Sciatica

[FallenMadonnawiththeBadBoobies]

Can anyone give me a positive story about having sciatica for 9 weeks or so and then it getting better of its own accord? I'm in a considerable amount of pain pretty much all of the time. It's utterly relentless.

I've been seeing an osteopath, who has helped a bit, but it seems to have got worse again over the last couple of weeks. I'm waiting for the results of an MRI scan, but that might be another week or so.

I'm doing quite a lot of commuting into London for work, and it's like a descent into hell!

This is a bit random but might be worth a try for anyone with pain. I thought it was shit until I took it off and realised it was working
Trial patch is about £6, search acti patch on Amazon

Just recovering from my latest.

Have you had gabapentin? It can stop nerve pain - worth asking for. I had this along with naproxen, Cocodamol and ora morph. I don't need pain killers now, but if I try to stop gabapentin the pain in my leg starts again.

I had a ruptured disc - so bad I was told that it's unlikely to rupture again as there's not much left (but the upper ones might) and a disc fragment pressing on my nerve.

I second the poster who said don't do much until you have the MRI report back.

Two years of horrendous pain, pain killers, physio, chiro, sitting on tennis balls, heat packs, ice packs, crying....
Then I started doing HIIT combined with weight training to try and lose weight (which failed ) but 2 months in and the sciatica has gone!!!!

Ollivander my God yes. Sometimes it's felt like my leg is about to fall off or is not properly attached. The pain is horrendous and I want to chop it off. Also not all the time I get this numb nervy feeling in my fanny . I've described it as feeling like toothachy type of pain. I once got it at dd's nativity and I had to stand up. I was sat on a tiny chair which didn't help. Maybe it's time to be brave.

It was strange because I had bouts of sciatica for years but the one that sent me to the physio felt different. I showed her the MRI scans and sent her a massive bunch of flowers because if it hadn't been for her, I'm not sure it would have been spotted
They said the herniation to my disc was around 15mm (L5/S1)

I thought I had this recently and so did my doctor. In fact I was sleeping in an odd position with my leg too extended. As soon as I stopped, it improved. When I did it again it got worse.

The position was lying on my side with my top leg slumped forward.

Probably not helping but just in case.

Im current off work with sciatic and lower back pain. I find sitting at work unbearable, also driving. The sciatic pain is easing but my back is getting worse, due to the hobbling about I think. Can't take anything stronger than paracetamol due to breastfeeding.

Sorry for not getting back earlier - due to an early night and then work today.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I'll try the tennis ball under the back suggestion. Generally, lying on my back for any length of time is excruciatingly painful. The MRI was bad enough, but at least it was a padded surface. The CT scan was much worse as it was a very hard shiny surface and it took over half an hour. I had to find a small still place somewhere in my head and recite bits of the longest poems and songs I could remember - The love song of J Alfred Proofrock, American Pie, Bohemian Rhapsody!!

I feel the suggestion not to do much until I have a diagnosis is probably the best bet. I might try to get some stronger pain killers though, so thanks for suggestions on what to ask for.

Nottalotta - I can sympathise with the hobbling about. I feel like I've aged about 30 years. My parents, who are in their mid-80s move better than I do.

to Olivander, Sharon and anyone else suffering with this.

You need to find a really good physio. Preferably one with a masters specialising with spine.
These exercises are really good, I find the gluteal stretch particularly helpful. It really stretches out that nerve, I stay in that position for about 10 mins just stretching it out.
Lie on your unaffected side, with a good thick pillow between your knees/ankles. It takes the strain off the sore part of your back, you'll feel the release.
Keep walking! Its good for it. standing, not so much.

I'm glad you said about walking Eleanor as I find gently pottering the least painful. Anything else hurts and is impacting on my.lower back/pelvis.

OP laying on the bloody examination bed thing in the Drs, and the physio is utter agony!

I had mild sciatica and a physio gave me core strengthening exercises to do and a couple of weeks later it was sorted.

I've been laid up for 3 days with sciatica. At the moment my right leg cankle and foot is numb. It feels like the sensation you get after pins and needles wears off but before you get the feeling back. The back of my knee and thigh are agony. My left leg feels like it's going to fall off and gets the odd severe shooting pain. I've also had a cold which has knocked me for six. I feel low and useless.

Hi OP. I posted very much the same about 4 months ago. I have seen a consultant and had an MRI and diagnosed with herniated disc L5/S1....the consultant suggested surgery but in the meantime prescribed me Gabapentin which is specifically for nerve pain. I can’t tell you the difference taking it has made. I previously was on naproxen, amiltripyline and diahydrocodeine, tried ice/heat, TENs... nothing made a hot of difference until the gabapentin. I’m actually pissed off at the GP didn’t suggest it, the consultant was surprised given the level of pain that I was in I’ve been in tears on a bad day and I have been unbearable to live with for the last 34 months I was in such pain all the time. I’m actually pissed off at the GP didn’t suggest it, the consultant was surprised given the level of pain that I was in I’ve been in tears on a bad day and I have been unbearable to live with for the last 3-4 months I was in such pain all the time. I’m reluctant to go straight for surgery - prior to getting the gabapentin I’ve been in there like a shot if I thought it would make a difference - but because it did I’ve had a spinal epidural and trying that in conjunction with physio. Two weeks down, in truth I don’t think the steroid injection has made any difference but the gabapentin is keeping the pain at bay sufficiently to be able to do the physio. Like a PP said if I ease off in the gabapentin the pain is back. Please please please ask your GP to prescribe you it.

Last 3-4 months, not 34!! I think I might have sawn my leg off had it been 34 😁

I don’t know what happened in my previous post with the double commentary, think I was just too keen to tell you about gabapentin 😁 I don’t know why the GP hadn’t suggested it earlier. You have my absolute sympathy OP, I work in an industry where back problems are rife, though I am in management so don’t do the physical labour that tends to cause them. I am so much more empathetic now. Chronic and constant pain is just unbelievably debilitating and when you are in the thick of it there is no light at the end of the tunnel. I suspect I may still end up having to have surgery, but in the meantime the physio is helping me to develop my core strength and the gabapentin is ace. Another GP has told me that it’s ok to be in long term, it only really causes issues when you’re also in other medications. I’m early 40s for info.

Not to scare you Sharon but that doesn't sound good. Ring 111.

SharonBottsPoundOfGrapes
At the moment my right leg cankle and foot is numb.

Agree with MakeYourOwn, get this looked at sooner rather than later. In my case I mentioned in passing to my GP about sciatica and she immediately quizzed me about numbness and bladder control. I was able to see a NHS physio who was amazing and gave me pilates style exercises which I'm religious about.

Thanks for the heads up. I just spoke to a lady from the NHS 111 service and she's advised me to go to the walk in centre. I'll get dh to take me after work. I feel ok lying down. But standing up it's like my right leg isn't there and my left leg has shooting pain. Hope they give me that gaba stuff. I'm in agony and can't take this anymore.

Hi OP I wondered how you got on with your sciatica in the end? Did you find a treatment that worked for you? I’ve been in constant pain for several weeks now, awaiting referral for MRI but not until June. Made worse by the fact that I cannot see my osteo or physio at the moment!