Sciatic pain - 111?

[Vebrithien]

Posting for traffic here.

I have severe sciatic pain, in my left buttock and calf. I had a telephone appointment with my GP on Monday for lower back pain and sciatic pain. Was prescribed naproxen, but nothing else, as am still breastfeeding (10 month old).

Saw an osteopath on Wednesday, some relief on Weds/Thurs/Fri. Friday evening, bent down twisting, and have never felt pain like it before.

Now, no back pain, severe pain down my left leg. I can't weight bear, too painful and feels like leg is buckling. I can feel all my 'bits' and I'm using be the toilet okay. Often feeling a spasm, flicking type sensation all down my buttock and leg.

Some relief when I lie down, but have 2 DC, and DH is waiting for an op, so can't lift anything . No family locally.

What do I do? Am thinking of phoning 111, no minor injuries here, just A&E and urgent care.

Definitely phone them. Sciatica is awful

you're obviously aware of cauda equina and it doesn't sound like that, which is good news. Sciatica is not good news, been there recently and yes it is horrible.

doesn't do any harm to phone 111 for advice, that's what they are there for. Problem is there may not be much to be done beyond painkillers and some physio - I had a telephone appointment and the exercises do help.

I hope things improve soon.

It's classic sciatica, not sure what 111 can do tbh. Painkillers and physio are the only way to help sciatica in the long run.

What do I do? Am thinking of phoning 111

What are you hoping to achieve?

I don't mean that in an arsey way at all. I often think that your expectations may lead you to decisions. If you think 111 will be able to fix it, there is no point calling them. If you think they might be able to help you access better pain relief, the yes, call them.

Am waiting for a doctor to phone back. Round here, 111 is the only way to access OOH appointments. I've not been seen by a doctor at all before this, just prescribed naproxen over the phone.

I'm having to drag my leg, which feels colder than the other. Although I'm still breastfeeding, I need some other pain relief, I've been sick several times with the pain.

You probably should phone 111 if it's that severe, if it's regular sciatica they probably won't be able to do much but there are some rare conditions for which very severe onset of sciatic pain can be a warning sign. Cauda equina syndrome for instance can cause paralysis quite quickly, and you should be properly evaluated to make sure they don't think it's something like that

Have you tried having a hot bath @Vebrithien? It really helped with my sciatic pain and I was able to move my leg in the water in ways that I am couldn't outside of the water.

Have you got a hot water bottle and ice pack to hand? If you put them on your lower back and alternate between hot and cold I find it really helps.

Also lie on the floor and bring your knees up to your chest if you can.

I had horrific sciatica last year and was on high dose painkillers for a while. The pain was do bad I cried but doing yoga and not lifting anything heavy has got rid of it fir good although I am a bit creaky and stiff in the mornings still.

I phoned 111 last summer, as with you round here it's the only way to get ooh care without going to A&e. Was prescribed breast feeding unfriendly painkillers so watch out.

What cured me in the medium term was physio exercises, particularly pelvic tilts. One appointment with a private physio and persistence with the recommended excerises gave rapid improvements and saw it off completely in 3 - 4 weeks.

I was literally screaming in pain with my spasms so I really sympathise and I hope you get better soon.

111 definitely
You need to be seen, I was dragging my leg with cauda equina and I had full control over bladder and bowels

Agree call 111. I’ve suffered with chronic back pain for years, I completely sympathise OP.

I've got two prolapsed lumbar discs and one is impinging on my sciatic nerve. A TENS machine really helps when the pain is bad. I hope you get some relief soon.

Yes call 111. Hope they are able to help or at least reassure you.

I had this before Xmas and was prescribed 4 days worth of diazepam in addition to the naproxen. It did help.
I have residual nerve damage from a large slipped disc operation a few years ago. If it’s getting worse I would ring 111.

Ah - leg dragging and cold feel. Get on to 111 now if you haven't already.

Fellow sufferer here. While you should try and get some pain relief and maybe even a scan if you can go private, long term the only solution is physio and exercise. You need to strengthen your core, back and leg muscles. It's hard work and takes a while to see the results but it's the only way. Take it from someone who spent years not being able to go on walks, not sleeping because of pain, constantly losing all feeling in my leg. I still get flare ups if I sit down loads a few days in a row, after a long haul flight etc.

I've been seen by the OOH doctor in urgent care. Yes, sciatica, can't be given any other painkillers as breastfeeding, but been prescribed amyltripten (sp?) as a muscle relaxant, which is okay for breastfeeding. I react very poorly to anything opiate based, so just got to keep going. Am seeing my osteopath on Wednesday morning, hoping he can help more.

DH is currently collecting my prescription, and freeze spray/cold pads, to alternative with the heat pads I already have.
Thank you for the (somewhat) blunt replies. I'm struggling with PND and PTSD, following the very traumatic premature birth of DS during the first lockdown, and the feeling of loss of control, as well as the extreme pain has been incredibly triggering.

Will be back onto my GP tomorrow for a referral for physio, can't have diazepan. My osteopath is also a (Olympic) sports therapist, so should be able to help with the exercises.

Pump and dump and get on top of your back

Nothing is worth suffering on top of suffering

It honestly won't help you parent if you breast feed

BF by all means but not to your detriment xx

Check with Wendy Jones which medications you can have while breastfeeding to make sure you're getting all that you can.

You can use tramadol when breastfeeding

@Vebrithien I am currently suffering from a bulging disc and have been prescribed amitriptyline too. It's not sciatica but been advised painkillers and one of the above at night. I have had it for a week and now trying gentle Pilates on YouTube to strengthen core and legs.

@Vebrithien I'm a chronic pain sufferer and very experienced in various drugs, etc over last over twenty years of pain (I'm 34). For sciatica, the amitriptyline will help but you may need to take twice a day to start getting relief. Don't take after 6pm otherwise you'll have trouble waking up the next day. If you have a bath, get in with it as hot as you handle and soak, the heat will get the blood moving and help relax the muscles. Finally, I've discovered the amazingness of muscle rubs that contain CBD. Holland and Barrett sell one called muscle balm Ultra (it's the strongest). Get someone to get you one and have OH/anyone massage your entire lower back and down your left thigh (it's gotten me off my permanent reliance on amitriptyline/pregabalin as I couldn't sleep due to constant sciatica). I too cannot take opioids. Once it's settled, and it will, be careful when bending and lifting to avoid muscle spasms, start on gentle core exercises and Pilates. Get walking to build core strength.

I take 25mg Amitriptyline about an hour before bed. It knocks me right out! But it does help with the pain so I can get some decent sleep. Voltarol 12hr gel is really good too. Walking is absolute agony for me after about 10 mins, it doesn't even start to loosen me up. Once everywhere opens properly I'm going to book with a physio at DH's gym for a proper 'hands on' assessment & an exercise regime with maybe some gentle Pilates.

Rest. Heat. Gentle movement. Do what you can to keep on top of anxiety as this affects how you experience pain. Take as much pain relief as you can. Get a physio appointment ASAP. Look up piriformis syndrome and stretches for this.
Cold will not help muscle spasms.