Shrinking life

[challny]

I've read more than once, and agree, that COPD tends to shrink one's life. I do find that even I have built a little nest with all my necessities close at hand. But until this sciatica, I was always able to manage a bit of a walk and do some chores around the house. Even mow the yard and walk the dogs. But with this back condition I can no longer do anything. And most of all I can no longer sleep. As in virtually no sleep for the last several weeks. I got my doctor's office to call in a prescription for gabapentin, but the pharmacy said my insurance company declined it because the request is too soon. So no help tonight. Not that it helps much in the first place. As my health spirals down, I notice that friends and loved ones are hard to come by. Forgive my constant complaining; this is all I have left. The nights are very long where I am.

[HungryHufflepuff]

I'm sitting here trying to find the right words to say, but maybe I'm not finding them because there aren't any words that can make things better. Everything you said, it sucks! And I know what you're saying. At least here you can vent all you want and seek friendship and support even in the middle of the night. Unlike "out there", here, it's our health and problems that bring us together rather than drive others away.

[knitter]

Morning, as hungry Hufflepuff says, it's difficult to find the right words to say. When you are in pain it consumes everything , all you can think of is the pain.

I have never had sciatica, but some of my friends and family have and it's very distressing. However I have fractured my spine and ribs in the past so I have some idea.

I know what you mean about life shrinking, getting smaller ....but can you think of this part of your life as just a blip.....hopefully your sciatica will improve gradually, summer is coming and you can slowly get out and about.

But learn to pace yourself, I noticed a couple of weeks ago you were cutting grass etc. Hopefully soon the pain will ease but go gently, gradually, with rest times built in.

I use meditation and mindfulness to help with my back pain, Vidyamala Burch has videos on YouTube . Learning to relax tight tense muscles will feel impossible to you at the moment, I know, but try for a minute or two.

Have you been offered physiotherapy for your sciatica at all, I know you are not in the UK, but I found exercises from my NHS physio very helpful. But she was a trained professional, knew my limitations, insisted I had tests first so I did not get further damage.

Take care now....I probably haven't helped much at the moment, pain is dreadful, but hopefully it will improve with care.

[Hacienda]

Hi Hun, I will Commiserate along with HH & Knitter. I have said to you before I understand your pain having had Sciatica myself (many Years Ago) when younger, before COPD entered my Life, I agree it does Shrink your Life. Keep on Posting on here, we are here to Listen and hopefully give some comfort. Love n Gentle Hugs. xxxxxx

[sassy59]

I’m trying to focus on your pain and heal as much as I can. It’s a dreadful thing and made even worse because you can’t sleep.

Please keep talking to us as we’re here for you. As I said before, sciatica was the worse pain I’ve ever had and I’ve had three children.

Things will improve challny, hold on to that. Xxxxx 😘

[challny]

Thanks all for the care and encouragement. This would not be such a big deal were it not for the sleep deprivation. When you are up all night for weeks on end you wind up with a lot of time on your hands. The good news is tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment to address this issue. I will tell him: For once, this has nothing to do with COPD. Honestly, I should be thankful that during this sciatica ordeal my COPD has been rather well-behaved. Now give me the best damn drugs you have so I can get some sleep! Best to all of you who have been so helpful.

[challny]

Thanks, sassy59 ... and things SHOULD improve; that's the nature of sciatica. As far as I know, nobody has ever died from it; they just wish they had. I have had it plenty of times over the years and decades, and it's always gone away on its own. This particular case has a mean streak and might have to be evicted. Will hopefully start the proceedings tomorrow at the doctor's office.

[Help_61]

I hope you feel better life is so dam hard for some family and friends don’t understand they see the outside not realizing how you feel on the inside

[Yatzy]

Best of luck with your appointment tomorrow, challny. I had sciatica years ago, while I was pregnant, so nothing more than paracetamol allowed, and had to really ration that. Excruciating.....but I knew the babe would be born eventually and, the medics said, take the pain away. I’ve always dreaded having it again, so far so good! And the baby grew up to be a physiotherapist. So we get a bit of early advice with these things now....ha! Really hope your doctor can help things along for you ❤️ xx

[Whitechinchilla]

Oh challny, as many have already said here finding any words of help seems impossible. It is so sad that friends and loved ones are so hard to come by right at the very time their companionship and compassion is needed.But you have an “ extended family” here who understand what we go through and it is the one place where we can give vent to our feelings and know we won’t be judged, just supported. That’s empowering.

Stay strong and I hope you get a grip on this sciatica very soon and banish it from your life☺️

[Lemon7]

You are having a lot to deal with. Wishing you well and hope you get improvement so you can sleep and rest better.

[Shazrab]

Oh dear challny I’m so sorry to hear you’ve got this I can totally understand what you’re going through, it’s one of the worst pain iv ever experienced 🤗big hugs to you. You’re going through such a lot I will keep you in my prayers 🙏 . I hope you get the gabapentin although I have to say they didn’t help me 8 a day but I did eventually get a sleep I think it was because of them ? I took naproxen against my drs wishes he said they would effect my breathing he was right but taking them along with dihydrocoden/ paracetamol did make it bearable also a lot of hot baths . It seems it came from nowhere and then I woke up one day it was gone 👍 my heart goes out to you suffering copd is bad enough without this . Good luck at the drs I hope this goes away soon and your back outside again walking your dogs. Iv had great support on here and I’m sure we can always find someone who can relate to what we are going through, healthy people can’t always do this . Take care if love to know how your doing 🌹🌹🌹