I think I've got sciatica... Help!

[MrsBigD]

Not 100% sure it's sciatica but the pain starts just left side of the coxics (sp?) and sort of winds it's way down my leg into the ankle... any remedies please/best treatment besides eating lots of painkillers?

And taking it easy isn't really an option ... have 2.9yo and 5.5yo

I went to the doctors with sciatica, she told me it tends to come in six week cycles, and mine does. She gave me some strong painkillers, as yet I have just grinned and bear it. Doctors did say that physio is an option as is an mri scan if severe.

Having been there and got the t-shirt many times I would ring an Osteopath asap.

Do you have any anti-inflammatories? Eat the painkillers!

Lay flat on your back on the the floor when you can. I found that helped a lot.

thanks for the replies.
How do i find an osteopath? would a chiropracter do? my boss knows a good one (private mind you but who cares about money when it helps with the pain...)

Shall throw in some neurofen max strength now and lie down on our orthopaedic mattresse

I had it, is virtually clear now even after childbirth. About 15 years ago I was given a big bottle of brufen and sent away from one doctor, I got a second opinion and was sent to a physiotherapist. She taught me lots of exercises, all very subtle, she also came to my home and pointed out things I was doing in everyday life which would aggravate it. It took time but worked in the end. I now do a very subtle form of yoga which is very simular to the physio I had all those years ago and although I get occasional twinge it never shoots down my leg anymore. Hope that helps, I would try and get a referral from your doctor, best of luck I know how horrible it is!!

thanks, I do have lower back problems about once a month... seems to relate to my cycle. However so far it was generally just lower back pain and the odd legs going numb (not pleasant but not as painfull either). This time round it's very one sided and I just can't get comfy.

My rumbunctions (sp?) 2.9yo defo doesn't help as he's quite heavy and physical.

Will have to make gp appt Monday to see whether they can refer. Then again referrals in this country on the NHS... might just go private straight away and cough up the money. Argh.

i too suffer from sciatica ,i have had it for 11 yrs now.When it first started it was extremely painful and i actually felt sick with pain.it was all the way from my backside down into my foot.In the beginning, nothing seemed to help and so i went to a private chiropractor twice a week .After about 8 weeks they decided to xray and found that whatever is between the discs in our spine had pumped out.So no amount of manipulation worked.I was due to have an epidural to help but a couple of days before ,the pain went out of my foot so the doctor thought it best to leave alone.After a few months of it gradually getting better i finally could cope with it,now if i do get it it only lasts a couple of days.One good bit of advice is not to sit longer than 20 mins,and also when getting an a car sit on the seat and swing your legs in.I was actually excused jury service because of this because of the long sitting.

thanks mummylin Hardly ever get a chance to sit down for more than 20 mins thanks to 2 very active kids so at least I'm doing one thing right.

Had a longish drive today and it was awful as of course we got stuck in traffice and my clutch foot is the one affected. YOuch... had to take 2 x 400mg ibuprofen twice! and can still feel the twinge.

Swimming and my osteopath help when it flares up with me, mostly the swimming though.

osteopath but get one that "clicks" the back
I suffer badly and my osteo is my god