Suffering badly with sciatica

[Dvcl]

I'm experiencing severe sciatica after 4 weeks of inactivity but cant cope with sitting, standing or walking, the only relief I get is when I'm laying down. Just had the worst weekend ever. This is too much after a heart attack.

[Fredders]

I can appreciate how you feel as I have suffered back problems for years but I can’t lie on my back as it makes it worse. I was given some exercises to do that help. I lay flat on my stomach and then use my arms to push up, arching my back. Then raise myself onto my hands and knees, drop my stomach down and look up, then do the opposite, lowering my head and lifting my back up. They’re yoga stretches and do help me.

Wendy

[Dvcl in reply to Fredders]

Thanks for your assistance and suggestion will try it and see how it goes. Most appreciated

[Kimkat in reply to Dvcl]

Yes I agree with Fredders, I have a long standing back problem that presents very similar to sciatica and gentle stretching is definitely the way to go. I was told at pain management to stretch to the point of pain but no further, gradually you will feel the benefit. If it’s particularly bad, ten minutes with ice, ten off then ten with heat before stretching will help.

[STUBAX]

When I suffered sciatica I found the best way to ease the pain was to move around and keep moving, stopping just made the pain increase again. You have my sympathies as I know how bad the pain is.

[Gillymaccy]

I had it for years gone now , best thing is to keep walking keep moving x

[valeriep]

Oh, I feel for you! I get it intermittently and have had it on and off for a week now to the point where my leg sometimes gives way under me, triggered by carrying a heavy bag of shopping on one side, I think, but it could also be because of resolving to move more after getting lazy during lockdown. It's hard, I know, but I find the best way to deal with it is to gently 'walk it off' in comfortable shoes - and definitely no bags! Difficult at the time, but I feel much better the next day. But thanks for the stretching suggestion, Wendy - I'm going to give that a go.

[Sheltiestu]

I feel your pain - really. I had my ha in February and the sciatica started about a month later and I still have it in my right leg. Like others, I find walking actually helps, but I did consult my GP about 10 days ago as it’s gone on so long. As I’m not able to take anti-inflammatories I was prescribed Gabapentin (Neurontin), which I take with good old paracetamol - the former enhances the pain killer and is ok to take with all the other dolly mixtures I’m on. It does make me feel drowsy at times though and it’s not a long term solution for me, however it has helped - but as with all posts on this site, I’m not giving advice specific to you and you should go and see your GP. Hope this helps in some way.

[Hidden]

Sorry you’re experiencing this. Two things. I found after heart surgery, various other body areas got twinges, pains, aches. I think my posture was affected by pain in the sternum, either directly (trying to ease sternum pain) or indirectly (being wary of pain & ‘protecting’ my chest by leaning in a bit). I was advised to do stretching to offset the natural ‘protectiveness’ eg opening chest by gently having arms extended & squeezing in behind back. This did work for me, and also made my sternum les painful over time.

Second, for sciatica specifically. Ive found deep pressing on the butt helps. Sometimes I lie on my front on the floor & my spouse puts their foot on my butt, in th centre where the deep pain is. Presses firmly but gently - doesn’t stand on me, keeps other foot on floor & doesn’t use full weight, but that’s easier to get a good amount of pressure than with arms. And the foot is a large surface area, so doesn’t dig in too painfully. This can help the nerve get un-trapped, if I am relax enough. Another option is lying on my back this time, with a tennis ball or massage rolling ball under my butt. Has the same effect of pressure, this time my own weight, but is slightly less relaxing, and I find relaxing is the key to reducing sciatica.

Best option I’ve found though, is to do a glute-stretch. Maybe google can show you some options. I use the following. Sit on chair with legs 90 to floor. Lift the bad leg, cross it over the other, so that the ankle is just out the other side of the stationery leg. The knee of bad leg will be sticking out in a triangle shape. Lean slightly over the bad leg, so there’s a gentle stretch through hip and into butt. Hold at gentle stretch for 30 secs or more and again try to relax into it. There are yoga equivalents, such as pigeon pose. Doing the glute stretch also seems to prevent recurrence of my sciatic pain. Good luck

[Invermill]

I know how you feel and sympathise as I suffered with sciatica for about a year. After a few weeks at the physiotherapist getting no where she suggested acupuncture and after a six week course I have never looked back. I have been pain free for the last four years. I hope you get relief soon.

[Love101cats]

This site does remind you of how common some illnesses are to heart patients. I agree with the previous comments and it also helps if you can identify what started it. It was my right leg and because of my feet and ankles swelling overnight I was using a cushion to lift them. I lie on my left side amazing with heart problems so right leg higher than left. I realised that was the problem, got rid of the cushion and pain got better and ankles not swollen. Simple! I also take 1 paracetamol with 1 codeine when really painful at night.

[Shrek1974]

Sciatica is that uninvited visitor that sneaks up on you when you’re obeying the Drs’ instructions to rest I find.... Mine was flaring up badly in hospital whilst under assessment when first diagnosed with AF - & does so basically every time I’m inactive. I’ve a long relationship with this due to sports injuries, had surgery to help it in 2007 and do stretches daily to keep the pain levels down. I’ve long realised that although lying down feels like it is offering relief, it’s actually masking the problem & often making it worse - sending the muscles affected into spasm as soon as you try to move from there. I would strongly recommend a physiotherapist visit to get yourself started. They’ll give you the right stretches and get your stretch technique sorted so they are effective & more importantly not doing you more damage. The relief can be quite quick & lasting when right too. I’m often reluctant to recommend types of stretches to people incase they’re not right for the individual problem & make things worse.

Good luck. Steve

[Harefieldfan]

yoga exercises that stretch the glutes help me. As does walking. Standing still is a killer.