Anyone experienced severe sciatica like pain for a an extended length of time? 12 weeks or more? Physio sure it’s being caused by prolapsed discs and rheumatologist has referred me for MRI, but goodness knows how long the wait will be.
We’re talking pain that is constant no matter if I’m sitting, standing or lying. Really awful.
If so, what was the course of action?
This is probably not what you want to hear, but my OH had a single bout of sciatica that lasted around 9 months. He is prone to it, but normally only 6 to 8 weeks. He tried everything! And to cap it all, because he wasn’t doing as much as normal he developed a hernia in the middle of it and had to have that operated on (not a problem for the ladies)
MRI showed herniated (prolapsed) discs but thankfully nothing more serious. He had physiotherapy, electrotherapy, and hydrotherapy with no improvement. The physio told him it would heal on its own, which eventually it did. Just took a bloody long time!
For him the best way to manage it was gentle walking and piriform and back stretches. He found sitting, lying and standing still hard.
But that was 2 years ago and he’s not had a problem since. So it can and does pass.
Oh Helix I genuinely don’t know if I could cope with this for much longer! Benepali has just got the RA under control and bam new problem!! I’m beginning to wonder if I was a very terrible person in a past life!
I’m on 30/500’s, 90mg arcoxia and 150mg pregablin but nothing takes it away and I’ve 2 kids to look after.
I was really hoping to hear that their was some sort of treatment that would offer relief if it was going on for such a long time.
Thank you for taking the time to reply and glad your hubby is now free from it!
I’ve had it since Christmas, although I do not get any pain now. The problem I have is that I now limp when I am walking. Been to physio before lock down they gave me some exercises to do, but they haven’t helped.
Buttock clenches!!!
This has worked for me and a couple of friends in the past whilst suffering from sciatic pain. So basically I clenched my buttocks hard for 2-3 seconds x 10 every time I happened to be standing (e.g. waiting for kettle to boil, washing up, brushing my teeth etc). You could check with your physio if it is OK for you to try this? Hope you get some relief soon x
Not half! You have my full sympathy! I had sciatica for around 3 months with all bar the last couple of weeks when it was gradually easing, being severe. Like you, the pain was constant never mind what I did. Walking was almost impossible and there were times when my wife had to help me up the stairs and even move from room to room. To make matters worse, my RA was not controlled and the morphine I was taking, first Oromorph, which was about as effective as Calpol, then morphine sulphate tablets along with diazepam, which did help a bit, but bunged me up and just added to the nightmare scenario as you can imagine. Think I had to wait 4 weeks for an MRI scan which showed a bulging disc near the base of my spine. This happened 6 years ago and though I get the odd twinge it has never returned thank god! The only pain I've experienced worse than that, and not by much, was from septic arthrtis in my hip, but at least sitting down would offer some relief with that.
I hope it begins to ease soon for you. Good luck.
Thanks Wishbone, I’m not finding any relief from meds either although I don’t think anything I’m on is as strong as what you had yet.
I’m sorry you went from one form of pain to another 😖
Thanks so much for your reply!
Thanks sazlav, in my experience if someone has severe sciatica, pain relief doesn't help much, even the MSTs I was taking didn't do a lot and caused problems of their own. Wish I could offer some helpful advice but afraid I can't, and I did try a number of mild exercises but to no avail.
Thanks so much Ajay, actually just waiting on a call back from Doc so hoping he can throw a bit more pain relief into the mix.
The most important thing seems to be to keep moving, however little you can manage!
The first time I had it, it lasted for several months even with osteopath treatment (which did help little by little). By the time I had the MRI scan and an orthopod appointment, it was considerably improved. He gave me three choices - surgery which might not work, injection which might not work, carry on as present - I think he was biased towards the latter and that seems to have been the correct choice for me, although I do have occasional bouts and am straight off to the osteopath then.
I'd give a good Osteopath a go first as they can work wonders. Be careful with Pregabalin I had it for Shingles on the left side going down nerves from spine to knee. It is addictive and has to be tapered off slowly, it worked well for me but worth noting that its best to state with a small dose off and slowly increased.
Hi Sazlav83, just wondering if you any better? I’ve had sciatica now foe at least 4 months so understand your pain and dismay.
Deborah
Hi Shi1967!
No unfortunately not. I actually went private for an mri that showed an L5 S1 disc prolapse, so the disc that’s out is lying on the sciatic nerves. The private consultant said after such a long time surgery would probably be my only option. That’s just not so easy to get on the nhs right now!
I really feel for you, are you on any medication to try and ease it at all?
Hi sorry to hear you’re still suffering. I was very fortunate and got an mri very quickly which showed 3 slip discs on lower back on right side, and sciatic nerve being affected greatly by this. I started on Baclofen about 12 wks ago, and 2 amitrtipyline at night, also codiene tablets, but didn’t take them as didn’t work n messed up digestive system. Baclofen was increased quickly to 2 tabs 3 times a day and been on that lot right thru till last week when I spoke to dr at my witts end because of the pain and lack of mobility. Dr put me on Gabapentin to add to rest of medication. Just 1 100gm x 3 a day. So Bn in them 8 days. I felt no change until yesterday!!! And had my most pain free day ever!!! I feeling good so far today too. I’ve been lucky and had physio input with occupational health from work for 1 appointment a week for last 3 weeks,I work in the hospital, I’ve also had telephone appointments with community physio and received exercises to do. I’m originally waiting for appointment with pain clinic but with situation as it is that won’t be for a long time. Sorry for long reply. Thaler care
Hi Sazlav83 ,
I sincerely hope you no longer have any sciatica pain - I’ve been reading all posts here , as I too , have had this dull lower back pain that’s developed suddenly into sciatica - is this possible , I wonder ?
Anyway , struggling to walk , in severe pain after driving for one mile ! So postponed driving ... I’ll ring the GP again Monday , but desperate to find some relief . Anyway , I do hope you’re no longer suffering...
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