I have Inflammatory arthritis and Sjogrens and 2 prolapses. I am supposed to have an operation for the prolapses on the 9th. Last week I suddenly had pain across my back which went down both legs. I also had weak legs. 2 G P's saw me and examined me for Claudia Equina. They didn't seem particularly bothered. As it didn't go I went to A and E. Although my legs were tingling and weak the hospital said Sciatica. I seemed to progress but then seemed to slow down. I still have the numbness I had and I put ice and heat on where it is more numb and sore for a few days then just heat. Today I read someone with R A shouldn't use heat as it will cause inflammation. I have Inflammatory arthritis so I suppose that is the same. Do any of you use heat and has anyone got it in both legs?
Sciatica down both legs: I have Inflammatory arthritis... - NRAS
Sciatica down both legs
I have RA & Ifind warmth very comforting…the thought of ice on ny aches& pains makes me shudder. For bad back pain, my electric blanket is my best friend.
I liked heat but read it shouldn't be used by people with RA. I have Inflammatory arthritis and it also said it causes heat and inflammation in the body which would cause a flare.Lot's seems to use it though.
Well my electric blanket has been my best friend since I was diagnosed in1997. I now exist on just one Rituximab (without Mtx) infusion every 9/12 months - on demand when I feel I need it.
If you think about it ….all arthritis is inflammatory & with RA your immune system doesn’t care if you are hot or cold..it still attacks with a vengeance.
I developed osteoarthritis in my hands reasonably recently, then had a fall fracturing vertebrae & was found to have osteoporosis……so having got the full trio..I now just do what keeps me comfortable…& never read what “they” say!
When I’m in pain,I am a try it & see person….within reason…I refuse to try these ghastly sounding diets..but anything else I’ll give a try,
Yes some of the diets are not good.
I use heat a lot, heat pads, electric blanket etc, it’s quite individual what helps, some find ice more helpful. Where did you read that heat shouldn’t be used? I’ve never been told not to. I too get sciatica and heat is the first thing I turn to.
I was looking at heat pads and it said who shouldn't use them, people with RA. I have Inflammatory arthritis so I suppose it is similar.
I use heat for my ankylosing spondylitis. I actually find it more helpful, because the inflammation causes extreme stiffness, as it’s a bit like glue. By warming it up, it becomes more fluid, making moving of the joints easier. I have an electric heating pad, which keeps at temperature for hours if needed.
Re the pain going down the legs, it sounds like sciatica caused by the prolapsed discs. Unless you suffer loss of control of bowels or bladder, or your completely numb in the saddle area there’s not a lot A&E can do. There are some gentle exercises you can do to ease the leg pains, which you can find googling exercises for sciatica. One is lying on your back bringing your knees to your chest, gently. It opens up the disc space where the nerves exit. I have 3 prolapsed discs, for over 12yrs, which I’ve managed with exercises. They’ve dehydrated over the years and cause less issues now. Hope your pain improves
I do get tingling in the saddle area but I have prolapes of bowel and bladder so that doesn't help. That's the frightening thing but A and E weren't concerned or the GP. Have you had any tests such as x ray or scan?
Yes, I’ve had many MRIs of my spine. It shows the 2 lumbar discs are dehydrating. The one in my cervical spine is more of an issue, as it’s pressing on the outer layer of the spinal cord, but it’s turning to bone, due to my ankylosing spondylitis, so it won’t dehydrate, and if it continues depositing bone it will worsen. They did offer to refer me to Kings, but at the moment I can cope with the pins & needles in my hands, so I’ve declined for now. I generally get repeat MRIs every 2-3yrs. I should mention that discectomies generally get rid of leg pain, not back pain. It’s the same with the one in my neck, it would help my hands but not my neck pain. I was a ward sister of an orthopaedic ward for many years, so am familiar with most procedures, that can be good or bad 😂🤗
Thank you.
I use heat on my aches and pains often…it was recommended by rheumy nurse. They did say to try cold therapy too but only if you can stand it, she said many patients can’t. Hope you get some relief soon x
Thank you that is interesting. I wonder why I read it was bad for arthritis patients as lot's seems to use it.
I suppose the normal way of thinking is that if you get an injury of some kind, you'd put an ice pack on it to reduce the swelling. I think with RA it's about getting relief from the symptoms so if warmth works then that's what we do. Tbh there have been times this last year when I'd have willingly tried anything to make a difference!
Yes me too.
I use heat when my back is bad. xxxxx
I liked heat but read it was bad in people with arthritis. Might go back to using it. How long do you use it for at a time.?
Some products seem to put warnings about everything just to make sure no-one sues them!
