Originally Posted by
jtruest
The pain is left hamstring, left lower back, and left groin/hip flexor. I get a bit of relief while stretching/yoga but it doesn't last and I wake up in the morning with the tightness. It's chronic so riding makes it worse but I feel it all day.
Not a MD, just have been a sufferer of a variety of serious back issues, over the years...
Have the Professionals you've consulted ruled out any form of Sciatica ?
one thing to try - if you don;t have any bad reactions to Ibuprofen, I suggest taking 200 mg 4x a day, or 400 mg 3x a day - make sure to space evenly, stay well hydrated to not create kidney issues... take last pill before bed - do for 2 days. If you experience relief in the am, then you know some more... If the pain in the hip area is 'internal' and deep, and the hamstring pain is defined and right down the middle - check for sciatica ...
I've had it a few times... One time, on bike very regular (every day) I was riding a 135 width saddle... turns out this width is very marginal for me. I need 140mm+, 143 works great.
If you're on 130 to 135 saddle, I suggest trying a 143 width... too narrow a saddle can really irritate, even damage the sciatic and other nerves and vessels in that pelvic area.
Again, I'm NOT an MD... everything you relate is also associated with sciatic issues...
Ride On
Yuri
EDIT: I also went to a bunch of MDs and specialists back in '70s and 80's, but no resolution, until I saw one MD, he noted symptoms, and prescribed Motrin (Ibuprofen) for me (this was before it was available OTC). I had it really bad for 6 months before seeing him, could barely bend over, excruciating ... he had me on 2000 mg a day (400 mg 5x), lots of water, and it took about 2 weeks to get really some apparent relief, and 6 weeks before I was able to easily do common stuff, 8 weeks to where it was just a bit apparent, in the back ground. Mine was Piriformis syndrome - info available on the interweb.
morning was always the worst time, because the muscles involved actually tighten up as you lay in bed for extended period...
if you experience some relief in AM and things go back to problem level, that's expected... until further resolution starts happening.
Thanks to WolfChild - I'm adding more more clarification ...
2 days ONLY with IBU - if you see any 'improvement in that time; THEN go see MD again and discuss this further. Do not treat yourself without working with physician!