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Sciatica /slipped disc

542 replies

Allofaflutter · 14/04/2024 14:29

Posting here for volume of answers.
Yesterday I moved normally and my lower back suddenly felt like it was being compressed and the pain was awful. Since then pain down one leg. The pain is like cramp but the worst cramp ever. Leg is much worse than back.
I have been screaming all night, literally in so much pain I couldn’t help it, worse than child birth. Couldn’t sit, lay or even perch. Even standing which was when it was best, it was at 9 out of 10. Hubby called 111 and paramedics were sent as I had a pulmonary embolism in Jan and I was screaming with the leg pain and he wanted to be sure it wasn’t that again. They told me to take codiene and paracetamol but it’s not doing anything really significant. They said it was sciatica, possible slipped disc causing it. What can I do to calm the pain. Obviously I’ll call dr tomorrow. Can’t take nsaids as I’m on blood thinners for blood clots. I’ve had no sleep either. Can’t use topical creams for the same reason. Anyone had similar? Can anyone tell me what worked for you? Can’t stand for days though I can just about not cry if I stand. Can’t lay to sleep. Help please? I’m exhausted but the pain won’t let me lay or sit. How long will this go on for?

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ArcticOwl · 12/06/2024 17:40

12 weeks? Wow.

7 years and counting here :/

But mine is down to disk degeneration, rather than acute injury/slipped disk, so might be why.

Allofaflutter · 12/06/2024 17:05

justasking111 · 12/06/2024 13:39

Well I'm a year in now so it's not going away.

I’m so sorry to hear that. X

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justasking111 · 12/06/2024 13:39

Well I'm a year in now so it's not going away.

Allofaflutter · 12/06/2024 12:37

CHEESEY13 · 12/06/2024 05:46

I just finished a bout of sciatica that lasted 3 months, and I was practically scoffing Ibuprofen like there was no tomorrow.
Thank God that's over, for now, touch wood.
Time and again, while Googling for pain advice, I came across warnings that paracetamol is useless for sciatic pain. I wonder why?

You have my sympathies. Glad it’s finished for you. Wish I could take ibuprofen but I can’t. Yes paracetamol is not worth taking for it. No idea why but it’s not worked for me at all. X

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Allofaflutter · 12/06/2024 12:35

ItWillBeDone · 12/06/2024 05:37

Sorry to hear that. Is there any improvement? I know it can be frustratingly slow.

Not for the last 6 weeks. I’m thinking it may be permanent now. Least I can sit at work and I’m not reliant on it for driving my automatic car. Big problem if it was the right side but left leg you don’t use with automatic cars thankfully. No adaptions needed there. In the shower it’s like it’s someone else’s leg. Can’t grip with it.

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CHEESEY13 · 12/06/2024 05:46

I just finished a bout of sciatica that lasted 3 months, and I was practically scoffing Ibuprofen like there was no tomorrow.
Thank God that's over, for now, touch wood.
Time and again, while Googling for pain advice, I came across warnings that paracetamol is useless for sciatic pain. I wonder why?

ItWillBeDone · 12/06/2024 05:37

Allofaflutter · 11/06/2024 22:12

Still no better 8 weeks on. Numb toes/ leg still, pain etc. Hospital still saying 95% of people are fine by 12 weeks. We will see.

Sorry to hear that. Is there any improvement? I know it can be frustratingly slow.

Allofaflutter · 11/06/2024 22:13

Thanks for asking 😊

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Allofaflutter · 11/06/2024 22:12

ItWillBeDone · 11/06/2024 19:15

How are you getting on now?

Still no better 8 weeks on. Numb toes/ leg still, pain etc. Hospital still saying 95% of people are fine by 12 weeks. We will see.

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ItWillBeDone · 11/06/2024 19:15

Allofaflutter · 28/05/2024 23:58

I’m seeing the hospital next week so will ask them. Can’t have injections because of the risk of blood clots apparently. Thanks for asking.

How are you getting on now?

