sciatica

[321wheeliebin]

hi all I’m new here , just a quick question , did anyone else suffer sciatica after a heart attack or heart issues

[Happyrosie]

just off the top of my head, I’d say that (as the two are not related) there’s no reason NOT to have sciatica or flu or conjunctivitis or whatever, just because you have a cardiovascular problem.

[321wheeliebin in reply to Happyrosie]

Hello happyrosie hope you are keeping well

[WeeHoolet]

Hello 321wheeliebin,

Welcome! I have sciatica, but the condition predates my heart attack. Others in this community may have had your experience and be able to offer insights. One thing I can say, though, is that a heart event can lead to increased awareness of the body, and anxiety. Any ache or pain or twinge that you'd have ignored before can seem concerning.

Has your sciatica been diagnosed by a healthcare professional? You will need to talk to your GP if it's troublesome, so that it can be properly investigated and treated. If you require painkillers, then ask for advice from your GP or pharmacist as certain painkillers can interact with any medication you are taking for your heart condition.

I hope that you are otherwise recovering well. Have you had cardiac rehab? I missed out on rehab, unfortunately; it would, I think, have helped more than my heart. 🦉

[WeeHoolet in reply to WeeHoolet]

The reason I mentioned rehab is because inactivity is worse for my sciatica than somewhat painful walking!

[Happyrosie in reply to WeeHoolet]

Absolutely. The one thing you mustn’t have is inactivity. Otherwise the muscles aren’t strong enough to support the joint which is hurting.

[321wheeliebin in reply to WeeHoolet]

Hello weehoolet , yeah it literally started two months after my heart attack , can last for a few days or recently a few weeks , only take paracetamol as I’m a lorry driver and some medication they wanted to give me you can’t drive while taking it , hope you are keeping well

[WeeHoolet in reply to 321wheeliebin]

Physio might be worth asking your GP about, 321wheeliebin. A friend of mine is a lorry driver, and his activity levels outwith yard work (and his diet!) leave something to be be desired!! He has a dog, fortunately, so he does get some exercise when not tramping, but his knees are beginning to trouble him. Can you perhaps get your seat/driving position more supportive and comfortable?

Yes, keeping well enough, thank you. 🙂

[321wheeliebin in reply to WeeHoolet]

done tramping in the past didn’t enjoy it especially when there’s not a lot of lorry parks in the uk , I drive a refuse lorry so I’m always in and out the truck , spoken to GP about physio there’s a waiting list

[WeeHoolet]

You're right about the lorry parks. As for waiting lists--postcode lottery, I'm afraid. Any chance of occupational therapy through work?

[BaronFrankenstein]

I have sciatica which was really bad before i had my heart attack, so much so i had to have a nerve root block injection in my spine. I have found if i dont keep active, i.e. just go for a walk to the park or town every other day it starts to get worse.

What has really helped is doing cardio rehab exercise classes each week and losing weight to take the pressure off the trapped nerve that causes the pain. I was seeing a physio but i found more benefit from the exercise classes because they dont just stretch the leg and back, they work all your muscles. Plus i enjoy those classes and didnt like going to physio at all.

[Smitty1956]

Hi, 321wheeliebin,

I actually suffered with sciatica a few years prior to having my HA in March 2022.

I would say that the sciatica symptoms started around 2012 and was finally diagnosed around 2015-16. I would notice extreme pain running from my lower back down my thigh and leg into my foot usually on my right side while driving long distances. In the beginning, I only got these symptoms while driving. I would stop at a roadside rest stop and walk around until the pain stopped. Eventually, stopping the car and walking around didn’t stop the pain. I can remember actually pounding on my steering wheel and crying because the pain got so intense. Now, at times, I can get sciatica symptoms while just sitting and watching television in the evenings. The pain is still mainly awful.

My sciatica started well before my HA, so I don’t really see a link. You can apply heat. I often use a heating pad for a short time. Plus, walking more does seem to help the sciatica.

I hope that you can get some relief from this bother. Take care! ❤️

[Plastow48]

I have suffered from lower back pain and found that an icepack on the painful area (for 20 minutes) helped. I also go to a chiropractor.Jenny

[BaronFrankenstein]

My other experience is that once you stop moving about like you did before your heart attack and have to have enforced rest, the sciatica starts to kick in again. The lesson is to keep as active as your bofy will allow.

Years agoni was doing a lot of cycling and when i stopped cycling for a couple of weeks due to flu, i developed a tendon issue behind one of my knees that required treatment.

Its like if you suddenly stop doing regular activity your body fights back and goes wrong.

[Harefieldfan]

I suffer from sciatica but am pretty sure it’s not related to heart issues. My problem is that my orthopaedic surgeon refuses to inject my sciatic nerve cause I’m on aspirin. He’s afraid I’d bleed into the sciatic nerve. Good luck!

[momander]

Hi,

I have never heard of anyone suffering sciatica after a heart attack or heart issues? I dont think there is any relation between the two? but I could be wrong!! I have had sciatica for years due to herniated discs in my back. I have also had 3 heart attacks and a double cabg last year, but the two things are unrelated