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Original poster

Can anyone help with sciatica pain? I'm in agony

28 replies

Newschapter · 13/09/2019 05:23

I have been in absolute agony for days now and in surviving on ibuprofen and very little sleep.

I had sciatica before and used a foam roller to ease the pain and am doing the same this time but it's so intense I am in tears.

I'm moving about, still going to the gym and keeping active but the pain is literally driving me crazy. I'm stretching with my knee pressed towards the other shoulder. All I feel is throbbing down my thigh, back of calf and my foot Sad

Has anyone any tips on how to relieve the pain? Would physio work?

I think physio triggered this though as I was with a physio last week for a hip problem and the sciatica flared up a few days later - maybe a coincidence but I hadn't had it since December last year.

If anyone could give me any advice to help ease the pain or tell me what pain killers work best (as ibuprofen feels like I'm eating smarties) I'd be very very grateful.

OP posts:
MaybeitsMaybelline · 13/09/2019 05:34

One word. Osteopath. Far preferable to a physiotherapist in my world of 20 years of musculoskeletal problems.

endofthelinefinally · 13/09/2019 05:38

Are you doing the proper sciatica exercise?
Lie on back
Alternate knees to chest
Both knees to chest
Stra8ghten out
Then one knee up to chest and roll knee to opposite side, keep shoulders flat. Repeat other side.
Both knees to chest again.
Never sit straight up, always roll to side then sit up.
Ice pack to lower back.

endofthelinefinally · 13/09/2019 05:40

Then osteopath first thing.
I agree re physio, they can be very hit and miss.

fantasmasgoria1 · 13/09/2019 05:59

My sciatica has flared up again and I'm waiting for my spinal appointment in October. Mine behan in 2011. It gradually got worse until a year later I had an. Operation. For the best part of a year I took morphine both tablet and liquid. I was lucky if I got 2 hours sleep in any 24. I'm taking cocodamol 30/500 mg as I have been since 2012. For me physio did not work. The physio said the pain was too much to work with. My sleep is crap and I am up at 3am most mornings due to pain. Have you tried cocodamol? I doubt over the counter stuff would have an effect but you could ask your doctor for something stronger. I really empathise with you as sciatica is the pits.

Original poster
Newschapter · 13/09/2019 06:25

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm sorry you're all suffering the same pain, it truly is debilitating.

I have a desk job so my time for stretching and walking is limited, though I'm off today so will keep active.

How would I go about seeing an osteopath? Is it something you can do privately like physio and chiro?

Appointments with my doctor are difficult to get. By the time the appointment for pain relief came about the sciatica may have passed. I can hardly say it's an emergency appt.

I have scoliosis in my upper spine - I hadn't thought they could be linked? Or is that just a coincidence?

OP posts:
Original poster
Newschapter · 13/09/2019 06:27

@fantasmasgoria1 can you hold down a job with so much pain and so little sleep?

I am barely functioning. Though I am off today thank God as I don't think I could cope with work after no sleep.

OP posts:
ImperfectTents · 13/09/2019 06:36

I take pregabelin when my sciatica is v bad. It blocks the nerve receptors. There are side effects but at least you get to sleep. Ask your gp.
I use physio but had to shop around to find a good one. Pilates and yoga are a good alternative to the gym as you move your whole body and build strength. I hope you feel better soon

endofthelinefinally · 13/09/2019 07:02

Also, only wear soft, airfilled sole trainers and sit on a sacral cushion at all times. Take the pressure off your spine.
Yes you can google a local osteopath. Read all reviews.

