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Butt, Hip and Back pain
I've had this ongoing injury since at least February of 2008 but have felt similar symptoms in the past. I haven't had a direct accident that could explain why I feel such pain, but I am quite active and the injury could very well be a result of overuse. At this point I am beyond frustrations; emotionally I am at my wits end, I just want the pain and discomfort to go away so I can return to my regular activities.
Does anyone have any suggestions or directions on what I should do?
Here's my story, my symptoms and my experience:
Last November I had a bad cold and wasn't going to the gym as often as I had been. December I spent about 3 weeks traveling; which included eating and not working out. Over this period I put on about 8 pounds- nothing to severe but I wasn't sure if this part of it so I thought I should mention it.
In January I continued to play hockey; recreational during the week and some competitive tournaments on weekends (we always had a short bench and ice time was never an issue). Somewhere along the way (maybe late Jan early Feb) I developed severe pain in the back of my right thigh- what one would describe as sciatica. It would mostly occur after games or when I was in the car driving (and as a passenger) for longer than 5 minutes. At a point in time I could no longer push off with my right leg as if the muscles weren't strong enough.
In March I went to the chiro office and they said the sciatica was from my piriformis, they were treating me with ART and although that helped diminish the extreme sciatica pain and it restored the strength in my leg it did not take away other discomfort I was starting to feel (now I was starting to notice discomfort in my lower back): I also joined the running room in March and started to run in attempt to condition my body and be ready for the upcoming soccer season. With running I could run for about 5 minutes and then I would get severe pain in the right side of both knees. Initially I pushed through it but the next day I could barely walk down stairs. The chiro said it was unrelated and that my body needed to get used to running. After a few runs and a few visits to the chiro they suggested I not run (unless it was flat and on a track or grass). The chiro also suggested I stop working out and just do pilates to strengthen my core. So I joined pilates and quit the gym. At a later point I tried running on a track and experienced the same pain in my knees on about lap 5 or 6.
Here's where it gets confusing. I got frustrated with the chiro office as I had an inkling that they weren't bang on with what my body was saying, I often could not get in and see the same Dr as they travel and help with sports clubs, and work got very busy for myself. So mid April I stopped going to see them. I continued to play hockey a few times a week and pilates 3 times a week.
My last hockey tournament was the first weekend in May. I couldn't wait to lose as my butt, thigh and back were in so much pain. I made an appointment with my family doc, who prescribe me anti-inflammatory and referred me to a Sports Medical clinic. I was hesitant to take the meds as I didn't want to mask the pain. (I tried a naturopathic remedy and a Chinese herbal remedy; both given to me by experts in those fields- either one didn't work.)
The doc at the sports medicine clinic ordered x-rays, said that nothing showed up and suggested I do physio for 4 weeks to treat a bulged disc.
Off to physio, she told me no sports, no gym and only focus on the exercises she gave me. I followed orders; however, throughout those 4 weeks the pain got worse. The symptoms often changed from pain to discomfort with numbing and coolness felt through out my leg, and I periodically had numbness in the crotch for short periods of time. None of my symptoms were consistent although where I felt symptoms was consistant.
After the 4 weeks of physio and no change for the better I thought why am I paying for treatment that is not treating me. I went back to the doc,he looked at me puzzled (I felt he didn’t believe me) and ordered an MRI.
Thank goodness I have a friend who got me in for an MRI within a week - waiting period at the hospital I was referred to was somewhere around 200 days.
Have I mentioned that I am an active person and with not being able to do anything I was so emotionally frustrated.
The MRI results came back with no significant disc problems, and only reported minor wear to the facet joints in my L4-5 and S1 (hope I remembered that correctly). The doc said it's probably a combo of the piriformis and back muscles and recommended I go back to physio, take anti-inflams for 4 weeks and then report back. I resisted the meds but he said they would help and it’s only temporary. Oh yes, and he suggested light activity; swimming, light bike ride.
So, I started taking the meds- it's 15mg of something once a day. It has helped to reduce some of the pain...until now-
I've seen the physio chick 4 times, she's given me exercises (I've progressed since my last set) the exercises are to strengthen my transverse ab muscles to great support in my back. She has dug into my butt, thigh (says my TFL is really tight, this is the areas that has been extremely painful), and my lower back muscles. She then has me do my stretches, then hooks me up to the industrialized dr. ho machine (not sure what it's called) with a heating pad for 15 minutes. She suggested I lie on a tennis ball to relieve some of the tightness in my butt. Since then and since a new exercise (lying on my side lifting my top leg a few inches) the pain in my right buttock is back in full force (and I'm still taking the meds), my right hip hurts- sharp pain, and my lower right back muscles are stiff and painful. I've been swimming about 5 times in the last 2 weeks and didn't feel any significant pain as a result of swimming (I think). I went for a bike ride on the weekend and felt good after (other muscles were tight and a little stiff but I hadn't done anything in so long I figured this was normal). Overall I felt like I might be getting with the pain but I could still feel the tightness in my butt and hip. My thigh muscle feels like there is a permanent pull- as if sciatica can return at any moment and I have felt this off and on- when the sciatica pain comes it almost brings me to tears. I think my right butt and right hip pain has increased since I used the tennis ball and the new exercise, but it’s so hard to tell.
I'm frustrated as this has been going on for some time. I feel that I could be getting better treatment but don't know what to do- I've done everything that the docs and physio have said. Some people argue and say it really hasn't been that long, but for someone who is extremely active this had been a huge life style change for me.
I sit all day in an office, and I do try and get up every 30 minutes to walk about (I was told this is proper back hygene). I was assessed and have been provided with a new chair at work (which I think has helped). But, I'm 30 years old. I would have considered myself in better shape than most but I could probably be in better shape. I generally eat healthy and prefer to work out or do something active.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what I might be going through and what I should do? I should mention that the tests the do- moving my body around does not show any muscles abnormalities and or weakness.
My only plan right now is to see through the next 2 weeks of physio, but I'm hesitant to continue if it's not helping. One more thing the physio chick wants me to go see another physio lady who specializes in core strengthening. I don't doubt this would be a good thing but I'm not sure it's the right answer.
Any ideas would be great.
thanks
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