Could this be Sciatica?

For the past 4 days I have had horrible pain in my lower lumbar, tail bone, left knee, left hip, and left ankle. Prolonged sitting, and then standing up makes the pain almost unbearable. Could this be sciatica? If not, any theories on what it could be?

Also, could this go away on its own?

Yes, it sounds very much like sciatica.
The pain is due to a prolapsed disc pressing on one of the nerve roots to your sciatic nerve.
It is best to see your doctor who will perform a few tests. The simplest test is called a straight leg raising (SLR) test. In this test, you will be asked to lie flat on your back and the doctor will raise your leg (keeping the knee straight). Most people will be able to bend up to 90 degrees at the hip but if you have sciatica, you will not achieve that much. You doctor may proceed to do other test and currently MRI is the best.
Depending on the seriousness of the situation, the condition usually heals itself if you give it enough time and rest. Otherwise, your doctor will prescribed some anti-inflammatory medications or inject cortisone-like drug in your spine. If it is very serious, then surgery is the last resort.
Following treatment, you will probably be able to resume your normal lifestyle and keep your pain under control. However, always remember that it's always possible for your disk to rupture again. Fortunately, this happens to only about 5 percent of people with sciatica and it is called flail back syndrome.

Sciatica runs in a nerve across your lower back and will go down into the back of both legs, it is actually a pinched nerve. Mine is not a continous pain it kind of jumps in when I move a certain way. I would probably have it checked by your doctor, sounds like it may be something else.

it could be, sciatica usually does involve pain radiating down your hip into your leg.

go see your Dr.

The most common symptom from sciatica is pain. Most people describe a deep, severe pain that starts low on one side of the back and then shoots down the buttock and the leg with certain movements.



The pain is usually worse with both prolonged sitting and standing. Some people describe the worst pain when trying to stand from a low sitting position, such as standing up after sitting on a toilet seat.


In most people, the pain is made worse by sneezing, coughing, laughing, or a hard bowel movement. Bending backward can also make the pain worse.


You may also notice a weakness in your leg or foot, along with the pain. The weakness may become so bad you can't move your foot.


Sounds like it could be. Either way I would go to your general practioner and see what he has to say. Good luck and I hope you feel better!