Advice re: Sciatica

[li10up]

I desperately need some advice on how to alleviate the severe discomfort that I have while riding.
Background: I fell from a horse about 8 years ago. It was the worst pain I have ever felt in my life…I fully expected to be paralyzed – that is until I realized I probably wouldn’t be hurting if I were paralyzed. An x-ray said there was nothing broken, bulging, etc. Shortly thereafter I developed a burning, painful tingling sensation that ran from the top of my buttocks, down the back of my left leg to the sole of my foot at the base of my toes. Sciatica. I had a MRI done about 7 years ago because of this constant pain. It didn’t show anything. I’ve taken nortriptyline from time to time when it gets to the point that I can’t sleep or even sit for more than 10 minutes at a time. The side effects of the nortriptyline prevent me from taking it on a regular basis…plus, I just don’t like taking drugs. Another x-ray about 6 months ago only shows “signs of early arthritis.”
Back to the present. It has flared up again to the nearly unbearable point and now the right leg is becoming involved from the calf down to my foot.
Hence the problem: About 5 minutes into my ride now I am experiencing severe discomfort in both soles of my feet at the base of my toes. Does anyone have any ideas what I can do to alleviate this? My shoe straps are not tight. My SPD cleats are attached to fixed holes in the sole of my shoe so I can’t adjust them. The soles of my shoes are stiff. I really need some help. My doc doesn’t have any solutions. Obviously something is wrong...why can't they find it!? Stretching helps some with the daily discomfort but not while riding. I’m hoping to clear this up before my first 100K attempt this Saturday. Advice please!

[SadieKate]

Could they determine where the nerve is being pinched? In your back or in your buttocks?

Arnie Baker, MD, covers sciatica in his book Bicycling Medicine. It is a fairly involved discussion based on where the nerve is being pinched so I'd recommend getting his book.

[li10up]

Could they determine where the nerve is being pinched? In your back or in your buttocks?

Arnie Baker, MD, covers sciatica in his book Bicycling Medicine. It is a fairly involved discussion based on where the nerve is being pinched so I'd recommend getting his book.

Unfortunately, all they say is "We can't SEE anything wrong." My doc doesn't doubt me though. It's just that they say the x-rays and MRI don't show anything abnormal. Is there a way to find out?

[SadieKate]

Get the book! I can't emphasize enough that you should use medical professionals that specialize in bicyling for advice first. It might help your doctor also. Photocopy the pages for your doc.

You could also read Andy Pruitt's Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists and get informed on the biomechanics of cycling. He also runs a clinic in Colorado which you may want to look into if you can't solve this.

I think these two books are critical for one's library. You've got a severe enough problem that you should buy these books and read them.

[li10up]

Get the book! I can't emphasize enough that you should use medical professionals that specialize in bicyling for advice first. It might help your doctor also. Photocopy the pages for your doc.

You could also read Andy Pruitt's Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists and get informed on the biomechanics of cycling. He also runs a clinic in Colorado which you may want to look into if you can't solve this.

I think these two books are critical for one's library. You've got a severe enough problem that you should buy these books and read them.

I will get the book but I was hoping for some advice that I can use now so I can complete my ride on Saturday. Is there anything you (or anyone else) can tell me that may help. I only rode 20 miles yesterday and I was in pain the whole way.

[SadieKate]

Sciatica is a very complex problem. Sure, others (like me) may have solutions to their sciactica, but it will be based on a statistic of one. The book covers multiple reasons why the nerve may be pinched and you need to know them all to make the best judgement about where to start to solve your own problem.

Both of these books are usually in stock at Borders. You have one nearby?
You can even check inventory on-line.
http://www.bordersstores.com/index.jsp

Here are the ISBN numbers so you can call any book store to check inventory

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/068...Fencoding=UTF8

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/193...lance&n=283155