Sciatica Getting me Down

[Lizzy-m]

I've been suffering with this current bout is sciatica for over a week now. Despite taking a concoction of meds as told to by my doctor and trying to do stretches and exercises as much as I can do its still not shifting. Any idea how much longer this will go on for? Just when I feel its easing a bit off it goes again! I have fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. MRI showed a Dural Ectasia but according to a rather rude spine specialist this shouldn't cause me any pain. Does anyone know anything about this? Sending Love x

[tulips123]

Heaven know but it drains you completely doesn't it? In my experience Sciatica is a rule unto itself. Similar to (again in my experience) Carpal Tunnel in the wrist, you cant predict it. I had the decompression op. on my right hand which ultimately failed. I was informed that in most cases it works. My GP said, decompression on the back is usually a very good and permanent answer but again, it depends on a variety of factors which only your GP or Consultant can assess. Decompression is a last resort.

I do feel for you and wish you well. XX

[Lizzy-m in reply to tulips123]

Thank you. I do hope you get some ease of some sort soon. X

[Cinders1]

Hi Lizzy, if you Google your diagnosis and read the scientific papers, it says all about the pain you have. Hope this helps. Take care x.

[Hartleyhare2]

I feel for you Lizzy, sciatica can take over your whole life. I ended up having keyhole surgery on my lower back and three prolapsed discs that were pressing on the spine trimmed. They showed me in a jar afterwards they looked like prawns!!! The two stretches that I remembered helped a bit were - firstly lay on floor on back, raise knees up towards chest, put your arms around knees and gently rock backwards and forwards. Second one was lay on floor, but on front this time, keep hips firmly on floor and raise yourself slowly with arms, like a push up but hips don't leave floor, do it gently or stops if hurts at all. Lying flat on back helped, sitting was awful. Have you tried tens machine?

Gentle hugs

Patrick x

[Lizzy-m in reply to Hartleyhare2]

Thank you Patrick