Sciatica

[JulesFB]

Hi, I'm struggling with sciatica, taking paracetamol and naproxen but it's not helping. In agony, can hardly stand, any advice please?

I would go to Drs but of course it's the weekend. On my own too.

Any suggestions?

[Pippins2]

When you see your doctor ask for Pregablin they work on nerve pain.Sorry I don't have any ideas to help you now except maybe a hot water bottle or ice pack .

[Jtal19305]

Lay on stomach and arch your back upwards. And use a yoga ball to gently stretch and open up the canal space. Take 800 mg of ibuprofen. Use ice a couple times a day. Rest! Don't twist or bend forward that much. Avoid heat; pinched nerves don't like heat as it causes more expansion. Get a good mri and cat scan. Flex and extension x rays too. Avoid surgery. Avoid epidural shots as it may cause arachnoiditis over time. Surgery causes scar tissue and doesn't always help unless as last resort. If the disc is herniated and can heal over time but will need lots of time doing all the right things. See a physical therapist. Drink lots of higher pH water. Eat anti inflammatory diet. Avoid or minimize gluten and night shade foods. Loose weight if over weight. Strengthen core. Be careful and do not do too much weightlifting or running. Practice proper body mechanics. Don't sit for too long (> 2 hours at a time without changing position). Avoid chiropractic as they often do more harm then good (that was my case). Or if you do see them make sure you see and ask orthopedic doctor first based on review of mri, x rays and cat scan. Please get a cat scan as mri will not accurately depict bone. Avoid strong pain meds but take them as needed. If you can go into ocean or salt water bath, do so. Try Epsom salt baths. Meditate. And believe you will get better. Very important - make sure your doctor is highly regarded. If needed get a neurological exam with nerve conduction study and emg. Read and educate yourself as much as possible. And remember physical therapy under the proper guidance will help you greatly with sciatica pain. I was able to treat mine that way years ago but eventually my back caught up with me and I did not follow all these things I've just told you and I ended up having surgery and I am now worse off in chronic pain with no answers yet as too why. So don't think your situation is the worse, there are many others like myself worse off unfortunately. I'm trying to get better but now have burning pain in feet calves and left thigh. Decompression surgery did more harm than good for me. I don't know my future ; everyday I fight pain and I'm jumping from doctor to doctor for answers. So take care of your back and never forget it as you never know what can happen. If you must have surgery, be very careful about the approach and if advised, do not be afraid of an anterior approach as this avoids cutting back muscles and hurting nerves/cord depending on level of the spine. You will be fine but take actions. Jerry

[JulesFB in reply to Jtal19305]

Thanks, taking that all on board. Struggling to even get downstairs today. Still, at least I'll lose some weight if away from the kitchen !

[Lovecooking in reply to Jtal19305]

I too have been struggling with severe pain, for over 6 months, x-ray shows deteriorating discs..and waiting for MRI...Have been to at least 5 medical doctors and several types of treatment...naproxin barely touches it. Have found that extra strength Tylenol p,m, helps a bit and no it does not make me sleepy. It has antihistamine in it and guess it is the combination as just the Tylenol does nothing. In any case, have seen many types of therapists and nothing has worked. One tells you to use ice and another tells you to use heat. Heat does soothes me a little. One of the massage therapists said to put ice on it and then use heat??? The last doctor saw prescribed lidocaine pain patches....they were ridiculously expensive and seem to make the pain worse. In any case, I feel for you, as this is ruining what ever is left of my life and I used to be so VERY active.,

Good luck, if I find an answer will post.

J.

[Byfergie]

Rest and heat, pillow under knees or between legs will take some pressure off lower spine you will only make things worse if you push to hard .

[Fern369]

I am in the same situation in a lot of pain down mainly one leg and into my foot. Sitting makes it worse and standing walking helps a bit. I have had Tramadol which I have now stopped because of side effects and Pregabelin which seemed to make the pain worse. I am now waiting for an appointment at the hospital. Just using Paracetamol and rubbing Ibuprofen gel in not much helps but lying down in bed really with a hot water bottle but as ivehad this for 8 weeks now I am moving about as much as possible. I did see an Osteopath which didn't help much but I really need a scan first to know what I have. You are not alone I hope we both feel better soon.

[Coastwalker]

Taking a good safe dose of vitamin D3 keeps mine at bay JulesFB

[JulesFB]

Had to have emergency dr out who gave me codeine, diazepam and oromorph. Doing ice and heat packs. No relief yet, and tingling in foot really bad today. Still can't get downstairs and having to rely on neighbour for everything till my elderly mum arrives tmrw to look after me! Stressed!!

[earthwitch]

you could try some of the specific stretching exercises for sciatica. This site has some but if you google you will find more.

nhs.uk/Livewell/Backpain/Pa...

[doofah18]

Hi, I have got sciatica mainly in my calf can hardly stand and walking very slow with a limp. Naproxen didn't work for me either. Just started on amitriptyline 10mg heard they're really good. You take one at night. Only started last night so don't know if they'll work yet.

[Rachelmary in reply to doofah18]

I'm on amitriptyline they make you groggy at first when taking them but they do give you a good night sleep if taken at correct time of evening give them a few weeks to kick in I have started now having one in afternoon if I'm in that much pain just to knock me out really I have 30/500 cocodamol also naproxen but feel quite sick on them I have spazmol tabs too having ibs as well as this pain in my lower back an leg and and feet hips upper back Neck I feel like I'm falling apart I've got arthritis in my neck from a xray but xray not showing anything up on my lower back and hips so now waiting for an MRI scan to find out what is wrong. Constant on my hot water bottles on all dif parts of my body.

[JulesFB]

Thanks for all the kind messages and advice, it's really useful to hear the different experiences. The mornings are the worst, and I don't really like taking pills but I can see I'll have to get over that! It would be good to get to the cause of the problem so I can avoid a repeat. I've got arthritis in my knees so maybe it's elsewhere and could be the issue. Something else to ask the Dr!

[Dexter1]

I don't find pain relievers of any kind help whe my sciatica flares. Pain starts in the middle of my butt cheek ☺️ And goes down my leg. Changing position or stretching helps.

[Redhots7]

I use a Tens Unit for my sciatica pain . You can order online. Google for places . Can get good one for around $50. In the meantime , alternate ice pack and heating pad . At your local drugstore, look for Salonpas pain patches. Put several on , along the pain line . Yesterday , I had covered all the left side of my chest. Have used on spine, butt , legs and arms .