Re: Hello, Newbie HERE-to Dawn

January 28, 2005

Caitlin Kennedy wrote:

> What you have in your butt (I have too) and its called sciatica (or at least

that is what it sounds like and the exact same symptoms I have.

I agree with Caitlin.

From what you described Dawn, it sounds like sciatica to me too. Some sciatic

problems resolve themselves. Others just get worse. If you haven't done

several sessions of physiotherapy, I would recommend trying that first. For

many people it works and the problem doesn't return.

I was in my mid thirties when my back started giving out. Within a year of

developing severe back pain, the sciatic pain started in my butt. In a very

short time, it ended up travelling all the way down to my feet. Then my legs

gave out. Unfortunately, I was one of those people for whom pain meds,

physiotherapy, and traction were of

little help.

After all other options were exhausted, I opted for surgery.

I successfully went the surgical route and got rid of the sciatic pain. The

doctor wasn't aiming to get rid of all my back pain. He said that was " pie in

the sky. " Instead he concentrated on alleviating all the sciatic pain and

improving the health of my spine. (chipping out bone spurs, smoothing the

interior surface of each vertebra,

removing the debris left by disintegrated disks, etc)

If you do decide to go the surgical route -- make sure that your doctor has a

lot of successful experience in performing the particular sciatic surgery you

are going to require. Many doctors have a patient reference list. I was able

to speak with several of my orthopaedic surgeon's patients who had the basically

the same procedures done

as I was planning to have. They were very helpful in increasing my

understanding of what to expect post op.

My surgeon did such a great job for me, that I think I'm his biggest fan. He

retired several years ago, but I recently tracked him down and phoned him to

thank him for helping me so much.

The back pain will always be with me, but the sciatic pain has been gone since

1992.

--

Lyndi

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