Just wanted to share with all of you what I am going through right now. A few months ago my knees gave out and I had to be taken to the ER. They did nothing. A week latter I had an MRI and of course I knew I had degenerative joint disease but I didn't know I had two torn miniscus. So I began P/T and they put hot pads with electrodes and then did ultrasound therapy on my two knees and the Physical Therapist massaged my two knees and at home and outside I used a walker. Got a bit better every day.

Then I did something very stupid.

I was learning how to go up the stairs. I have not had to go up any stairs for 25 years but I moved last year and I had to go up stairs. So I began slowly going up the stairs like a 90 year old. You know, you do one foot at a time. Worked for me, Going up and going down. Bring up one foot and then the other. So because I was getting physical therapy and it was working on my knees I thought I would try going up like 20 year olds do. Not running, just walking up like a normal person (something I haven't done in over 25 years). Well, when I began doing it I said to myself OMG, I CAN DO THIS. I told my physical therapist and he was pleased and said 'just don't run". I said "of course not'. But little did I Know that I was using muscles I hadn't used in YEARS. Thigh muscles and back muscles.

Well about 7 days or so ago the cable guy came and for whatever stupid reason I began going up and down the stairs (my new way) and going in the backyard and following him back up to my apartment. I think I must have gone up and down those stairs at least 20 times that day.

Well!!! in a few days, boy did I feel it. My back (lower left going down the buttocks) began to ache. As I was going to the physical therapist he began to treat my back (like he did my knees) with the electrodes and the hot packs and the ultrasound and the massage. The massage felt wonderful

I have had 4 treatments so far on my back. I graduated from not being able to stand for any length of time and having to sit down (or lie down) to (today) beging able to use my little transport chair in my house to do what I need to do. I go back and forth to the physcal therapist with a taxi and I use a cane. If I have to walk down the block I use a walker. Never saw this coming. I discussed it with him and we both agree that I injured the muscles in my lower back which aggravated my sciatic nerve.

I remember when I had a bout of sciatica 20 years ago. SAME EXACT FEELING (the pain radiating down the left leg).

20 years ago I remember being stuck on my couch until the attack subsided. That time was much worse than now.

But for whatever reason today's session nearly did me in. When he massaged my lower left part of my back (I gather he did deep tissue massage?), well, I yelled. I said "you never hurt me like that before). He apologized and said "Melody, today I began to be a bit more aggressive in the massage". I said "go for it, I'll do anything to get over this thing'.

I love the hot packs, the electrodes, the ultra sound (and I'm taking a mild anti-inflammatory) but honestly, I think I really did a number on my back when I stupidly went up and down those stairs (really giving my muscles a workout). What the h was I thinking?

I have now gone back to walking up and down my former way. Well, actually going up. I always went down the stairs one step at a time, but honestly when I began walking up like a younger person does, I felt so liberated. Never did I think I should not have gone up and down the stairs 20 or so times.

I will never do that again.

So as it stands, I go to P/T three times a week. And he told me 'do not exercise, and when I said "but I heard that mild stretching is okay and it feels good when I do that" he said "Okay, only if it feels good when you do mild stretching but that's it"

So I don't know what the future holds but here I am sitting in my transport chair and tomorrow I will gingerly go down the stairs and go to Dunkin Donuts (which is a few steps from my house and is right on my corner). I use the walker and they have a ramp. Thank god I am not housebound.

I get around, I still can cook and do stuff. My husband helps me but he has neuropathy for over 20 years and can only do so much but he does do the wash.

I will never lift anything heavy and I will never go up the stairs using my thigh and back muscles. Anything to get over this sciatica. (My knees are much better since I had the p/t). I am just very careful. I wish I could stay up off my feet more than 10 minutes but then my left side hurts (down the leg too). As soon as I sit down and put the heating pad, it's fine. And I sleep on a hard mattress so I sleep fine. Thank god for that.

Just wanted to update you

Melody