Too Much Pain

So, I played doctor last night and have officially diagnosed myself with a condition I should have realized I had a LONG time ago. It may be a little TMI, so I'm going to be as sensitive as I can. But for the past few years, I've been going through cycles of working out, feeling great, and then BAM, my lower back pain kicks in and knocks me down for a week or so. I always thought it was just my weight and a spasming back, but last night it occurred to me how blind I've been to the situation. Okay, TMI part...I only get this debilitating back pain during that special time of the month.

After researching, it's a condition known as Premenstrual Sciatic Nerve Pain. To sum it up, it's basically when the flareup of hormones causes my uterus to put pressure on my sciatic nerve, causing excruciating back pain and nerve pain in my legs. Here's the official medical blurb: "The hormones during your menstrual cycle trigger the endometrial tissue to swell and press on the sciatic nerve, causing pain." It's seriously crippling. I put two and two together and realized that this is probably what was causing my back pain during pregnancy. I can only consistently workout for about 2 weeks out of the month and then I have to spend the other two weeks taking it easy before my back feels good enough to move, let alone walk. So, guess what I've been dealing with for a few days? 

It's a bummer, because I was really getting into the elliptical again, and I haven't been able to workout for the few nights because of how bad the pain is. I couldn't even get to sleep last night because of the pain throbbing in my legs and back. As much as it sucks, at least I know what it is. Oh, you wanna know the best part? I'm not allowed to take any pain meds, due to January's surgery, so I'm fighting this battle on my own! Gosh, I sure do love being a woman! NOT!

This is literally the only thing that alleviates the pain...sitting on my knees. I think it takes some of the pinching pressure off my nerve. I used to lay like this a lot when I was pregnant. Lilly's patting my head, saying "it's okay, mommy"