Mary, I think the relief I get is not so much from piriformis pain
as it is from the spasms of the piriformis muscle compromising the
sciatic nerve. The spasms are what literally bring me to the ground
if one hits. Once I do the stretch, it releases the muscle and I
literally sigh in relief. All I know is I'll gladly take any relief
I can get and in any means or measure!!

I'm sure my problem was aggrevated by, if not actually caused by,
years of having the altered gait. I do wonder sometimes if I
actually have piriformis syndrome -- I don't know if anyone has come
to an agreement yet on how to diagnose it.

Reason I wonder is b/c I did get some relief from the Vioxx (double
dose) and when it was taken off the market, I got less relief from
Mobic. Pain level has decreased a bit since increasing Mobic dosage,
enough to make me celebrate. But that is ONLY b/c it had shot up to
a constant 8 or 9 in the span of about a week.

And now I hear they're concerned about Bextra too, which means Mobic
may be next.

kim