A Pain In The Bum...Literally.

While this last FET we did unfortunately did not bring us another pregnancy, lucky me, it gave me something else...

Something that might be permanent.

Something that might make me remember the failure of this cycle forever.

Hooray.

Apparently, the progesterone shots I gave myself gave me something back.

I hit a nerve.  Literally.  I knew it the night it happened (July 6).  It stung like I've never felt...and I've given myself quite a few shots in the last three years.

I didn't realize what I'd done.  I just thought it was a painful shot and that was that....it would get better.  Only because my rear end is still numb...still sore...back aching—I'm talking can't-bend-back-aching—did I mention something to my nurse.

She said, "Lori.  I hope you didn't hit a nerve."

She told me to get to the doctor quickly to find out what is going on and especially since I'm about to start my medicines in two weeks.

So I did.

Definitely hit a nerve branched from my sciatic.  Ibuprofen allows me to bend a bit more, but I still am pretty uncomfortable.  My bottom is pretty sore...can't sit on that side, sleep on that side, put much pressure on it...and the numbness feels like when Novocaine just starts to wear off and that cold numbness is all you can feel.  There is definite weakness in the muscles, and I have to watch out for more.

My white blood cell count is a bit elevated...which could be from the progesterone, this cold I've had, or an infection under the skin from the injection site.  I am supposed to look out for fever, aches or chills, and if things don't feel any better or get worse, will need an MRI in a few days—mainly to just gauge damage and be able to compare.  They are also talking about an EMG, which I sort of zoned on when they were explaining it...except I definitely heard, "It's kind of painful."

Well, sign me up!

There really isn't much that can be done—unless there is serious damage and needs surgery at some point.  Really???????  Hopefully, it will repair itself.  I now have a very legitimate reason (and doctor's orders!) for massages and that should help lessen the pain.  There are some physical therapy strategies I can try as well....though it's hard to do that with a sweet little one attached to my hip.  I could take a steroid shot, but that could mess this cycle up.

The fear is that I get pregnant and it exacerbates things and then I can't take even ibuprofen.

Super fun.

Apparently, this doesn't happen that often.  When nerves off the sciatic are damaged, it is usually due to an intramuscular injection, but it's not common.  My nurse and the doctors I saw today have never seen it.

We all know what a great odds beater I am.

The neurologist said I may never get feeling in my bum back.

It may always be sore.  There may not be more chronic damage (that's my hope and prayer) but it may never get better.

Literally, I may have a pain in my bum for the rest of my life.

I can't help but laugh.