Sciatica hell. What might help?

[tattoonewbie]

I saw the e chiropractor last week and he diagnosed trapped nerve in three places Pain is in my bum, spreads down my leg and currently my outer lower leg is throbbing and my foot is fizzing.
I cannot get comfy. Back at chiro on Thursday but it's worsening. I've got GP tomorrow and will ask for some pain relief as it's awful. I've done my exercises tonight and it feels even worse.
It's so horrible. Just relentless.
Has anyone any top tips ? Please. I'm so miserable and can't see me being able to drive tomorrow to work. I can WFH but even the thought of sitting is making me want to cry. Sorry to sound pathetic.

I've found a desk converter thing to make mine into standing but can't stand for long currently although am definitely improving.
I'm just impatient. My DH thinks the acupuncture has set me off to being cured. Maybe he's right. Maybe it was my lying down A LOT and being religious with pain relief.
I'm not as much in constant pain but fearful of doing anything work wise before I know what to do. Eg push through pain or stop. Stand in short spells and build up or push through. I just need a plan. I'm N action plan person and the limbo is making me mad. And the guilt at being of work has me depressed during the week. And I don't use that word lightly. I'm. Wry anxious person and this has been challenging me mentally.

My blooming left leg keeps giving out this week. It's the right hip that has arthritis. 🤬I've increased the gentle exercises. Seeing physio tomorrow will seek advice. The pain has been worse. Bed is the only place I get relief so went there this afternoon.

@justasking111 I am sorry to read this.
I've been for a little walk but am sore now. I haven't had the "drop to my knees" in tears pain for a few days touch wood.
Ned is super comfy for me too with pillows everywhere
I suspect I have arthritis in my hip too. Was told this years ago. When I had knee surgery and I suspect it's not great as certain moves used to hurt me in Pilates

Nearly cancelled physio but thought well if I can't get out of the car I'll phone him to come and pull me out.

Managed to hobble in. Getting on his bed was agony. He then manipulated me thoroughly. I said I was so upset about being back to square one. He said it was just a setback I'd been cruising along up till then. Take it easy don't worry about the exercises just do a few of the light ones. He said that there were no orthopedic issues I'd irritated a nerve somehow, an awkward movement can do it.

I went to bed early. Got up this morning dosed up on cocodamol and Gabapentin. Had a hot shower pottered around, cleaning, tidying gently, moving slowly, sitting now and again. Had some lunch, dosed up again. Managed to hoover the sitting room, hallway, bathroom and bedroom. Then I was done by 4pm.

We'll see how I feel later and in the morning. DH is cooking dinner he knows after a day on his hobbies while I hobbled he wasn't getting fed otherwise 😂

My sons arriving tonight for a visit haven't seen him since February busy at university completing his modules. His Easter eggs are still here waiting.

Our health board waiting lists are so long after 18 months DH finally got his carpal tunnel syndrome op. Surgeon offered to do both hands. Husband declined. They're doing a 2 for 1 at the hospital. Anyway physio said one of his clients her husband had both knees done last month same hospital at the same time. He's been in agony, can't walk, can't be left alone at any time. It's an efficient way I guess but jakers imagine being at home in this state.

@tattoonewbie

How are you doing?

Hello @justasking111 I'm sorry you had a setback how are you doing now?
I'm pretty low this week because I've been lonely and feeling guilty about being off
I'm no worse and slightly better. I just need a plan to work to or to know if I'm stuck with it and need to live with it as a chronic thing.

Hi @tattoonewbie

Not great. Finally got to speak to a GP on Friday the senior partner. He's agreed to refer me back to the consultant. Sorry you're feeling lonely. It's such an anti social condition. DH and I had words today, he's fed up with a wife who isn't going out and about with him any more.

I'm a recluse basically and DH is just building his life like I'm not in it so I feel your pain. Feel free to DM if you want to

Hi mind if I join? Currently lying in bed, cushion between knees in excruciating pain. Trying to figure out if it is sciatica/SI joint pain or what else? Pain is in lower back, more towards the right side of my pelvis, it then radiates down to between my legs, then right down right leg, back of my calf and right foot are either aching/tingling or burning right now.

I’ve had 2 dihydrocodeine and 2 paracetamol and they aren’t touching it, I cannot take any naproxen as I’ve run out of omeprazole and it’ll kill my stomach. I have fibromyalgia so used to pain but this is something else, got work in the morning I’ll be on my feet most of the day too.

I'll lay odds you won't be at work in the morning.

Sounds like your sciatic nerve. Can you phone the surgery in the morning. I'm sure they'll knock up a prescription for the omeprazole plus hopefully a nerve blocker and painkillers You're going to need rest in this acute phase.

I've doubled up my omeprazole even co codamol and Gabapentin are affecting my gut. So I've cut out the cocodamol swapped with four paracetamol a day. Ibuprofen is a nono for me.

Try to doze tonight. So sorry.

So sorry to hear you are suffering OP.

i have had on/off sciatica for about 18 years (since first pregnancy).

things that help me:

electric heat pad. has been a life saver for me and I find it more effective than hot water bottle. I’ve got a biggish one from Amazon and put it on my bare skin to maximise the heat. I love it.

long full body support cushion. And lots of pillow options at bedtime. I have to sleep with cushion between my knees, supporting my thighs and feet, sometimes behind my back to lean on (I’m a side sleeper).

yin yoga. Very gentle stretching that allows you to find your limits and not go past them.

really careful workstation set up. Screen/monitor at eye right, no stooping, a good desk chair. Lots of stretch breaks when sat at laptop.

ibuporfen / voltarol gel rubbed into muscles near pain. I find this better than tablets and easier on the stomach.

