PAIN DOWN LEFT LEG

[WELSHYORKIE]

Wonder whether anyone can help me - Male, 56, pain down left leg radiating from top of left leg towards left buttock. I am overweight, though not grossly, am currently taking Atorvastatin 40mg (cholesterol) and Meloxicam 7.5mg arthritic shoulder). Pain is a constant one which can, and often does, make left foot feel as if it is on fire. When I sit down pain does disappear for a short while. I do have an appt with doc but i would like any medics opinion before I see him. Thanks in anticipation.

[johnny37]

Is it at the back of the thigh and hurts the buttock when you sit down. If so it sounds like sciatica a painful condition which affects the sciatic nerve which runs down the back of the thigh. I have had it for years and just have to live with it. I don't think there is a cure. But do go and see your GP to rule anything else out.

[WELSHYORKIE]

Johnny, thanks for the quick response, i'll check that one out.

[Sqad]

, \\pain down left leg radiating from top of left leg towards left buttock\\

Bit confused here....left buttock IS at the top of the leg. You must mean pain from the left buttock radiating down the left leg.

I will assume that that is what you mean and i agree with johnny.......sciatic pain probably emanating from your left hip due to osteo arthritis.

[woofgang]

You can sometimes ease sciatica by stretching the leg. Lie on your back, raise the leg (or both) up straight and then flex at the hip only so the straight leg moves towards your stomach. Do it as far as comfort allows, hold for a moment then lower slowly.

[Old_Geezer]

When I had a not dissimilar sounding symptom and asked the doc they explained it was probably a trapped nerve possibly due to me being overweight. And that nerve pain, unlike muscle pain is not so easy to treat.

That said mine appeared to travel down the leg rather than up. And whilst it lasted some time isn't permanent. Tends to come back when it feels like it.

[Jemisa]

You've probably slipped a disc and its resting on a nerve that serves yout left leg. Painkillers and Physio probably will ease it.
(Co-Codimol)

jem

[WELSHYORKIE]

Thanks for your replies. Sqad, I meant that the pain radiates from between the left buttock and the hip and what you suggest it could be is what I was thinking , given the fact i have an arthritic shoulder. Woofgang - I will try that and see if that helps. Jem - getting physio on the NHS in this region can take 6 months of waiting as my eldest has found out.

[boxtops]

Jem, if welsh has slipped a disc, he'll need more than cocodamol! Go to the doc anyway, welshy - a clinical diagnosis is best.

[Eve.]

I've always had really quick physio referrals (Manchester). Had a letter through to ring and make an appointment very quickly, within a week or so within memory - not sure if it makes a difference it's internal referral via rhumatology though. I've just been referred again so will see if it's as quick this time.

[methyl]

Persistence (rather than nagging) with your doctor usually works. If the prescribed treatment from your GP does not work, make another appointment after a reasonable time (say a week), point out politely that the problem is not resolved and ask the doctor for an urgent referral. After a couple of weeks of presenting the same problem clearly and politely and asking for the same urgent referral you should get a result.

Good luck. It worked for me.

[WELSHYORKIE]

UPDATE: Been to see doc - confirms it is sciatica and prescribed co codamol for the pain. Mentioned continued pain in shouklder and he is referring me to the orthopods for them to take a look at the shoulder "and while they're at it they can have a look to see what's causing the sciatica". Fair dinkum, as the Aussies would say. Only problem is, how long will it take to see an orthopod?? With an elderly population in this neck of the woods, the waiting list is quite long

[Sqad]

Thanks for the feedback........"you know it makes sense" ;-)

[emeritus]

When I had a similar pain my GP referred me to the the Arthritis Research site and some specific exercises relating to Back Pain. It worked for me although I realise it may be a different condition you have.

http://www.arthritisr...in-exercise-book.ashx

[WELSHYORKIE]

Thanks for that emeritus - i'll check it out.

Sqad - feedback to those who help and advise is always helpful and sensible, if only more would do it... and say thank you! Helpful as ever Sqad - thank you

[Eve.]

My ortho appointment (to see if an ankle problem after an injury was bone related or just arthritis) was pretty quick too as it was at a separate clinic within a GP practice and I saw a physio (I think) trained in ortho stuff.