Friday, November 6, 2009
Doctors Diagnosis
Hello friends, thanks for all the well wishes for my race this weekend!! I forgot to mention to you all about my doctor’s visit yesterday. I went and got my knee checked out and it looks like it is all stemming from my left hip. Basically I have a pinched nerve that is shooting down from my spine, ( sciatic nerve).
Some info from WebMD
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of sciatica include pain that begins in your back or buttocks and moves down your leg and may move into your foot. Weakness, tingling, or numbness in the leg may also occur.
- Sitting, standing for a long time, and movements that cause the spine to flex (such as knee-to-chest exercises) may make symptoms worse.
- Walking, lying down, and movements that extend the spine (such as shoulder lifts) may relieve symptoms.
How is it treated?
In many cases, sciatica will improve and go away with time. Initial treatment usually focuses on medicines and exercises to relieve pain. You can help relieve pain by:
- Avoiding sitting (YA RIGHT).
- Alternating lying down with short walks. Increase your walking distance as you are able to without pain. (That’s why it doesn't hurt when I run).
- Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve).
- Using a heating pad on a low or medium setting, or a warm shower, for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. You can also try an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. There is not strong evidence that either heat or ice will help, but you can try them to see if they help you.
The Doctor gave me some major inflammation pills to help and told me after my race on Sunday to take it as easy as I can (he really doesn't want me to run), but the inflammation should go down! The JOY of being a RUNNER!
On to lunch! This is the last batch of the Butternut Squash Soup, still delish!
Because I had some extra time this morning, I made a stuffed Portobello Mushroom. I cooked up a little couscous and added tomato, peppers, garlic, EVOO, and some mushroom. This would have been perfect with Goat Cheese on it but I forgot it!
My last persimmon this time I ate it with the skin, much easier!
I also enjoyed some blue corn chips for dipping!
Everything was just what I needed.
Question: Have any of you had any sciatic nerve problems????
19 comments:
Do you ever see a chiropractor? They can do wonders when it comes to pinched nerves.
I had sciatica for most of this year. It made it difficult for me to run. I tried chiropractic adjustments and massage to alleviate the pain, but the solution for me was working out with a trainer to strengthen my core.
I've never had any of those problems thankfully. I hope those pills help you and you should really take it easy after the race, you don't want it to get worse!
I have had those problems and it was worse when I was a kindergarten teacher. I was always sitting on the floor to teach. I went to the chiropractor and the pain has definitely gotten better. Good Luck Bobbi!
I hope that problem clears up. Avoid sitting is a ridiculous recommendation.
I would love to try a persimmon but they're 2 dollars a piece here.
We just looked at the nerves on a cadaver and the sciatic nerve is HUGE. Hope ya feel better soon!!
Well, even though any kind of injury is never good to go through, it does sound like this one is entirely manageable...THANK THE LORD!!! I fully beleive that with the right treatment and rest, you will be able to handle this little nerve and get back to being 100% in no time. Just take it easy this weekend. You alreday know that you are a SUPERSTAR runner so no pushing yourself to your limit in this one... ;)
Have a great weekend girl. I'll be thinking of you! :)
I had sciatica when I was pregnant - it was so incredibly, stabbingly painful! I feel for you...
I do from an old horse accident. I just stretch (do a lot of yoga throughout the week) if it flares up too bad massage ( I almost had to back out of a race if this didn't work), epsom salt baths. Just try to work it out. It makes my whole right side go a bit tingly and weak. Luckily if I exercise a lot it stays pretty far away. *knock on wood*
I'm casting another vote for seeing a chiropractor. I had ITB in the middle of training for my last half marathon, and my chiro got me from not being able to run even 2 mi. without pain to finishing the race pain-free! I knew I loved him when he said "go out and run to see how it feels" after my first treatment and adjustment. And I never had to take any pain meds. My problems were originating in my lower back and also involved my hip. Maybe you are out of alignment and there is pressure on the sciatic nerve?
Just make sure you find a good chiro, though, b/c a bad one can mess you up pretty bad, I've heard!
Acupuncture can help that quick. Acupuncture is excellent for pain and healing of other issues like allergies, reproduction, mental focus, ADD, hormones, digestive system, thyroid, colon, migraines, streghten immune system which is the best prevention for H1N1. I love it. It's been over 3 years for me now.
oh, my dad has a pinched nerve and does a hot/cold compress switch off all the time to help him.
I'm so glad it wasn't something worse!
and good luck on the race!!! can't wait to hear about it!!!
Ouch, pinched siatic nerves can be painful. My mom had one and a bulging disc that pressed on her nerve. Sounds like yours isn't that bad, luckily!
She started with physical therapy, tried a chiropractor and ended up needing surgery for the bulging disc.
Hope yours feels better soon!
I recently read an article in the Harvard news letter that says tart cherry juice is an amazing anti-inflammatory. I decided to go get some to see for myself because I have a bum knee that swells up and it reduced inflammation WAY more than ibprofen or any other medicine did. I HIGHLY recommend getting some! But you have to make sure you get TART cherry juice -- not just cherry juice. Plus, it apparently has more antioxidants than POM or blueberries so thats also a plus! :)
I agree with a few folks on the chiro, that helped some runners that I know.
Hope the race goes well!
My husband has had the sciatic nerve problem for about a year or so. He goes to a chiropractor and he said it has helped him a great deal. He isn't taking the Advil/Aleve etc because they really don't work on the nerve issues. I would seek out a very reputable chiropractor in your area.
bobbi, I am currently recovering from sciatica. I would really advise you to be careful and take it easy. My pain was so bad I couldnt even stand on one foot. What I think really made it worse is the weekend I first felt the pain I ran a half marathon and after that it got really bad. Ive been off my feet for 3 weeks!! It has been super hard because Im training for the disney marathon but I ran today and it didnt hurt. I;ve found that ibuprofen DOES help. And maybe I should see a chiropractor per everyone;s recommendation. GOOD LUCK!
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