piriformis syndrome

[computerchar]

After 5 doctors a neuroligist said I have piriformis syndrome. They put  me on gabertin and predisone
I felt better for one week. After running out of predisone all pain came back including new pain
in my lower legs. I now have pain in right thigh, buttock and both legs Does anyone have advise as they wont give me any more predisone

[Dogman7]

Hello Tuck,
I have a piriformis problem as well. I had a total rt hip replacement in 2013 and an ALIF 360 in December 2014. (L5-S1 fusion with instrumentation).
I had the piriformis problem before either surgery and I still have PS. My physical therapist has diagnosed the problem but I also have an extruded Disc at L4-L5 and S1 nerve is encased in scar tissue. Backing off the back exercises from PT has helped resolve the intense pain in my back put PS problems still exists.
How did you get rid of your PS problem?
I have DDD or OA and Facet arthrosis. I ran from Spine surgeons for 15 years before having my fusion and I also ran from the surgeons on my hip but finally had to have the hip surgery.

[Tuckamore]

Hello and Welcome,

This is a very old thread. You'll obtain better visibility and more responses if you begin your own thread.

That said have you been DX (diagnosis) with PS - or is this a self DX?

Have your medical practitioners considered SIJD (Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction)? The two can mimic one another and both are difficult to DX. Indeed SIJD often goes unrecognized and it is very under-diagnosed or misdiagnosed.  

I had SIJD for over 12 years before it was DX. If you have questions I'll be happy to answer them for you. Some years ago it was next to impossible to even find something on the internet about SIJD.  In the last several years new sites have cropped up and now there are some great sites that offer good information.

Your SX could be either PS or SIJD. Walking long distances increases my pain as does walking downhill. Short walks are good and I can go up a hill better than down - sitting for any amount of time or driving more than a short distance causes increased pain. Standing is also horrid.

Our SX sound similar. But again the two are similar and I have had bouts of PS.  I have been able to resolve PS - but not SIJD.

Sitting cross-legged on the floor helps relieve stress on the SI Joint and reduces discomfort for a time. Again if you would like more information feel free to ask. SIJD has disabled me - that's how serious it can become when not treated.  

Take Care,
~Tuck

[colebay]

oops, correction to the above, hiking down hill makes it worse, hiking up hill makes is better....ciao t

[colebay]

my problem sounds like PS, however, the dull deep achy like pain gets worse when I walk or stand, lying, hiking up hill,  or sitting will relieve the pain. The pain is localized in the right buttocks, and does not travel down my leg, but  at the same time i experience the PS like pain,  a weakness, numbness and ache appears in my right foot, dorsal area in between the medial and lateral I malleoli and then distally. It is intermittent. I am an avid hiker, rock climber out door person. I did 220 mi last summer in CA in 25 days (John Muir Trail. I have been taking relafan and robaxin with some relief but now it is worse. just started a Medrol pack any idea and suggestion are welcome.. I have thought of MS given the different dermatone areas of my pain and weakness, but have not associated pain with MS  Thanks, Ciao t

[dmjames]

Dr.Henry Bohlman in  Cleveland will remove the muscle if it still bothers you all the time. I am having the surgery soon. I hear he is the best. If the muscle is gone then you should not have anymore problems with it.
Denise

[sk8flo]

This is a lot more common than people realize and docs do have tunnel vision at times....when I finally got diagnosed with PS, my doc gave me a series of stretching exercises.  I couldn't believe the difference.  I did them just as prescribed and within 4 weeks I was markedly improved and completely pain free in 2 months.  It does flare up every now and then, but I just get right back to doing the stretches.  But you do need to have someone emphasize all the posture and ergonomics that go along with this.  We all get lazy.....

Give it some time (exercises, posture, etc.) and hopefully you will be able to avoid all the more invasive stuff and drugs.  It does take a committment on your part.  IMHO

[Hunychikn]

Hi there, I was diagnosed with Piriformis syndrome as well.  Four years ago this month I had a piriformis release.  This was done by Michael Amarol in Atlanta, GA.  it was a very painful surgery, but one I am glad to have gone through as I am doing very well now.  I have a few limitations, but none of them leave me crippled and unable to enjoy my life and small children.  Before this surgery I also underwent SI stablization with right sided-fusion.  I went through years of physical therapy, yoga, stretching, deep tissue massage, and the injections.  I hope this helps you some.  Rest assured, there is help out there.  I know it's very frusterating to go through life and not have any doctor's actually offer you much help other than narcotics.  

[NicoleHope]

Medical wise - You could try trigger point injections with bupivicane, otr the more controversial is botox injection to knock out the muscle for 3-6 months. I did the former and the latter. The latter sucked. The former was not very helpful either. What helped me the most is stretching, ice and phsyical therapy.