Pain in Butt! Hamstrings

[arvine]

well this has been going on for while, but mostly over last few mos, down to 4 1/2 mg pred, for few mos now, no other symptons of pmr noticeable, but in beginning , over 3 yrs ago, had these symptons, and shoulders, thinking now, when standing , cooking, cleaning, coming from my lower back, slipped disk, degenerative disks, for years now, and spinal stenosis, thinking muscles in butt and hamstrings jumping in to protect back ? have read about priformis syndrone muscle, anyone out there can relate to this, it,s wearing me down, trying to walk now everyday for last few weeks, get out of apt, and exercise, but between this problem, and my wrist, carpal tunnel, tiring me out , am getting surgery on wrist june 19th, and do try do stretches, for glute and hamstrings, doesnt give much relief, anybody out there can relate, and have suggestions?

[whitefishbay]

I have piriformis syndrome. Google exercises for them and that will help. Also sitting on a tennis ball can help. Sorry. It really is a pain in the butt and when you stand, sleep, etc. Good luck.

[Pollyanna16]

I can totally relate to this! Despite practising Pilates at least twice a week I have to put more effort in to keep it at bay. I have never had it diagnosed as such. Interestingly most of my original PMR pain was in the butt! In lockdown I have been using Pilates stretches & use 2 prickly balls but you can use tennis or hockey balls to try & get into the muscle. I think a good physio or masseur would help a lot but ofcourse they are not likely to be available at present. All the best for your op.

[Captainjonny]

The other replies give you info on piriformis exercises. I had degenerative disc issues alongside PMR. My son introduced me to a series of stretching exercises and I must say that they have been very useful for me. Not only in eradicating the piriformis issue but in staving off/reducing intensity of leg cramps. It can't be easy for you with the other issues you face but I hope that continued regular stretching might ease things in time. Good luck.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I have had back problems the whole time with PMR (and before really), myofascial pain syndrome that involves the piriformis (bum), lats (back) and trapesius (shoulders) muscles. The most effective longterm management was by doing Pilates every week but since I moved here that hasn't been an option and I can tell the difference. Now I rely on therapeutic massage and the pain clinic.

[arvine in reply to PMRpro]

thank you, do you find pain and tightness worse when walking at all, at my daughters suggestion, I have tried to tighten my core when walking, said that should help lower back, so far,hasnt done much, do you think these priformis muscles jump in to protect lower back etc?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to arvine]

I think the entire back muscles just tighten to try to protect themselves - when my low back pain was worst I couldn't walk or stand for more than 10-15 mins without pain that just made me feel sick. A local orthopod I saw privately after an RTC said it was "wear and tear" and I'd have to learn to live with it. It was far worse after that whiplash - and that is mainly muscle. The trouble is that once the back muscles are tightened or even in spasm, you can't train them by engaging core muscles - you have to sort the muscle problem - and then train them to prevent it happening again

[Susieblu]

I think you need to get your problem investigated further. I have had PMR over 4 years but about a year ago starting getting awful pain in back and also sciatica. Physio, acupuncture and osteopathy...wasted my money!

I then pointed out to the doctor how much codeine I was taking to no avail. X-ray, CT scan and MRI have followed and diagnosis is Spondyliotheses plus osteoarthritis. This causes severe pain down backs of thighs, sciatica etc. Some stretching exercises are good but I find I need to be careful with these.

I have some medication for the nerve pain now which helps.

I hope you can get more help from your GP.