Yes they do. I hadn't even given it a thought before
Heat pads are part of my daily routine now and help with getting up in the mornings. At the moment it’s my neck, which is still painful from surgery. I also use on my hands and wrists, plus what other area seems to be shouting at me!
I liked heat but read it shouldn't be used in people with arthritis. Do you take any particular tablets for it?
I prefer heat than cold and yes I have weakness in both legs, had TLIF surgery in 2021 but unfortunately it’s all starting again in my upper levels, I can’t stand for too long now even in the kitchen which is a nuisance.
Take care
Wendy xx
Sorry about that what . What is TLIF?
Disc removal and fusion using bone graft S1/L5
I just wanted to offer you some reassurance re the cauda equina syndrome. I had it following a snowboarding injury (in NZ) back in 2006. I woke up a week after my (very minor) accident with absolutely no feeling when I went to the toilet and my nerves controlling my bladder were affected. I would imagine that the tingling you’re experiencing is irritation of the nerves and not compression - as you are having the discectomy so soon that should sort everything out. Unfortunately my nerves were compressed for such a long time that permanent damage was caused. I only had the (emergency) discectomy after paying for a private MRI and then an emergency referral. I know it’s hard not to panic and think the worst but it sounds as though you are being well cared for and you only have a week to wait for your surgery now - I hope it goes well for you and recovery doesn’t take too long.
Regarding the heat - I have always been advised to do whatever gives the most relief. I don’t think that heat will CAUSE a flare as it’s autoimmune. My physio told me that nothing I do will make my RA worse which I found reassuring.
It's prolapses I am having done, not anything to my spine. I was told today I can't take Ibuprofen before the surgery. So am thinking it has to be Co Codamol but that's not anti inflammatory and causes constipation.
Apologies, I misread your post and assumed that the prolapses were prolapsed discs as this is what usually causes cauda equina syndrome and you had mentioned you had been examined for it.
Re: the cocodamol, the likelihood is that you will be given opioids after your operation which will cause constipation anyway. Just take a laxative alongside them. Pre-op, cocodamol will help the pain if not the inflammation. I hope it all goes well. The worst bit of waiting for an op has to be this last bit!
It's the constipation I am really worried about as I take so many laxatives because of the prolapses and still have a problem. A scan showed degenerative changed in my spine and I think the day after I hurt it through too much laying and sitting about. Hard when you find sitting and standing impossible because your prolapses are trying to fall out. NHS is dreadful for these things and people waiting years. I am fortunate we could afford to go private but at 71 I don't want to be just getting worse and not even on an operation list yet on NHS. I don't know what I have done but no one seems that concerned at GP surgery
It’s so hard to find the balance between different conditions isn’t it? Glad that you are able to get your prolapses sorted one way or another. I think you are best to speak to a health care professional about your worries with pain relief - I’m certainly not qualified to comment; I can only give my view from my limited experiences. I really hope your operation goes well.
Thank you.I have been told to take CoCodamol or Paracetamol. I hope you are ok now.
I have to use heat on my hands usually in a bowl of water and cold on my feet usually ice water in a bowl, I've never had any problems doing it and I've had RA nearly 20yrs now.
Thank you.
I have no idea where some of these theories come from - heat for the relief of pain has been used for hundreds of years on trillions of people and one of the most comforting and safe treatments known to mankind.
I was a nurse for donkeys years and have had RA for more donkeys and if I hadn’t prescribed the warming and comforting heat on aching joints and bones for my patients and myself we would all have been very much worse off.
Ice on an acute injury, such as a sprain or muscle injury works really well but for long-term gain heat is the go to for everyone I’ve ever spoken to who aches! So don’t worry about using gentle heat on any bit of you. A heated pad or hot water bottle on your back is as good as a warm hug any day!
Thank you. I agree and have been using it again.
I think this is a personal choice. I hate being cold, but also can't stand being hot. I use both cold and hot for pain. If I am cold for too long I start to tense up and it makes things worse, so a hot warmer in bed is very comforting when I'm cold.
Hydrotherapy pools are warm and the buoyancy of the water allows for easier movement. I have used these for decades to help keep the muscles strong to protect the joint. However, of late I've found open water dips have been great for my pain. They are exhilarating and when I've come out, I feel so much better. It is difficult to get in as the water is freezing, but I've been in the sea and a river or two and had a freezing cold dip with definite improvement, despite the damage to my joints, which is extensive. Hope you find what works for you. Take care xx
I definitely think heat but was concerned when I read about it making things worse. Also a chiropractor told me on a Facebook group cold was best. It doesn't feel best though.
Do what works for you. Everyone is different and if heat works for you then continue to do it. Hope you get some relief xx
Thank you
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