So, Todd booked surgery. He HATES drs, dr offices, and especially the hospitals. He was in so much pain, he was to the point he didn't care. The 1st block had given him a taste of what pain free was like, and he wanted it like that! I had to bring in his pillow, open the windows to air the "hospital smell" out of his room (this from a smoker....LOL). He was at my hospital where I worked, on my unit. All the nurses knew him, so he got the royal treatment (still no cigarettes though..) He had a wonderful reduction in pain right away. He had improvement in the recovery period after. He still gets the occasional flareups, but not the same - except for this last one. He got a few different drugs and luckily got it under control. He said if it wouldn't have worked, he would have done surgery again... |
| Yeah, those shoes are a killer. My worst flare up was with Earth Shoes so many years ago. And I thought I was doing something good for myself. Thanks for reminding me as I've toyed with getting a pain. I must be daft! As for nerve block.......sounds delightful. Dealing with hubby's pain: sciatica, discs, etc . Already had one surgery and doc said he'd be seeing us again. I fear he's right. Add in mighty nice hip and now knee arthritis and is it any wonder hubby walks in a giant C to the side. |
| I am all too familiar with these symptoms. I've had 3 disk surgeries. I also put my first one off as long as I could - for years before it I would get episodes about once a year where I would be flat on my back for about a week. When the episodes got to about once every few months, I figured I would rather face the unknown of surgery than to endure the pain. This was in 1997, before they gave the cortisone shots. I was fine until another disk herniated in 2000. This time I didn't hesitate - right to the hospital for surgery #2. When yet another disk herniated in 2002 from a fall in the shower, that's when the dr sent me for the shots. Got 3 of them, once a month. Was told you could only get 3 shots/year because it's a steroid. The first 2 sorta worked, the 3rd one really did the trick. Went to PT afterward and also started with accupressure monthly. That lasted me until 2005, when I just couldn't shake the pain no matter what I did. Since I couldn't take the pain of waiting until I could get an office appt with my ortho surgeon (about 3 weeks out), I side-stepped the system. One night when the pain was fully excruciating and I couldn't even stand, we called the squad to take me to the hospital. I was going to force their hand - I was NOT leaving there without some sort of solution. Had surgery #3, which was a bit trickier since I had scar tissue and stenosis from the first 2 surgeries, but it worked. I still get bouts of pain but I've learned how to be VERY careful with everything I do. Not the ideal way to live but you do what you gotta do. And also - I have a pair of those rounded sole sneakers, and I really like them. I find my ankles and knees don't get tired as easily with them. I just have to watch that I don't wear them too long on a given day because that will cause problems. Good luck! |
| I agree with Dawn it is time to consult an ortho. I'm a chiropractor and as I read your description I was really wondering if you have sciatica due to a disc injury.  It certainly can be piriformis syndrome but that should be settling with the PT and the meds. Good luck and let us know how you get on. |
| I never used them, but for some reason (which escapes me 15 years on) my podiatrist mentioned to me that Earth Shoes were a "full employment act" for podiatrists! LOL |
| Oh gosh it must be horrible to live with daily pain. I hope that there is some solution for you as it's so frustrating not being able to do things that your mind wants to do, but your body doesn't co-operate. |
| Well, I got my "shot in the butt" today. Ryan, the PA, told me I should be seeing improvement within a week with complete recovery within 3 weeks....IF its piriformis syndrome. He's leaning toward it not being piriformis syndrome. I pushed and pushed but couldn't get him to lean the other way. So we will know within three weeks if I'm "all better" or setting myself up for another surgery.  |
 That you're all better in 3 weeks |
Mim wrote: That you're all better in 3 weeksyes - me too! |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|