I agree with the possiblity of it being siatic due to either our position when emptying or what is called a defense positon: when you unconscienciously lean forward to protect your abdomen especially just post op and during painful bouts of digestive woes.
I just got over a week from hell where I could barely sleep and breathing hurt too much...dito on the codeine.
I saw my chiropractor twice, the first time he had to help me on and off with my socks! the second only on and off with the boots!
I am now proud to say that I can put on my own socks again....he worked on me for 1.5hours each time...nearly died on his table but he was right...deep tissue massage and he does these crazy things with my organs ( diamphram, liver, kidneys etc..where he presses and massages them to release the tension). Anyway the knee pain is almost gone and so it the leg pain...the hip remains painful enough to wake me up. He is suggesting deep breathing exercises and posture control to prevent it from coming back. Trying not to put myself into the defense positon that really stresses the siatic and lower back...
It beats taking all of the painkillers!

Ok, so it took a while to see my Chiro again and ask him the question about what that funky thing that he did with his finger in my mouth thing was?????
I must admit that it cut the pain from a 10 +++ down to a 3 or 4 in just one session. Maybe it just contributed to the healing process but still, I GOT RESULTS!
I can actually go the day without the pain killers and sleep thorough the night, definitely not negligible!
So, here goes for any of you who have either a good chiropractor or dentist or someone you know and trust to put his finger in your mouth:
"Intra-bucal relaxation of th peterygoides mediaux muscle through the message of the tension points. It permits a reflex relaxation of the pelvic ( read: attached to the pelvice) muscles (hamstrings, adductors, glutes...)
sorry for the way it reads but it is a direct translation from the French explination he gave me!
Try it out if you can, it is essentially painless and very handy!
Sharon

HEY COPPERHEAD
GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU,IT,S BEEN AWHILE.THANKS FOR THE INPUT,i AM ON A ANTI INFLAMMATORY,CAN,T RECALL THE NAME,NOROXAN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.tHE PAIN IS GETTING LESS EACH DAY NOW,AS WE ARE TREATING IT AS A INJURED CIATIC IN MY UPPER LEG,I REALLY NOTICED A BIG DIFFERENCE AS SOON AS I STARTED THE INFLAMMATORIES.THEY DID GIVE ME GABAPENTON WHEN I WAS AT EMERG AND DEMEROL,BUT THAT WAS BEFORE THEY REALLY KNEW JUST WHAT WAS UP.SO HOW ARE YOU DOING MY FRIEND?I DO HOPE THINGS ARE GOING WELL FOR YOU,MAYBE WE SHOULD GET TOGETHER SOON,HECK WE LIVE ONLY HOURS AWAY.
MATT

Hi! Matt
I remember having severe knee pain after surgery. It turned out to be a potassium deficiency from prednisone. Could this be your problem? I took a prescription powdered mix of potassium and got instant relief.
Good Luck!

Matt...I'm so sorry, I just found this post. I hope things have gotten better for you buddy. Actually a couple weeks ago someone was asking about Salba, I told them you were the King of all things Salba and would probably be along to give some insight. This was most likely right when you were in the middle of all this. I hope you have found a little relief. I recently started a Fentynol pain patch which is working quite well for me. Best of luck...keep us posted!

Hi Matt. I have been following your posts, and I do hope you are continuing to improve. I was an RMT for 10 years, and yes, some of it does sound sciatic and some of it not. If I could offer a tid bit of self help for sciatic and don't think I'm crazy - this does work.... Put some heat on your buttock just for 3-5 minutes to warm up the area, and this is ONLY if you can lay on your back comfortably and get up from this position comfortably. Now you need a tennis ball...Place the tennis ball in the middle of your right buttock and gently lower your weight on it. You will find a "trigger" point - a very painful point and just hold the ball there, deep breathe, and you will find the pain eases. If this is too painful avoid, but you should be able to get through it with the breathing and patience. You may need to gently roll around on the ball a wee bit to find the exact spot, but it is centrally located. You shouldn't need to be on the ball for anymore than a minute. Once you have gained relief, do the heat once again as this will help with some of the tenderness you may experience afterward - would likely feel bruised. This is a great tool, and should definately help. You could try it every other day for about a week, and as you get better the pain will not be there. Good luck, and I do hope you try it. Be extra careful out there on the ice today!!
Cat