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 came on this thread to say exactly this - my physio taught me this - it will give some instant relief - I even did it out in public on a bench! Someone walked passed me and said oh you have sciatica!

I do it on the sofa, take a nap and wake up much better

Actually there is considerable evidence that walking slowly helps shorten recovery times. Rest is not the solution, in fact it can aggravate the problem. Keeping moving without making sudden movements is the best approach.

Rest was the only thing that worked for me in the acute phase. Even walking slowly irritated the nerve. The nerve is increadibly sensitive.
Normally people say no pain no gain but with sciatica the opposite is true. If something you are going is giving you sciatica symptoms stop doing it. Give yourself time to heal and then try again.

Started using my bike pedal exerciser today. Fingers crossed 🤞 my legs start to strengthen up again.

I hear what you are saying but I was unable to even stand up and I have a very high pain threshold. I could move only by crawling and could not sit down at all. I truly thought I’d just die with the pain!

Once the acute phase has passed, I agree. But initially you need to rest and let some of the inflammation subside, and a little bit of healing start. I was seeing a physio when I had my ‘stumble’ and she said “ice, rest, heal - then come back to me when you are able to”.

i did find the tens machine was the best way to get mobile again.

I used to lie draped over a Swiss ball. It opens out the joints. The ankle pain is like nothing else, it's the relentlessness of it. When it's calmed down, Pilates is what you need. Once your core is strong (that includes the hip flexors), it's a game changer for back issues.

If the chiropractor isn't helping, then I suggest seeing a physiotherapist instead.

Back again. I saw chiro on Friday and was so sore after I have cancelled appointments and am now waiting on GP call.
I had such a bad spasm last night that I couldn't move for ages. Went to bed and took my amitryptiline but am sick of it. I think I just need to not be cracked any more. In fact I don't think cricking has done it any favours at all. It's hard to stop walking and moving when you have a family and a job though. This just sucks

Ice and rest. It will improve, you just need to get past the acute phase. I know its very frustrating. The nerve is so sensitive.

Ask your GP to refer you to a trauma and orthopaedic consultant. When you then call your health insurers, they'll authorise an initial consultation, minor tests plus MRI/CT and a follow up consultation. It'll get the ball rolling quickly.

I have some good news. The exercises that the new physio gave me are working after ten days today I managed to vacuum the bedroom, hall, kitchen and sitting room in one go. I'm even walking a few steps without a stick.

I did have a bad day on Sunday my own fault so rested up. The pedal exerciser is helping too.

Hi @justasking111 that sounds brilliant I am so glad you feel a bit better. Out of interest what exercises do you do? I have a few from my physio plus I do a physio led pilates class once a week.

@tattoonewbie so sorry, I would avoid the chiro with the injury you have. Has GP prescribed anything today?

Is it definitely sciatica? Has your doctor ruled everything else out?
I would push for a pelvic scan if not.

My exercises are very simple can be done resting hands on the kitchen worktop as well as back of a chair. I'll try to screenshot them.

Okay here goes

Less fuzzy?

You should not be doing any twisting or bending exercises if you have sciatica from a herniated disc. Touching your toes is one of the worst things you could do.
Once you are out of the acute phase you can exercise to build your core strength but you need to be very careful.

I know don't think I'll be touching my toes for a long time. Physio said I've a long road ahead of me. It's been two years already so I'm happy to take baby steps.

It's kind of person specific though isn't it? Even in my acute phase with total numbness in my leg and foot drop I could put both hands flat on the floor (I do have hypermobile joints which helps!!). physio and neurosurgeons said that moving as much as possible within the range of what I could do was beneficial and only recommended avoiding heavy weights. They certainly didn't say to avoid bending completely🤷. If I'd avoided all types of bending I would have sent my muscles into spasm by the sheer lack of movement and activity.

OP hopefully you've seen a GP by now. I honestly think the best thing to do would be to get a hands on assessment from a proper medical professional

Thank you so much! @justasking111

You're welcome. My back issues caused My leg weakness which in turn causes me to walk from my hips , it's a domino effect sigh. My husband says my walking has improved I'm not turning my right foot out as much already.

@FeelingSoOverwhelmed
A good physio would not recommend bending forward exercises for a herniated disc, especially during the acute phase. Exercises that involve bending forward from the waist, such as toe touches and forward bends, can place undue stress on the lower back and exacerbate a bulging/herniated disc.
If you need to bend forward in daily life using the correct form is so important and this can be shown to you by a physio.
Avoiding bending forward exercises would not send your muscles into spasm.
There are many exercises you can do to keep active without bending, twisting or lifting.

Ok 👌 thanks for your input but like I said I have seen neurologists, neurosurgeons and physios and am happier taking the advice from medical professionals rather than online advice 😊

I mentioned having hypermobile joints and also have axial spondyloarthritis so like I said, everyone is different and I do need to do those flexion exercises. Which is why I said everyone is different, a hands on assessment is key, and the advice for each individual is going to differ depending on circumstances.