Sciatica

[Marcy47]

Felt good on Sat. so after doing the shopping I decided to do a bit of weeding in the borders. Big mistake! I now have terrible pain in left leg, groin, hip and lower back all the time. Think it may be sciatica, (my sister has it at the moment too). I have been taking Paracetamol and using cold and hot packs. Nothing helps much, can't get comfortable. Slept for 3 hours last night, then heard the cat being sick. Poor hubby had to get up and see to it. Will try and see Dr or Nurse tomorrow, see if there is anything stronger I can take while on Pred. Maybe get appt with the physio my sister goes to. Do you think increasing Pred would help with Sciatica pain?

[Hidden]

Hi marcimay

Oh dear. It's not a comfortable feeling is it. I take much stronger pain killers for back and leg pain with no problem 're pred-Co-codamol and tramadol. However some people can't tolerate codeine. You can buy otc these days.

More problematic but works on that kind of pain probably more effectively at the stage you are at is NSaid like ibuprofen. But it is not recommended at all with pred. I do use prescription strength nurogel which does come with same warnings (as does voltarol etc) but find it's very effective if used once in a while.

In present circumstances you are doing what you can. If you can lay on floor or bed with knees bent and feet planted you might get relief. especially if you put a book about an inch and a half thick under head/neck.

Hope it eases soon. 🌻

[Marcy47 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply Poopadoop, I am stuffing a pack of frozen peas down my trousers while I walk around. That seems to bring some relief. Don't think I'll be doing much today.

[Hidden in reply to Marcy47]

😂 peas good. I have a pack labelled for "not for eating" that I refreeze in fast freeze but just before they defrost. in about 3 plastic bags cos can stink just before I bin.

I think rest with occasion movement good today. Without my daily stretches of sciatic nerve I would be immobile. sciatic nerve can stretch 7cms. So I give it good loosening to walk. But for now take care!!

[nessclif in reply to Marcy47]

Worse pain than giving birth to 10lb baby according to my Pharmacist .Voltarol expensive waste of money for me ,might as well use butter.

DR prescribed 8 co-codomol a day but still very bad pain.

Pain tolerant after about 1 month .Dr said it will return but not as bad as first time .Hot and cold packs a big help .Don't be fooled by people telling you they have sciatica and it is OK ,when you really have it strike it will need no telling.

Remember it will become tolerant and you will learn to be selective in your tasks .

[piglette in reply to nessclif]

Hi nessclif, I agree the pain is horrendous. I was just left panting in pain sometimes. I have found that physio helps. A friend I met at a cafe said she had horrendous sciatica but had some exercises for it. She proceeded to sit on the floor in the middle of the cafe, when she seemed to tie herself into knots, there is no way I could have copied her. I suppose it was good entertainment for everyone else there though.

[Hidden in reply to piglette]

😂

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Marcimay, having had a few bouts of sciatic pain over the years, I really do sympathise if this is what you are experiencing, especially on top of PMR. In my PMR days, just slightly going over on an ankle would be enough to set off sciatic pain - having a slippage of my lower spine (spondylolisthesis) doesn't help!. I used to find donning a support girdle for a few days gave me some relief, also a heat pad on my back.

Be very careful with physio as the usual manual techniques that are involved can aggravate the inflammation of PMR. It is important that the physiotherapist understands PMR - anything other than gentle massage, heat treatment or ultrasound is to be avoided.

Bowen therapy has been known to help some sciatic sufferers, including two members of my PMR support group, who found the treatments completely resolved their sciatic pain. Worth a try for you perhaps?

[Marcy47 in reply to Celtic]

Many thanks Celtic, will try and find a Bowen therapist locally.

[karools16 in reply to Celtic]

I have been looking into Bowen Therapy, as well. Here, in N.Norfolk, the price is £42, bit more than my Osteo, but I am definitely up for it, as pain drives me insane!

[Hidden in reply to karools16]

hi karools16

yes definitely worth it I should think. I will be saving up a bit. looks like between 35-45 so have ball park figure. Let me know if it helps. Would be big incentive to save up for a few treatments. I don't suppose pain going to go and if it does I will have a treat!🌻

[karools16 in reply to Hidden]

To get to my treatment centre, I will have a 1 hr bumpy bus-ride, which almost defeats having the treatment on my back, but am going to try it. Like yourself, it's also a matter of counting the pennies,but we gotta do, what we gotta do, as they say.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Marcimay,

Know where you're coming from!

You can take co-codamol with Pred so long as you're okay with codeine as Poopadoop says. Ibruprofen gel used sparingly is okay for temporary use. Wouldn't recommend upping Pred, they're not used for painkillers per se.

Until you can get treatment, follow the RICE rules - Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. The elevation element may be a bit difficult with your back, but you can do the rest (no pun intended!)

Take care.

[Marcy47 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DL,

Took co-codamol some time ago and got upset stomach. My sister was given it for Sciatica and had to take Sennacot with it! Will stay at 10mg Pred for now, try and see Dr tomorrow and find a Bowen therapist, see if that helps. Thanks to everyone for their support.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Marcy47]

Unfortunately too much co-Codamol does have that effect! I take 1 low dose+1 paracetamol three times a day for my arthritis - and that's enough!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It all depends what is causing it - but your description sounds like myofascial pain syndrome that has tipped over the edge, the muscles have gone into spasm and are pinching the sciatic nerve.

If it were me I'd be calling my Bowen therapist!

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Daft question time...how is MP diagnosed in general? I had severe pain above glute and slightly along right side rib edge at back earlier this week. Kept merging into block of pain and causing muscular tourettes. Given what I have read on it, and what has been spoken about here, I spent 10 to 15 mins with teeth gritted, having taken pain relief and night time pain and sleep aids, massaging and poking around the area two nights ago. Not afraid to say tears were involved. 😢 It hasn't gone completely but isn't stopping me in my tracks today. Hence the question.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

My doctors here diagnose it by a physical examination - and pressing on particular muscle groups to elicit pain. They can also feel the muscle tension. UK doctors haven't a clue usually!

My Bowen therapist was in an upstairs room - I would crawl up and bounce back down!

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

The more I hear about it the more I believe it's been at root of a lot of problems I have had. when I worked I used to have sports massages regularly and get rid of sore spots for a bit. I have been looking at local one On the web but none of them have price lists. Anyone got any idea of uk cost range. I expect first consultation usually more costly. On limited budget at moment.

[Marcy47 in reply to Hidden]

My sister is paying £39 a time at the moment.

[Hidden in reply to Marcy47]

yikes. not extortionate but about my weekly budget for food and fuel lol

[Marcy47 in reply to PMRpro]

The Bowen therapist I went to before diagnosis of PMR had her treatment room upstairs, which was difficult for me at the time. Have found another on-line at Frome, 15 mins away, she does people and animals! Anybody know of one near Warminster?

[Hidden in reply to Marcy47]

I have just been checking in South York's and seems that a couple do horses and people.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

If it works for horses they can't say it is only placebo effect!!!!

[Hidden]

I was thinking more that if they are strong enough to manipulate a horse they are strong enough to deal with my lardy @€$$😎