Today I suddenly had discomfort (mild but noticeable) that feels like sciatica--staring around my sacrum then it radiated down my leg...
I was on a horse wearing brand new riding boots when it first started, and they were super tight (Like I could barely zip them), so I attributed it to loss of circulation. It subsided as I rode, but I still feel it. now several hours later.. and my foot on that side is a bit tingly--like it's asleep.
Dr Google says sciatica can be caused my many things, but of course my brain goes to progression or a tumor getting larger...
Has anyone had something like this that turned out to be non cancer related? Of course I'll ask my doctor but wanted to run it by you all in the meantime.
Thanks! P
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I’ve had many bouts of sciatica long before I was ever diagnosed. It’s actually subsided a bit now, but I’ve learned my triggers and try to avoid them. Good luck!
Yes I had about six weeks of terrible sciatica earlier in the year after slipping on a muddy walk. I took really strong painkillers and was very concerned. It just kept coming and going. But gradually less acute. Then it lifted. I'm perfectly fine now. Nothing on my latest scan. Hope you improve soon! Carolyn x
I have had Sciatic pain in the past but it is unrelated to Cancer. Sounds like the new boots and horse back riding was to much for you. Hope it is short lived and you are back in the saddle again!
I have had the same thing, but I do have lesions on my pelvis and hip area, so it’s expected! These symptoms will always make us anxious! It’s the nature of the beast that we deal with everyday going forward! Just continue to trust and believe, doesn’t do any good to make yourself crazy! God bless!
Your description sounds exactly like mine - starts on one side of the sacrum then radiates down the leg. I have had it on and off for years - it isn't cancer-related. I use the heating pad and take gabapentin before bed which calms the nerves and helps me sleep. There are some wonderful videos on Youtube that show stretches that might give you relief. Hope you get it resolved quickly!
Thanks so much for all of your responses. It sounds like it’s a common non cancer thing!
It mostly went away the next day. I have some sensation (not enough to call “pain”) on my sacrum, but I had a biopsy there when first diagnosed so my oncologist said that is normal.
Boots are breaking in so that is helping. I’m adjusting to a new horse and may have been bounced around too much. I’m probably crazy to ride but I think it keeps me alive. Or at least sane. (Or sane-ish anyway)
I have pain in my sciatica and piriformis muscle. Just had a pet scan and it indicated there was inflammation in the hip and area around it. Report indicated it wasn’t cancer related. I take gabapentin and mobic for it. I usually walk 3 fast miles 3-4 times a week and wonder if this has aggravated everything. I will talk to my oncologist when I see him soon.
Exercise is supposed to help slow down the cancer--so damned if you do, damned if you don't! I think movement is critical to both physical and mental health--assuming one is up for it, which I appreciate many of our friends here find it difficult.
Having sciatica pain is a normal thing, and I think almost every person at some point or another gets it (probably more than once). I used to ride dressage, and my back would sometimes get buggy if I moved the wrong way, or if my horse bucked up or crow hopped, and I tensed up. I also had pain I thought was sciatica before my metastatic diagnosis (two bouts), one sent me to the hospital. I was in so much pain I doubled over backwards and was so contorted I had to hospitalized with muscle relaxants and pain killers for 3 days. That bout turned out to be cancer in my L2, pelvis and hip.....and it's when they diagnosed my MBC. I think the difference in regular sciatica and cancer for me, was the difference in intensity of pain. If your pain subsides with cold packs and some rest, I would think it's just muscles knotting up and it's not a worry. I would still recommend that you mention it to your doctor though. I tell my doctor every little thing, she's usually the first to reassure me most things are just normal life! Take care!
Thanks for your reply! My pain isn’t constant and not very painful! Heating pad helps a lot at night when I lay down. I am hoping it isn’t much to be concerned about since my pet scan this week is NED! Will see my oncologist soon.
Hi thereThe good news is that you are in less pain now.
Your body was in a position the sciatic nerve did not like which caused that pain. Your residual tingling is still a result of the nerve being pinched.
When you are next riding try to maintain the natural curve in yoyr back and keep your core muscles working. It might have been the actual getting on the horse that was the initial trigger as you would have used a lot of uncontrolled movement.
my sciatica and leg pain turned out to be sacrum MBC, but 8 months after diagnosis I had similar pain on the other leg and it is gluteus medium tendinitides! And just like that…you never know. If a pain is persistent, it is better to check with onc and get an MRI
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