Hello all,
I have been suffering from piriformis syndrome (I think) for about a
year now. It started out as an annoying pain when I would PT and
just grew into what it is now: constant pain that one cannot escape
from. I'm in the military, so I have no choice about what doctor I
go to, and if I refuse the 'treatment' they give me, then I could
get discharged.
The pain starts in my right butt and extends into the outer portion
of the back of my thigh. Once or twice a day, I feel it all the way
down into my heel. I have had pain across my lower back, which
caused my doc to think it was a SI joint problem. Let me start at
the beginning. First I was diagnosed with bursitis and put on
physical therapy w/ ultrasound, which had no effect on me. I was
sent to several physical therapy docs who told me that my hip bones
were out of alignment and put me through more physical therapy. I
was then sent to a sports medicine doc who put me on more physical
therapy and more ultrasound, diagnosing me w/ piriformis syndrome.
When the ultrasound had no effect, and at this point my SI pain was
acting up bad, they tried the TENS stim across my SI joint with
heating pad and sent me to a chiropractor (surprisingly, yes, the
Navy has an in-house chiropractor). The chiro told me over the
course of several weeks that I was pretty straight, but stimulated
some pressure points and sent me on my way. At this point, both my
doc and I were very frustrated and he sent me to get an MRI of my
pelvis and SI joint. Also had bloodwork done, since I was starting
to get symptoms on the other side of my butt.
Okay the MRI came back negative. Everything looked great. He sent
me for another opinion to a DO intern, who helped me more than
anyone has. Using trigger point therapy, he was able to take away
most of the SI tenderness, but still nothing for the piriformis
pain. Unfortunately, he was only in the area for four weeks. I was
then sent to another doc for a cortizone shot two weeks ago. I had
one day of pain-free bliss, but when I started back on my physical
therapy routine (the same one they've had me on for 7 months that
hasn't done me a bit of good), I started hurting again and am back
to where I was before the shot. The next step is supposedly to send
me to a pain management clinic for a flouroscopy cortisone shot.
Again, I can't refuse treatment or pick what doc I get to see. I
could go see a civilian doc, out of pocket but who can afford to pay
for that? I am seeing a massage therapist when I can afford to.
So that's my long and boring story. A year later and still getting
worse. They did finally put me on tramadol, which doesn't do much
for the pain, but it does lower my care factor enough so I can do
housework.
I'm not really here to get ideas on what works and what doesn't,
since I don't have a choice on what I get. I just wanted to
commiserate with other sufferers who would understand my pain. I
hope everyone is having a low pain day. Take care of yourselves.
Kayti, 27 y/o married in Hampton, VA