Sciatica - small knots in calf muscles?
Posted By: Lisa on 2006-03-08
In Reply to:
Sorry to keep asking sciatica questions but I am in terrible pain! Did anyone have small knots in their calf muscles, probably from the spasms pulling so hard on them? They are about the size of a fingertip. I felt a snap in that area when I was stretching last night, but it didn't hurt all that much, probably because my calf is relatively numb.
Does this sound like it could be a little snapped peice of muscle or do I have a tumor? (Always reminds me of Arnold in Kindergarten Cop "It's not a tumah"
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calf tenderness
Yep! Used to love MT, now I get knots in
my stomach just thinking about transcribing. Doctors I have don't seem to care if I can understand them or not, and I believe that some actually try to make my job harder... probably makes them feel as the god they think are. Makes me physically ill to do this job anymore. And their piggishness, the bodily noises make me want to PUKE!
down a leg but not knots in calves...sm
but before I would worry about a *tumor* as you appeared to have typed, I would worry about a DVT (deep vein thrombosis)....especially if you're an MT who sits all the time. DVTs are nothing to mess with and a Homans sign test could determine this and also your private medical doctor whom, if I was having knots in my calves that could be felt, I'D just about RUN to the MD's office at least to rule out a DVT.
Best of luck!!
knots in calves
Thanks - I will call them tomorrow. I just had an MRI today. I would think if it was a DVT it would be deeper, this is more superficial, and I would probably have swelling? But it's certainly nothing to play around with, just in case!
Wrenching on injured muscles
Chiropractic care is an art and part of the process is finding the truly gifted chiropractor. Wrenching on torn or injured muscles is not good medicine. Chiroractors do have their place but one has to tread carefully on this turf. Money grubbers exist in all fields.
PS - Benadryl at night also helps a lot to relax the muscles. nm
x
When your neck muscles are strained, it traps the occipital nerve.
I am with you on the "I can't get rid of it, and it kills me." Do some research on peripheral stimulators. They implant them in the occipital region. They stimulate the area with electricity that overrides the pain with a pleasant paresthesia. Plain English: It is like having a G-spot in your head; it feels so good. Another theory is that it changes the ions in the cells. As posted, I am anxiously awaiting mine to be reimplanted. You control the stimulator with a device to stimulate the strength and pulse width needed to cover the pain. It is fabulous!!!!!! Beats pain pills, which I am so sick of now.
Sciatica
They thought that mine was sciatica and went to PT and so on. It was my quadriceps and if I do steps and stretches for the quads my hip pain goes away. I also use either a rolling pin or a tennis ball to roll around on the very sore spots. I am serious, spent a lot of money when they thought it was the sciatica and went through a lot but once I get the quads stretched out it really helps. Last night I could barely get out of a chair, did my steps for about 10 to 15 minutes and some stretches on the using one of the PT balls, and today I literally have no pain. Last month I was convincend I needed a hip replacement as could barely walk or sit but since dong this, it really helps. I do the core workouts and that has also helped. But this is just what I found out.
Ever had sciatica?
This is the worst pain I have ever had - had a shot of Toradol, have used muscle relaxant, Flexall, heating pad, hot baths, still hurts.
Urgent Care today said it is most consistent with sciatica and gave me rx for anti-inflammatories and then said to go see my family doctor and possibly set up an MRI. Has anyone had this and were you able to get well without surgery??
sciatica
Was in bed for a month with this two years ago. Had two epidural steroid injections almost 16 months ago and have not had a problem since. It was like a miracle......
sciatica
Had it for years, since I was a teen, then one day nothing worked and had to have emergency surgery or risk losing motor below the waist. Had L3/4 discectomy, and ZERO PAIN from either the surgery, or the disc level after that.
sciatica
Yes to both questions. Try to keep pressure off your hip/leg/thigh when sitting, stretch leg out under desk, walking kills doesn't it? But, with time, it will get better and numbness/spasms/pins and needles will abate. I do hope you feel better, it is not a very pleasant thing when you have to sit and type for a living.
sciatica
I don't know that I would abide by the comment of the massage therapist regarding chiropractic, but I do know that I will look at the information for Rolfing. I have suffered with sciatica intermittently over the past 30-plus years, but last year it got really bad. A back x-ray after a car accident showed LOTS (in the words of the ER doc) of arthritis, so I figured some day the problems would start. I was determined I would not undergo surgery and had to find something else. I have been seeing a chiropractor regularly for over a year, and he has helped me immensely. I decided I didn't need to go so often, and managed to get myself in trouble again, so am back to twice a week at this point. Today he told me I'm the only patient he has who flips back and forth between which leg is shorter than the other. I would hate to give him up. But he doesn't do short-term work. He expects a lifestyle change and a commitment to health and wellness, including chiropractic. My whole family goes, and my hubby for the first time in years has a normal blood pressure. From November on, however, he didn't go to the chiropractor, and recently his BP was back up again. The only difference is stopping chiropractic. So he's back in there again twice a week. I'm not saying it's a cure-all, but it certainly has its place. I think I would be a cripple in extreme pain now if I hadn't gotten treatment when I did.
