Can anyone point me in the right direction

[Bess1942]

I am having horrendous sciatic pain the full length of my life right leg the most severe being just above my ankle I am taking codydramol 30/500 I cannot really say they are working it would seem that my body cannot tolerate tablets like duloxitine in the past I had acupuncture in the pain clinic but the powers that be stopped that I have had epidurals for stenosis

[cj75s2017]

I am sorry to hear you are in such pain. I damaged my sciatic nerve a few years ago and am now on Gabapentin, 2700mgs per day. It doesn't put the pain away but it takes it to a point where its bearable. I do have bad days, that's where I top up with naproxin. There is one exercise that helps for a short time if the pain is unbearable.

Luft you right ankle over your left knee as if crossing your knees as men usually do. Press down on your right knee as much as possible for maybe 20 seconds to begin with, it will hurt, but once you put your right foot back on the ground it should be like you've been numbed. At least it works for me. However the pain will return.

Is codydramol a nerve pain tablet? I know gabapentin is and it does ease it. Maybe you should talk to your doctor and get referred to a pain clinic. Then you will be able to access many more things.

Hope this helps.

[Bess1942 in reply to cj75s2017]

Thanks for that unfortunately my tolerance of tablets like gabapentin is nil tried them all I was referred to pain clinic then this virus came in so all appointments cancelled for now I have a right knee replacement so the exercise I will give it a go on my last MRI scan it showed that the nerve opening at the base of my spine is quite little for my body and has been that way since I was born how lucky can you get 😂. The only real relief I have had was acupuncture but just now that’s out of the question as I am classified high risk, hope you get some relief and appreciate the reply good luck .

👍🏼

[Emma2017]

Nerve pain, yeah know about that unfortunately. Had 4 ops, last one being a fusion and laminectomy a few months ago. However am still having a lot of nerve pain and it’s concluded I have a damaged sciatic nerve. I am on pregabalin and dihydrocodeine. I read that you can’t tolerate the normal nerve pain tablets. Also your medicine contains of course 30 mg of dihydrocodeine. My tablets are 50 mg. which you could maybe up it to. Apart from that I had to temporarily switch from pregabalin to tramadol, for about 4 weeks as I got really dry eyes. Tramadol did not help me quite as well but did help to some extend. Possibly a combination of tramadol and dihydrocodeine 50mg would do the trick.

This lockdown is quite something, I had just started physio but now have to do it via video link (but at least I still have it albeit not ideal). Hope you find some relief.

[Bess1942 in reply to Emma2017]

Thanks Emma will try to get my GP interested

😎👍🏼

[Sophbop in reply to Emma2017]

Hi Emma,

You sound very similar to me. I have had 4 back operations the last one being a fusion. Almost 4 years ago. But unfortunately it left me with a condition called Epidural Fibrosis , this is where the sciatic nerve is being squeezed by my scar tissue, so I have everyday pain. I am trying a new tablet at the moment to try and help, do you manage to work?? I usually work 4 days a week. Which keeps my mind off my pain. Not at the moment due to this pandemic. I do find it very exhausting having continual pain. How do you cope. Can you sleep ok?? Due to pain. How do you find everyday life whilst having pain everyday. I hope you don’t mind me asking. I have just never spoke to anyone in a similar situation to me.

Regards Sophie 🌸

[Nicolarachel in reply to Sophbop]

Hi

What new tablets are you trying out please

[Emma2017 in reply to Sophbop]

I’ll PM you as that seems easier.

[Pinky2233]

Have you tried yoga specifically for the sciatica? Pigeon pose, log pose

It was some of the best pain relief I could get

It takes a daily few short minutes to stretch out the muscles around the sciatic nerve but just like with planter faciitis the daily small repetition of stretching becomes routine and then the problem weakens in 6-8 weeks and then after some continual time it could be greatly down if not gone depending on the the cause.

At the very least it keeps muscles from seizing due to pin levels which indirectly should by theory help.

As for acupuncture look for someone who does trigger point release not just a chinese guru. The style is called Acupuncture Physical Medicine.

[Konagirl60]

My best friend got relief with physiotherapy and then yoga once the pain was manageable.

It sounds painful. I use curcumin for nerve pain along with Pascoflaire and magnesium bisglycinate. All of these can be bought at a health food store.

[Bess1942 in reply to Konagirl60]

Thank you will look into this just we are all in the same boat just now but I do deal with Healthspan so will find out 😎👍🏼

[misstopaz in reply to Konagirl60]

Hi what do these do for nerve pain. My sciatic nerve is permanantly damaged and I'm in pain every day. I've tried all the medication mentioned and nothing helps

[Konagirl60]

They calm any muscle spasms that may be irritating the nerve.

[Bess1942]

I’d really like to know about that.

Glad it’s working for you.

RegardsBess1942

[Botcher]

Hello Bess, my sympathy, I have suffered from sciatica on and off for many years, mainly due to digging garden, remember the exhaustion from pain. I found a good osteopath to work 2 or 3 sessions on each bad bout, plus paracetamol, heat pad or hottie on the lower back, and a well designed chair for hip and back support plus maybe a footstool ( if you can sit - you can get shaped back pads as well which worked wonders for a seized up friend), the side-step exercise (ask a physio) and sleeping on the side you can tolerate with a pillow between the knees. This is the most common back problem due to the pelvic girdle moving and pressing on the nerve. So when the pain moves up into the lower back that’s a good sign ! If you drive your car seat position might be causing problems.

Good luck and some good sleeps, Botcher

[Bess1942 in reply to Botcher]

Thanks for that Botcher never had dealings with a osteopath but all this seem to start after I finished playing pro rugby league and 22 years ago had a full knee replacement I have slept like you said a pillow between my knees I will definitely look into the back pads I do put my foot up on a stool the sidestep exercise sound fine I’ll look that up. I’m taking co-codamol between me and you all they are doing is bunging me up, We live in hope😂 thanks for your advice and hope you sleep well to.

Bess 1942

[Botcher in reply to Bess1942]

That’s tough having damage from Rugger injuries, great game but bad aftermath. My simple approach may not hit the mark due to your disc damage, but good osteopaths help loosen contracting muscles etc. to allow better bone alignment. I would always prefer their approach to chiropractic if they come highly recommended. Each to their own I guess.

Botcher

[Hidden]

I find laying on the bed dangling the leg then switching. Or laying on your back on the floor and putting your legs on the wall in a squat position. Pushing into the wall. If you find a good osteopath they can help like Chiro’s and physio it’s finding the right one. They do things like some Chiro do ART active release therapy where the have your do gentle movement as they glide their hands on your muscle. We tend to guard in our pelvis and hip flexors and psoas. Try to look up up some psoas release exercises start gentle and keep at them. The psoas in my opinion aren’t looked at often enough. I had constant sciatica from hip surgery I have spinal stenosis too. My IT band TFL and Latissumus Dorsi were tight & psoas and glute. When money matters I’d say you get longer with an osteopath a really good sports chiropractic that works with athletes know how to release better that does ART supplement with that the osteopath coukd give your good exercises. And a foam roller for the IT band. I didn’t get much relief from trigger point injections and not a bunch with Accupuncture I did with IMS a bit Intermuscular Stimulation thicker needles than Accupuncture physio does this. It’s painful gets blood flow though. I spent a lot of money going back n forth but it did come together and strengthened. I am weak again from other things so back at where I was but different it’s weakness and stenosis in my neck too my abdomen back is weak & neck. I constantly make myself move in the day stretches slight reps spread out. Stenosis sucks. I hate sciatica but I do my beginner exercises till it comes together.