Piriformis syndrome

[BlessedMimi]

I know this isn’t directly related to MBC, but I have been having pain in this muscle- mainly when I lay down. Heating pad helps and I have been taking Mobic for inflammation. Has anyone experienced this and what have you done for it?

Thanks!

Judy

[Discocat]

Yes I’ve had this…or something like it. I didn’t go to a doctor or take anything for it. I had some odd spasms and twinges together with pins and needle like numbness. Then my lower back area also cramped up and bothered me for a few weeks. Sleeping was difficult as like you I found lying down the most uncomfortable position. I used multiple pillows to sort of pad around me to try and get more comfortable.Once I got up and moved around the pain would get better but not fully go. I continued going to Pilates but informed the instructor who worked some special gentle stretches into the routine. These also helped and the pains faded until I woke up one day and was fine again.

Sorry can’t be more helpful….but all I can say is that it did go away and seems fine now.

Wishing you a speedy recovery

Zoe xx

[BlessedMimi in reply to Discocat]

Thanks for your reply! I think I may need a good massage!

[BlessedMimi in reply to Discocat]

Thanks so much for your information!

[Pbsoup]

Ha. This relates to my question about sciatica! I have been having similar pain and was just googling the piriformis muscle. I have google- diagnosed that I either have a tumor compressing my sciatic nerve (scary), or I managed to tweak it while riding my horse...

I am going with the latter for now, unless it gets worse.

P

[BlessedMimi in reply to Pbsoup]

I just had a Pet Scan so praying nothing shows up cancer! Thanks for the reply! Wishing you the best!

[Garden-Lady]

Hi Judy,I have had this quite a long time, on and off. There are helpful physio exercises you can do. One called the 'clam'. Also a yoga exercise where you lie on your back on a blanket, and put one ankle up on the opposite knee and bring them forward gently, eventually leaning right over. These are well demonstrated on YouTube if you search for yoga stretches for periformis syndrome. They are very helpful if you do them over time.

I hope it resolves for you. Xx

[BlessedMimi in reply to Garden-Lady]

Thanks so much for these recommendations! Will definitely look into it!

[Discocat in reply to BlessedMimi]

Yes I agree that yoga like stretches are a good idea. My Pilates teacher also studied yoga and she often incorporates moves to help with my aches. I also worried about progression as I have mets all over my spine…but the pain eased and scans a few months prior to the pain were fine. I’m waiting for the results from my full body annual scans….will let you know if there’s any connection.

[BlessedMimi in reply to Discocat]

My pet scan was NED this week! It did mention some inflammation around my hip which could be why I am having this issue.

[Discocat in reply to BlessedMimi]

Congratulations that’s great!!!

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear this Judy. It can be very debilitating.All the above advice is very helpful.

I would also add to see a physio/physical therapist if you can as they can assess you and determine exactly what it is and if other muscles are involved.

The pisiform is muscle spasms very easily, and when it does it squashes the sciatic nerve. Heat works to relieve the spasm, but the minute you get into a position it doesn’t like, it spasms again. You can put a firm ball like a squash ball or tennis ball where it is most tender, when sitting in a chair. This will also loosen it off.

Exercises are all strengthening of your core and gluts to prevent it happening again, so general Pilates or yoga if you can manage them.

Lie with your legs bent up on something to take the stretch off the muscle.

Good luck

Clare

[BlessedMimi in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much for your information!!

[8576]

What does your Oncologist or family doctor say about this? We often forget to mention these things. Also, I agree Yoga is the best exercise to relief problems. It has relieved me many times.

Cheers, June S.

[BlessedMimi in reply to 8576]

Thanks for your reply!!

[Andersl]

Hi, yes I've had this. It wasn't helped when fatigue from the chemo/radiotherapy made me want to lie in bed most of the day.

I had the pain for over 2 years. It was exercise that stopped it in the end. If you can, keep moving. A walk, however short, most days is my advice.

All the best x

[BlessedMimi in reply to Andersl]

Thanks for your reply! I walk a lot so I think it is helping!

[GollyG]

Acupuncture works wonders for me!

[BlessedMimi in reply to GollyG]

Never had acupuncture! A possibility to investigate! Thanks for your reply!

[morty87]

Yes, I had this for 2 years. I was sent to an orthopedist and they sent me to physical therapy. I thought the physical therapist was trying to kill me! After being sent to the pain clinic (because I constantly begged for relief), was a MRI ordered followed by a bone biopsy. This is where they found that I had 2 fractures in my back and it was CANCER! I had 2 vertebrae removed and a plate and 9 screws placed in my back! I’ve been relatively pain free ever since! Be persistent if you seek medical help! Mine deemed to be more serious than I would have ever thought! I just wanted relief!!! Good luck!

[BlessedMimi in reply to morty87]

Oh wow! Hope you are doing ok after all that! Thanks for your reply!

[FloridaNYgirl]

As a retired massage therapist I can tell you the easiest way to ease pain in piriformis muscle is to use a tennis ball to release the constricted muscle. Sit on firm chair and put tennis ball where pain is. Best time to do it is after a warm shower which softens muscles.

[BlessedMimi in reply to FloridaNYgirl]

Thank you so much for your information! I have heard of the tennis ball and will try it!

[FloridaNYgirl]

One other question, does the sciatic pain stop at the knee or does it go all the way to the foot?

[BlessedMimi in reply to FloridaNYgirl]

It pretty much stops at the back of the leg.

[FloridaNYgirl in reply to BlessedMimi]

That's a good sign. Generally if it is "true sciatica" it will radiate beyond the knee. That would indicate there could be a pressure on the sciatic nerve in low back. Sounds like yours is, like you said, a piriformis issue.

[SMPG]

Do you get Faslodex injections? I do and I think it has to do with the nerve pain that you are talking about.

[BlessedMimi in reply to SMPG]

No I don’t get those injections.

[JKMS]

Very oddly I have just been diagnosed with periformis syndrome or gluteal tendinopathy. I still find it very hard to differentiate potential signs of progression (I am currently NEAD), side effects of meds and normal pain. In this instance I fell down and thought little of it until pain developed. I am seeing a physio week who has given me daily exercises. I was going to the gym each day and walking several hours each day. They advised me to limit walking to an hour a day max and preferably less and actually not to do yoga for now - I’m about to go to a yoga festival! She also said I’m hyper mobile in my spine which isn’t ideal. I find under my drug regime and I guess chemical menopause, it takes far longer to recover but at least they said I can get back to the gym for certain classes.

I hope yours resolves very soon!

[BlessedMimi in reply to JKMS]

What is hyper mobile in your spine?

[JKMS in reply to BlessedMimi]

Hyper mobility in the spine causes excessive motion between the vertebrae which can cause pain as well.

[Discocat in reply to JKMS]

Hi JKMS,

I’m hyper mobile, mostly in arms and legs….never really thought about my spine being hyper flexible before…but that would explain how it often seems to click in and out of place.

I find Pilates is great for strengthening the muscles around my stretchy joints. Not sure if you’ve tried it, but I can highly recommend it for hyper mobility issues.