Sciatica from below
They thought that I has sciatica, they thought it was my ileo psoas, but it turned out to be my hamstring. I could hardly walk, had trouble sleeping, one part of the thigh just hurt/burned/ached terrible. I went to PT and then to the gym and worked on my hamstring stretches and especially just doing step exercises. When my hip and thigh begin to really ache while typing, I take 5 minutes and do 50 steps on my step and it really helps. I also bought one of those foam pads for my bed even though I have a brand new pillow top mattress and that also helps. But the stepping and hamstring stretching worked the best. I could not bear the thought of walking up and down stairs but now now problem. 
Sciatica pain help
Any hints on pain relief for sciatica while working? 
Rolfing for sciatica
Drugs have their place, so do chiropractors. I once had a massage therapist tell me that if you get chiropractic done without soft tissue work, run the other way. So my search took me down the path toward a reputable, qualified Rolfer. I had problems in my 20s with sciatica and have been on a long road to find good care sans surgery. I founding rolfing to be an excellent form of treatment. Much different than massage and deals with the origin of the problem. I feel better now than I did when I was a teenager. And I have learned, from my Rolfer, how to attend to my own hot spots. Also, check out the Sacro-Wedgy; this little thing works great to help the sacrum/S.I. joints (a problem source for sciatica).
Thanks for sciatica answers!
Thanks to all of you for your advice about sciatica. It gives me hope to know that others had it and have gotten better - and I am really happy to know what all the options are for being treated.
To the person who said this is a result of being a Transcriptionist and sitting so much - is that true??? I never thought about that being a factor. I normally walk about 4 miles a day (not right now of course) but I guess that doesn't outweigh the loooongg sitting that we do, does it?
Also another sciatica question
For those of you who have had this, did you have numbness of your leg and/or muscle spasms in the thigh area? I am having both of these, and walking is the hardest thing of all!
Perhaps sciatica paresthesia? nm
nm
Ischial bursitis --> sciatica
Do you know the cause of the sciatica? In my case I get pain in my ischial tuberosities from sitting pressure, especially the right side. There is a bursa at each tuberosity, and they can develop inflammation. Since the sciatic nerve runs close to the bursa, swelling annoys the nerve - ta-da - sciatic pain. That's why it's important for me to walk or do bum-firming exercises. Keeping the muscles in shape keeps it from getting started. The other thing I always mention is the right chair. I need support at my sacrum and along my thighs to distribute the weight around and away from my sitters.
Just Finished Treatment for Sciatica
I was diagnosed with sciatica/piriformis syndrome about a month ago. My physiatrist sent me to physical therapy for Graston therapy and iontophoresis. I was to the point where I had to sleep in my recliner with a heating pad on my hip. Of course, this is the result of sitting for too long......a battle wound common to the medical transcriptionist.
The Graston therapy is pretty painful and you really wonder how it could possibly help. The iontophoresis consisted of a patch with two large circular pads connected by an electrode. The pads are soaked with dexamethasone. The patch is then stuck to the butt for 24 hours. It's painless, except I pulled off a couple of layers of skin when I removed them. I had this done about 5-6 different times over a three-week period. I was also taught some gentle stretches to stretch these muscles, which I haven't been too diligent about doing.
Bottom line is that I completed my PT about two weeks ago and I haven't had any pain since then. I hope you get some relief for your condition. I know how very painful it can be.
small mentality usually means small pocketbook
Still make more than you and I but that is deserved. They've put the effort forward and educated themselves.
My hands get cold, and typing with cold muscles is like (sm)
running or other exercise when not warmed up. I wear thin, warm gloves with the fingertips cut out to keep my hands & knuckles warm. For muscle pains in the shoulders, neck, biceps, etc, try Flexall cream - I find it to be VERY effective. Also try slight changes in chair height, keyboard height and angle, and monitor height. I found if I enlarge the print on my screen, it keeps me from hunching forward to try to read it. (CTL + scroll up or down on mouse wheel to make print bigger or smaller. It will not affect the size of the finished product.) Frequent "mini-breaks" to do other chores: filing etc. if in an office, quick household task if working at home, also helps relieve repetitive stress. A few months ago I thought my typing days were numbered due to various pains & arthritis; now I can work pain-free for up to 11 hours in a day. Good luck! :)
If one's biz is small I do not think you can....nm
Yes, you should get a small
social worker, psychologist, or whatever. You just have to wade in and start swimming. If you find the right account, that should help you start out.
Huge, I think it's small on my end (NM)
NM
$18,000+, small national. nm
Any small MTSO need PT help? sm
Okay, I have tried the big nationals and that did not work out for me. I would like something for a few hours a day - would love to do family practice SOAP notes again or something where I can just type away and make some decent money. I promise a fast turn-a-round and I am willing to work hard, but no complicated platforms and no set hours.
Why not sue in small claims (sm)
You have a business contract with them. It's not a paycheck we are talking about. It's payment for services rendered. Are they going to send someone to your state to defend it? Probably not!
