What do you recommend to treat sciatic pain?

[marymurdoch17]

Sciatica - what is the treatment for sciatic pain

[Hidden]

I have that. Really painful isn't it??? Comes and goes with me. Doctor gave me Fenbid Gel (Ibuprofen). I also bought Biofreeze from the Chemist. That is quite good. Doesn't take it away completely but it does ease it quite a bit. Hope that helps.😊

[Chappychap]

Speak to your doctor, firstly because it's a really painful condition and your GP may prescribe something a little stronger than the chemist shop remedies, but also because if you have a heart condition (and I guess you do otherwise you wouldn't be here) then Ibuprofen in particular isn't always the best option.

[Shar28]

A chiropractor! I had sciatica for many years, eventually requiring surgery (a microdiscectomy) but in the meantime my chiropractor kept me in work for about 10 years when I would otherwise have had to leave due to the pain. He kept me in work afterwards too, with regular maintenance and help when it flared up.

Drugs-wise Voltarol gel can help and is available with or without a prescription, coupled with paracetamol.

All the best for the future.

[jimmyq in reply to Shar28]

Chiropractor or Osteopath. I have used both over the years, to good effect.

[S11m in reply to jimmyq]

Massage or physiotherapy can also help.

[Nomorechocolate23 in reply to Shar28]

Votarol also known as Voltaren and Diclofenac, causes heart attacks and strokes . The Israel health authorities after conducting extensive research have discovered that it also causes severe liver damage.

[Maisie2014 in reply to Nomorechocolate23]

Only if taken orally. The topical cream is safe and effective. I checked with my GP.

[Nomorechocolate23 in reply to Maisie2014]

I was referring to the gel . A friend who's a doctor alerted me to the severe side effects . I respect my doctors but I also want to know what I am putting on my body or inside of it.

I personally would not use it ! But each to their own !

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Treatment is a combination of gentle exercise (i.e. keep moving) and painkillers. I suffer occasionally as a result of two prolapsed discs. My GP prescribed Tramadol for this and when I had coccydynia last year. The problem is many go into a zombie state when they take it!

If you get it badly in both legs and your legs go weak go to A&E.

[STUBAX]

You cant use Voltarol or Dichlophenic if you are taking Aspirin, which unfortunately are the best treatments.

[Clerkenweller]

In the acute phase rest and pain killers, paracetamol and GP prescribed tramadol. As the episode eases gentle movement, walking. Avoid vigorous exercise.

[Kimkat]

I have suffered with sciatica for over thirty years and I can honestly say that after taking most neuropathic pain relief, stretching exercise has practically cured me. It doesn’t happen overnight, so you have to stick at it and now I religiously do them at least three times a week to keep it at bay. Try and get pain management through your GP. One thing I wouldn’t advise is to see a chiropractor until you have seen a neurologist, I know someone who has suffered badly and even ended up in a wheelchair for over six months by using a chiro and his journey back to using his legs was attained with physio therapy and pain management. So I would say ask your GP for a referral to pain management as your starting point. Also I would like to add that taking various pain killers has resulted in me now having acid reflux, that has given me a really sore throat for the most of the time. Good luck.

[Shar28 in reply to Kimkat]

Our GPs themselves go to the same Chiropractor as I use. I think it’s often a case of trying different practitioners, whether physio, chiro, osteopath, pain relief clinic, Bowen technique (which a locum GP at our practise uses ) etc until you find the right one for you. A lot of the techniques and treatments are the same no matter which sort of practitioner is working with you. A family member went to a NHS physio and pain clinic but found it didn’t help at all...but her private physio is vey good.

[Kimkat in reply to Shar28]

It was my neurosurgeon that advised me not to use a chiropractor unless they have sufficient information of your particular problem, his words were ‘they can do more harm than good ‘. Lots of folk assume they have sciatica, when they actually have a neuro problem that is causing them the same type of pain. It’s worth checking first.

[Shar28 in reply to Kimkat]

I hear what you’re saying - my neurosurgeon has confidence in my chiropractor too. In fact, it was my chiro who referred me to him via my GP.

[S11m in reply to Kimkat]

I would trust my osteopath more than a neurosurgeon.

[45sue]

Depending on what other medication you are on e.g anti-platelet, you are not allowed to take NSAI's e.g ibuprofen or naproxen -which work best for me especially naproxen but now restricted to paracetamol . I have found the Bowen method helpful - a bit strange but a well trained practitioner might be worth consulting.

[cowparsley]

Ask GP to refer you to a NHSPhysio,who will examine you and give you a set of exercises to alleviate.Do these every day if you can.Worked for me.I also joined a gentle yoga class.Haven`t had a bout of sciatica for a year.Good luck.

