Hi everyone, anyone had sciatica and if so how long does this last .

[Mogi52]

Had this for 14 weeks and really bad past 6 weeks, on Gabapentin 2700mg daily but not had a full nights sleep for weeks . I'm in agony , going to a sports therapist having acupuncture and massage , been today , and here I am wide awake still , please help

[louiseamos]

Hi mogi52.. That out of all my pain was the worst so far..can be caused by different things..mine was started thought my tail bone had broke ..had MRI told my L5 disc had came right out excurded out sitting on my s1 nurve causing this..at time told only thing would help was a operation!!!!but while I had to wait my appment.. It did ease a lot!!!really did I had mine around 2 . 3 month..made me sick!!pain was awfull right down to my foot..couldn't sit on my bum!!..hot water bottle..losing on my other side helped..doing things to take mind off..walking..little..massage the area in bottom were it was sore!!!lwarm baths helped has well has I got electric blanket heaven!!!!x

[Mogi52 in reply to louiseamos]

Thanks Louise, I am not getting much relief at all from any medication and my doctor says there is no need for a scan as it wldnt show anything up,because it's sciatica so I feel as if I'm stuck in a circle. Really getting me down now, it's just taken me 20 minutes of agony and tears to get up off the couch. Thanks for your reply x

[Jay00 in reply to Mogi52]

Hi . Re doc saying scan wouldn't show anything - simply don't understand this comment. I had MRI which showed slipped discs and impingement onto nerve . This gave me firm sciatica diagnosis . Perhaps see another gp?

[beeho15 in reply to Mogi52]

Have you tried 6 cloves of garlic crushed and cooked lightly in 200 ml of warm milk???

[RuthyBabe]

Hi

I had sciatic pain on and off for a few years but never enough to take more than ibuprofen. Then I started to have pains going down legs but also at the front. When doc began to suspect kidney disease I had an MRI scan They discovered a herniated disc L5 I think. I imagined being wheelchair bound. However the consultant suggested I exercised when I could. In a few months I was fitter than ever. Although four years on I have other joint pains, so far they are not sciatic. Nerves are unpredictable and surgery was a last resort in my consultant's opinion.I wish I had stayed positive but am a bit of a worrier. Am trying to become a glass half full person and live and enjoy today, but it is hard not to wonder how long horrible pain might last. One thing is for sure- stress has always exacerbated my conditions- exercising when I can has really helped. Good luck

[Mogi52 in reply to RuthyBabe]

Hi Ruth like you all I thinkmaboutnis when will thus horrible pain go away, my sports therapist reassures me that I will get up one morning and think oh where has the pain gone and I can't wait for that day , thanks for your reply xx

[Hidden]

For sleeping I like others take Amitriptyline which does help also have you tried a ice pack to numb the pain ?? had my pain now for over a year and its living hell so I know how you feel. Keep on at your GP for scans

A nice warm bath helps too

All the best

[Mogi52 in reply to Hidden]

Oh Marshall, a year

[Mogi52 in reply to Mogi52]

Oops didn't mens to send that yet... God I do hope I won't suffer this for a year , I won't be able to ... It is so debilitating , I ended up in casualty 2 nights ago and they did X-rays and bloods and are writing to my GP to suggest they refer me for a scan so fingers crossed. Hot baths, hot packs, cold packs and tens machine are my best friends at the moment, thank you for replying x

[Mogi52]

Thanks folks for your replies. I was initially haven , robaxin along with cocodamol , which didn't help at sll, then is was given amitriptyline which again didn't help, I am now on gabapentin, a high dose as recommended by my sports therapist and ok'd by my GP, and take 900mg x3 daily along with cocodamol, have had acupuncture woth sports therapist and deep tissue massage , second session yesterday , and today I feel as if I have been kicked by a horse, cldnt lie down in the bath . Since Friday has been the worst so far, I normally doze sitting propped upright with pillows on the couch but havnt slept a wink, the pains are so so sore and the electric shocks running down my right leg and across my back ar so debilitating . I have exercises to do but have been unable to do them since Friday because of the pain ,mi have tried so hard but sam at my wits end here .

