Hi Successtory. Would you share with me your experience with Myocalm and its effectiveness as well as where you recommend me to buy from?

I would also ike to try PT for my piriformis syndrome that casues nasty sciatic pain thru my buttock but I have yet to find a doctor who can correctly diagnose and prescribe an order for PT. I saw 3 doctors (orthopedist, neurosurgeon & physical medicine) and they all blame my left sciatic pain on my L4-L5 disc when the films clearly show a disc protrusion to only my right side. I repeatedly mentioned piriformis which gets ignored everytime. One even swears piriformis does not cause shooting pain down the leg (can u believe he calls himself a doctor?) Reluctantly over their insistence, I got an epidural recently which of course did NOTHING.

Sorry to vent my frustration. It's been over 4 months with no correct diagnose but increasing pain. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Hi Joe,

I am glad I was looking for another post, otherwise I would have missed yours! Guess people are posting like mad around here (hehe).

Myocalm. A very potent, yet gentle muscle relaxer. It not only does it allow you to relax stressed muscles, but it also slows down the synaptic process of sharp pain....specifically. Here's an example: If you bump your shin on a table end, you can 'almost feel' the synaptic process of "ow" going up to your head and back down with it's response. Then after a few moments of rubbing your shin or walking (whatever it is you do when you bump a shin) the sharp pain becomes a dull throb of pain. Still there, but manageable.

Myocalm is something like the rubbing of the shin. It slows down (?) the synaptic response level so the nerves can "catch only the slower moving pain messages"--which are everything BUT sharp pains (there are Type A pains and Type B pains. I started explaining the types of pains and thought...naw, you'll get it if I just say that Type A pains always override Type B pains because Type B's are many little roadways that lead to the main highway...Type A).

Myocalm concentrates on the Type A pains. It is not easy to explain, so if I have totally confused you (quite possible you know...hehe), feel free to ask away (or again)! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Myocalm can be purchased at any homeopathic or natural grocery store (like GNP, etc.). It has been at least 1 or 2 years since I have taken any and my doctor got them and then sold them to me. I'll have to inquire on Monday and let you know later (exactly where you can get them)--but I remember him telling me what I just told you. Let me know if still no luck finding any Myocalm.

Take care,


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successtory
Oct 2000: Repetitive Stress Injury-Inverted Hernia
Feb 2001: MRI. Shows only slight bulge at L4-L5
Dec 2001: Discogram/CT scan shows Inverted Hernia at L5-S1. L4-L5 & L5-S1 ruptured in all 4 quadrants. Unable to walk.
Feb 2002: IDET, Nucleoplasty, Intra-Discal Injections
Sept 2002: Rated in the top 10% for successful patients. Retraining for new career.

Hey Successstory,

What you have just described is the Gate Control Theory of Pain, postulated by Melzack and Wall in the 1960's. This still holds true today.

However, I think you will find that this occurs due to the activity of large diameter A-beta fibers and small diameter A and C delta fibers. They are known as myelinated and unmyelinated fibers and after an injry when you bang yourself, the throbbing pain that you described occurs due to the action of the C fibers.

However, this throbbing following the initial injury does indicate that some muscle and tissue damage may have occurred and that inflammation is present.

I would also agree that the piriformis muscle, that is inferior to gluteous minimus could cause shooting sciatic type pain down the back of the leg. Nerves runs through muscles as well as bone and joints, so if they go into spasm, they can cause compression/inflammation too.

Hi Sarah!

Hey,thanks for your detailed explanation...I was so tired that I got (really) lazy and didn't want to look up the medical terms...THANK YOU for saving me the time! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

A weakened piriformis muscle will cause sharp pains when twisting at the hips (only). To determine the health of your piriformis, stand with feet shoulder length apart and arms up at your sides (parallel to the ground). Next...turn left (at the hips ONLY), not the waist (this is imperative for the test results). Then turn right. If the pain you've been experiencing has been re-created by this test, then you know at least you need to work on your piriformis. There could still be other issues, but at least you have a start.

Take care.



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successtory
Oct 2000: Repetitive Stress Injury-Inverted Hernia
Feb 2001: MRI. Shows only slight bulge at L4-L5
Dec 2001: Discogram/CT scan shows Inverted Hernia at L5-S1. L4-L5 & L5-S1 ruptured in all 4 quadrants. Unable to walk.
Feb 2002: IDET, Nucleoplasty, Intra-Discal Injections
Sept 2002: Rated in the top 10% for successful patients. Retraining for new career.

Hey, that is a great test. Have just tried it now and I think my piriformis is ok.

My back pain and sciatica that I used to suffer from did originate from L5 and I got a cure from acupuncture treatment. I am still pain free now.

Thanks for that.

Sarah