How long can sciatica last 😞

[Moonsky1998]

I injured my back about 6 weeks ago, it took a few weeks for pain to ease (been on diazepam, cocodamol, diclofenac ans naproxen ) the back pain has definitely eased but I now have terrible sciatica , presumably from the back injury

I've had sciatica before but i can't remember how long it lasted, and this time it is a lot more painful-

I've read online it can last months, and it's resllr starting to impact my daily life

The pain killers work for a short period of time ,but when I'm in pain it's the whole way down my leg, in my hip and in my bum, and I'm really struggling with work and looking after my children

I've been doing stretches every day but they only ease it for a while

Tens machine doesn't really do much either

I know not much can be done for sciatica but any advice ans suggestions are welcomed!

Thank you

I feel for you. It's horrendous.

Have you tried acupuncture? It helped me.

@BlastedPimples I might have to give that a go I think ! A few people have mentioned that to me. At this point I'm willing to try anything 😫

Can be over a year. Try a sports physio as I have a feeling sciatica is a partially trapped nerve which physio exercises can correct by sorting out the muscles

I had sciatica which presented as hip pain and, after seeing NHS doctors and having injections into my joints I was getting steadily worse. Then I saw a physiotherapist privately and she gave me exercises to do and correctly identified it was not my hips. After a few weeks the pain stopped. That was 25 years ago and whenever I have pain (just a couple of times since) I just do the exercises and it goes. I’d go to see someone rather than get exercises from the internet due to your injury.
Another thing you can do is overlap your painkillers. Paracetamol and naproxen are from different groups. So you can take naproxen and 2 hours later take paracetamol and 2 hours later naproxen. Then you get more cover but from drugs that aren’t the same.
finally try a pillow between your knees when sleeping and make sure your posture is good.
I hope this helps.

It depends how much the disc is pressing on the nerves in your spine, or if the disc has ruptured. Be aware of cauda equina symptoms and get emergency A&E help if that occurs (rare but serious).

Look up spinal extension exercises and preferably see a physio. Also do nerve-flossing exercises regularly to reduce the nerve damage.

I've had four disc herniation. The last went on for a year, at eight months I had spinal injections then ended up with surgery at twelve months. I read the most disc/sciatica issues should resolve with physio and daily exercises to reduce the pressure on the disc and nerves, but not all do.

Look up Dr Jacob on Facebook or Instagram. He does loads of stuff for hips and sciatica. You might just find the right stretch to really help.

I had a denervation procedure for my sciatica which really worked. Had it done via a Pain Clinic.

I had horrendous sciatica last November/December. Literally screaming with the pain, despite having Co-codamol and Naproxen from GP. The only thing that helped me really was seeing a Chiropractor. I had to see him three times a week for a month and then maintenance appointments once a week for a few more weeks. He really helped me, and gave me a set of yoga based exercises to do three times a day at home.

So far, I've been free of all back pain and sciatica but know that it could come back. If it does, I'll be straight back to the Chiropractor. It was the only thing that helped me.

Gabapentin or pregagablin are really really good for nerve pain if the other painkillers don't work.

But really for longer term, pay for decent physio and see what they say.

I had weekly appointments for 6 weeks with a physiotherapist (got recommendations from facebook), and stuck to the exercise plan as directed, best money I have ever spent.

The nhs did give me similar information on a sheet, except two of the exercises exacerbated the issue.

Is it actually a disc issue, @Moonsky1998 ? What happened to your back?

DH had it, gradually waning, for a couple of years. My poor father has had it with little improvement for nearly four.

Mine has progressed over the years to be near permanent. But I have degeneration of a number of discs and vertebrae, so not saying yours will be the same.

I have found heat pads helpful. This help with the stiffness, and seems to give some minor pain relief. I also find short bursts of activity and rest work quite well. So 20 min chores, 20 minute lay down, 20 mins...

I don't find TENS useful either. I have had physio, and tried various stretches, but not really much effect there either.

I currently take Gababpentin, and Zapain for pain relief.

I would see an osteopath if you can afford it.

Forgot to mention that I find using a knee pillow helps ease symptoms overall too.

It can last decades, recurring off and on. You just have to learn to manage it.

I use stretches (taught by NHS physio); acupuncture (NHS GP) Heat (hot waterbottle) and paracetamol or ibuprofen. Don't stay immobile; keep moving, gentle walking, bending, stretching.

Sciatica is a symptom, rather than a specific ailment in itself. How long it lasts will depend on how long the original injury takes to heal.

Have you been to an osteopath or a physio?

Chiropractor worked for me

I would do this too...

Thank you all for your replies, after having more trouble with my back and sciatica I have been referred to physio

I have also noticed that I seem to be leaning to one side from my waist up (tool a picture and can 100% see I am not straight ) now worried about scoliosis. I'm probably looking to much into it but I definitely never had this before. I mentioned this to my doctor this morning and he didn't seem bothered, nor was he overly bothered about my back and sciatica and basically just told me it can take months and there's nothing that can be done 😩

I had this when all the muscles on one side were tensing up and pulling everything out of shape, also had sciatica.

I do yoga and Pilates several times a week now, including that stretch where you put legs in one direction arms in the other while lying on your back. If I stop exercise, the muscles start to tense up, but with regular exercise I haven't had sciatica again and my back now looks straight

Definitely try a good physio OP. I suffered with this for about 6 horrendous months and then I saw a physio who got it sorted in 4 sessions (one a week). I wished I’d gone sooner because I was going out of my mind, never felt pain like it!

One thing she recommended was lying on your front, propped up on your elbows with a hot water bottle on your back for ten minutes, a few times a day. That really helped the pain. Mine was a slipped disc, so she was able to treat that, and the sciatica just disappeared. I really feel for you though, I honestly thought I was going crazy with the constant agony! Hope it heals soon for you.

Mine lasted a year - sorry! I knew it was healing as the shooting pain that at the start travelled all the way down to my foot, gradually receded to my knee, then hip.

Nothing to add to the posters above. Much much sympathy to you, there are so many times I wanted to be just a torso,

You need a great physio. Not a chiropractor or anyone who man handles you. Pregabelin or similar are great in the short term to get you moving again. I found swimming front and back crawl game changers but don’t do breaststroke. Yoga and Pilates are great but don’t anything that feels wrong. My Pilates teacher is also a physio which helped. Most of all, just keep moving stretch walk whatever works. It will pass but it is a misery. And when you feel better keep up the movement and exercise religiously. I had horrific sciatica in 2016 for a year or 2 but now I know when I get a twinge to get moving and stretching. Good luck and all my sympathy