Question
I am a 28 year old female. I began having sever lower back pain following a surgery on April 2, 2008.My gynecologist performed the surgery to check for endometriosis and did a cystoscope to check my bladder. He only found minor problems and I do not have endometriosis.When I went for the follow-up, I told him about my the new pain I was having and told me it was do to sciatica. I was then referred to a pain management clinic.I received three sets of injections in my lower back and hip, each a month apart. I did have some relief after the pain blockers, but recently the pain has gotten worse.I was diagnosed with sciatica without having any blood work or other test.After the first injections did not relieve the pain, I had an MRI and it was negative. The pain I am having seems to be coming from my tailbone and radiates to my hips(rt hip is worse). The pain goes down both of my legs.I have tingling in my back and legs. I also get a burning sensation in the heels of both of my feet.Some days nearly every muscle in my body is abnormally sore.I have always been very healthy.The pain is interfering with my exercise routine, but do what I can. Some days I have trouble sitting due to putting pressure on my tailbone. It seems that the "good days" are becoming fewer. Any help you can give me will be appreciated. The doctor I have been seeing only want to keep doing injections. He wants to inject my right hip next. The injections are $3000.00 each and it is getting very expensive.I have met my ins deductible, but it is still expensive. If need more info, please let me know. I am truly desperate to get some relief. Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hello, Misty.

Your symptoms suggest muscle spasms along the spine at the low back or in the buttocks (more likely, in your case).

Sciatica is a nerve-pinch condition and would not show up on blood work.  Injections may cause symptoms to abate, but will do nothing to clear up sciatica.  Please see my article at somatics.com/sciatica.htm.

To say more, I need to know the surgery you had before symptoms appeared.  Write, and tell me.

with regard,
Lawrence Gold