Pain below buttocks and sciatic pain

[cparker72]

My mother is 68 years and has been experiencing severe pain below her buttocks where the leg begins. The area is cold to the touch. The pain causes her to limp while walking. However, the pain also makes it painful to sit down for more than 20 minutes at a time. Laying in bed also causes her pain. She has gone to a chiropractor who told here it was Sciatic pain. She has fallen twice this week, once by tripping over a cord and last night she went down while brushing her teeth. She is black and blue and in a lot of pain. Any ideas or what this could be? She is going to a orthopedic at the end of this month.

[MamaRuthBunch1961]

Since she fell she should be evaluated for broken bones, as we get older our bones get fragile and the littlest spill can break a bone! She must be in alot of pain, mothers really don't tell kids how much they really hurt. Take her to see her Dr or ER room right away.

[jemma116]

As your mother is in a lot of pain, I suggest you take her urgently to the ER to get a thorough examination and an xray done.  

Although she has sciatic problems, with falling down twice there is also a possibility of fracture.  

As your mother is very bruised, you may try to apply cold compresses.  For the sciatic pain (which is when the sciatic nerve is pinched in the lower back), a heat pad can help to ease the pain.  If you mother allows you, gentle massage with arnica oil is also beneficial, by relaxing the muscles around that area.

You also need to find out whether your mother has fallen (the second time)  because of the pain in her legs, high blood pressure or possible urinary infection.  Observe how your mother is and write down all her symptoms so that you can give this information to your mother's doctor.

If your mother is OK with taking pain relief medication, this can be taken as prescribed on the packet or advised by the doctor.  Sometimes anti-inflammatory medication may be helpful, but not everyone can take these.  If your mother can take them or is prescribed with these, do ensure that she takes the medication with or after food, because anti-inflammatories like Ibuprofen can cause stomach problems.

Wishing her a speedy recovery.

[Foggy2]

Is she having any back pain prior to her sciatic pain? Was there any trauma prior to the sciatic pain?  Does she have a history of spinal stenosis?  

What is her medical history?  Rather than a Chiro., you should contact her PCP now and inform her of her status.  Keep the Ortho appt. for now, but she may need to see a Neurosurgeon.

** The fact that she is now falling and a danger to herself is concerning.  Someone should be with her for her safety or hire someone.  In the meantime, go through the home and make it more safe by removing ALL scatter rugs/carpets, add grab bars to all toilets and shower/bathing areas, put something that can be bought at a medical/surgical supply store that goes under the mattress and has a grab bar on her bed to assist her in getting out of bed...but she needs to be taught how to "walk her way up" out of bed using her hands and slowly lowering her legs into a sitting position prior to standing; add a toilet seat lift; instruct her to sit for only short periods since sitting makes sciatica worse; use good posture and possibly a lumbar roll; put a pillow under her knees for support while lying flat and between her knees to her ankles while lying on her side may help with the discomfort.

Has she tried any ice or heat?  Use only for 20 min. at a time with supervision.

Meals on Wheels in the US can provide 1 hot meal a day and 1 cold meal to seniors.  Some communities have groups willing to help seniors free or with a minimal charge.

It might be worth contacting a local social service center or your Senior Center to see what options you have.  If she falls again, it could be worse.  She needs assistance at home or possibly be placed in assisted living temporarily.

I would also call her doctor (PCP) to inform him of her status and that you are concerned for her safety.  In the US, unless she is admitted for > 24 hrs. she cannot be admitted to an assisted living facility and have Medicare pay for it.  So look at your options now.  If you have siblings, get them involved as well.  In addition, there is never a good time to review or put together an Advance Directive and Power of Attorney (POA), but this is also something that needs to be done if not done aleady.

Let us know if you have any additional questions.