It's actually one of those small bldg. you
added to the house but it's on the same property as the house...I can't really describe what it looks like. I have only seen it a couple of times. Not sure if that would work. It doesn't have to be that. Just whatever would work. I am more interested in seeing what has worked for others. Just wondering. Thanks for your response.:)
my office is a small
table between the kitchen and the dining room. Books are in a closet right next to it. It helps so I can keep an eye on what my toddler is doing.
how did you get your print to be so small?
if you are for real, your best advice is read this board and take good notes.
Yes, small services (sm)
used to pay 11 cpl IC, have now sold out to squids who in turn pay 7-8 cpl.
And services left average 8 cpl, if you're really experienced you'll get 10 or 11 and get such bad dictation you'll get a headache you'll never forget. 
Small accounts
What kind of small accounts are you talking about? How do you find them? Thanks.
I know a couple of people who key as fast as you do, so it is possible.
small company
You just keep your eyes open all the time. Keep looking. You will find them. Opportunity comes knocking at the strangest time if you just keep looking.
A very very small family.
z
I had a small MTSO ask that once. sm
As I was heading toward the exit door, she asked me to send her every single one of the normals I used.
So, I sent her the exact ones she had sent me in the beginning, before I refined them to a fine tune, which had taken me hours and hours to do. I'm telling you, I had most tests for every doctor where I could just hop around and fill in the blanks. No way was I giving those hours of work away!
Thanks! The 16" look so small and the 20" so large! nm
x
small MTSOs
There's a great online resource for MTSOs of all sizes, varying benefits and pay, and variety of work. It's called www.MTJobs.com. Sign up to be on their mailing list. There are usually at least 50 companies listed on each newsletter, which comes out twice a month. Good luck in your search, and prayers for God's healing of your medical problems. :)
should have said that this is for a small national not
an individual. We are trying to put some new things in place and want to make sure that we put the right things in place.
Small Nationals.
I guess just not the huge places like Medquist. I would like a little bit smaller. I am even interested in any companies that are great to work for and pay okay. I am not having that great of luck working for MTSO and getting paid good.
Thanks!!
thanks (small message)
just that I posted the link in the subject line and it was too long...no problem, though! thanks!
Small ear pieces
Try Lanier Healthcare. They have a headset that has ear pieces that fit right into your ear without any hard plastic to deal with, just wires and the foam that fits into your ears. They are the best ones I have ever used.
Believe me, you are neither weak or small.
You are a very strong lady who simply wants the best for her family (including an abusive husband). You are the only one who can make the choice to stay or leave and it has to be your choice entirely. We can all give advice all day long, but the ultimate decision will be yours. We are here to listen, though, and to pray in your behalf for wisdom to make the right choice. Whatever you decide, don't ever forget that when it seems like you're all alone, God is always with you, leading and guiding.
As an IC, you are your own small business. As a
contractor you have NOT been in their emloyment. You have worked as contract labor for them, whether it be 1 month, 1 year or 5 years. They owe you absolutely nothing at any point in time of the contract. However, should you contact their clients (as you mentioned below), there can be legal repercussions for you so I would seriously think twice about this before going forward.
As an IC, it seems you would know that you should not put all of your eggs in one basket. I would bet that most of us that are IC's work for at least 2 companies. For the ones that don't, they probably work for 1 company and have their own accounts, OR better yet have all their own accounts.
TAT is of the utmost importance. It only takes twice with me and I won't send anymore work to that particular IC anymore, which is my option. I might give them a second chance IF their work was top notch.
I have 2 - one large, one small
My first was a very nice rose in the upper-inner quadrant of my left breast. I thought about it for 17 years before I did it. It kind of felt like going to the GYN when I had it do. The guy was very professional and let me catch my breath from time to time. The more fill-in work, the more painful. The more it is just an outline, the less painful.
The other is something private but special to me to honor my kids on my lower back, but above the bikini line. That was much more painful but different guy and it went much faster as I cussed a lot more with fewer breaks.
If I ever get another one it will be a circle on top of the sternum with the leters DNR inside!
I have a small flower
a daisy, my favorite flower, in my bikini area where just about any bathing suit would cover it up. I got it when ankle tatoos were really trendy and knew I A. did not want to have the same thing as everyone else, and B. might not want to show my tattoo to everyone, so I got it somewhere private.
It made for good conversation in the delivery room lol!
I was thinking of getting another one, but would like a spot that covers up and is not that common. The big toe sounds like a neat idea. I hate toe rings for the discomfort, but like the look.
Have you ever seen that SNL fake commercial on the tramp stamps (lower back tattoos) and the "roll on" to remove them? LOL. I thought briefly about getting one but they are too common.
BTW the bikini area tatoo basically felt like if someone was taking tweezers and plucking hairs one by one. It was not that bad. It was actually harder dealing with it during the healing period because I had to wear clothes over the site.
Could not do without it. Small learning sm
curve, but worth it.
Two small MTSO (nt)
xx
Small national. nm
x
26 with 2 small children.
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