So my symptoms sound very similar to sciatica. I have a pulsing pain on my left side that starts in the buttocks area and travels down my leg whenever I flex my back or left leg.
I know why I got this, my work office was redecorated with new furniture including a new “ergonomic” chair. Well I’m a heavyset guy and that chair was definitely not for me. I felt pains from that day although they have become much worse now. (PS – I got rid of the new chair the next day and got my old one back)
Anyways, what worries me is that other people who’ve described this pain have said they’ve had it for years? Please tell me that’s not typical. I had bad posture due to a new chair for one day and this pain has lasted over a week and has grown. Help?
#1 by hasgr8boyz on December 8th, 2011
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I recently had this a couple of months ago….the pain was so intense that I could barley walk, lean over, sit down or anything. It was a constant ache…like a knot in my gluteus maximus, and then a sharp pain down the back of my leg to sometimes my knee and other times to my ankle. I went to the dr and he put me on pain meds and a muscle relaxant…with in 3 days of being on the meds and doing the exercises that my dr suggested I was feeling better, and withing a full week I felt fine. Now I do know a couple of people that have had different results with Sciatica, my grandfather had it for months, and my father had it for about 6wks. So if I were you I would go and see your dr about it. Good luck with this…it is definitley not a fun to deal with…especially if left untreated!
#2 by zini on December 8th, 2011
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Sciatica is caused by nerve root compression by a slightly abnormal vertebral disc. It is made worse from then on by muscle spasms which prolong and worsen the symptoms.
Sciatica pain is very similar for everyone. Running in a straight line from the lower back down the leg to the foot. It’s intensity varies from person to person but the route of the sciatic nerve is the same in everyone.
It is mostly a constant pain, relieved by lying down, worsened by stretching the leg or back (bending over, bending the knee towards the chest, raising the toes, walking etc)
It is unfortunately a lifelong condition and tends to come and go.
You might have an irritation due to poor posture in that chair not actual sciatica itself. The lengthy duration of the symptoms makes it much more likely it is sciatica rather than ‘simple’ lower back pain.
It might be best for you to go discuss this with your doctor, as if your work involves you sitting all the time it might be wise to get a sick note for a few days off to rest your back.
#3 by pooterilgatto on December 8th, 2011
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In order to solve this mystery, just what is causing this pain, you should see a Physician, who can order an XRay of the area you describe, and solve the mystery. You do not give your age, and there may be some arthritis there, as well. Both conditions are treatable, There is no need to go for years with this pain, there are pain relievers, and there are Chiropractors that will treat the Sciatica if that is your diagnosis .Make an Appointment, and get well soon.
#4 by sailornyanko on December 8th, 2011
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Visit an orthopedist and get yourself tested. There’s a maneuver where they sit you down on your back and they pull your left and then the right leg up 90° with the other leg on the bed at 0°. Depending on which angle you feel pain, the doctor can tell whether it’s the sciatica, a disc hernia or if the person is faking it to get freebee days off work (it’s more common than you think).
The scatica if diagnosed early like in your case is highly treateble, but I warn you, expensive. In Mexico where meds and doctor appointments are cheaper than the US you can end up paying the equivalent of 300 dollars. It’s not that treatment lasts forever, but the specific meds for it are expensive for some reason. Some of the meds are injected BTW.
If treated properly and you obey doctors orders (many people quit treatment after 5 days thinking they are “cured” and then their pain is chronic), you can be fine in 3 weeks. I’d also suggest you to change your chair at work if that’s the possible culprit. if the office is against it, show them a signed doctor note stating you have the right to change chair and they will have to obey.