PAD or sciatica

[stargazey]

I don't know if I have PAD or sciatica. My calves (particularly the left) really hurt when I lie in bed. Tingly occasionally as well but I can go and walk two or three miles with barely a twinge. Always have bad back when I get up in the morning. Had a CT angio 4 years with Zero calcium score. I thought PAD was worse on walking whereas my pain goes. Sitting not good either. Am I in denial for PAD? Don't want to see GP at moment.

[Shar28]

Is it just your GP you don’t want to see? Otherwise a good chiropractor will be able to give you an assessment and advise on the next steps. A chiropractic assessment includes a full review of your health conditions and they won’t treat you if there are any red flags or anything they’re not comfortable with. If they’re not familiar with your conditions they will check with your GP before treating you. If necessary they can also refer you for scans. It’s private health care so you’d have to pay for consultations etc. A good private physio, or osteopath should be able to do the same - an awful lot of what these three professions do is the same as each other. It’s just a case of finding the one which suits you best. For me, it’s Chiropractic.

Hope you find a suitable way forward soon.

[stargazey in reply to Shar28]

He doesn't take his eyes of his screen and hates being asked questions. Just wants you out ASAP. Can someone please tell me if you can have PAD that ONLY causes pain when lying or sitting. Surely it would start off with walking?

[Tindy2 in reply to stargazey]

Hi , I have the same problem. I have pain on walking , but if I stop for a while it goes off, and I can carry on without pain . This last year I find it feels as if it’s my lower back that gives me most pain, it doesn’t get better when I stop walking . I also get pain when bending or even just standing at a sink. I also get the tingling feeling down my leg. I know this is not Pad , my GP is sending me for X-ray ( which will not show much) I need a MRI . I know (in my case) nothing can be done for the PAD, but if I can get treatment for my back that would be a big help to keep my mobile . Hope you get some help.

[Libob1]

Hi, my partner has PAD. Walking is what takes away the pain. Walking is the most recommended 'treatment'. and in some cases can keep it at bay for a while. Half an hour walking each day, stop smoking, healthy diet etc.

'Resting' your leg is known to cause pain. So, yes, walk! Walk as much as you can. If your leg starts hurting while you're walking, rest, wait for it to pass and then walk again.

But please keep trying to make an appointment with your doc. I'm no professional, just speaking from my own experience.

All the best. 😊

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I have both PAD and sciatica. The fact you get it at rest more than walking is unusual but as I always say we are all different.

To be sure of things ask for a Doppler test to measure ABPI (Ankle-Brachial Pressure Index). Anything below 0.9 needs checking out.

As you get it resting you could try quinine. Without involving your GP drink a 500 ml bottle of tonic (Gin optional) in the evening and see if this helps.

[Wenlock]

I had sciatica for a long time......went to an Osteopath (Lon gmoore....lane Fazakerly Liverpool) had no probs since. Advice firm mattress, always sit up straight. Don't dance the Twist. (If I'm Army..don't slam feet into ground) Non of the hospitals, Forces ..or. Civilian...could cure it. Let me know if it works....Good luck.

[PecanSandie]

I have occasional sciatica and when I sleep on my side I find using a knee pillow really helps to align my back. (I also put the pillow under my knees when I sleep on my back)

[stargazey]

Thanks everyone - I've got a phone appointment on 1 July! As it's "not an emergency". If it gets considerably worse I will say it is an emergency. I thought PAD developed slowly but this seems to have come on in a couple of weeks.

[Padhappy in reply to stargazey]

PS

If you have any sores on your legs or feet that aren’t healing or the colour of your toes or feet change go to A& E and I am sure they will try to get someone from the vascular team to have a look.

[thehypnotist]

Your pain sounds similar to mine Got checked for PAD as that was suspected but then put down to sciatica!! I tried to deal with this for a few years with physiotherapy and chiropractic with minimal results? Eventually had a CT scan and it turned out to be lower spinal damage!!

[stargazey]

I had similar a few years ago and thought it was a dvt, nurse did doppler and was told I had hardening of arteries. Went to see a vascular surgeon who gave me thorough exam and said "Rubbish- nothing wrong with the arteries in your legs". I don't trust some doctors. It's spreading to right leg now. Fast moving.