Sciatica - getting better but need advice

[frazmum]

Have had Sciatica since week before Easter. Reached its worst a week after when had to call ambulance due to pain. Have also seen orthopaedic Dr at hospital. Basically a bad case but hospital didn't feel need to do MRI. So it is slowly getting better, my mobility in left leg has improved.

However over last 2 days pain has increased again and don't want to go back on co-codamol or tramodol during the day as have 4 DCs and DH out from 6:30-7:30 each day. So relying on Gabapentin & paracetamol. Can't take ibuprofen. Seen some info on Internet on stretches to help - has anyone found these work as don't want to make things worse?

Stretching does help yes, it is agonising for the first one or two sessions, but it then becomes part of your daily routine, almost like brushing your teeth really.

I was very sceptical early on, but stick with it, check with your doctor too. My GP referred to me to a lovely little centre where they show you physio and the benefits etc.....

Anything beats taking painkillers in vast quantities honestly! Best of luck to you, if you need some exercises send me a message and i will dig some out for you...

Thanks - found some to try. I agree about the painkillers - just had to take co-codamol, normally cope with just paracetemol during the day. Am supposed to be writing a uni essay but am a bit foggy. Our GP has a physio onsite so will trying getting a session with her.

I went for physio when I developed sciatica. As the pp said, it seemed to aggravate it at first but then I saw a big improvement quite quickly.

I do sympathise as it's agony :(.

Acupressure worked for me (not acupuncture). I was very skeptical but willing to try anything after physio did little for me. 3 sessions of acupressure, first one was like a nice massage, second hurt a little, third was agony but pain disappeared after that and the guy doing it knew it was fixed too, have no idea how.

Worth a try anyway? I sympathise.

Thanks all - have a job interview on Friday so need to get active. Haven't been working the last 2 months so in a weird way sciatica came at the right time. Is a contract at last company again, and being interviewed by a previous boss who I got on really well with so feeling positive.

I found sitting up in bed with legs straight out in front (or laying in bed) & pointing toes towards my body so you feel it pulling on the backs of your legs really helped. Also I read online that eating salty crisps helped so very sceptically I tried that - and it did!

I only had sciatica when pregnant but once I did the stretches in bed every eve it really helped. If I didn't do it I'd be woken by the awful pain in the night!

Salty crisps!?!?! Will have to get some!!!