Sciatica

[Chimperino]

Hi all, I'm new to the sciatica pain party. Does anyone have any tips that can help with getting a good night's sleep, or any exercises that can help. I am thoroughly fed up with the constant pain, and I don't really like having to take so many painkillers if I can find an alternative way to relieve it. I am on the waiting list for physio from the GP, but I expect a fairly long wait for that.

Pay for an osteo. Worth every penny

Low dose amitriptyline just before bedtime has been really effective for my sciatica - which is worse when lying down. The added side effect benefit of drowsiness works to help get me to sleep as well

I’ll join you in the pain party. Mine was finally easing off and I was sleeping again, but then I did some exercise and I’m back to square 1. I was sobbing at 2am last night. It’s horrible isn’t it?

What helped ease if off before was a prescription for Celecoxib (naproxen does nothing for me) and strong codeine to take the edge off. Also regular stretching and movement all through the day and before bed. I also sleep on an electric blanket so I whack that on when it’s bad and it can help me nod off. It’s been a massive help actually.

@spiggydit do you take your amitriptyline with codeine by any chance? I have a prescription for it but I’ve been nervous to take it. I took it one night without codeine but the pain was too much. Did it work straight away for you?

@DrinksbytheSea it worked within a fortnight for me - it's not gone away completely but it does massively dial it down. I have taken codeine (CoCodamol) with it when I just can't get comfortable in the night - it helped and I had an extra good nights sleep with no lasting effects from taking them both together.

Thank you for your comments, naproxen is doing nothing for me either, co-codemol calms it down enough for me to get to sleep, but once I'm awake the pain is horrible. Gentle stretching and exercise is helping during the day, but it is just so tiring being painful all the time.

I found acupuncture really helped. Unfortunately I needed several sessions per week and it became financially unviable. But it may be a option for you in the sort term x

Sympathies @Chimperino do you know what's causing it? Have you had a scan?

Amitriptyline is good but made me so sleepy. I'm currently withdrawing off pregablin as I think it stopped helping all that much. My pain has been worse since coming off though. Or some say gabapentin helps with nerve pain.

Flarin can be helpful & bought in any chemist/supermarket. I find it's better than naproxen. Some find ice or heat helps.

I've had different types of physio, building strength hasn't made the pain go but I feel better in myself when I'm stronger.

I have slipped vertebrae which gives sciatic pain 24/7. I found a TENS machine was the only thing that helped me to sleep. Until I was given Pregabalin which worked.

seeing my surgeon tomorrow to beg for surgery, I have been in agony on and off for 4 years and I can’t take it anymore.

Apparently I have a trapped nerve they think as the pain is getting worse and I now have partial loss of sensation in the leg and foot. So I am now on tramadol which is a bit hefty and am still awaiting physio. It's so sad really to see so many of us in such severe pain every day, so many people suffering from different things.

I would ask for an MRI scan, they thought I had a trapped nerve also till the MRI showed bulging disks and slipped vertebrae.

my surgeon has agreed that I should have surgery and thinks he can squeeze me in next month. Fingers crossed.

MRI showed bulging discs ..having physio and making slow progress

How is your pain? Are you on meds? I'm glad you are making slow progress.

Still on meds, but fewer than before. I take pregabalin and naproxen, plus paracetamol when needed. It's fairly stable thankfully pain wise. I still have sensation loss in the one lower leg and foot so I don't have full balance or strength which is frustrating. Simply I am having to wait it out until it rights itself with time and gentle exercise.