Piriformis 😩

[Speedy60]

I've avoided writing this post for a few weeks because I just want to get better and get out there, but I'm starting to lose any sense perspective.

I came home from a week away keen to start training for the Bristol half marathon. In an effort to improve my time, I started a Garmin strength programme. First time out, I damaged my hip. After three weeks hobbling, the doctor diagnosed bursitis and prescribed naproxen. However, I then had physio and was diagnosed with piriformis. I've been doing everything he recommended, exercises, walking, hot and cold compresses, the lot.

My prescription is coming to an end and I don't want any more medication, even if the doctor was prepared to prescribe it. Has anyone here had piriformis? What treatment did you have? How long did it take? I've had to give my half marathon place away. 😔

Please someone reassure me that every morning won't be an effort to get out of bed for the rest of my life! I know I'm being over dramatic, but that's how I feel today. It's wearing me down.

Thanks

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Oh Speedy I’m sorry you're going through this and you had to give your place away. That’s always a huge disappointment.

Although I’ve had Piriformis problems in the past I’ve never been diagnosed. Mine was caused by excessive periods of driving in a low car seat and gave me bad backache and hip pain. I found stretching the hips, especially this one, and sitting on a tennis ball really helped.

youtube.com/watch?v=sx6qUmZ...(Not working as expected?)

I honestly can’t remember how long it took to get better but it did get better and I did run again 🙂

Has your physio given you any idea of how long the treatment might take or when you can start running again? Having a possible end in sight would be a huge boost wouldn’t it?

I can understand how terribly frustrating this must be, but people do run again after this. I know that others here have suffered, have a search and look at the posts.

I hope you get it settled soon and you can get back on the road. Fingers crossed for you and keep us updated.

[Speedy60 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP. Sorry, I was just having a moan. The physio said usually about 6 weeks and it's been 5 weeks so far, not helped by a misdiagnosis. Most of the time I do know I will get better, but sometimes it just feels like this is my life for ever.

This is the first time I've had a major break from running and I'm surprised just how much I miss it. I was always a bit worried that if I gave up I'd never start again, but there's no chance of that, even if I have to go back to week 1 of couch to 5k! At the moment it would just be nice to get dressed in the morning without a fight. Once I get moving it's not so bad and I'm much better on my feet than sitting.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Speedy60]

Moan away! It’s so hard to have an IC break from running when all we want to do is get out there. Hang in there, once a runner always a runner 🙂

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to Speedy60]

Oh, I sympathise. I had an enforced 4 week break in September last year recovering from an ankle sprain. I was chomping at the bit to get out and run, even when I was hobbling round in pain.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oh no! I can imagine how frustrating it is. All you want is to see some sign of improvement to give you hope for the weeks ahead. As IP suggests, your physio is best placed to give you an idea how long a full recovery is likely to take, but remember that healing is rarely linear and improvement may be just round the corner. Don't give up hope. It will get better and you will get to run again. I had to take 5 months off with a stress fracture a year or two ago ... but I came back, and with a whole new appreciation for running. You will too, but in the meantime feel free to have a good moan here. Most of us will understand how frustrating it is.

[Speedy60 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda. A bit over dramatic I know, but it just got to me this afternoon. It's a really strange thing piriformis. When I'm standing up, I can almost believe I haven't got a problem sometimes. Then I twist, or sit down and I really know it's still there. 😖 The mornings are the worst. Every night I go to bed thinking maybe I'm on the mend, then I can barely move when I wake up.

The physio told me to keep moving and I'm trying. The dog is getting loads of walks round the block, no hills though. I'm also doing all the exercises twice a day. Hopefully, by next week I'll be posting a 5k PB 🤞

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Speedy60]

Not over dramatic. Injury like this is the pits. It can be deeply depressing at times. But hang in there knowing it's worth it, the comeback runs are amazing

[misswobble Marathon]

Aw dear I’m really sorry 😟. If the answer is strengthening through physio exercises then that’s good. If we can mend ourselves without drugs or surgery then that’s a bonus.

I had a horrible shin splint which was so painful at times that I cried and couldn’t walk, you think it will never end. Once physio starts though it’s a positive. You’re taking steps to getting well. They’re small steps though and we’ve got to keep going slowly and steadily. Hopefully as you strengthen you’ll see an improvement. I did exercises six times a day eventually but started small. After that it was no running for seemingly ages. When I did run again it was for 2 minutes with a 2 day break in between. It seemed interminable but it worked.

The injury couch is a lonely place, but we’re here, so tell us how you’re getting on. It’s good to share the highs and lows. All the best and I hope you’re feeling better soon 💪🙂

[Speedy60 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thanks misswobble. The physio told me to stay on my feet and try to keep my front and back muscles in neutral as much as possible. The only person who's happy is the dog! And not to use a massage ball because it will just upset the inflammation. The exercises he gave me are movements, rather than stretches. I was expecting to get loads of painful stretches, but I have to trust he knows what he's talking about. I've never had a physio appointment before 🤷‍♀️

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Speedy60]

That sounds good👍 Positive stuff 🙂. Once the inflammation is sorted then the pain should be as well. You can get to start the physio proper then. It’s all small steps but patience pays off.

I had to wait an eternity for physio as the useless GP forgot to do my referral ☹️ Once I got to meet the physio at the hospital I knew I was in good hands. Being involved in the process is therapeutic. You’re actively involved in your own recovery. You’ll learn useful things along the way. I know I did. I was lucky too as the physio called in a biometrics guy to see me as well.

I tried to keep moving but some days were worse than others, but doing the exercises got me through. I was so relieved that was all that was needed. Using our own bodies and exercise to heal ourselves. Who’d a thought it 🤷‍♀️😁

Good luck. Keep smiling and doing your stuff. The dog walking is free physio 😃👍🐕

[Speedy60 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Well done you for persevering! Loads of wise words there. I'm having a better day today. 🤞We rescued this dog, now he's rescuing me. X

Colour photo of a dog

[misswobble Marathon]

Aw bless 🥰. Dog walking is a whole new adventure. A terrier will help you seek out new routes 😁. You’ll get fitter from chasing him/her and extricating it from various messes it gets into. Often bramble related

My rescue Jack Russell exhausted the family and my husband spent most of our outings apologising 😆🐶. We thought he’d live forever 😁