Piriformis pain - how long to recover?

[LingDiLong]

With the help of Dr Google, I've diagnosed myself with some kind of piriformis issue. It's a deep pain in my bum and hip with sciatica pains down the back of my leg. It hurts like hell in the morning and when I stand up from sitting but ibuprofen helps a lot. It's been about 10 days and not getting any better (or worse). When can I expect it to ease up? I'm assuming there's no point seeing a GP? I'm doing a half marathon in a couple of months and need to get my mileage up...it doesn't hurt when I run but advice I've seen online suggests I shouldn't push myself too much if I carry on running.

Thanks!

[AtlanticaBlue]

Have you been doing any stretches? Google sciatica or pirifromis stretches and you'll easily find some good ones.
I also self diagnosed myself with a tight Piriformis but after 4 weeks in pain and a trip to the doctor I was told it was spinal stenosis causing the sciatica.
Stretch it out whatever the cause or see a phsyio.

[LingDiLong]

Yes I do pilates and got the teacher to show me a load of good stretches.I Think I'll give it til the kids are back in school then head to the doctor. Thanks Atlantica

[Daffolil]

I had trouble with my piriformis for ages after tripping over on a run. It only really went away after I gave birth, you might not need to go to that extreme though! I went to a physio and she gave me stretches and exercises to do. Definitely do your stretches, and add in strengthening exercises to re-engage your glutes (is that what the big muscle in your bum is called?!) She recommended Pilates exercises like 'the clam', it might not be called that by your instructor. Sitting on a tennis ball/ spikey massage ball helped and felt great. I'd recommend finding a physio and getting sorted rather than waiting for a GP referral. Good luck.

[LingDiLong]

Thanks Daffolil. I think we have a drop in physio clinic nearby, I might give that a whirl. Definitely no plans to give birth ever again - I'll stick with pilates!