Sciatic nerve agony - any tips?

[minxthemanx]

Fell over on golf course (!) last October and banged base of back hard, bit uncomfortable down sciatic nerve afterwards but I didn't do anything about it. Last couple of weeks it has suddenly become very, very painful and was awake most of the night with the pain. Struggling to walk properly, hurts from base of back all the way down to foot. Tried doing some stretching exercises specifically for releasing sciatic nerve, seems to have made it a whole lot worse! Will try to see GP tomorrow but I'm not convinced they can do a lot for this? Anyone had any good treatment?

Sympathy from me. Come and join us on The Back thread.

What helps me is rest, heat, drugs and support form others. Happy to elaborate if you are interested.

Injections have helped me a bit and others a lot but have shortish efficacy for me.

See you on the other thread. Lots of knowledgeable ladies on there.

ok - I had sciatica in both legs - I was often crawling.

Acupuncture got the pain bearable then I got an osteopath and then did Alexander technique to improve my posture - never had sciatica since - that was 10 years ago

Chiropractor. Sorted mine. Am still going for other stuff now too. Having acupuncture with him too.

Thanks ladies. I did, have sciatic pain years ago, and remember yoga sorted it where an osteopath hadn't been able to; unfortunately I can't see myself fitting yoga classes into daily, life. I can remember the stretches but as I said, they seem to have made it, worse. Will see gp tomorrow, and maybe find chiropractor.

You need an MRI to find out what's wrong. Whether you can persuade your GP to refer you is another matter. Tears help.

I would like an MRI or something. Have a curvature of the spine which I reckon doesn't help, and would like a proper assessment of my back. Been on my feet at work most of the day, walked the dog for an hour after work, and now my sciatic nerve is telling me to frigging well sit down on sofa.

I have had sciatica since last summer, my docs told me 15 wk wait for physio that was december. I am in constant pain, in back, calfs, hip and now my feet hurt. I am a care assistant so spend lots of time on my feet and its physical so makes my babk worse. At the mo docs just seem to brush it off but i really want it sorted now. Any suggestions. Do you think i should go back to docs.

Instead of heat, try ice. 10 minutes four times a day. You may find it is more effective. Otherwise keep moving and stretch regularly.

Doctors generally don't seem to be too good at backs. You may be better going straight to a properly qualified sports massage therapist, or an osteopath.

Yogalaties and stretching physio worked wonders for me. I couldn't even lie down, sit stand with out it sending shooting pains down my legs and back.

Don't stretch, it makes it worse

Take painkillers regularly (instead of taking them when you feel pain, iyswim) - every few hours

Rest as much as possible

And if it doesn't start easing in a couple of weeks, go and see a doctor.

As before join the back story. Lots of support there.

Thanks ladies, I will join Back thread! Thanks for the tips.

Saw my very lovely GP tonight (50 minutes late but she's so worth the wait). She doesn't think it's sciatica - I've had a lot of pain in the opposite shoulder,. elbow, arm etc and had an ultrasound last week which has shown a buspar (?). She thinks it's odd that have pain in base of back as well and leg. Sending me for blood tests, RA and lupus. Really hope it isn't.

bursitis, not buspar.

I recommend going to an osteopath - choose one recommended to you by word of mouth.

if you live in/near Surrey I can PM you the details of the one I go to.
he is fantastic

Thanks, a friend has recommended one. I'll wait and see what blood tests say.