Allofaflutter · 28/05/2024 23:58

I’m seeing the hospital next week so will ask them. Can’t have injections because of the risk of blood clots apparently. Thanks for asking.

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Topjoe19 · 28/05/2024 08:39

@Allofaflutter will the gp give more amitriptyline? Numb foot sounds awful. I've heard magnesium helps for cramps. Are you still waiting for a referral? Have they offered you an injection?

@justasking111 I know what you mean about needing the car nearby. Are you receiving any treatment at the moment?

Hope everyone has an OK day today.

Allofaflutter · 27/05/2024 19:32

I’m still getting sciatic pain and then the cramp like pains start. And back pain. But still got numbness. My toes and foot are the worst still.

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Allofaflutter · 27/05/2024 19:30

I’m sorry to hear you are so bad too.

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Allofaflutter · 27/05/2024 19:29

I’m trying to keep going but I’m fed up.

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justasking111 · 27/05/2024 19:25

Allofaflutter · 27/05/2024 19:19

I’m taking codiene and morphine if it’s awful. Had amitripline but ran out.

Sorry to hear that. Consultant and physio both said that I had to keep moving, but it's so hard sometimes. Walking especially I dread it if I have to park the car a distance away, I don't window shop anymore. We've a big Primark on two levels. I have to choose upstairs, men, child, home department or downstairs, women's department on a bad day. Supermarket shopping I can lean on the trolley which does help.

Allofaflutter · 27/05/2024 19:19

I’m taking codiene and morphine if it’s awful. Had amitripline but ran out.

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justasking111 · 27/05/2024 19:15

wonderingwhatlifemeans · 27/05/2024 15:55

I use one of those belts and it really helps. You have to place it lower than your waist line almost over where the sciatic nerve is. You don't need it really tight. It is a pain when you need the loo because the Velcro is very loud but I have found it does relieve the pain.

I'm wearing mine today. Had to put it over trousers because comments say that I'd get a rash otherwise. It is noisy, ripping it off 😂. I managed to hoover and mop through the ground floor without stopping. What was odd was when I knelt on my right knee pain stabbed from knee to back. So I wonder if it's realigned my wonky spine. Which looking at my MRI is a strange shape at the bottom.

It's not uncomfortable at all.

wonderingwhatlifemeans · 27/05/2024 15:56

I also use a heat pad vibrating thing for my back and that does help too.

wonderingwhatlifemeans · 27/05/2024 15:55

I use one of those belts and it really helps. You have to place it lower than your waist line almost over where the sciatic nerve is. You don't need it really tight. It is a pain when you need the loo because the Velcro is very loud but I have found it does relieve the pain.

justasking111 · 26/05/2024 16:36

Topjoe19 · 26/05/2024 12:37

@justasking111 please could you update on that belt if it helps?

Sorry to hear that @Allofaflutter you must be absolutely fed up. What pain relief are you taking now?

Ice is certainly helpful, I also like heat when my muscles feel so tight. How are you now @ItWillBeDone ?

I shall do an update. I walked today after we parked up today. It's definitely my back that protests. It just seizes up so quickly. So I'm hoping the belt helps.

My friend 30 years ago hospital sister had a back brace, awful thing but it corrected her posture thus straightened her spine relieving her sciatic nerve.

Topjoe19 · 26/05/2024 12:37

@justasking111 please could you update on that belt if it helps?

Sorry to hear that @Allofaflutter you must be absolutely fed up. What pain relief are you taking now?

Ice is certainly helpful, I also like heat when my muscles feel so tight. How are you now @ItWillBeDone ?

ItWillBeDone · 25/05/2024 23:06

Sorry you're no different. Have you tried ice for pain relief? That's got me through many flare ups as well as surgery recovery. It's not for everyone but I find it better than drugs.

Allofaflutter · 25/05/2024 17:58

Shame not even close to big enough. Thanks though.

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justasking111 · 25/05/2024 17:38

Allofaflutter · 25/05/2024 17:09

intresting. What size did it go up to?

Two sizes, there's different ones on Amazon.

Sciatica /slipped disc
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