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Original poster

Sciatica leg pain? Help

14 replies

Loobylou1987 · 29/04/2021 19:11

I’ve had achy leg on and off since September doctors keep telling me I have restless leg but it’s during the day! It started as ankle pain thought I’d done something, I then had calf pain I ended up in a&e for bloods to check for blood clot which I didn’t have. Doctor felt it and said probably pulled something. It went away then came back. It’s not mega painful just annoying as hell, it’s outside of my foot, heel goes up my calf though and buttocks and hip sometimes it doesn’t go up but the pain is all over those areas and I do get sharp pains like sciatica so idk if my nerve is damaged or what!

I went to a chiropractor and she sssid my lower back muscle that side is weak so idk if it’s that but told me my calf muscle that side is really tight. I also lay on my stomach so prob not helping myself.

I’m running out of things to do 😓 doctors just fob me off

OP posts:
P999 · 29/04/2021 19:36

Before lockdown, my sciatica was so bad that I couldn't sit. I had it for at least 2 years I had to work at a stand up desk, or lie on my tummy when working from home. I then starting running every day, building up to an hour a day every day (I know, it's a big ask) but it has completely gone. I also swim, when covid restrictions allowed. No idea if that's any help to you, and it's taken a lot of self discipline, but worth it. Its agony. So you've got my sympathy!

Neron · 29/04/2021 20:01

Try massage therapy, they will look at piriformis syndrome.

sarie2468 · 29/04/2021 20:07

I had exactly what you describe for over 8 months during lockdown, I put it down to sitting on a hard chair when wfh and assumed it would go away evertually. After it got really bad I went to the docs and got referred to a NHS physio which was useless (he just gave me a sheet with some exercises to do)
I then paid to see a private Osteopath who said it was sciatica and in 4 sessions completely healed it. I have now had not one twinge of pain in about 3 months, its made such a difference to my life. She manipulated the muscles and nerves using massage and various other more techincal things. Absolutely recommend going down this path if you can as the NHS physio advice did nothing to help the pain.

snotaproblem · 29/04/2021 20:15

A chiropractor got rid of mine

Kleptronic · 29/04/2021 20:25

I slipped 2 discs at the age of 16 and am in my 40's now. The pain was indescribable. At its worst I lost feeling and function in my foot in my 20's (could not stand on toes on the left foot, signal wasn't getting through).

What works for me is Pilates at a minimum. I have to keep my core strong and everything stretched, long and lean and then I'm ok. Swimming would work too. I also run and do HiiT but at a minimum, always Pilates.

StoneofDestiny · 29/04/2021 20:32

Sciatica pain is pretty chronic. Have you asked for a back x-ray? That will identify what is going on.

rebeccachoc · 29/04/2021 20:41

I have crumbling discs in my back so I know how you are feeling with the pain in your hips etc. I highly recommend trying Amitriptyline, it totally gets rid of my shooting pains. It's not addictive at all but it does make you sleepy so need to take it at night. Good luck.

MsAdoraBelleDearheartVonLipwig · 29/04/2021 20:53

I had absolutely blinding sciatica a few years ago, the nerve trapped in my leg. I couldn’t walk, it was so painful, I’ve never had anything like it. I saw a chiropractor and over the course of a few weeks of bending and cracking my back he managed to free it up and it’s never come back.

Original poster
Loobylou1987 · 30/04/2021 07:05

Thanks guys I’m actually seeing a new chiropractor tomorrow and having a massage so will see what they say.

OP posts:
Juancornetto · 30/04/2021 07:09

I have found that regularly doing the exercises by Dr Jo Physio on YouTube has made a massive difference to my sciatic pain

Chanjer · 30/04/2021 07:27

Any stretches that lengthen and open the spine will help

Also hanging off bars and slowly rotating your hips if this is something you are able to do

Going forward try and build core strength

longwayoff · 30/04/2021 07:32

Any aches and pains like this, take them to an osteopath immediately. GPs, whom we love and respect in every other medical situation, are of little use for back pain.

Onesnowynight · 30/04/2021 07:52

I have sciatica and prolapsed discs, also on enough meds to tranquillise a horse. I found acupuncture to be the best thing. Unfortunately I can no longer afford either financially or time wise to have the 3 sessions a week that make me pain free. So I’m stuck with meds now.

Hope you can find something that works it really is the worst pain.

SatyajitRayFan · 30/04/2021 08:34

Like the pp above, acupuncture helped me a lot. I had terrible shooting pains down my left side and wasn't able to walk for more than 5 minutes. I had an MRI done through my workplace private health insurance which confirmed what my GP and consultant were thinking - it was prolapsed disc. Amitriptyline got the intensity of the pain down a bit but it still wasn't good enough. Pilates didn't help at all. Yoga and acupuncture was what made it better in the end. I needed about 10 acupuncture sessions (couldn't afford more) and did yoga for back pain for 6 months.

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