[Catmag]

Hi Mogi52,

I've had bouts of sciatica regularly over the last 12 years. Mine stem from lumbar spinal injury. I usually consult my GP and physio re what exercises can help. Plus I take pain meds. I've found the TENS works well for me. I sympathise with your pain and sleep problems, I've not slept through the night for almost 5 years now. Hope you find something that helps, but don't fret, as sciatica usually does clear up. But good idea to try to find source of the pain - could make a big difference.

[Mogi52 in reply to Catmag]

Thank you for replying , OMG 5 years. I hope I don't have to cope that long . This is agony , today has been a bad day for the pain. I attending a sports therapist and had a session yesterday where in apparently I have Piriformis syndrome and it's the Piriformis muscle that is causing the problem. I am a nightshift worker and this helps with the sleepless nights . I have tried the tens machine but not much relief. I suppose it's just trial and error . Thank you

[Catmag in reply to Mogi52]

I hope you don't have to suffer that long either. I wouldn't wish the daily pain I've had for 12 years now & certainly not the sleepless nights. Now you have a diagnosis, maybe the healthcare folk can provided a more targeted treatment. As for coping with a 1 yr old....I can only imagine. But do ask your physio to show you ways that you may be able to pick up the wee one, without causing you pain. If there is one?

[Mogi52 in reply to Catmag]

Hi cat at, well I'm still suffering just the same, still on gabapentin although that is changing from tmrw and I am going on amitriptyline , so fingers crossed this is the one, knowing that it will clear up is keeping me going so thanks for that, I won't ever take for granted again being able to go to bed and lie and read my book, hanging the washing out, even making the beds in the morning. Can't wait to feel myself again. Thanks for replying xxx

[juliansmom]

I have sciatica from pelvic nerve pain for about a year. Drinking lots of water, taking magnesium everyday, stretching several times a day, take flexaril 5 mgs before bed. Mention this at your next Dr. App.

[Catmag in reply to juliansmom]

Hi juliansmom.. what is flexaril? Would it help with lumbar pain? I have 3 compressed vertebrae which is the source of daily pain & brings on sciatica on a regular basis. Any info helpful.

[pippingford55]

Hi Mog52. Yes I know the pain of sciatica. It starts in the backside and runs down the sciatic nerve to the foot. I found it impossible to keep still and would pace up and down with the pain. I found that cold brought it on like sitting on cold concrete etc., and apart from pills that never seem to work quickly enough a hot water bottle placed against my backside was the most help. Hope this helps.

[Hidden]

Hello

I have suffered this problem now for at least 5 years in my left leg

BOB

[Mogi52 in reply to Hidden]

Hi bob, 5 years is a long time, I am close to 4 months and it seems like a lifetime. Are you on medication and did you have scans. I never had to take any meds before this and feel like a walking chemist just now , it's so depressing and really affecting my life, I'm a nurse and can't do my job, I can't be a proper mum or wife, I just pray for the day I waken up and it's gone , thanks for replying xx

[RuthyBabe]

Hi all

My doc prescribed neurontin and amitryptoline at night with neurontin am

Fingers crossed as I feel much better

Helped by 2 weeks sun in Greece! Feel much more positive so hoping this lasts.

[Hollyhops]

Iv had it for 7 months back pain not too bad pain in leg the worst pain ever iv been on numerous painkillers but none are working can hardly walk sit do any housework im having mri next week hope I can get some relief .

[jake65]

Hi, I am currently suffering with sciatica, I am taking Neproxen 2 x daily and 30mg cocodamol 4 x daily. The pain is starting to ease a little, most of the pain has moved to the foot, ankle and groin areas now, does anyone know if this is normal please ?

Cheers,

Jake

[doofah18 in reply to jake65]

I have had front of goin pain that's not too bad now but got bad calf pain in left leg. Feels like when dentist a touches nerve. No pain when sat but can hardly walk been like this for about 7 weeks. Naproxen does nothing for me.