Hello all, I have. APS and take Warfarin and Hydroxychloroquine. I have just recently been diagnosed with sciatica. My rheumatologist thinks

[Rufusandfrankie]

It is unrelated, but wondering if if could be related. I have had some mild numbness and swelling at times in both legs. Right now my INR is fine. Thanks, Karen

[overnighthearingloss]

I have had sciatica and back problems quite a few times over the last decade. I also have lupus and have often wondered about some connection between flares and the back problems. When my back feels weak I often feel run down. About a week ago my back felt weak and my muscles ached. I often ache when in lupus flare. I increased my steroid dose for a day and the aches went and the weak back seemed to resolve as well.

This is something I had long wondered about. I cannot say for sure that a potential flare was causing it but......

I sometimes think unless the doctors we deal with have had the condition themselves, they are essentially working from book reading and hearsay.

APS is auto immune so it is POSSIBLY causing similar issues.

I cannot say for sure that my actions prevented issues with my back but it is something I have suspected for a while

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi, do you have Lupus also? Regardless of what the rheumatologists says, between appointments you need to keep an eye on it, it can have many causes: nhsinform.co.uk/health-libr... If not happy do go and see the GP! MaryF

[Rufusandfrankie]

Thanks. I am keeping an eye on it and any other worsening symptoms. I do not have Lupus as of yet but have other mild symptoms such as tiny gum ulcers that come and go and knee swelling that will come on for sometimes only 30 min and will go away just as quickly.

[PepperT]

I suffer from terrible sciatica, I have had to take time off work in the past, it has been agony sometimes, unable to sit, lie, drive etc. Mine seems to have a link to hormone levels, I usually get mild sciatica in the week leading up to my period then it disappears.

[Lure2 in reply to PepperT]

Hi, How it is going to get an APS-doctor? Your Rheumatologist left you with a diagnose waiting for a stroke?

I did not noticed any change in my APS-symptoms if I was on 75 or the double dose of Aspirin (baby-aspirin that is) .I am now on warfarin for life.

You must continue to fight for a doctor that understand APS!!!! I understand how you feel but you must keep on. You have got a diagnose. Now you must have an APS-doctor.

Please let us hear how it goes.

Best wishes from Kerstin in Stockholm

[Manofmendip]

Hello Karen

I too have APS and have had bad sciatica in the past, before I was diagnosed with APS.

Prof Hughes considered that my sciatica, which lasted 9 months and caused muscle wasting, was probably due to a clotting incident affecting a nerve; as no other cause was found, including by investigation with an MRI of my lumbar spine, which was completely normal.

Dave

[Rufusandfrankie]

Dave, thanks for the input. That is what I am worried about. I guess the next step is to get the MRI of my spine to see if there is another cause. This is only 2.5 weeks that I have had it.

[Good4u]

Hi Karen

I had bad sciatica for years on and off. At one point I had 2 weeks off work. This was about 9 years ago and I now realise it was the aps/ flaring. At the time I did about 1km swimming over arm everyday which help tremendously. No sciatica problems once properly diagnosed and treated.

Hope you get some relief soon.

Carmen from perth australia

[tassie]

I get sciatica and am in a bout of it at the moment. It usually lasts a few days and then goes but this time I've had it for about a week. No idea if it is related to the APLS or not as my rheumatologist is very dismissive.... sigh