Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Sciatica?? Time to Amputate??

I am not too thrilled to report this... I have had some sciatica in the past, shooting pains from SI to knee area, they come and go. Pretty painful and certainly stop me in my tracks but a little rest and they're gone again for weeks. Well today I was walking and BAM - my leg does not work anymore. The pain is shooting down to my ankles. The pain in my knee and SI has gone from slightly annoying to full scale attack.

How normal is this pain and what does it mean? The muscles in my calf are also going crazy - bizarre or normal? My entire leg feels like someone has beaten it with a hammer, which is in addition to the shooting pains (but it all came on at the same time). What should/can I do? And lastly, why did my SI and knee suddenly become crazily inflamed and very very painful... seems strange that such a thing could come on so suddenly.

OUCH!

********
Kristin

TODAY IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL!!

Dear Kristin,

I have no experience/wisdome to share with you, and I am so sorry that you are now having to deal with this newest burden... I hope you find relief very soon!

Sharon

Thanks Sharon. Did some research and the leg crampy feelings are pretty normal with sciatica. Just wondering if it's really serious or not? They said only contact your dr if you lose control of bladder/bowel.. I am sure that won't happen!!!!

********
Kristin

TODAY IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL!!

Hi Kristin,
Don't amputate it!
Not yet anyway.
In my experience it was a compression of my sciatic nerve.
I was standing at the sink, and went to reach for my brush and that started the whole thing.
Don't know if that's what your is or not, but sure sounds like it.
You better call your Rheumy.





Susie

Susie,

After reading, I definitely think it's sciatica... At least it's not affecting my arms so I can still come here to KA

What did you do for it? I feel like I don't want to move but know that is not the best idea for my AS. Oh, the other thing is that it's radiating from SI area, not lumbar spine - is that strange?

I am not going to see my rheumy. I just had an MRI (waiting on results) so I am not sure there is much else he can do. I have pain pills out the wazoo here so I just took 2 Vicodin... I am going to float away!

********
Kristin

TODAY IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL!!

Doesn't sound very sympathetic, does it! Lose control of bowels or bladder!!! Kind of sounds like, "Only bother us if you are dying!"

I agree with Susie, I think you should call your rheumy... this isn't JUST sciatica, it's AS-related sciatica (yeah, I know, they aren't calling your dx AS now, but you know what I mean .).

Take care!

Sharon

I know it's AS even if they don't. So hmpf! I am really not hung up on what they call it, it's just a matter of time before I have fusion and the diagnosis shuffle is a thing of the past

If I disappear, it's because I have lost control of bowel and / or bladder

********
Kristin

TODAY IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL!!

Heaven forbid!!!

I think that could happen if the nerve was paralyzed or something. I am starting to feel better already. Something terrible happened, and it's no good not knowing what caused it. I was just walking along like normal (by normal, I mean a waddle/limp AS walk, but you know!). My entire back is seizing on me, neck to SI. It's not exactly painful... more strange. It sort of feels like electric shocks. I am using the time to catch up on email, posts, and PM's!

********
Kristin

TODAY IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL!!

I'm glad it's not painful... strange is definitely to be preferred!

(Is it just me, or is the site really sluggish today??? It's driving me nuts! )

Sharon