Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for your sciatica success stories

33 replies

CaramelEmporium · 18/08/2018 19:37

I am in agony and have been in constant pain for 3 months now down my left leg and in lower back. Doctor diagnosed sciatica, physio referred me after just one session - he thought bulging disc - and I see the consultant next week for a consult and MRI.

I’m on naproxen and amyltriptyline, if they’re doing anything I dread to think what the pain would be without them.

The pain ranges from moderate to having me writhing in tears. Shooting pain, waves of pain, tingling etc.

Will the consultant be able to prescribe some stronger painkillers in the short term? Has anyone had success with steroid injections? I know everyone’s different but any thoughts, questions I should ask please? I am horrible to live with at the mo I’m in such pain. TIA

OP posts:
Aprilshowersinaugust · 18/08/2018 19:40

I had great results with a TENS machine. Even manged a week camping and sleeping on an air end!
Walked round a wildlife park and dc was crying- he thought I was going to be electrocuted when a goat tried it nibble the wires!!

Peachpebbles · 18/08/2018 19:42

Another one recommending a tens machine while you wait. Worked wonders for a friend with sciatica.

Moneypenny007 · 18/08/2018 19:43

Try doing gentle stretches like yoga or Pilates. I mean gentle. And everyday.
Some people find ice on it helps, I prefer heat.
I get dry needling done which helps ease the tightness around the nerve.
It's easing... I'm not walking big distances and not on mad painkillers.
It's 3 years though since I got injured.

loubeylou68smellsofreindeerpoo · 18/08/2018 19:49

I had excruciating sciatica with my second pregnancy and could hardly walk so I feel a great deal of sympathy for you. I now suffer mildly and find yoga stretches really helpful

Gottagetmoving · 18/08/2018 19:50

I feel for you. I have constant pain but not at the level you are experiencing. I have degeneration of several vertebrae and disc bulges but apparently not severe enough to consider surgery or injections. The constant pain is tiring and depressing.
Most painkillers have side effects and I can only tolerate paracetamol but I'm starting yoga and Pilates as I've been told it helps with posture and that can make a big difference.

PooFlower · 18/08/2018 19:53

My brother was off work for two months with sciatica. And he had just bought a house so it was bad timing.
He saw a chiropractor who cost him a fortune and didn't help at all.
He then saw a private physiotherapist who referred him to an NHS clinic and an NHS physio. The physio gave my brother some stretching exercises. These helped him so much and he was back at work in a physical job within a few weeks. If he gets a flare up he just does the exercises for a few days and he's sorted.
I think stretching can really help with sciatica.

runwithme · 18/08/2018 20:05

I've had it twice and it was hell. What helped me in the long run was steroid injections but it took a long time to get here, and it was so painful (the procedure) that I asked them to stop halfway through. Touch wood, I haven't had anything since, and that was 6 years ago.

What helped me in the meantime? Pretty much the same meds as what you're on, plus pilates, swimming, physio. Saw a couple of lovely Physio's who did massage/manipulation. Had dry needling a couple of times which was utter hell. Pressure on a particular point helped a little too. But it was horrible. You have my sympathies xx

runwithme · 18/08/2018 20:06

And I also did the clam exercises religiously. Anything to build up my glutes. And try core exercises too x

BareBum · 18/08/2018 20:08

I saw an osteopath for my sciatica. She sorted it out within a couple of sessions.

hottotrotsky · 18/08/2018 20:08

Ok so my sciatica was a symptom of a herniated disc in me back.

Started serious core strengthening Pilates (ONCE the sciatica attack had eased after 6 wks) and kept it at bay that way. Still do the exercises every day.

My back problems were caused by sodding sit ups. And having a humongous toddler.

longwayoff · 18/08/2018 20:11

Anyone had any relief with acupuncture? Have been thinking of trying for sciatica/disc problem. Dont find TENS that effective.

Hallouminati · 18/08/2018 20:11

Gentle stretches can help release nerve pressure and help keep you mobile which is key. I found lying on my back on the floor with my legs on the sofa helped - hips and knees at right angles. I was on tramadol and amytriptoline but still in agony so I completely understand your pain. Hope the consultant can help.

