Sciatica

[Dawnbun]

I was diagnosed with sciatica 18 months ago and have had various pain medication none of which have even touched the pain. I was eventually referred to physio after a year and the exercises aren't doing anything. My physio suggested going back to my gp and requesting stronger pain relief which I did on Thursday. She upped my amitrytaline to 3 a night and told me to buy some ibuprofen??? The pain is getting worse and is now affecting my mobility. I'm back at the Dr's tomorrow any advice please?

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear this. The sad fact is doctors don't do backs. I know this coz they just dismiss my back problem and chronic pain as 'old age'. This is stupid as I had it when much younger too.

The best thing is to either go to an osteopath, a chiropractor (my mum did and it cured her sciatica after a while), or a private physio. Ok you will have to pay but needs must sometimes.

[sickasadog]

Hi Dawnbun. I can relate to your suffering as I had what seemed to be sciatica and bedridden a lot, After weeks they xrayed my back and i have disc and spine problem !! Months have passed while I wait for an MRI and consultant appt. The only good thing is my pain and mobility is a bit better and so maybe not an op to sort it out. Push for an xray at least... Hope you will soon be pain free. Best Wishes. X

[grace111]

Have you tried exercises for a tight piriformis muscles. check out this link. you can also find exercises to release this muscle. webmd.boots.com/back-pain/g...

[Dream70]

My partner had this, however it turned out to be more, a slipped disc and he has successful operation and is almost good as new. Ask them to check for this maybe? Hope this helps.

[Hidden in reply to Dream70]

Hi I have similar problem as you.Except I have 3 bulges in my lumbar spine and nerve root impingment on my spine.What Operation was performed.And did Consultant offer another alternative. ?????

[Elvajoyce]

Please ask Dr. for an MRI of the spine base. My sister also has RA and her MRI revealed stenosis that was so severe that it was affecting her mobility. After being on pain meds that were not touching the pain the doctor took another look at her and she was diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome. If it had been caught earlier she may not have needed emergency surgery.

[Catmag]

Hi,

I can totally relate to your pain. I've got sciatica at the moment but this is a direct result of having 3 prolapsed discs.

I've been prescribed Naproxen and have increased Gabapentin over the past 6 weeks. The amitriptyline you're on is similar to Gabapentin, which should help with the nerve pain. But it does sound like you need a more effective pain med.

I also agree with the others, your condition should be fully investigated, ask for a referral to an orthopaedic consultant.

Hope your pain improves. Take care.

Catmag.

[Macblank]

Basically you will never be free from pain! Im not joking either.

I've. Learned to live with the lower ranking pain (a 5 every day I wake up, some times I wake in mote pain but generally a 5)

I have bilateral sciatica, along with other back issues.

Im on, zoromorph (slow release morphine), oramorph (liquid quicker acting morphine), DULOXATINE, tramadol, us a couple others. I used to takr pregabalin, but im sure that lead to my legs swelling.

I also take noratriptyline at night to help sleep. I rarely get a a nights sleep. I do randomly get a 6 hr sleep, but thats very rare. I usually sleep 20 mins to an hour half when pain wakes me.

Until you learn to live with the pain, you'll struggle with it. Accept you have pain and then you'll find the lower score pain almost becomes a invisible

[lifexperience in reply to Macblank]

It's the Duloxatine keeping you awake. I had to stop it as was only getting 4 hours a night.

[Macblank in reply to lifexperience]

I take 11 pills in the evening and 9 for breakfast! Plus more during the day on top of thr oramorph

I couldn't really say if 1 pill is doing something or not.

Pain is mainly what wakes me. I sleep slightly better, if I go to the sitting room n sleep in the recliner.

I also have extreme obstructive sleep apnea, so to be honest, I sleep more during the day than night. I take sleep whenever it comes and I couldnt tell you which pill helps, which pill doesn't help... I just take them all n hope for the best! lol

[ReccyMech]

I have chronic sciatica and the Epidural Steroid Injection, stops some of the pain, then after I use a TENS machine when it's worn off. Pills : I too have seen the cut in prescriptions and generic brands over the counter have to be bought now (That's a lovely Tory party for you) I have allergies and the anti - histamines I have to buy now. Sometimes I wish I had gone for a desk job. TENS on ebay.

[Matrix]

I don't think drs understand how debilitating pain is and if it's long term it's horrendous .I for one am sick of pain and would love to not have it as in that condition that does exist Where by you can hurt yourself and not feel it,and yes I know it can be dangerous but I would be careful lol.xx

[rainy4u]

Please be careful with taking that much Amitriptyline, I was on Amitriptyline 150mg at night, suffered shocking dry mouth, due to this medication. I now not only have chronic lower spine problems, but dental problems now too due to Amitriptyline. Look up most common side effects from this medication, dry mouth is very common. I also have a large blister in the centre of my tongue which is very painful, along with painful ulcers on each side of my tongue, caused by the severe dry mouth of this medication. I would also ask for an MRI, then ask if cortisone injections would help. I also use a TENS machine, very good as it works on the muscles, also when not using TENS, I use barley bags a lot as heat can work quite well to. Best of luck.

[Macblank in reply to rainy4u]

Do you have a steroid inhaler for asthma/copd? If so, thats the cause of that.

Sorry to say, but sounds like oral thrush.... You need a bloody strong dose of ABs for 2wks and that'll go away.

Well, thats what happened to me.

[rainy4u in reply to Macblank]

I don't have a steroid inhaler. I will go to chemist as soon as I can be mobile again, will show and ask them if it is thrush. Thanks for your help.

[Angelfish285]

Hi I've suffered from sciatica on and off for years how far is the pain from your back? Have you tried using a tens machine or acupuncture it can help some cases. I'm afraid there's no easy fix and it is very painful. I found physio just aggravated my sciatica, I think when they put me in traction it helped for a bit. I hope your gp comes up with some help some of them just drug you up and it can just mask the problem

[rainy4u]

What about Lyrica?