Help! Ouch! Sciatica!

[gaiamum]

Just wondered whether anyone could give me some advice/words of encouragement. Have sciatic type pain running down my left leg into my foot and have had for the last 6 weeks. I've seen an osteopath a few times but with little relief. I'm not bed bound but intermittently finding it very painful, and am not able to drive or sit for longer than 5/10minutes without some really horrible pain. Its been complicated by me not being well over Christmas with something unrelated so spending alot of time lying or sitting down, and consequently now I recovered from that illness, its got worse. I'm waiting for a physio appt, but didn't know whether there were any tips people could give me? I'm on codydramol but I'm not keen on taking that for much longer (can't take brufen and such like as I've had stomach problems.)Has anybody got any tips for me for about things that worked/didn't work? I'm getting a bit frustrated!! No horror stories please!!

I am friends with someone who had severe sciatic problems and was told only surgery could fix the problem. After a run of sessions with a chiropractor he is pain free and no longer on any medication.
I have also visited a chiropractor for severe pelvic instability and numb legs/sciatic pain during pregnancy, and all I can say is how amazed I was at the difference in my condition. I realise it can be costly, but imo it is worth a shot. I know you seen an osteopath but they can do different things, maybe try a chiro?

gaiamum I had the intention of starting a thread about the same thing tonight. It has been twinging for a few days (as I have been lying down a lot as I have been ill too). It has been bloody painful today.

I get really pissed off with it as I have 3 children under six to look after. I have taken Co-dydramol too but it makes me feel crap and doesn't help that much. So sorry I can't help but hopefully someone will have an amazing tip/solution.

Thanks for your input both. Thanks indigo for your tip re. chiropractor treatment. Actually, a few friends have mentioned chiropractors to me, so its definately worth investigating if I don't feel that things are improving- Its good to hear some positive stories. I have a physio appt for next week (surprisingly the GP has been great, and has expedited the appointment for me this morning) so I'll try that first and see how I get on. Whysolate-I so sympathise, I have two children of 4 and 2, and I'm getting so fed up! Could you ask your GP to refer you as an urgent case to your local physiotherapy service as a first port of call? I am trying to get through by avoiding driving unless absolutely necessary, moving position often, and wearing a bag of frozen peas down my pants when not in public! I'm trying to stay positive as I know that this plays an important part in managing back pain, but is blinking difficult when you feel like all you want to do is saw your leg and bum off. Anyway, thinking of you indigo, I feel your pain. I'll post again when I've seen the physio or if I discover any magic cure! I've also heard that turmeric and devils' claw can be good for reducing inflammation, which I haven't tried myself but I'll try and give that a go.