Excruciating sciatica - please help!

[KR2013]

I've had sciatica since Tuesday morning, and I'm absolutely going out of my mind with the pain. Think I've been pretty lucky with the GPs taking it seriously (although turning up in my PJs and deep breathing like I was in labour throughout the appointment probably helped 😬) and I've been prescribed pregablin and diazepam, plus oral steroids as I have Rheumatoid Arthritis so he thought trying a stronger treatment to reduce inflammation was reasonable. I tried a diclofenac suppository and codeine with diazepam initially but got no relief, and GP removed the first two as he didn't think they'd do much for sciatica. I've also tried a tens machine but didn't feel like it helped when the pain was really severe.

Yesterday was a better day and I was relatively spasm free, although literally lay on a heat pad all day and only got up to go to the toilet.

I've had another huge burst of pain this evening (I think because I tried to move around more today rather than just lie on the floor/bed) and I honestly don't know how much more I can take - the pain is just horrendous, and I literally can't move when it hits 😩 I've come close to ringing for an ambulance twice as I don't know what else to do when I'm locked in one place and grunting in agony.

We're looking into whether I can get an MRI through my husband's health insurance, and the GP said if not, rheumatology should arrange it due to higher potential for disc issues (although he suspects the wait will still be pretty long, but it's quicker than the usual NHS avenues), but any wait feels unbearable currently.

The doctor said physio is an absolute no go currently as I'm in far too much pain for them to do anything.

Not sure what I'm hoping to achieve with this message, apart from maybe hearing others' experiences and any tips...and maybe just some sympathy whilst I'm feeling truly shit and sorry for myself 😭

Unfortunately I wasn't offered an MRI last night, despite really reduced sensation and control of my right leg. The doctor only seemed interested in loss of bowel or bladder control, and pretty much ignored everything else I said 😔

I really hope things improve for you too - sciatica is absolutely no fun!

I definitely found morphine helped last night and this morning, but also made me feel like I'd had a big night out with far too much to drink which definitely isn't sustainable day to day 🙈

I'm so sorry you're in so much pain. I was pretty much that same as you this time two years ago and am still in a lot of pain now, although it's manageable. I'm sure the pain will start to ease slightly with bed rest. Have you tried naproxen? That really helped me, combined with the maximum dose of codeine and paracetamol. Please be careful with pregabalin - it is a horrendous drug and the dosage has to be built up gradually before it will help the pain anyway. Do read the side effects before you decide to keep taking it. I do hope you can get some relief.

I got sciatica throughout every pregnancy - was terrible. On my fourth, the consultant sent me down the corridor to an acupuncturist (in an NHS hospital) and with one treatment (cupping and needles) it was virtually gone and did not return - I had a pain free mobile pregnancy. Couldn't believe it to be honest - just wish I had discovered it the first time!

I usually take naproxen for my rheumatoid arthritis but the GP suggested stopping it whilst I'm on the steroids - am going to restart today though as I need something in between the tablets that I can only take morning and evening. Thank you xx

Thank you for your kind thoughts@KR2013 .

I was talking to a neighbour today whose sciatica was so bad they too had to go A&E, though she was bent up like paper clip and they couldn't straighten her out to get into the MRI tube. This was back in the day of very slim MRI tubes and she's all OK now in her mid-80s.

I had my MRI and it came back as squashed nerve(s) - yes, that's the technical term- due to wear and tear on vertebrae L4/5. The rest of my spine is fine. For context I'm 69. I'm recommended an epidural injection and get my appointment in two weeks' time.

Meanwhile the pain that Panadol+ codeine doesn't touch. A GP I've never seen before but needs must prescribed Pregnabalin AKA Lyric, the former sounding like a gravid Dwarf King from LOTR. He said I shouldn't drive if I feel drowsy - I live alone so not driving for weeks on end is not on. He didn't include the other side effects of suicidal thoughts, weight gain and brain fog. FFS. The online reviews are not encouraging.

Any feedback on Lyric?

I developed sciatica when pregnant so I’m not sure whether what worked for me would work if it’s caused by something else. But just in case it does:

The main 2 things which helped were exercises for stretching the piriformus muscle (you can find them online) and I found an amazing massage therapist (who was also trained in physiotherapy) who would come to my flat with a massage table and perform massage and stretches on me which relieved pain. I did the exercises everyday (really difficult to start with) and got the massage every fortnight for about 6/8 weeks (very expensive but worth it if you can afford it) and then only once every 6 weeks.

I really sympathise, OP. It was agony and I was bedridden a few times with it until I got it under control with exercise and massage. Good luck.

Lyrica is evil imo. Made me loopy and had no judgment at all. I knowingly put my back door key in the bin while on it. I certainly wouldn't drive on it, though driving with really bad sciatica is impossible.

It's popular as a drug of abuse; very mongy. Stopped taking it as felt I could not look after my (at the time) young children.