OrangeJustice · 13/09/2019 10:56

You say you are barely functioning and are popping ibuprofen like smarties - that absolutely warrants an “emergency” appointment in my opinion. Emergency with the GP doesn’t equate to life or death. You are in considerable pain, it’s impacting on your life and your sleep - get on the phone.

fantasmasgoria1 · 13/09/2019 12:29

No at the moment I'm not working. I have a really shitty mental illness which in the past year has been bad. I have worked hard all my life, through severe mental health episodes, when my sciatica was at its worst and I was on morphine I was doing my degree and working part time. I had a month off in the summer holidays and just carried on. Its recent times things got bad both together! I refuse to allow it to stop me doing the. We went to a goth night the other week, i was all decked out in my gothic finery with my walking stick! Today I was up at 3.30am. I was in agony. Right now I'm in pain and absolutely exhausted. I'm lucky, i have an amazing fiance. I feel so much guilt about not working but he says he would rather me focus on getting better. I am going to ask the spinal consultant to sever the nerve. Last time they wouldn't, the consultant said see how this operation goes and when it flares up again and is bad they would definitely consider it.

Mabelface · 13/09/2019 12:42

Agree about seeing an osteopath wholeheartedly.

ToLiveInPeace · 13/09/2019 20:31

I've only had mild sciatica but I have widespread nerve pain caused by muscle tension/imbalances. Gentle heat (hw bottle) can help quitea bit, plus trigger point message on the buttocks, using a small ball.

Hope you feel better soon.

MoreProseccoNow · 13/09/2019 20:36

My mum has sciatica & I've bought her CBD oil as nothing else seems to have any effect.

ThisIsM · 14/09/2019 07:28

Im the same with physio it's not the same as chiropractor at all, I don't trust it. You will need a few sessions at the chiropractor but they will sort you out.

fudgesmummy · 14/09/2019 12:07

You all have my full sympathy, I have been suffering for the last 7 months ☹️
I am seeing an osteopath and having acupuncture every other week but still having to walk with a stick.
My GP is not interested at all, she has referred me to the backclinic but said it could be months before I get seen. She won’t prescribe painkillers, just saying to take paracetamol.
On the advice of the osteopath I am paying to have an MRI scan tomorrow, I’m very much hoping it will show exactly what’s wrong

fudgesmummy · 14/09/2019 12:08

MorePreseccoNow has it helped?

fudgesmummy · 14/09/2019 12:11

Newschapter I asked for recommendations on my local Facebook group.
I’m paying £45 for 30 minutes, this includes the acupuncture

MoreProseccoNow · 14/09/2019 13:14

@fudgesmummy - she hasn't tried it yet Confused

I bought it for her over-the-counter from a proper pharmacy & spoke to the pharmacist beforehand.

I'm hoping she gives it a try.....

Adversecamber22 · 14/09/2019 17:46

Osteopath and as far as I’m aware they are all private. Mine was £50 first consultation and £35 every subsequent appointment. I have tried physio, chiropractor and osteopath which was by far the most useful.

Carthage · 16/09/2019 01:09

Another one who has been helped massively by an osteopath. I'd ask around to make sure you get a really good one. You may find that you need a few sessions close together to get it under control and then I recommend regular preventative sessions, every couple of months.

I've also found physios pretty hopeless for various issues over the years. And absolutely no point in seeing the GP unless the osteopath says you need to, for example if the sciatica is causing some nerve damage,

user764329056 · 16/09/2019 01:36

Chiropractor was the only treatment that worked for me

fudgesmummy · 16/09/2019 22:31

Carthage
How would I know if it was causing nerve damage?

jewel1968 · 16/09/2019 22:40

TENS machine (I got mine in boots) helps enormously. Pigeon Pose yoga stretch. I have tried osteopaths, chiropractors, and physios and think it isn't the discipline so much as the individual. Ask for recommendations locally.

mossberry · 16/09/2019 23:09

DH has horrendous sciatica due to a collapsed disc.
Ask your GP for Naproxen, it's a really strong anti-inflammatory.
He also found lying on his side with a tennis ball underneath the side of his bum cheek helped. I think it removed the pressure on his nerve.
Physio used to put him in traction and stretch him for 20 minutes. You could see the relief on his face.

mossberry · 16/09/2019 23:10

Also, as PP said - try a TENS machine. The booklet shows you where to place the pads for relief from sciatica.

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