The Mysterious Hamstring Discomfort, Part 4
Limit alcohol use while taking this drug. Daily use of alcohol may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.
Such is written on a yellow warning label on my bottle of Naproxen. It echoes the warning of the pharmacist, who said a possible side effect is intestinal bleeding (“So let your doctor know if you are having bloody stools,” she said). Another label warns, “May cause drowsiness or dizziness.” Awesome.
I finally saw a doctor about the Mysterious Hamstring Discomfort — which, as I suspected, has nothing to do with my hamstring. At least not any more. I have no clue what that initial tightness was, but perhaps it was related to my diagnosis: piriformis syndrome.
My doctor said it was a “catch-all” term, but a peek at the condition’s Wikipedia page makes me suspect otherwise. In a nutshell, according to the Wiki entry, piriformis syndrome is:
…a neuromuscular disorder that occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed or otherwise irritated by the piriformis muscle causing pain, tingling and numbness in the buttocks and along the path of the sciatic nerve descending down the lower thigh and into the leg.
That description matches my symptoms so I hope it is an accurate diagnosis. Regardless, the doc prescribed me Naproxen, a prescription strength pain reliever and inflammation reducer, and referred me to a physical therapist, who I have yet to call for an appointment.
The Naproxen is the first prescription medication I have had in a long while. I think the last time I took medication for longer than a couple days was when I had my upper wisdom teeth removed in 2006. Frankly, I am not big on pills or medications in general; I use them sparingly, only as a last resort. So when I was told to take one 500 mg pill with breakfast I was a little uneasy, especially since I now need to examine my stools for blood. I am, however, not at all upset about its effects with alcohol because I recently decided (once again) to reenact my Friday and Saturday only drinking rule, and will probably not take it on those days just as a precaution. (The warning technically advises against “daily use,” so I should be fine.) Basically, taking a prescription is not cool with me — but I will give it a try if it helps. So far, after two days, it seems to be doing the job.
Regardless of whether it and a potential stretching regimen will cure me or not, I am still nine pounds away from giving myself the green light to run. Grr.
