Sciatica

[Hickories]

Does it go away? I had very painful flare ups for a year and took very strong prescription meds and suddenly it went away with no flare ups for 18 months

I've had it today, after not having had it for over two years. It's been like jolts when I've walked and got into my car. Horrible pain.

I had it for four years of HELL. Trashed my quality of life. Eventually went away through exercise/physio/squats, wearing shoes with serious arch support, and quiting my super stressful job.

I do squats but the thought of doing them to alleviate sciatica, is frightening! Glad it worked for you, though.

😟

Just going through my second bout after having it for a long time during covid. Took me a year to get off pain killers then but hoping I’ve caught it earlier this time.

I was on cocodamol but don't need them anymore

Sciatica is the absolute worst, what really helped mine was a good physio, I still get flare ups but I can function compared to when it was at its worst

I had awful physio so left and found a good one

My old physio told me to have Epsom salt bath. Did nothing for me

I tried some awful ones before I found her, if she moves I will cry!

I don't go anymore because I was told what exercises to do and do them at home

I can't afford to keep paying 50 quid for a 30 minute session

A good physio will teach you preventative exercises, so when you feel it coming on you can ward it off, so to speak.

I had it badly at the start of covid, no idea what it was, just knew I was in agony from hip to foot and my leg was partially numb.

There's a drug called Lyrica (pregabalin) that targets nerve pain, I found it worked much better than anything codeine based. It takes a week or two to kick in but made a huge difference.

@Hickories I am on Naproxen during the day and high strength cocodamol at night only as it makes me drowsy. Morning is the worst. As soon as I am out of bed it starts tightening up. Also started physio although a know from last time what stretches I should do. Still seems to be in the getting worse phase rather than improving. Going on hols tomorrow and not looking forward to the airport 😞

Could anyone post a link to preventative exercise that work for you? I'm getting a bit of sciatica. Doc told me to do flossing. I really don't want it to get worse!

I had a bout of sciatica that lasted 15 months of which 3 months was agony, barely able to stand. Was taking gabapentin but really only time and physio helped. I'm very careful with my back now and stop and think when I'm lifting or carrying at work, dread triggering it again.

I’ve also had it for 4 years - sorry to hear another person has been suffering with it for so long

I want to weep when I think about how much money I’ve spent on physio, various cushions, exercise classes over the years. NHS have been useless - first physio appt (that I waited 3 years for) was by telephone!!

I think mine is connected to piriformis syndrome so sitting down and sedentary job make it significantly worse. Movement is the only thing that helps mine and I’d recommend a standing desk

I've had it since my daughter was born in 2017. The only thing that works for me is amitriptyline 10mg every night.

Find a good physio, get an exercise schedule and stick to it every day, twice a day like brushing your teeth. Also google anti inflammatory diet and yoga for sciatica. Better still enrol in a regular class and speak to the teacher. Keep your weight down.