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Original poster

Sciatica relief please!

57 replies

FreyaFromTheFens · 11/03/2022 16:06

I have an appointment booked with a chiro on Monday afternoon but the pain in my lower back, hip and now spreading down my leg is horrific.

I'm sitting on a balance ball as my desk chair was making it worse and it feels better to move it, is anything like stretches, heat treatments etc... that you've found to help?

Paracetamol and Ibuprofen don't touch it Sad

OP posts:
Ilovetheseventies · 11/03/2022 16:31

My ex had this, it reached a crescendo and he had to have valium and ant inflammotories at a and e after being carted off in an ambulance. It seems to reach a crisis point and then improves.

Smokeahontas · 11/03/2022 16:33

I have used this sort of thing before - not that specific one but I think I got it in B&M. It took a day or so but did seem to provide relief.

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08FWGXWBM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_CB2S5RDF0ZFBFFR60WPT?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

JiannaTheWitchQueen · 11/03/2022 16:49

No I'm currently signed off work with it as I am unable to drive and my brain doesn't work from all of the pain relief - codeine, naproxan and amatriptoline. Feel absolutely rubbish and would rather give birth than drive my car. Had MRI scan this week. Its been going on since before Christmas Sad

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General health
Lazycatx · 11/03/2022 16:51

If you haven't tried it yet acupuncture!

Troublesometooth · 11/03/2022 16:53

Following for advice as I’ve just started with it. The pain is shooting from my bum cheek down the back of my leg and driving me insane.

D0lphine · 11/03/2022 16:53

I'm so sorry it's the absolute worst pain!

I'd go to the gp and get some serious painkillers. I found that a mix of naproxen, codeine, paracetamol and diazepam worked. Was still in pain with that concoction but wasn't screaming / passing out in pain.

Don't let the doctor get away with not giving you some good painkillers! They made me feel like a bit of a druggie when I was asking for more and more so I had to go on a full on middle class rant to get what I needed.

I went to an osteopath who advised me to get shoe inserts. I got better fast and have not had a bad back since, so she was right it was my posture that was putting strain on my back.

Good luck!

StrawberryLollipops · 11/03/2022 17:53

The pelvic tilt worked magic on mine.
Lie back, knees up, imagine you are squashing peas with the small of your back
www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/sciatica/exercises-sciatica-degeneratve-disc-disease

Dacquoise · 11/03/2022 17:54

Fellow suffer here, feel for you. I find it flares up periodically and as well as the drugs mentioned by other pps intensive physiotherapy did help.

Yoga twice a week seems to keep it and lower back/hip pain under control. I can go in feeling really sore but the stretching and twisting seems to relieve it. Not good while you're in the middle of an attack but something to consider for ongoing maintenance.Flowers

paisley256 · 11/03/2022 17:56

Pregabalin works amazing for sciatica. It's the only thing that touches it for me.

Deep freeze spray over the area gives some relief.

mellongoose · 11/03/2022 17:59

Yes to all of the above.

Also a simple tennis 🎾 ball. Lie on your back on the floor and insert the ball into the most painful area. Then slowly move around rolling over the ball.

It should be controlled pain. You're in control. Take as much as you can. If you can hold it in place and withstand it you can start to release it yourself.

Caveat is if you have bulging discs or similar check with Health Professional first.

Hope it helps. Oh and wiggle your toes at the same time.

Original poster
FreyaFromTheFens · 11/03/2022 17:59

@Smokeahontas

I have used this sort of thing before - not that specific one but I think I got it in B&M. It took a day or so but did seem to provide relief.

]]

That looks good thanks!
OP posts:
Original poster
FreyaFromTheFens · 11/03/2022 18:01

@JiannaTheWitchQueen

No I'm currently signed off work with it as I am unable to drive and my brain doesn't work from all of the pain relief - codeine, naproxan and amatriptoline. Feel absolutely rubbish and would rather give birth than drive my car. Had MRI scan this week. Its been going on since before Christmas Sad
It’s a strange weird pain isn’t it? Makes me feel quite sick. I’ve had it just over 3 weeks now so you have my sympathies!
OP posts:
Original poster
FreyaFromTheFens · 11/03/2022 18:02

@Lazycatx

If you haven't tried it yet acupuncture!
Really? Not sure how I feel about it but if it works then will see what the Chiro says.
OP posts:
Original poster
FreyaFromTheFens · 11/03/2022 18:03

@Troublesometooth

Following for advice as I’ve just started with it. The pain is shooting from my bum cheek down the back of my leg and driving me insane.
It’s a horrible feeling Sad
OP posts:
Garman · 11/03/2022 18:04

First of all go to osteopath instead of chiropractor. And alternate ice and heat instead of just heat, ice reduces the swelling/inflammation.

