Sciatica

[Stumpy54321]

I’ve ended up with sciatica after pain in my back. The back pain has now subsided but my leg still feels numb at the back of top of leg and also my foot is numb and feels very strange to walk bare footed on hard floors. My calf feels like a cramp feeling. I’ve been walking a little more each day but my foot almost feels like it’s weak. The last couple days I felt I’d turned a corner with the pain but was agony last night keeping me awake until 3am. Been off work for 2 weeks now and due to go back next week, but I’m on my feet all shift and just worried my leg will get worse. Any advice would be appreciated

Have you seen your GP? I had terrible sciatica & after months of pain I had an mri which showed a prolapsed disc.

Sorry meant to add - I’ve been seeing an osteopath which has helped.

re work, it sounds like you might need some more time off ? I’m very lucky I’ve been able to wfh but even then I’ve had days where I can barely concentrate.

Definitely go to an osteopath ASAP.
It will be money well spent

If it's still that bad after six weeks, it needs medical attention. GP won't give more than painkillers until then because the back is still healing.

I have a prolapsed disc causing my sciatica and I can't do standing jobs because of the pain. You may have to change job.

NHS guidance: www.nhs.uk/conditions/sciatica/

Any numbness in your saddle area?
Any problems with your bladder or bowels?

I found that a thin pillow between my knees whilst side-sleeping helps. You may have one side that's less painful to sleep on than the other. It's a bad night if I'm on my back with the pillows all under my bent knees.

No not at all

Hi. I’m now 5 weeks on. Still not back at work. Pain in leg is definitely better but still have numb foot and calf tightness and pain

I’m only spoken to gp on phone. I told him my symptoms and he agreed it was sciatica.

You need to walk around for a few minutes every day, outside so you aren't having to turn around every five steps, without trying to carry a rucksack or any other loading on your back. Not moving will make it worse.

I slipped a disc almost two years ago and have had excruciating sciatica ever since. I've been taking codeine, naproxen, and paracetamol ever since . I had a nerve root block injection almost a year ago which didn't help, and am finallly due to be seen in the pain clinic in early March after two years. I saw a chiropractor for the first four months but the damage to my back is quite extensive and it didn't really help. By far the most relief I've had, and the thing that has made life bearable, has been my TENS machine and I couldn't go out of any length of time without it. I've also been having acupuncture since October, which has really helped as well. My TENS machine is just a little wireless rechargeable one that cost me about £30 and I woukd recommend anyone to try one.

I thought TENS was a pregnancy thing? How does this work?

@VitoCorleoneOfMNMafia tens machines send electric pulses and I've used one for endometriosis pains, period pain. They are great for anywhere.

I tried ignoring my hip/leg pain for months and ended up with severe sciatica.

Long story short, the cure for me was pregabalin (Lyrica) and 8 weeks of physio. Lyrica targets nerve pain & takes a week or 2 to kick in, but mine was so bad the physio said I had to rest it until the swelling went down anyway.

If I start getting twinges now I just start doing my hip-glides (one of many things they teach you) and it goes away.

Good luck, it's the most hideous type of pain.

You have my total empathy, just been through something myself.

For me I tried a back brace, plenty available and they are Velcro based, my pain was unbearable to the point of totally breaking me down physically and mentally, I'd just started a new job and was in my first 3 months trial so was desperate not to be off sick.

On a positive my pain seemed to suddenly stop over a few days since using the back support at work all day, maybe it just supported a part that then gave it chance to heal? Definitely worth a try and for me I felt better than swallowing pain killer after pain killer.

Wishing you well, it will go away definitely

Hi. Yeah I’ve been walking daily but can’t walk as far as I’d like

I find the best cure is long relaxed walks on level ground. We are fortunate to have a 3 mile seafront here that is idea for long level walks with no turns, steps or sloping ground. Don't carry anything more than a phone in a pocket. You need to build up the walking time gradually but it will help relax all the muscles down your leg.

Thank you. Unfortunately I don’t have a seafront 😔but do have plenty of places to walk as I am on the border of the countryside. I find it difficult to walk too far as I’m limping still.

The problem I found is that all the muscles down one side start to seize up so walking will relax them. Just be careful in the countryside that you are not walking on uneven ground, I would would stick to pavements or surfaced paths. I have suffered for years and doctors were largely unhelpful so have just found ways to cope with the episodes. It does just take time.

Thank you. Yeah I wouldn’t walk on uneven surfaces. I feel like it’s a vicious circle in that I’m limping because my calf is tight and painful and because I’m limping it’s tightening the calf. I realised the other day that when I’m just on my bad leg I cannot lift my heel or go on tiptoes either. I’m seeing g a physio next week so hoping that will help.

How are you doing @Stumpy54321 ?

Hi. I went to see a physiotherapist today. He believes I have S1 disc herniation, and wants me to get a scan before he does any treatment.

A scan is a good idea, it's a good sign that they won't treat you without one. How is your pain?

Pain is definitely better, no pain at all in my back, but still have some calf pain and numbness in back of thigh and foot. Physio said I also have calf muscle wastage. Cannot lift my heel if just standing on bad leg.

@Stumpy54321 That sounds rough, if you are losing strength. I seem to be able to perform ok on strength tests but I just can't get my pain levels to go down. I have 2 prolapsed discs. I hope you get answers and you improve quickly.