Sciatica relief

[youhaveafacefortheradio]

I have ongoing Sciatica pain. I originally had it in 2003 after rupturing a disc in my back. It lasted 8 months then went away, I did have twinges off and on but lots of walking exercise etc usually cleared it up.
I had my DD last Nov and since then it's been so bad, I went to docs who gave painkillers and suggested an osteopath which didn't help, I then was sent for physio which actually made it worse it was only down my left leg and now it's down both.
All the doctor said is that it's more than likely I'll need surgery which with having a one year old I'd seriously like to avoid.
Does anyone have any tips or advice or anything about what else I could do/try?
I'm genuinely willing to try anything, I can't walk very far, Work is really difficult (I work in a Nursery so constantly on the go)
Please help

Sorry you are in so much pain. My only suggestion would be a few months with an osteopath but as that has not helped I'm not sure what to suggest. Maybe homeopathic medicines or acupuncture? Have used a homeopathic pharmacist before and it worked wonders but not for sciatica. Hope you find something to help but I don't think it's a quick fix x

Thermacare hip and back wraps
Avoid sitting, stand or lie down. Use a pillow under your knees or between legs if you're on your side
Google mckenzie exercise
Have you had a recent MRI?
I had surgery in May on my herniated disc, it was an emergency so couldn't really refuse but recovery was ok

my DP had surgery for this and was walking normally after a week. he came home the evening of his operation.

he was almost bent double in pain before, and had the operation a week before his 21st. the difference in his posture was amazing - he could stand fully straight! his pain lessened significantly. he could barely walk before without sweating and leaning on me for support, now he can even do handstands id honestly recommend it, if you can get someone to help you out for a week.

I use a Tens machine with heat and stimulation and have been doing Pilate's for a year which has helped a lot. I do one Pilate's class a week and do a 10 minute selection oif the exercises daily.

The outcomes for carefully selected patients (i.e. those with persistent troublesome leg pain that is anatomically consistent with findings on MRI) are extremely good. When I did a spinal surgery job, I often saw patients disabled by sciatic pain who were pain free and walking normally the day after their operation. If you are being offered an operation by a spinal surgeon then don't dismiss it out of hand if your pain is causing you a lot of trouble. Pain killers and exercises might help but a proportion of cases just don't improve without the offending disc being trimmed back.

Pilates classes to strengthen your core. Try to fine one on one so it can’t be tailored to your needs an abilities. Alexander Technique helped me too as it teaches you how to hold yourself for a healthy spine. Drink loads of water. Move as much as you can, water arebocid is good.

Try a nerve based pain relief from your doc like amitripylene.

Ultimately mine got so awful I couldn’t move an inch without crying so I had the surgery which was instant relief.

I have this, though more mildly than yours sounds, poor you.

Things that help me include: sleeping on my side cuddling a bolster with one knee on it. Changing to a lovely memory foam mattress (you can get a decent one for a few hundred pounds from one of the new bed in a box companies like Caspar etc; mine's from Hyde and Sleep and I love it - also watch out for sales, you shouldn't ever have to pay full price). Walking the dog a few miles a day. Two yoga classes a week. Gentle stretching exercises the physio gave me. Proper workstation assessment at work.

If you can afford it, a few sessions with a private physio might be a good idea. They're much more hands-on than NHS physios, do massage etc, rather than just giving functional exercises. They helped me a lot with a sprained ankle though I confess I haven't tried them for the sciatica.

Thank you so much for all your input.
To be honest I assumed the surgery would take a lot longer to recover from than you are mostly all saying. Like I say this has been going on since 2003 although since last November it's been horrible I was in tears this morning walking the dog whilst pushing the buggy but it has to be done.
I'd always assumed the more I do it's better in the long run.
Will definitely be heading back to the doctors as soon as possible. In the mean time it's painkiller galore.
Thanks again

I use hot water bottles all down my leg and on my back.
It's an awful pain, poor you.

Expanding on my post from earlier
Recovery wise - I walked an hour after the op. Woke up from the op at 4pm (mine was complex and took 5hrs) and was discharged at 1pm the next day
No lifting, bending or twisting for 6 weeks which is the tricky bit, but I did squat down with a straight back if I dropped a sock or something! I had no help at home at all from coming home in a taxi, nobody to help for the 6 weeks so it's doable
Walking is the key to stop scar tissue sticking to the nerve so I walked little and often then built it up over the 6 weeks
Day 42 I was back on my horse, only for a few minutes?

Ollivander that's been my concern 6 weeks no lifting with a 13month old that only wants lifted by me, my initial thought process was to wait till she was nearer 2 and didn't need lifting so much like into highchair etc.
I now know I just can't live like this any longer I'm so snappy to DH as I'm constantly in pain. He tries to help but is hopeless and forgets like today we nipped into town and he said will we take the buggy for DD and I said yes, he said it'll be so busy I'll just carry her and by half way through the first shop he's nowhere to be seen and I'm having to carry her, when he did appear back I'm holding back the tears and telling him how selfish he is.

You have my upmost sympathy OP

The problem with physio, osteo, painkillers etc is that the problem is structural. If the herniated disc is pressing on a nerve, the only thing that will be any good is a removing that bit of the disc. Everything else is a sticking plaster.
And given how long it's been going on for, it is safe to say your body isn't going to resolve it

I was up on my feet within hours of my discectomy and the relief was immense.

I had lots of (Private) physio afterwards because I had compensated for the pain by standing and walking really wonkily so needed to retrain my muscles and straighten myself out, as well as rebuild my core strength but the recovery from the op was pretty straightforward

I really wouldn't put the op off if you can help it.
Nerves take a long time to heal and the longer they are compressed, the greater the chance of permanent nerve damage.

Wow the surgery recovery times sound really quick. Would your partner be able to take any leave after surgery to help out?

I'm going to see the doctor as soon as I can and just go with the surgery. My DH could take some time off and my DM would come to help on the days DD is not in Nursery.
It is totally doable and the fact it's now down both legs instead of just one now is pushing me to get it sorted.
I miss living a normal life as at the moment I'm only making plans to go places if there's somewhere I can sit or somewhere we can drive to in the car. I miss walking miles with my dogs.

Go for it op hope you get it under control soon and wait isn't too long. Good luck and merry Christmas x

I took six weeks to recover enough from surgery to work etc. I had thought recovery would be quicker. But I think it was hard because mine was emergency surgery after my disc totally hernaited and compressed my nerve so badly I got drop foot and couldn’t move my ankle. It was agony if I moved a kilometre and I could not even move to pee. I wish I’d gone for the surgery before it got that bad.