Knowivedonewrong · 18/08/2018 20:15

My mum had acupuncture and Physiotherapy over a few weeks.
Had no problems since.

HermioneWeasley · 18/08/2018 20:17

I’ve heard of great success with osteopaths and acupuncture

Original poster
CaramelEmporium · 18/08/2018 20:20

Thanks all. The physio only gave me one exercise, he said the basics he usually taught would only cause me more pain as the nerve was so irritated. I suppose I’m hoping for a quick fix injection as I’m just so drained but I’ll try anything. I’ll get a tens machine tomorrow, it can’t do any harm.

OP posts:
AdaColeman · 18/08/2018 20:23

Sending you loads of sympathy, I just started with my first bout of sciatica a week or so ago, dreadfully painful.
I've found the stretching exercises on the NHS website help, and I've heard good things about the benefits of a tens machine too.

longwayoff · 18/08/2018 20:34

Thanks knowivefor and halloumi, please excuse my trespassing o n original request, am goingI to try acupuncture.

IFartGlitter · 18/08/2018 20:41

The only thing that sorted my Sciatica was a Laminectomy and disc fenestration. I had 2 bulging discs and went on to develop foot drop so surgery was offered. I haven’t had any issues since.

Ollivander84 · 18/08/2018 20:49

I had a discectomy because I developed cauda equina and foot drop. You know the pain is bad when complete numbness is a welcome relief Grin

Any signs of
Numbness around saddle/genitals/bum
Unable to tell you are going for a wee
Incontinence
Drastically changing symptoms (mine felt like warm water running down my legs
Foot drop

Then to a&e straight away

MitchDash · 18/08/2018 20:49

Used a stick to walk 6 years ago and was looking at wheelchairs, and couldn't manage stairs 4 years ago. Used a tens machine and then introduced exercises - before bed- which I increase until I do 10 of each. I do squats, side bends, twists, roll my hips in a figure of 8, touch the floor, knee raises and bends and lean back to see the ceiling light. I can now walk a long way, run up stairs and although I still have pain if I don't keep up the exercises doing them again resolves it now. Really changed my life.

Booboostwo · 18/08/2018 21:56

I put up with the pain of a herniated disc for 8 months before it got better. Just as I thought I was over it I had a terribly painful relapse and cauda equina which required emergency surgery (5 days delayed as the cauda equina was missed by two A&E doctors).

You really need the MRI so the specialist can see what has happened but I think with this amount of unmanageable pain you may be looking at an operation.

Ollivander84 · 18/08/2018 22:05

And yes to stronger. I took
Full dose paracetamol
Full dose naproxen
Diazepam
60mg dihydrocodeine four times a day
Oramorph

JuneMyNameIsJune · 18/08/2018 22:52

I had sciatica for about 9 months. I was unable to put my foot down and bear weight properly it was so bad ... and really depressing because I thought it would never get better. I spent a small fortune with a chiropractor and then, in utter desperation, switched to an osteopath specialising in back problems. He also used acupuncture.

I tell you it was like a miracle. It sounds woo but the first needle he put in my back hit the spot and I could feel it working. It was such a strange sensation but I was fine within 6 sessions. I honestly still feel a bit emotional about it because I was so desperate and it was really affecting my life.

The other thing he taught me was how to get up properly from a chair, how to get out of bed properly and how to get out of a car correctly. I was doing all those things wrong and destabilising my back. I learned to keep my knees together and protect my back. He also gave me orthotics and told me to improve my core strength using pilates (I've had 3 sections so weak core). You can learn all those things yourself by carefully watching Youtube videos - you can feel when your back is unstable and when it is aligned correctly.

JuneMyNameIsJune · 18/08/2018 22:58

Forgot to say - I had a bulging rather than ruptured disc.

Also, as a PP has said, use ice as frequently as you can. I used gel ice packs inside tight fitting underwear or running tights. I had several and would swap them all the time.

Also, be careful with your sofa. I ended up changing our v. expensive low slung modern sofa because it was too low, too soft and ensured you sat at a slight recline. All really bad for your back. I now have a firm sofa that means I sit much more upright.

Domino20 · 18/08/2018 23:04

Acupuncture did wonders for me. But really it has to be from a traditional Chinese medical practice. It was like taking a weeks worth of pain killers.