Since last year I've been suffering severe pain from sciatica, brought on by a slipped disc. I had the steroid injection in March which helped for about 5 days. I'm worse than ever but can't get seen for anything by any specialist because of covid, all non emergency departments are closed, but I'm suffering so much, my gp has given me more painkillers, but I need a solution for the pain, not a mask to cover it for a couple of hours. With the lockdown I can't see myself getting any surgery anytime this year. Most days I can barely move, and because of the lack of exercise my BP has gone through the roof ( I blame gabapentin too) my cholesterol is up and I'm borderline diabetic.
Nothing to feel cheery about, especially with kids at home, I feel more upset that I can't cook them all kinds of lovely food. My kids are a great help, which is more than can be said about my other half, he's just ignored me for several months with no reason or rhyme...
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Imthedoctor
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Hi, I’m really sorry to hear how you are feeling. I have no real advice other than to try and keep gently moving. Sciatica is a weird thing and can radically reduce at times for no obvious reason so stay hopeful.
I’ve had 2 bouts of sciatica- the first was the really sharp burning pain and lasted around 8 weeks. The second has been around for over 2 years now along with lower back pain (osteoarthritis and ddd) I too have had the injection and was due to have surgery on the 6th April.
All we can do is take each day as a new one and try to be kind to ourselves.
Your kids will be more than happy with you being interested in what they do rather than you actually doing things with them. On the husband side, I’m afraid that’s one for you - I do know though that when I’m in a bout of really bad pain it does affect how I am with others.
Hi. I'm sorry to hear of your suffering. Sciatic pain is terrible. I know because I have had it for 4 years now. I damaged my L5 S1 in an accident at work. Gabapentin is quite good for me. I'm on quite a high daily dose, 2700mgs plus naproxin when I need a bit more. I had to retire earlier than expected due to it. Had all sorts of treatment and seen many consultants. Recently I discovered a wee exercise that does help although only for maybe half an hour but it's good and easy to do. Simply lie flat on your back, take the good leg up to as much of a 90' angle to your hip as you can with your foot flat on the floor, or bed, then take the bad legs ankle and place it on the good knee, much like a man crosses his legs. Then press down on the bad knee as much as possible, it will hurt, for about 20 seconds. And release and back to lying flat. I feel a surge of non pain if you understand. It's like a numbing effect.
Hope it helps a bit.
As for only masking the pain, it's all that you can do. This us a major nerve in the leg. Mine is damaged, it will repair eventually, I was told it can take 2 - 10 years. You've probably damaged the root so it may never come good without surgery, but in the meantime pain killers are good. Go back to your GP and tell them how much pain this is giving you. Gabapentin will mask it, as you say, really well, maybe you need to try a higher dose and get something else on top of it for the bad days. Only do this with your GP's advice though.
As to your spouse, remember he's a man. Basically he needs to protect you. He sees you in pain, you probably scream at him, he doesn't know what to do. Talk to him. Tell him what you need him to do, he has no idea. He is also suffering seeing you in Pain. He could maybe learn to massage your back and leg. It would get you both together, almost intimate again. I was terrible to my wife, without knowing it. She finally sat down with me and we talked it through. She is now my carer. She helps me get dressed, showered, with everything that needs me to bend. We almost parted due to my pain. I didn't know what to do or say, as a man, I'm not good with words you see, but she was.
Try getting him engaged with your pain. I had to let my wife into my pain. It's now just pain, not my pain.
Just a quick reply to say you are amongst many some of whom are awaiting cancer treatment. Like yourself I have been in extra pain for over 12 months, live alone so don't have to deal with other family needs. If it is any consolation I had injection did not work made matters worse, I was on list for op on the 23rd of March but it was cancelled due to coronavirus, so sad to get that far after 12months only for a virus to put pay to treatment, but thats life. Your presumption about being stuck in this situation for sometime is most likely true. I have just resigned myself to a further long wait as my doctor has increased my painkillers too just like you. I can't even walk on my leg, originally some years ago it was diagnosed as sciatica but now it is in my knee and shin bone. I have had arthritis since in my thirties so don't envy you trying to get relief but new things are coming out continually, every best wish. What about trying some of the available online remedies they may help you as they say nothing ventured nothing gained. Sorry this was a bit longer than expected. Good luck
Hi sorry to hear your in so much pain my husband is the same daily not being able to do anything with back pain I just tell him to allow what your body says hes looking at trying cbd oil know few people who have tried it but dont know where to start? Take care I know it takes over your life my husband used to be so active 😔
First i feel sorry for you, sciatica pain is the worst! For the past 40 years (im 82) i was getting attacks, lasted in beginning of this 2 weeks till the last two yr ago became chronic. Was prescribed Meloxicam, caused kidney damage after 8 weeks, intensive care, worst drug ever. Went to pain Dr. started, immediately, 3x week therapy with stretches, core, tens, massage, heat, ice. Prescribed exercises 2x day, after getting up and before bed. It helped and one year later shoveled snow and wound up worse than ever! Emergency rm. Morphin, oxy and finally went to a good orthopedist...MRI and cat scan showed a whole lot wrong with my spine from bone spurs, arthritis, herniated and slipped discs, stenosis...
Had series of 3 xray guided steroid epidurals Within one month.....and told to immediately resume phys therapy....
New life! From walking 5 min to walking for hours! The epidurals prevent permanent nerve damage from inflammation.
Ps. My regular GP wanted me to take steroids Pills! I did not want to get fat! The epidurals guide steroids right to the nerve root after the specialist sees ur MRI. Not painful at all, better be awake bc Dr can tell that it works (leg should feel heavy for few sec). Have Tramadol 50 mg stashed (hard to get prescription) for aN occasional backache day like after gardening or work at pool. Sciatica gone.
Take no meds whatever and no vitamins.
Please do stretch and core routines at home.....there are excellent youtube lessons out there for our condition. Give it some time to work.....wish you a painfree summer!
I really Didnt want to yakk about myself and apologize but feel my story can help others.
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