Can a burning pain in the buttocks be part of RLS symptoms ?

[s_gc]

Has anyone experienced pain in the buttocks that was related to RLS? I have had RLS for a few years, have on the whole been able to manage the pain in the legs without medication by walking around at night, massages, arnica or magnesium spray; and taking iron supplements. In May I underwent tests confirming again low levels of ferritin and iron etc. I am awaiting to see the second round of test results six months later after taking supplements but cannot even arrange an appointment with my RLS-knowledgeable GP as the surgery won't allow for appointment to be made other than on the day, by telephone only and all the slots are gone within less than 30min after the lines open.

In the last week or so a pain has emerged in my buttocks area and whilst it started at night now I feel it constantly during the day too. It feels like a diffuse burn - the same feeling that has emerged in my legs in the last 3 months or so (before it was cramps and/or an urge to move them) - and is really difficult to alleviate. In parallel, however the pain in the legs is now much milder.

Please let me know if you have experienced this and what you did to help.

Thanks many times over in advance, S

[Madlegs1]

Piriformis syndrome is what I experience?

[s_gc in reply to Madlegs1]

I was wondering about sciatica but I don't get pain in the back of my legs or numbness? Do you get physiotherapy to help with it?

[Madlegs1 in reply to s_gc]

Sports therapist, or dry needling.I got a pistol style percussion hammer-- Bob and Brad from amazon.de. ( I'm in Ireland) and that worked a treat. It was recommended on HU.

Good luck.

[s_gc in reply to Madlegs1]

Oh thanks a lot Madlegs1, will look into it straight away.

[s_gc in reply to Madlegs1]

Also found the link below which explains very well the condition with very clear illustration supported by body anatomy drawings of where and what type of pain is involved - so yes I might have exactly what you said Madlegs1 (especially after nearly two years of not cycling anymore) and also with exercises to help address the problem. Hopefully with the gun massage together it will all be a bad memory in a few weeks... leongorthopaedichealth.ca/h....

[Madlegs1 in reply to s_gc]

Delighted to be of some help.There's a right little nest of problem ligaments in that area- sciatic nerve, piriformis and Parasthesia-- all in the same area and affecting slightly different parts.

A right pain in the "#*#!😎

[Jumpey in reply to s_gc]

It could be sciiatica. I don't always get pain in my leg or numbness.Chiropracric helps.Good luck.x

[LotteM]

Hi S, good to hear that the RLS symptoms seem milder recently. Not good about the diffuse burning pain in the buttocks and legs. It doesn't sound like RLS. I frequently have stiff/painful calves that I think are related to RLS, but pain in the buttocks sound a bit out of place. Maybe someone else can relate.

Sorry not to be of more help.

And can you get some help, children, friends, to try to get through to the gp office for you? This today-only first come first serve approach seems a bit odd. I am sure some people (like you) that really need it won't get help this way.

[s_gc in reply to LotteM]

Yes the GP experience has left me literally in tears, I have been trying for the last three weeks but the doctor that knows very well about RLS is only there two days during the week. They keep telling me to try the e-consultation tool but I have no faith in any of the GP providing service through this being able to understand my condition - last time I used it the the GP told me he had no specific knowledge about my condition. Thankfully I just used it to be able to be referred to a neurologist.

[Pennyfarthing in reply to s_gc]

Hi LotteI was experiencing pain in my calves also and awful stiffness. I did some research re veins as I had some very visible veins, although they weren’t bulging. I went to The Vein Centre and I did have a big problem in that leg as my veins were not closing off and blood was pooling in that leg and lesser so in the other also. I had laser treatment and I don’t know if it’s related but I haven’t had RLS in that bad leg since. I do still have it in my right leg so it kind of negates what I’ve said but all pain and stiffness has gone in both legs.

[Merster in reply to LotteM]

Merster here. Leg pain has been a big problem for me on my RLS journey. At first it would start in the middle of the night as the creepies were settling down and spread to my buttocks and lower back. Fortunately my neurologist has had me on low dose Morphine along with .25mg ropinerole twice at night and those two drugs kept everything in check for the past 2 yrs . When the leg pain started I was given gabapentin which stops the leg pain cold. Seems to me that kind of pain is nerve pain and the gabapentin works well for that. Just as a note since using Ms Contin ( morphine) along with the low dose of requip I haven't experienced any augmentation because if the requip. The morphine seems to temper the requip and it doesn't seem so nasty as it did before. Best of luck . This desease in no damnn fun is it?

[Munroist]

It does sound more like nerve pain e.g. sciatica although I can see you have already considered this. Numbness is not necessarily present in sciatica as far as I’m aware. A good physio can check for piriformis syndrome (common with cyclists) and can also help to release it. I thought I might have had it but turned out to be spine and disc issues (which do involve a degree of numbness). There are quite a few things you can do to help your lower back and spine such as making sure your chairs are supportive and give you a good position, checking your bike fit if you cycle, maybe raising the bars if you can so you are less bent. Lots of steady movement, less sitting, and things like Pilates to help strengthen core and keep spine in the right position. Physios can help with all that too. My RLS seemed to get worse after my back issues and it can be linked with neuropathy so there may be a link. Good luck.

[Hidden]

I too had Piriformis Syndrome - unrelated to my RLS as far as I know. I had one session of massage and a set of exercises which cleared it up in a couple of weeks or so

[s_gc]

Many thanks to all for the additional comments, it is really appreciated! I am talking to my GP hopefully tomorrow about RLS and will raise this too and try to be referred to a physiotherapist (privately if necessary).