[Lynn]

Ok, so this is a bit of a mystery. Last night, I went to sleep as per normal and I woke up at three am feeling like I had been shot in the butt by a flaming arrow, and the terrible burning pain had radiated down my right leg right though to my big toe.

It woke me up and I was in in pain for several hours. This is the first time for this - all of my issues have been with my left leg thus far so I am very confused as to whether this is a sciatic pain, or if it is some kind of spasticity.

If anyone has had this kind of pain, I would really appreciate your input.

Cheers

[Debbie D]

Sounds like sciatica…i've experienced that and it's very strong, very intense.

i do back exercises such as lying on my back, pulling one leg up to my chest and holding for 5 sec. with 10 reps.
Then, after that, I pull both legs up to my chest and roll to one side, trying to keep my shoulder blade on the bed. I hold for 5 sec., and repeat 10x.
Also get on hands and knees and curl back like a cat and hold. Then drop abdomen and hold. repeat 10 times.

Ice packs might help on the lower back as well.

I've never found regular Tylenol or aspirin to help, but rather NSAIDS to decrease any muscular pressure on the nerve.

if it continues a bit, best call the doc…

Sorry you're hurting so yn

[Erika]

Ouch!
It does sound like sciatic nerve irritation. That can come from a disc putting pressure on the nerve root or from a muscle called the Piriformis, spasming and putting pressure on the nerve itself. If you also have sacro-iliac pain, it might be the latter.
If you can, maybe try massaging the upper buttock near the sacrum to see if it brings relief.

The piriformis syndrome
http://www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/piri.html

With love, Erika

[kicker]

I thought I had Sciatica, My left leg HURT, then as suddenly as it came it went away never to return yet. I do Advil, but that's me.

[NurseNancy]

what erika said. sounds like it might be from a disc problem in your back.
i'd ask your dr about it.

i cross my affected leg over the knee of the other leg and gently pull til my butt stretches. count for 10-15 seconds and release. if it hurts ease up. try for 3 stretches and stop.

you could also try heat or cold on and off. heat works best for me. if the butt muscle gets too tight it can trap the sciatic nerve and cause that pain.
if it's a disc then some PT might help.

[clarkstar]

i have very painful sciatica in my right leg, and i use multiple avenues of treatment. i ice my butt pretty much most of the day, take advil and norco 5/325, and use lidoderm patch daily. ive used biofreeze and epsom salt lotion too. mine is so bad that i cant sit up for most of the day, and sitting in my wheelchair kills me, the pain just drains me, saps my energy...

[Lynn]

Thanks for your help/ideas everyone

I have been pretty lucky since, I have had some lower back pain, but not the same intense experience since the first time (and hope I don't have it again...)

Fingers crossed

xx