To ask for your sciatica success stories

[CaramelEmporium]

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

I had it a few years ago and it was so debilitating and it made me sob with the pain. It's not 100% gone away now but it's totally bearable. What worked for me - strengthening my core, Pilates, diclofenic, walking & tennis ball massage into glutes.

Gabapentin helped me where tramadol did nothing, because gabapentin is a nerve one.
I was bedridden for two months, but it did slowly get better. A few years before it didn't get better and I had a discectomy.
Sending my sympathies, it's a horrendous pain. Hold onto the fact that it's NOT forever, even though it feels like it

Find a private Physio
NHS ones are shit

I have disc problems (fragmented disc) causing sciatic pain. Waiting for appt with neurosurgeon.

Gabapentin has helped, plus naproxen - had codeine for a while but trying to wean myself off it...

Tens machine. Hot baths. Keeping warm. Oesteopath. Yoga & swimming on 'good days'. I've had sciatica for years. I have been offered surgery but the risks are possible paralysis and bladder / bowel problems. ( Due to the location of the cyst on my spine ). Am on tramadol and cideine too.

Just to update in case this of interest to anyone in the future... I bought a tens machine and that definitely helped a bit. The consultant today thinks a slipped disc and has prescribed Gabapentin and dihydrocodeine ahead of my MRI scan tomorrow . The edge went from the intensity of the pain almost straight away after taking the first pills. I’m still in pain but it’s tolerable and I’m feeling so much happier.

So glad to hear the pain has eased. Good luck tomorrow.

I would strongly recommend you to try Ayurvedic treatment for this. I Hsed to have a bad sciatica on and off. Got an episode in India, when I was there on holiday and I was recommended to try Ayurvedic treatments. It helped me loads and massages felt so great… I remember this poultice massage filled with hot herbs. Felt heavenly and you could feel the healing heat penetrate so deep and relieve the tension and the pain! There were some herbs I had to take too ( I think they were mainly aimed at some gentle detox). I had some diet and self massage plan and exercise to follow at home.. It kept me sorted for a while... I slowly returned to my old habits though… sedentary work, lack of exercise, bad diet, stress... I have had a few episodes since and they gradually started to worsen. I found this Ayurvedic place in Reading offering these treatments too. The therapy was felt so heavenly and has relieved me so much. I just wish it was just financially more accessible as you need more than just a couple of treatments.