[Invermill]

I attended a physiotherapist at my local hospital for exercise for a few weeks with no relief, then she suggested acupuncture. She treated me weekly for six weeks and the pain has been gone for five years now.

Hope this points you in the right direction. Good luck.

[Kayec26]

I've had this for years on and off but when I first took it after a fall I found that deep tissue massage and acupuncture were the best for me and really helped with the pain. Biofreeze and a combination of a hot pack for 10 minutes then a cold pack did help relieve the pain a lot (don't put on packs with Biofreeeze tho) and I also had reflexology and still do every so often as to me these all helped hugely.

My GP only wanted to give me stronger painkillers even when I was almost unable to walk and that just wasn't the answer so I found my own solution otherwise would probably still be taking pain pills - he told me there is no such thing a sciatica!

Tell that to your sciatic nerve once its damaged.

Keep moving as stiffness doesn't help, as hard as it is sometimes. I still go for massage therapy 6 years down the line every so often and it helps keep it manageable but when initially flared up it was awful and can really sympathise but it does ease. Personally I try to keep off the painkillers except when really needed as to me they are only masking the pain but not getting to the root of the problem.

When needed I took ibuprofen and paracetamol every 2 hours up to the max dose on the really bad days. I also find that they upset my stomach so take only when really needed.

Gentle exercise once you are able is also a good idea to keep building up the muscles and keep supple - pilates was a good start once I was ready to exercise and made a huge difference to my flexibility. Hope you find what works for you.

[Retren]

I had severe sciatica barely able to walk tried exercise but ultimately it was acupuncture which got me mobile once more given by a very sweet Chinese doctor who did not have a medical license but was able to practice acupuncture treatments for which I was very grateful it however did nothing for RLS .

[Nomorechocolate23]

I have nerve damage from Shingles . The best medicine for it is Gabepentin . Gabepentin also does not affect the heart. The cardilogist told me that. My friend who has Sciatica takes Gabepentin too! It's prescription only and is now a controlled drug. It takes about 2-3 weeks for Gabapentin to get the full benefits of it . But really does help nerve pain.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Nomorechocolate23]

Taking a controlled drug long term is an issue. Morphine is also a controlled drug.

It indicates that you can become dependent or addicted to the medication and some people can have withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it.

Pain management is not a well resourced area of medicine. My Cardiologist openly acknowledged that he is no expert in pain and I was referred to a Pain management programme which helped me.

I live with a long term chronic pain too.

I try to use the non medication strategies for my back pain.

Massage, manipulation by an osteopath and acupuncture. Rest then gentle exercise.

TENS machine and hot water bottles.

[Nomorechocolate23 in reply to Milkfairy]

I totally agree with you about controlled drugs . I went to Pain Management about 4 times . The same woman ! The last time was a few weeks ago as an in patient . All she told me was to keep taking the tablets I am already on ! Useless!

How did The pain management help you ? Do you mind me asking you what they said? I'm wondering whether, it's worth asking my GP to refer me to another hospital

You're approach towards chronic pain is great . I have other health issues so can't take acupunture etc. I tried tens machine years ago. Is there a new type now?

I had Shingles very severely . I only had it a few weeks ago. It lasted two weeks but I still have the pain , which is excruiating . Gaba has helped me a lot . I hope to go off it after the Shingles pain goes.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Nomorechocolate23]

Hi Nomorechocolate23

The pain from shingles is nasty, you have my sympathy.

I live in London and was referred to University College Hospital London's pain management programme.

I had an in depth conversation with a Clinical psychologist and then a 10 week course. This involved weekly meetings with other people living with chronic pain. The sessions were 4 hours long.

The course was run by 2 Clinical psychologists, a nurse specialist in pain management and a physiotherapist.

We were taught CBT, Mindfulness meditation and pacing techniques along with the theory of pain.

It helps you respond to your pain in a different way.

I found this app helpful which also uses the same strategies. I also use breathing, relaxation and visualisations techniques.

Tai Chi and yoga.

curablehealth.com/

I also use oxygen and I am on 8 different medications to try and treat my vasospastic angina. It can be debilitating at times and then I go into hospital for some IV GTN and morphine.

I hope your pain resolves and you can wean yourself off the gabapentin soon.

[MattUK]

I have Co-codamol 30/500 for mine; I used to also have Zydol by they removed it as it’s so strong.

Voltarol I used to have by it made me pee blood so I had to stop it

[Hidden]

Something else to what I'm using now, it's just not working anymore. Driving me Nuts today. Made Appointment to see Doctor tomorrow evening. Hope to God he gives me something to ease it. PS: With a different Doctor!!