Sciatica pain, I don’t know how much more I can bear

[Fl0weryTwats]

I’ve had sciatica a few times before, usually intermittent and manageable, with long periods in between flare-ups. I’m two weeks into the worst pain I have ever been in with it, there is no break from the pain and I cannot get comfortable no matter what I try.

I’m going upstairs on my knees and downstairs on my bum, sleeping with a complex arrangement of pillows, using a hot water bottle, taking as much paracetamol and ibuprofen as I am allowed in a day, and have been on pregabalin 50mg twice daily for a week. Nothing is touching the pain! I’m trying to stretch every day but even that is causing agonising pain. GP prescribed pregabalin after a phone consult and I’ve been referred for physio in 2 weeks, but I haven’t had a face-to-face appointment with anybody yet. I have done an online consultation with my GP asking for a call back as I’m really struggling, I can’t even get down on the floor to play with my toddler, and my poor dog is having to wait until DP finishes work so he can go out for a walk. DP is unable to take any time off work as he won’t be paid, and we can’t manage without both incomes.

I have no symptoms of cauda equina so I’m reasonably confident that my spinal cord isn’t in any danger, but I can’t cope with the pain. To make matters worse, I’m due back at work on Wednesday after 14 months on maternity/annual leave so I really don’t want to take the piss and go off sick!

What can I try that I haven’t tried? Thanks all 😩

Honestly I would pay for a private physio. With back pain early physio is so important.

Find a physiotherapist who can do acupuncture for pain relief. I think there's a physio in Sheen who does if you're in that area.

Horrendous pain. I had it when I was 6 months pregnant. I would rather give birth on just gas and air again than go through that pain. The only thing that sorted me out was an Osteopath. I was reluctant to take pain killers due to being pregnant, but this literally saved me. It took a couple of sessions but I felt relief from the first one.

Go for a private appointment and have an MRI too. Don't let them put you off either: insist!

My DH had back pain which he tried to manage but eventually an MRI revealed that it was not any of the regular things like sciatica or slipped/ruptured disc(s). If he had had the MRI earlier it would have made a tremendous difference.

That sounds absolutely awful — constant pain like that is exhausting and isolating. At this point, stop forcing stretches, do only what doesn’t worsen things, and give yourself permission to function in survival mode for now. Be very clear with your GP about how much this is affecting daily life, and don’t feel guilty about needing more support or time — this isn’t you failing, it’s your body needing care.

My uncle turned to acupuncture in desperation and it worked really well for him.

I've never tried it but he swore that it was the ONLY thing that helped him.

Ice it. (Bag of peas wrapped in a tea towel for 15 minutes every hour). Stand or lie, don’t sit. Move around as much as you can but gently.

Have you got a any pain or loss of sensation in your leg / foot?

I could have written your post. Twice and twice I had a massive ruptured disc with severe nerve compression that required surgery.

Would you be able to see a private specialist?

I feel your pain, I’ve been the same since last Tuesday, got an appointment with an MSK person tomorrow, who I’m pinning all my hopes on!

If the exercises you are doing are irritating the pain then stop doing them. Especially if they are the generic exercises suggested by the NHS.
Find a good massage therapist one that understands the spinal nervous system.
Try nuromol and as PP suggested freeze the area of inflammation.
Will Harlow on youtube has good exercises for sciatica and suggests building up strength in your butt cheeks and core.
Keep walking even if it's for 5 minutes around the house and keep walking as much as you can

I've been on Gabapentin for years but if definitely helped me. Last October I had my SI joint medicated with steroid as that was causing me sciatica and its been amazing.

Can you get any private medical care with work? I've just had a medial branch block and a nerve block injection soon to have nerve ablation because of months of sciatica cause by a disc compressing my nerves!! Its helped loads physio did nada neither did the NHS so had to go private!