TENS machine , I have a 4 pad one so I can zap more areas at once.

Absolutely no lifting / twisting when it’s flaring up. No hoovering. No carrying bags or pushing shopping trolleys.

tell people you are in pain and can’t lift etc. so they know to offer help.

sending love and hope you find relief soon xx

@sweetkitty hope you're ok and that you manage to get more pain relief prescribed
@Ricoletti thank you. I'll get a heat pad to try
I'm just fed up now as it's been tjree months and don't feel there's a recovery in sight
Feeling rather sorry for myself

I wasn’t too bad at work today but am now in bed with my TENS machine strapped to me.

I had a right old struggle trying to get pain relief today, complete which of a receptionist was not the most helpful. Telling me I should have came into the surgery and requested a prescription, I’m at work in pain having slept less than 4 hours. Then when I went to collect it I got a dirty look! Lovely for a chronic pain patient.

I’ve had chiropractors, osteopath, private woo physiotherapist and NHS physiotherapist in the past. Paid for a private consultation with a consultant specialising in chronic pain, he told me there’s not much that they can do.

Have you had an MRI, scan and a diagnosis?

I've had my heat pad on all evening it has helped.

The ankle pain I've recently developed is really bloody annoying. As if having pain in my back, hips, thighs and calves wasn't punishment enough.

I really hope you read this

I went to a spine specialist physio for my sciatica and was told it was because my low back was curving the wrong way. You are meant to have a curve in your lumbar spine that pushes it towards your tummy iyswim. Mine had gone completely the otherway from years of sitting slumped in an office chair. They had me doing stretches that were like push ups with my hips still on the floor (if that makes sense) and I was only ever allowed to sit in a chair if I had a lumbar cushion in place to push out that bit of my back

The game changer was when I found a memoryfoam lumbar cushion I could sleep on. It makes such a difference I take it on holiday with me (and its not small). I am now reliably out of pain and generally feeling more flexible

this isthe one I have. Its important to only push out the specific bit of the spine and I find the side wings very helpful in keeping it in place

www.amazon.co.uk/RESTCLOUD-Sleeping-Pregnant-Sleepers-Adjustable/dp/B08MT5N52D/ref=sr_1_22?crid=1MEG5I6RK12EJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SLtkQ_clytomjgK0VXQJyztPOBYSksh4peUJu5JeAV4-UvpJX5BVv6-OriogvnJK0gv5boQkTTELmiq7ejgupdv9PPhAGXZBquOAlNETICarpI8BCa75oSQNhk2pn0kQD-_EcXT4P6_NJ37mh2-ZsvTiogL624EoXm0HXBteQdJ9bEhqAKYsqsikk-brNpkicexs5W9YHGYWufxd5C_8Wf5QWhFOkaEORsH55L07BYBs6ktR57K6VQzqEfUZJlrryeVJbm9yuXGFiV7Zy8_nXTN_tYuZ4y4JkFXJgL2CZq0.7KgetA-txfFbQ43iliHAK17SIamxKceQqUabyATozto&dib_tag=se&keywords=memory%2Bfoam%2Blumbar%2Bsupport&qid=1749508185&refresh=1&sprefix=memoryfoam%2Blumbar%2Bsupport%2Caps%2C195&sr=8-22&th=1

@SeaToSki <add to basket> !
Thanks
I'm very down and feeling flat. I want to be working but fearful I'll trigger it back off to the original tears of pain level

I can see that. Maybe try with just a lumbar pillow when you are sitting in a chair..or a rolled up hand towel. Make sure its above your hips and at your natural waist. Given your MRI didnt show any spine damage, it might be worth a try.

Then if that goes well, try lying on your stomach on the floor and then just propping yourself up on your elbows. Just relax into it (its easy to tense your muscles when you are worried, so you need to consciously relax your back and stomach and legs) and hang out there for 2 mins, then go flat for 5 mins, then try again for 2 mins. If you tolerate that OK, then repeat every 2 hrs during the day for a week.

Also try and find a osteopath who specializes in spines

I'm sorry and understand. I've been plodding this morning. Sat on the dressing table stool which is not my friend, so tiny, when I stood up said FUCK!!! husband told me off for swearing.
I'd love to give him my pain for a day. The silly arse thinks if I just walk five miles a day, borrow his e bike and cycle, then go swimming I'll be as right as rain 🙄

@SeaToSki I've been trying this thanks. Good reminder of keeping at it.
I have herniated discs but not compressing the nerve so will see what the consultant says ...
I think my husband thinks I should be better and able to be back to normal. It's exhausting and stressful and upsetting

Just an update for anyone interested
Consultant says there's nothing to speak off affecting my nerves in my back and the report was a bit misleading as the herniating mentioned are minor and not affecting nerves in his view.
I've been to acupuncture a couple of times and also to physio and I do feel like I'm improving.
I've to have bloods and an x ray to check for arthritis and bone spurs but I don't expect they'll show anything. I just think I must have triggered something and stress has made it ten times worse
How is everyone else?

It's baffling isn't it?! Could it be a muscle issue that is causing it? Or a tight sciatic nerve? I wonder if they gave you any ideas for what could be causing it. Acupuncture is great. I'm glad you're improving a bit, keep up with the physio.

Stress can definitely be a contributing factor. My flare-ups always seem to coincide with periods of stress. Keep hold of that improving feeling and build on it with the exercises you’ve been given. Recovery isn’t always linear, you may still have bad days, but gradually the good/improving days will outnumber the bad until the pain is gone.

I'm just here waiting for an appointment with the consultant. Been two weeks now. Seems like the private sector is busy too.

My physio has been wonderful but even he's struggling now. With the pain and pills my appetite has disappeared. Great for weight loss.