Original poster
FreyaFromTheFens · 11/03/2022 18:06

@D0lphine

I'm so sorry it's the absolute worst pain!

I'd go to the gp and get some serious painkillers. I found that a mix of naproxen, codeine, paracetamol and diazepam worked. Was still in pain with that concoction but wasn't screaming / passing out in pain.

Don't let the doctor get away with not giving you some good painkillers! They made me feel like a bit of a druggie when I was asking for more and more so I had to go on a full on middle class rant to get what I needed.

I went to an osteopath who advised me to get shoe inserts. I got better fast and have not had a bad back since, so she was right it was my posture that was putting strain on my back.

Good luck!

Full on middle class rant! 🤣

I’ll give the inserts a try as think my posture is part of the problem hence sitting on the ball.

OP posts:
Original poster
FreyaFromTheFens · 11/03/2022 18:06

[quote StrawberryLollipops]The pelvic tilt worked magic on mine.
Lie back, knees up, imagine you are squashing peas with the small of your back
www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/sciatica/exercises-sciatica-degeneratve-disc-disease[/quote]
Fab thank you, will see if I can bear to do that later!

OP posts:
Original poster
FreyaFromTheFens · 11/03/2022 18:07

Thank you @Dacquoise

OP posts:
Original poster
FreyaFromTheFens · 11/03/2022 18:09

Thank you @paisley256

OP posts:
CheeseCakeSunflowers · 11/03/2022 18:10

When I had it a few years back as well as using painkillers I used heatpads. I think deepheat do one but I got mine from Wilko. They were really for period pain, disposal and stick directly onto the skin. They didn't solve it but helped. I also found the more I kept moving the better. I had it twice, after it settled the second time my GP recommended doing Pilates which I have done and so far it hasn't returned.

JiannaTheWitchQueen · 11/03/2022 18:10

Oh yes ice packs definitely help more than heat. When I do have to drive I put ice packs underneath me!

Original poster
FreyaFromTheFens · 11/03/2022 18:10

@mellongoose

Yes to all of the above.

Also a simple tennis 🎾 ball. Lie on your back on the floor and insert the ball into the most painful area. Then slowly move around rolling over the ball.

It should be controlled pain. You're in control. Take as much as you can. If you can hold it in place and withstand it you can start to release it yourself.

Caveat is if you have bulging discs or similar check with Health Professional first.

Hope it helps. Oh and wiggle your toes at the same time.

Ooooer sounds painful but I’ll fish one out of the dog’s toy box and give it a go Grin
OP posts:
sixtiesbaby88 · 11/03/2022 18:11

@D0lphine

I'm so sorry it's the absolute worst pain!

I'd go to the gp and get some serious painkillers. I found that a mix of naproxen, codeine, paracetamol and diazepam worked. Was still in pain with that concoction but wasn't screaming / passing out in pain.

Don't let the doctor get away with not giving you some good painkillers! They made me feel like a bit of a druggie when I was asking for more and more so I had to go on a full on middle class rant to get what I needed.

I went to an osteopath who advised me to get shoe inserts. I got better fast and have not had a bad back since, so she was right it was my posture that was putting strain on my back.

Good luck!

I too have not had sciatica since wearing shoe inserts. They have to be the right sort though! Mine were given to me by the hospital and are rock hard. They took a bit of getting used to but they did work
Original poster
FreyaFromTheFens · 11/03/2022 18:18

Thanks @Garman

OP posts:
anotherdaynotanotherdollar · 11/03/2022 18:21

Popping on this thread to give you red warning flags that mean you need to go to A and E immediately if any of them occur!

•	Bladder dysfunction such as having to strain or an altered flow or altered awareness of the need to urinate also loss of bladder control

• Tingling or numbness in the saddle
area between the legs and around the

anus - or any part of you that would sit on

a saddle

•	Alteration of sexual sensation
•	Weakness in the legs and ankle reflexes
•	Alteration in bowel function including loss of control

I can not stress the importance of getting seen immediately if any of these things happen as it could be Cauda Equina which is a medical emergency!!