I came to say this. Very similar issues here too, was a ruptured disk. That was in May, now I am nearly recovered, but still having bad days. You need to see a physio and mri if possible. I didn't have surgery but needed a lot of hcp support

I really feel for you OP, I started with my first ever boit of Sciatica last April and it has only just gone away. I had to beg 3 Dr's for an MRI, which I eventually had around a lonth ago.

I had to reduce work as often couldn't walk, stand or sit. The only slight bit of relief I got was lying flat on the floor. The pain was so excruciating at times that I epuld just stand and cry and I'm not known for being a crier. I eventually ended up passing out from the pain last Xmas, the bus had to be emptied of all passengers and ambulance came (although I ended up not going to hospital as paramedics said there was nothing could be done there anyway).

The one medication that really helped me was Naproxen, which I was on for around a month but like an idiot I didn't know it was mandatory to take the Omeprezole I was prescribed with it alongside it so I ended up with a stomach ulcer and vomiting black mud like vomit and was subsequently taken off it. Was then put on Gabapentin which I took alongside 2 paracetemol every 4 hours until it eventually subsided. Had 4 rounds of physio but I really don't feel they helped tbh.

The only thing I would say helped was trying to push through it and go for little walks every day. It was unbearable at times, I was visibly in agony and at times had to drag my left leg home on tears but I somehow managed it.

I'm sorry this isn't much help or oarticularly optimistic, but I would say that the only real thing that helped short term was the Naproxen while I was on it. It was an absolute game changer in that as much as I was still in pain, at least I could put my socks and shoes on without crying in pain, it dud take a lot of the pain off.

Thank you for your replies, even just a little handhold and sympathy is nice, so thank you all. I’ve just taken my little one swimming as I can play with him in the pool without pain!

No chance of private medical with work (I’m an NHS nurse 🤣), I could possibly go private using savings as I’m desperate. I had an MRI a couple of years ago when the sciatica started but nothing was found. I was then referred to a rheumatologist who ‘diagnosed’ fibromyalgia after a five-minute appointment, but I think that’s a crock of shit.

Still waiting for the GP to call back, and will be sitting on a bag of frozen peas while I wait (thanks for the recommendation!)

I found ice worked much better than heat. I hope the peas work for you! I bought a two pack of reusable ice/heat packs and always had one in the freezer. I also used them for much longer than the recommended twenty minutes. I was surprised by how much relief ice gave.

I've also heard great things about acupuncture though never had it myself.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Acupuncture really helped me. Do not go to a physio whonus trained in acupuncture as they only have a few hours of practise compared to a real acupuncturist who has the equivalent of a degree.

Dear OP,

Some NHS organisations offer physio to staff as part of their OH service. The waiting time can be much shorter. I suggest you consider making contact with your OH service and ask. I know you are on mat leave but this should mean they are keen to get you fit before you return.

The other option is private physio. I injured my back a couple of years ago and could hardly walk. I hobbled into a private physio, she did some massage and used ultrasound treatment and then I walked out. Best £60 I have spent.

edited for spelling.

I found the only thing that helped was physio. I found a sports physio who was good with injuries. It was expensive but it made a real difference. Second the suggestion to see if you could use your work occupation therapy to help, if you have one. Best of luck and hope it eases soon.

DD had this - turns out that one of the hooks on her vertebrae had crumbled and the debris was sitting on the nerve. She says that the best thing she found for the pain was Voltarol suppositories as the relief is near the site of the pain. They need to be prescribed by the GP. She found it better than Naproxen.

I had it last year the worst I have ever had it . I ended up with a numb leg/foot that is still not fully healed. And a limp.
I know its really painful but the only thing that did start to help was the exercises. The stretching as soon as I got up definitely helped.

Whenever I get a flare-up, I half fill my bath with cold water and sit in it for 20 minutes. It hugely helps! I tend to do it before bed as it means I can sleep much more comfortably.

If the bath helps then you might like to consider going cold water swimming.

A TENS machine is worth a try, just to help you move a little as that is better than completely seizing up.
IMO your GP should be doing more to help you manage the pain.

I found a cranial osteopath really helped when I was in agony. He was so gentle and really helped