Pain In The Butt !

This sounds to me like you need to have your back examined for disk and/or facet problems. Sciatic or related nerve irritation due to narrowing of the canal in your spinal cord sends out pain exactly as you describe. I know this because one year ago I was lying on the floor in pain asking someone to shoot me and put me out of my misery.

Those piriformis stretches work very well so by all means start as any physical theripist will include it and several other stretching and strengthening exercises. I can go on but my strong suggestion is to go get your back checked out. What you have may go away for a while if not properly treated but it comes back much worse each subsequent event. Feel free to contact me if you need any additional details.

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Originally Posted by GC7

This sounds to me like you need to have your back examined for disk and/or facet problems. Sciatic or related nerve irritation due to narrowing of the canal in your spinal cord sends out pain exactly as you describe.

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In the 1980s following 20 years of structural steel erection, I was diagnosed as having 1 herniated and two bulging discs in my lower lumbar spine. Made it impossible for me to continue working at that trade. Surgery was recommended but I didn't go for it. I'm very familiar with low back pain, sciatica, and that. This is different. I treated the aforementioned back injuries with stretching and exercise. Slept on a hard futon for 30 years now, that helps too.

Reading the article I linked it is exactly what I'm feeling and the description of what causes it is exactly what I did. I'm no stranger to living with pain. If it persists I may go for medical help but I think I can handle it at this stage of the game. Thanks for your insight.

Good to hear and don't be shy about getting an MRI to confirm any ongoing problems. Unfortunately, I also am no stranger to deaaling with pain.

Be well and take care of yourself.

The Human Body is designed to last around 50 years with care maybe 40 with serious abuse. So once you cross that threshold it's a slow steady decline. If you're lucky it's just pain and things that can be dealt with more or less. If you're unlucky then your number is up.

My dad who will be 99 in a couple of weeks is fond of saying "getting old is no fun".

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The Human Body is designed to last around 50 years with care maybe 40 with serious abuse. So once you cross that threshold it's a slow steady decline. If you're lucky it's just pain and things that can be dealt with more or less. If you're unlucky then your number is up.

My dad who will be 99 in a couple of weeks is fond of saying "getting old is no fun".

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I beg to difference with you. I know because for about 1 1/2 minutes I didn't get older and it wasn't any fun. I was laying in the back of an ambulance and watched the monitor straight line. I like getting older.:y

Well I just hope it gets better soon Jimmy. Pain sucks, even the kind you can deal with. Sounds like yo got the best plan for you going as it is.

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Originally Posted by rhensley

I beg to difference with you. I know because for about 1 1/2 minutes I didn't get older and it wasn't any fun. I was laying in the back of an ambulance and watched the monitor straight line. I like getting older.:y

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Then fact is even when you're dead you're still getting older. I guess when there is nothing left but dust the aging stops-har har.

My friend Mr L. says if you take him up on his offer you can live "forever".

Could be pirifomis or obterator muscles or both. Or, as mentioned above either disc disease or facet syndrome or a combination of any of those. If you are having worsening symptoms, loss of strength, mobility, etc. best to have an eval. A pinching or "toothache" type pain in the buttocks is a good indicator of disc disease with nerve root encroachment although surgery is not always indicated and is usually the choice of last resort. The disc will desiccate and shrink over time relieving encroachment on the nerve as well as accompanying inflammation. Usually back pain of musculoskeletal origin will self resolve within 2-4 weeks. A stretching/ strengthening regimen along with ice and NSAIS as tolerated can help, but do nothing that exacerbates symptoms. After two weeks of no improvement, further evaluation may be indicated. Lower back symptoms, especially in older men, has an extensive differential diagnosis list. Any loss of bladder or bowel function indicates a medical emergency and requires immediate attention.

Thanks for the info/advice Scott. If I'd known I was going to live this long, I would have took better care of myself. It is improving, damn near gone, with naproxon, stretching and rest. I'm not only stretching the piriformis, but also the internal adductors. I think they may have been the weak link that precipitated the piriformis seizing up through the brisk pace of the walking. I think getting loose, strengthening the hip girdle will get me over the hump and back in regular exercise. That and prayer.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The Human Body is designed to last around 50 years with care maybe 40 with serious abuse. So once you cross that threshold it's a slow steady decline. If you're lucky it's just pain and things that can be dealt with more or less. If you're unlucky then your number is up.

My dad who will be 99 in a couple of weeks is fond of saying "getting old is no fun".

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AHH only 50 years? I have less than 10 left (lots of physical abuse)...no I refuse to believe this...I WILL NEVER BE OLD!!!