Hi, I’m currently suffering from Piriformis Syndrome on my left side. For over 5 years I’ve been experiencing shooting/stabbing pain in one spot in my lower leg, on the outside, about 3 inches above my ankle. It’s intermittent and strikes randomly. Some episodes are tolerable, while others send me down to the ground whimpering in pain. I explain it to friends like there is a small troll that follows me around all day and every now then, stabs me with a thin, long, sharp knife in the same spot on my lower left leg.

Here’s where it gets interesting....A constant, nerve-like pain has appeared in the same spot where I would get my flare ups. This pain is triggered when I touch the area. Whether I touch it with my hands, my pant legs, sheets or running water. The slightest touch on that specific area (about the size of a pencil eraser) sends a radiating, nerve like pain similar to the flare ups I’ve received in the past.

So, I’ve been laid up for a couple weeks afraid to shower, sleep or even wear pants. I can’t put on boots or wear high socks. It’s seriously affecting my life at this point. It’s as if a nerve ending came to the surface of my skin and is just hanging around. Any idea what this is? I want to begin therapy on my piriformis, but this acute pain is holding me back. I’ve used topical creams, NSAIDs, and ice. None seem to help.

Please share if you have any idea what is happening. My Neurologist has no idea what it is.

Since you have a target...you could try lidoderm patches.
But if that target is in the buttocks, the drug may not penetrate that deeply.

Another thing to try, is topical magnesium. Morton Epsom lotion, has removed pain like that which I had in my ankle.

WalMart and Walgreen's have this new item so far, and also online at Amazon. It is a remarkable (and I think miraculous) product.
http://www.amazon.com/Morton-Epsom-L.../dp/B008X365AU

I've introduced this to many people so far here on NT...and most have had good responses to it.
Not all stores have it yet, but I would use it twice a day and see what happens. Many people are low in magnesium and do not eat enough foods that provide it anymore. It does about 300 biochemical things in the body. So you will benefit in many other ways as well. It is inexpensive, very useful, and worth a try.

You don't slather this on... try a quarter's diameter amount on your target daily.... it should work within a couple of days or sooner.

I hope that maybe your doctor will order an MRI, to make sure there is nothing wrong with the structure of you ankle or lower leg. Has that been talked about at all? If this pain doesn't subside, maybe it is time to change physicians to someone who is more assertive in trying to DX you. I know that "shock" like nerve pain, I hope yours finds a resolution. Don't settle for not knowing exactly what is wrong. I wish you the best. ginnie