What to do?

[Hunter134]

It's me again and iam so sorry for whining.The 15 mg isn't helping either.If I upped my prednisone 12 days ago can I drop to 10 mg.Its making my sugars skyrocket.I couldn't get a hold of my dr today and iam at my breaking point of what to do.The pain in sciatica is keeping me up all night.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Dropping quickly down to 10 isn't usually a problem anyway - it is below that that adrenal considerations come into play so you should be fine after only 12 days, up to 14 days is the usual suggestion.

IMHO you are being mismanaged - you have a trapped nerve somewhere, could be muscular or could be a spinal problem. But it has to be diagnosed. In the UK or here in Italy with the degree of pain you describe, I would go to the ED in the absence of another option.

Have you any other symptoms beside the agonising pain? Any change in sensation in your bottom? Any problems with going to the toilet?

[Hunter134 in reply to PMRpro]

No it just hurts.At night it goes down my leg which is excruciatingly.I called dr and the secretary said it will take over a week .Then hung up on me.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hunter134]

Wouldn't do to be seriously ill at your practice would it! Don't they have any emergency appointments?

[Hunter134 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for getting back to me.I don't like playing dr with drugs.Shouldnt have to

[Zebedee44]

Have you tried taking paracetomol or any other pain relief for your leg pain? I have had sciatica type pain down my right leg and deep inside my buttock/hip since January and the pain has kept me awake at night. I refuse to take any neurological pain treatment but regular paracetomol and occasional Co-codamol have kept me going and I’m now awaiting the outcome of an MRI which I pretty much demanded. I feel for you .

[Pixix]

I have bad sciatica atm. Have you tried an electric blanket, kept on all night. Similarly, during the day, especially cool evenings, I have an electric throw to use. Heat does help sometimes to lower the acuteness of the pain. It’s no cure, but any help is worth having, I feel! I’m waiting for Dr, too. For two months they’ve told me he has no appointments & is fully booked. But he gave me my covidjab last week, & is fitting me in next week.

[Badlass]

I have constant sciatica (ex nurse with spinal injury)I would suggest trying a topical magnesium product and perhaps a CBD topical also. Without both I would never get any sleep. They obviously won't do anything for PMR but they will help with sciatica back and butt pain.