So glad they've got a plan in place for you ❤️

In terms of the pregablin/Lyrica, I've heard bad things from others but it's definitely made a positive difference for me pain wise (or at least I think it did - the day after I started it I felt some relief , although it's been pretty awful since then) and I haven't noticed it making me particularly foggy headed (codeine is definitely worse for making me feel a bit removed from reality!) I have been quite teary, but not sure whether that's the pregablin or just constantly being in pain and worried how long this is going to go on for!

Have just had a look at stretches and will definitely try those once I'm in less pain ( I can't bend my leg at all currently really 😩)

I think like you say lots of this will be getting through the initial part, and then putting things in place to manage it long term (as long as there's no disc damage etc 🤞🏻)

Same here re. driving - I don't think I could even get myself in a position in the car seat to drive at the moment, and definitely wouldn't rely on my leg to do what I told it in terms of braking if necessary 🙈

Has anyone here ended up using crutches when your sciatica was at its worst? I'm wondering if that might at least let me get to the toilet without horrific spasms and having to call my husband to help me move. I'm finding that when I'm sore, any weight on my right foot leads to huge spasms that totally immobilise me. Whilst I'm sure it's not a long term option, I'm desperate for something that at least lets me have the slightest bit of independence.

Might a walker be better, more stable than crutches?

I used a zimmer frame at times to get to the toilet and it did help a bit.

Omg you poor thing.. been there done that..in the end could not actually walk for a few days...went on for ages. Rest! and the right pain killers from GP, don't think physio yet. Good luck

I have suffered with sciatica on and off for years. The last time I had a really bad flare up was in the middle of the first lockdown. It’s always triggered by prolonged bending over in a weird posit such as vacuuming the stairs or cleaning the bath.
Anyway I tried diazepam and naproxen that had worked before but it did nothing. Tens didn’t touch it and I was ready to jump in front of a train if I’d been able to!
Gp decided to try a new approach and prescribed Baclofen, an antispasmodic. It worked gradually over two weeks.
I have been gradually weening myself off it but always have plenty in stock in case it flares. So as soon as I get a twinge I take it for a few days and it’s magic. It’s the muscle spasms that are really painful. I can tolerate low grade neuro pain in the nerve but cannot function when the muscles spasm, often along the whole length of the nerve so base of spine down to my foot. The hamstring is probably the worst pain. It’s like severe cramp all the way down my leg.

Baclofen is now used off licence. The side effects are interesting but wear off after a couple of weeks. It’s like drinking a triple GnT. Defo no driving but a great high while it lasts.

I take Gabapentin which does help. I'm prescription three a day. Got it down to two. BUT I've buggered up intercostal muscle so been in agony, upping the Gabapentin again.

I used 2 walking sticks I ordered on Amazon. I also used a grabber stick to pick things up because I couldn't bend, it was a great help in the bathroom getting dressed!

I've got chronic sciatica - or some kind of muscle & nerve issue with my leg. I'm currently withdrawing off pregabalin as I think I'm reaching tolerance with it. I've not found any issues particularly other than headaches & tiredness (but I have little kids so that's probably what is making me tired!). Withdrawal so far has been ok, apart from my periods have weirdly stopped. Not pg. Anyway I'm sort of back to square one with trying to help myself with this issue as NHS aren't being much use - MRI shows a protrusion but apparently not enough to do anything about. I've not seen a specialist as NHS physio won't refer me. I'm going to give acupuncture another try. I also saw a great private physio who was helping with strength- I'm trying to keep these exercises up when I can & walk as much as I am able. I cry a lot as I feel like this will be my life forever now (I've had this for a year). I keep trying for my kids.

Oh it’s so painful 😩 Treatment depends on what’s causing it I guess.

I had sciatica after I had DC2 as he was quite a heavy baby and was slow to start walking so I carried him on one hip a lot which obviously put me out of alignment. In my case osteopathy completely sorted it but I appreciate you won’t be able to do that at the moment while it’s so painful. I had to wait for a lull in the pain and then saw the osteo.

My husband also had sciatica but his was caused by a prolapsed disc for which he had keyhole surgery which has been really successful.

I had sciatica, but now it comes and goes

I used acupuncture previously

But now sitting on a coccyx cushion for work and doing 2 stretches when I go to sleep and when I wake up has keep the pain at bay for 4 yrs

I find when it is cold and wet it is so much worse. Any tips on dealing with that would help. I think my muscles tense up which makes for an very sore right leg

@bombastix I also find stress really affects mine, if I'm tense & stressed I immediately feel a spasm of pain. I use a hot water bottle & heat pad quite a lot as cold also makes mine hurt. Hope you feel better soon.

I used crutches at one point and they were practically helpful, but my physio did say to try my best not to use them as he reckoned it wasn't helping my back to be putting weight on my arms rather than my legs. So helpful as a short term aid but to be used with caution, I'd say.