Don’t want to phone doctors so asking here (Sciatica?)

[PurpleThistles84]

Obviously don’t want to add any pressure to doctors as it’s not in any way an emergency, wondered if my attempts at self diagnosis might be right! Three days ago I began to get pain in my lower right back, above the hip. It has gradually got worse, spreading down my right leg. It is always there but sometimes spasms which makes my leg buckle and yell out. It is not sore enough unless sudden spasm to take painkillers but I have to be careful when carrying my baby incase my leg buckles and I lose my balance.

So I am thinking sciatica? Never had it before, I’m mid thirties. For those that have had it, does it sound familiar? Will it just go away one day?

I landed awkwardly on the trampoline today and it’s set off a bout of sciatica. It feels like a strong ache running from my right back, down through my right arse cheek on the same side and sometimes into my knee.

I take ibruprofen for the pain, try not to carry anything too heavy and stuff a hot water bottle down the back of my pants as that seems to help. The NHS has some stretches you can try www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercises-for-sciatica/

A hot bath is good too. It does take a while to go though I’m afraid

I find it can feel ok, then twinge suddenly if I move in a particular way which makes my leg buckle

Is the pain in your buttock? If so I had that too. Bloody sore. It’s left me with a 6” spot on the front of my thigh that has a loss of sensation due to nerve damage.

Phone the Drs on tuesday fgs you cant be leg buckling take pain killers 4 /6 hourly until you get to speak to your gp you need specific treatment if it is siatica. A telly dr was saying Drs surgeries were quieter than usual because people didnt want to bother them which is daft if you are ill/in pain then you need to get checked out.

You need anti inflammatory’s

Doctor might prescribe over the phone - Dah has a prescription sent to the emergency chemist today

I don’t feel any pain in my buttock, it seems to miss that part out and go straight for my leg. Aside from that it does sound similar to yours, I hope you feel better soon. I will have a look at those stretches thanks.

Sciatica* sorry for nagging but do get checked out

I’m the sort not to take painkillers unless it is really unbearable and it only is unbearable for a few seconds when it spasms then it goes back to be more of an annoying ache/twinge. Kind of like having mild toothache in your leg.

We got a new mattress about a month ago now and I am wondering if it is that which is causing it. It’s a memory foam mattress and my DH has what he thought was a trapped nerve in his shoulder for about a week, now I have this lower back/leg pain. Or maybe it’s just coincidence.

I will take painkillers if I need to, will do those linked stretches and if it doesn’t improve, I will call the GP. Just don’t like making a mountain out of a mole hill.

Ibuprofen, cocodamol and an appointment with a physio or chiropractor as soon as is covid possible.

Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube does a good sciatica video. Mine has flared up at the moment because I can't swim. Painkillers and when you can, get a Pilates roller like this:

www.argos.co.uk/product/6194312

With the spasm type pain and the fact it's going down your leg away from the original site you do need to find out the cause. There will be treatment available, ie physio. You may have a slipped disc, that spasm type jolt you're getting may be caused by nerve compression. The problem with ignoring it is that it may get worse through you doing the 'wrong' things, leading to you having more issues. Please look up 'cauda equina' and note those symptoms for future reference, don't want to scare you but sometimes injuries causing your current symptoms can lead to quite serious problems. If you don't want to bother your GP there's always 111, or try phoning a local physio service as I've always found physiotherapists are really on it with back problems. In my local area you can self refer for NHS physio, which would initially be a phone consultation followed by them sending you exercises over email, then you can get in touch after 2 weeks if they haven't helped. Your surgery reception will know if that's an option if you can't find anything online. Hope you feel better soon op, back pain/sciatica is the worst!

Apologies, you're obviously not ignoring anything, bad choice of words!
Be careful with any codeine based products, can cause constipation and that's the last thing you want with the kind of pain you're experiencing!

Try trigger point therapy, Google it, can be a big help massaging the right spot with a tennis ball against the wall.

I had great results with a TENS machine.

you need specific treatment if it is siatica - where do you get that from @Mrsjayy ? When I initially went to gp with it years ago they weren't bothered (even though it would often stop me walking/being able to stand up) - gave me physio referral when I pushed but that was a waste of time.
I eventually got anti inflammatory tablets prescribed - and no gps since who I've mentioned it to (e.g to get repeat prescription) has been bothered.
It may well be mattress related OP - certain beds will set mine off.

Specific treatment was probably a bit dramatic but proper painkillers and advice. Can't say I've been fobbed off when I've had leg pain like this which wasn't sciatica.

If you’re taking anti inflammatories like ibruprofen they’re not just for pain - they will help your muscles relax which should ease muscle spasms (if that’s what you’re getting).

@Windyatthebeach how do you get on with a tens machine? Is it effective?