Shooting pains in my butt and back of my leg would be what?

Brewster

Ouch.  Not good.  Is it some sort of nerve?

oparcm

sciatica

belle204

Sciatica maybe? I used to get those really bad with A. I could barely walk.

BubblyToes

Sounds like sciatica

aprilmomtobe

Yup, sounds like sciatica. I had that with my last pregnancy. Luckily it went away on its own, but it took a few weeks. 

Kapalua

it's totally sciatica...hurts like a mofo! 

cooker71

Yeah I think I may be experiencing the same thing tonight. No matter what position I get in it doesn't get any better. Boo to late pregnancy!!

EXL311

Yep it's your sciatic nerve.  I never had sciatica but it's a huge nerve so it makes sense why it would hurt so much.

Purrrfect433

Try sitting with your back against the wall and let your knees fall open to the sides with your feet touching(like sitting Indian-style, but without crossing your legs). Gently lift and release your knees in a "butterfly" motion, several times in a row. That is an exercise I read about to help relieve the pain of sciatica.

cbidt*sgirl

just joining in the chorus of sciatica.  it sucks.  i've had during my first pregnancy and it kicked in early second tri with this one.... totally sucks.

GrowingFamily

Yeah, it definitely sounds like sciatica.  What you DON'T want to do is apply heat to the area.  That makes it flare up even more.  Cold/ icing the area is actually better for it.  That, and laying & sleeping on the side opposite of the one that's bothering you.  I feel for you. I had problems with my sciatic nerve during my last 3 pregnancies.  Good luck!