Sciatica: I posted a few months re joint and... - CLL Support

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Sciatica

Westie11- profile image
19 Replies

I posted a few months re joint and muscle pain wondering if it could be connected to being on Acalabrutinib. The first pain was in left leg and I think that's what has caused the sciatica I now have in my right leg. Think I must have been walking in a way to cause damage to sciatic nerve. No back pain, all in leg and pain can be quite horrendous some days.My question is - has anyone had acupuncture while on Acalabrutinib?

I have been told No by hospital due use of needles but am desperate to try something to get rid of pain and feel normal as it's been over 4 months of suffering. Thanks.

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Westie11- profile image
Westie11-
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19 Replies
CoachVera55 profile image
CoachVera55

Hello Westie11, I am sorry to hear about your pain but its well known with the BTKI Therapy. Acalabrutinib is mostly associated with near debilitating headaches but the bone/joint/nerve pain is very real too. I don’t know about Acupuncture either because of infection risk & now you’re even more susceptible.

I know that many swear coffee helps but I can’t drink it because it causes me palpitations. I do know drinking 1gal of water daily helps. Just fighting through the initial pain & you can walking it out works. Keep your weight down or lose weight & that will help as well. I have an amazing Homegym & the stretching part is what is keeping my sanity these days. The Vibration Plate helps & stretching with the stability ball was amazing. I had some shooting nerve pain so the Pilates Wheel was able to further aggravate my Lumbar Pain & the Stability Ball just shut it down Hallelujah 🙌🏾

Pilates Wheel, Stability Ball & Lifepro Rumblex Max 4D with 3 Motors
Westie11- profile image
Westie11- in reply to CoachVera55

Thank you for your reply. I find it difficult to walk somedays so even more difficult to exercise although I know I am supposed to.

CycleWonder profile image
CycleWonder

I do daily stretches of my hip to relieve sciatica pain. If you can go to a PT, you might be able to alleviate some of the pain

Westie11- profile image
Westie11- in reply to CycleWonder

Thanks. How long have you had sciatic pain for?

CycleWonder profile image
CycleWonder in reply to Westie11-

For a few years. I didn’t understand that it was nerve pain until last year. I had pain deep in my thigh and one day I noticed that I was tensing up my muscle in anticipation of the pain on a walk. So, I tried to relax my muscle before stepping on that leg. To my amazement, the pain went away.

I figured out that stretching my hip regularly relieved the pain. If I miss doing the stretches, the pain returns a few days later.

Westie11- profile image
Westie11- in reply to CycleWonder

I will research stretch exercises for hip. I was given exercises to do but its pain full trying to do them. I was pain free for 14 days then it came back last Monday and has been agony every day since. It is even worse trying to turn over in bed, my buttock feels like it weighs a ton!! Thanks again.

Pear1925 profile image
Pear1925

acupuncture did not help my sciatica. I use a massage gun which really helps, relaxes the muscles. You can easily by online. Hope it works for you.

LeoPa profile image
LeoPa

How about seeing a massage therapist?

Westie11- profile image
Westie11- in reply to LeoPa

Thanks but been told by hospital only a gentle massage so that wouldn't get to the area that is causing pain. I feel everything that would help the hospital says no to. Massage would cause bruising but personally would rather have some bruising than the pain!!

JDG45 profile image
JDG45

I'm on A call and Veneto . Chiropractic adjustment helped me lot. Also put more cushions where you sit.

Goopteal profile image
Goopteal

I have chronic hip pain not due to drug therapy. I have used chiropractic adjustments, and they help. My favorite stretch is as follows (provided by my chiropractor and PT):

Lie flat on a bed, and hang your leg over the side for a few minutes. The bed needs to be high enough that your foot does not touch the floor. Then, change position, and hang the other leg.

Additionally, you may try to gently move the hanging leg toward your upper body.

Dasher14 profile image
Dasher14

Hello Westie, I was diagnosed with CLL 2013 and have not had treatment yet for it. I had a bout of sciatica for nearly two years and was desperate to get relief. Acupuncture finally got me back on the road to feeling better. Initially I went in every two weeks for several months and was told that it would take several months for it to take effect. This proved to be true. I also started doing PT stretches for sciatica every morning. You might have a podiatrist look at your shoes and your walking gait to see if that is part of the problem. Also, my doctor put me on Gabapentin which I take at night to ease nerve pain and get a full night's rest. Be patient with yourself...this will go away eventually. I send healing thoughts and will be thinking of you. Best, RW

Westie11- profile image
Westie11- in reply to Dasher14

Thank you. I am probably not walking properly due to the pain but normally I feel I would walk with straight back and enjoyed going on walks. It's not just in my nature to not be able to walk and go where I want. Just so many treatments available and i have been told no to them.

DoriZett profile image
DoriZett

I did acupuncture and massage during treatment with Acalabrutinib. My CLL Specialist knew and had no qualms. I believe massage is good for blood flow to injured areas, and relieves the supporting muscles and soft tissues that "compensate" for the poorly functioning ones. I am no longer in CLL treatment but deal with much body pain so I understand your search for relief. Blessings to you - I hope you find something that works for you.

Westie11- profile image
Westie11- in reply to DoriZett

Many thanks for your reply. I may just try a massage first as I have a lady who comes to house and will not be putting myself at risk by going to a salon with other people there.

Dasher14 profile image
Dasher14

I second what DoriZett suggested! You need some relief!

bobdebob profile image
bobdebob

My wife, who is a Dr. gave me a S.I. belt. That has worked..I had No back pain until I went on Ibrutinib, then Acalabrutinib.

gillsky8 profile image
gillsky8

Hi, I have just been diagnosed with sciatica, having suffered with PMR for the past year and am not sure if they are related or not. All I can say is the pain has been unbearable especially at night time. I have diazepam, tramadol and Naproxen, all of which has helped a little but really not sufficiently to totally ease the pain. Mine is in the right leg, thigh, upper thigh, leg knee and lower leg, also at times cramp in the foot. I started by feeling I was walking slightly flat footed on this leg and it gradually got worse from then on. Acupuncture has not been mentioned to me. I am seeing a specialist next Friday so helping for some more help and advice then.

Westie11- profile image
Westie11- in reply to gillsky8

Thanks for your post. My pains are in same place although not the knee. Also more of tingling and pins an needles in foot and lower leg. Very painful and especially when trying to get to sleep. Please let me know what your specialist recommends. Hope you get relief soon.

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