Sciatica - nothing works?

[NeedForSpeed]

DH has sciatica. He's had 30/500 co-codamol and 500mg naproxen for days and it's not touching the sides. I dosed him up with my 20mg amitryptiline last night which knocked him out at least, but he's in agony again now.

He's refusing my TENS machine now although it helped 2 days ago. Heat and cold application makes no difference to him.

No position is comfortable - lie on side, back, front, sit, stand, squat - so he's throwing himself around all the time trying to find a way to be out of pain.

He's also an appalling patient, and even the mildest cold turns him into an absolute wailing arsehole so this level of pain means he is currently the most cantankerous thankless groaning and moaning prick you can imagine which is making nursing him even harder.

Any actual tips? Or does nothing work?

Sounds bad so I'd pay to see a physiotherapist who can advise on a rehab plan.

Reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve is key so you need to create space between the vertebrae. Just hanging from a bar helps me a lot when I get flare ups.

Theres a very specific stretch called the Eldoa L5-S1 stretch that helped me get from a hobbling wreck to gym ready in a few weeks. But he doesnt sound anywhere near ready for that yet.

If he can't do the stretches he needs the GP to prescribe a muscles relaxant so that he can do them. Movement and stretches are likely the only thing that will help long term and he he will need to keep it up. Lots of people improve then stop and get a flare up. Yoga is really good once he is out of the acute phase.

How long has he had it? My husband had it a couple of years ago. He saw a consultant privately who said it would probably just go in a couple of months and it did.
I on the other hand have had sciatica for a very long time. It comes and goes. The physio exercises really help. You need to do them several times a day for several days but I find it does stop the pain.

Nothing I can think of, but he was a premature baby with undescended testicles which weren't dealt with properly until he was far too old (3 surgeries, last aged 9) so his nether regions look like he's been attacked by Freddy (DH's description). LOTS of scarring.

I've now spoken to the GP surgery and submitted an E-consult asking for him to be seen today. He literally cannot sit still for more than a few seconds now, and he's fully dosed up. This isn't normal pain levels even in a drama llama.

Will ask for muscle relaxants but I know they heavily gate keep them.

I’m guessing you already know this, but all those painkillers will probably make your DH constipated. Make sure he drinks plenty of water and get a few of tins of prunes!

@Smokesandeats definitely! I'm trying to get him to eat apple sauce but he thinks I'm insane.

He should use the TENS machine. When I had severe sciatica my GP gave me Tramadol. Co-codamol was useless and amitryptiline made me paranoid! Also rest. Do not attempt exercise when the pain is really bad. When I started to recover I did exercises in the hospital therapy pool. When sciatica is really bad you must rest.

Chiropractor really helped me, plus exercise. Walking (properly, arms swinging etc) swimming and pilates to start with, then I was able to slowly get back on a bike.

Plus also, hate to mention it, and you have not mentioned weight so may not be a factor, but weight loss. I can tell my weight is creeping up if my back starts to go. Reduce weight, relieve the pain.

I acknowledge this may not be relevant if he is already 8 stone - but it is a big factor if he is overweight.

If it is sciatica the only thing that helped me was anti inflammatories and using ice and heat on rotation and resting. And see a chiropractor.

Red light therapy. Gentle back exercises guided by a physio who has reviewed him in person, diagnosing the cause of the sciatica and therefore appropriate treatment.

When my sciatica is bad I lie flat on my back with a hot water bottle under the buttock. And try to keep straight - any bending makes it worse. Kneel walk to the loo.

He's just lost 4 stone, now a healthy BMI of 24, so unlikely to be that now! Might have to drag him to pilates with me 😂

I'm in the same situation as your dh, I literally can't sit or lay in any way that is not excruciatingly painful, and I'm so FRUSTRATED mith my stupid body I know I've lashed out on my kids.

It really is the most awful pain op - I likened it to the pain of a contraction whilst in labour - except it doesn't go away. My leg feels like it's on fire constantly and even a tiny move in the wrong way causes jolts of pain.

He might be being an arse but please have some sympathy - it's rotten to be constantly on edge and worrying how to sit/stand/sleep.

I had spinal stenosis which had very similar symptoms and was very debilitating for me. It's where the spinal cord is being squeezed inside the spinal channel. I had an MRI to have it diagnosed. Luckily I have private healthcare through work.

Point being I wouldn't trust a 111 diagnosis for something like this. If that's what it is, it will only get worse.

My DH had sciatica last year and he was in agony for weeks. He never complains about pain so I knew it was bad. He could barely walk.
You should ask for stronger pain relief. There are better options for more severe sciatica pain.
Physio really helped him - we paid initially and he saw a sports physio who was amazing. Eventually the NHS caught up and he got a course of physio with them too.
Fingers crossed he is ok now although they said it can recur unfortunately.

Walking in a swimming pool helped mine hugely. Just walk up and down the shallow end and can also do the stretches in the water more easily than on land.

https://backinshapeprogram.com/2023/08/exercises-for-lower-back-pain-a-back-health-masterclass/ this website has a lot of guidance on recovery

I’m just coming out of the other side of neuropathic pain in my left leg. I had 2 weeks when I couldn’t sleep or walk with the pain. I had naproxen, co-codamol and amitripyline which eventually got me through the nights but it was hot water bottles that helped until I got to a Physio. It’s been the physio and the acupuncture he does every week that’s addressed the pain. Now I am just stiff and sore and working on that with exercise and deep massage. It’s been about 2 months to get to this point.

It’s truly awful (and I have a frozen shoulder as well) and I feel for your husband. He’s got to get a plan together and stick to it.

I would avoid a general Pilates class. Have a look for one run by a physiotherapist so they teach him how to protect his back

I am lucky to live near a chiropractic clinic which made treatment more reasonable. They put me on a stretching machine which in turn released the trapped nerve and I have been fine since this a chiro would be my first port of call.

Insist. This is agony and a decent GP will know that the acute prescription is co codamol and diazepam for relief. I have had crippling sciatica and a surgical referral for a disc problem. A good doctor knows it is agony. Worse than childbirth.

Btw I hope the GP has prescribed some stomach protection for naproxen use. It can seriously damage your stomach lining without (I ended up in hospital as a result).

Agree with all the swimming and exercise but in the acute phase your husband needs proper medication. That means diazepam and not naproxen

Actually they didn't, however I'm fortunately aware it needs it and bought some whilst I was at the pharmacy. Pharmacist didn't mention it either..

Naproxen is an awful drug. I will not take it. Query this with the GP