Sciatica agony

[LatteLover12]

I'm 27 weeks pregnant and my intermittent sciatica has become constant scream-out-loud agony almost overnight.

So far I've just been using a hot water bottle and as I'm able to work from home it hasn't disrupted things too much.

Today is really bad though. I can barely move, get stuck in one spot and my DP has to help me get to a chair.

Does anyone have any tips? I can't face being like this for another 3 months. Is it worth speaking to a GP or my mw?

Desperate bump

Massage over the lower back and legs helped, chiropractor or osteopath and regular pilates helped me.

Try ice packs from the side of one buttock all the way to the one on the other side.

Yes to osteopath!

Get a TENS machine. You can ones to use safely to use during pregnancy.

Thank you!

Has it been diagnosed as sciatica or are you basing that on being agony from buttock all way down leg into foot that is agony all the time?

I'm basing it on exactly that @RandomMess

I haven't seen anyone medical since my 20 week scan. 😭

Get rid of the hot water bottle it will make it worse. With sciatica it makes the tissues swell and press more on the nerves. Ice your back for 20 minutes every hour and take a high dose of anti-inflammatories. My gp said it was fine to take 600mg of ibuprofen when needed but gave me naproxen. Look on the NHS site and do the exercises to help.

Good news, it's highly likely to be sciatica and therefore very treatable with the ice pack method (at least 40 mins at a time) and an osteopath.

Been there had the T-shirt and still reoccurs from time to time.

@RandomMess I’m the same as you and o have had a flare up over the last few days.

I was informed recently that you shouldn't take ibuprofen when pregnant.

Seriously it's 40 minutes so muscle that connects from hip to hip that it under your outer buttock muscles is affected. I used to use 2 packs of frozen peas.

I know the pain is awful mine was always worst laying down even when not pregnant!

Mind you I wasn’t pregnant so it’s best to speak to ago or midwife about pain relief. Ice and stetching helps

I lie on top of the ice packs for my cool bag lol

Thank you so much everyone. I've told DP I'm swapping to ice packs and he's going to sort that out for me.

I have a fab Pilates teacher who's also a physiotherapist so I'll give her a call tomorrow I think. It's eased off a bit now but I've not moved from the sofa for about 4 hours. I can't live like this for the next 3 months; I have two other children.

I really appreciate all your advice.

Seated figure of 4 stretch?

The best treatment I ever had was very "intimate"

Have you slipped a disc op ?

I have non-pregnancy experience of this (and am really hoping not to acquire pregnancy experience).

Physio is so helpful, ring the midwife and push to be referred. If there's a delay it's worth paying for it in the meantime if you can afford to. Pregnancy Pilates might be helpful if the exercises themselves aren't causing you too much pain. If there's anywhere you can safely swim (may not be as likely at the moment) then I'd really recommend it.

I really hope not @Muminabun but I've just had another period of being completely stuck and unable to move.

I'm now sat up with an ice pack on but all I can think that would help longer term is crutches.

I'm going to persevere with the pregnancy pilates and look into physio, I don't mind paying if someone can help!

Thanks again, you've all been so helpful & I definitely felt less alone/scared yesterday.

Hi op if you are unable to move and in spasm I would rest up and go to the go and ask for an mri. If it is a slipped disc then moving around and stretching will make it worse. I know everyone has an opinion about back pain and I am just a random on the internet but for me when I slipped a disc I was advised to rest up and just walk around as much as I could without any other exercise just slow and gentle. I really hope you feel better soon it is bloody miserable.

@IwishIhadaMargarita

Get rid of the hot water bottle it will make it worse. With sciatica it makes the tissues swell and press more on the nerves. Ice your back for 20 minutes every hour and take a high dose of anti-inflammatories. My gp said it was fine to take 600mg of ibuprofen when needed but gave me naproxen. Look on the NHS site and do the exercises to help.

Do not take any anti inflammatories unless given the okay by a health professional. Ibuprofen can cause heart defects in unborn children.