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.

Exactly, I agree advice from a medical professional is essential. Although I find it highly unusual that a medical professional would recommend bending, twisting or lifting exercises for somebody with a herniated disc.

When I first had a herniated disc I was not aware that I should not be doing certain exercises and would have appreciated this advice.

What was useful for my physio on the first visit was a copy of my MRI report and the consultants correspondence. He actually knows my consultant personally. It's a small world.

They didn't recommend them for a herniated disc specifically.

I have exercises that involve roll downs and some twisting as part of my ongoing physio from rheumatology. I was also weightlifting. When I herniated a disc I asked the neurologist and the rehab physio I saw for my foot drop what to do and what to avoid and they said no need to change anything apart from the heavy lifting, if I was able to complete the movement without exacerbating pain.

I don't know your medical history and I am not going to continue arguing with you but bending, twisting and lifting exercises are not recommended for a herniated disc due to the increased pressure they place on the discs and can even cause the disc to rupture. Running, jumping also not recommended.

Ok I’ve had this twice and it’s absolutely excruciating so really feel for you! Xx

for some relief, lie on your front, put your arms on the floor and lift your upper body up like the sphinx.
under your chin, put each hand into a fist starting on the floor and rest your chin on them.
this will expand your spine and take the pressure off it.
hope this helps ;)

@AnxiousRose A herniated disc is just another name for a ruptured disc, or a slipped disc.

I would query some of your advice, which may be correct for you personally but not generally.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/slipped-disc/
Keep active

If the pain is very bad, you may need to rest at first. But start gentle exercise as soon as you can – it'll help you get better faster.

The type of exercise is not important, just gradually increase your activity level.

@user1471538275

Which part of my advice is not correct generally?
I have said to rest during the acute phase and begin exercising when this has passed. Exercises to improve core strength.
Exercises which involve bending, twisting, lifting would not be recommended for a herniated disc (slipped disc is not the correct term)

https://www.spine-health.com/blog/everyday-activities-avoid-herniated-disc

Still suffering here. The Gabapentin kind of takes the edge of hit when it wears off its agony again and spasm or shooting pains taking me unawares. I'm immobile on sofa now after attempting to go shopping for light items. I've a referral for consultant. To take it or wait ? I'm in a seated office job and not had any time off but now wondering if I need to be off even if just for a wee while. Was anyone able to keep working if office based (Am working from home with manager blessing currently )

Sorry to hear you are still suffering. Could you work standing up or lying down?

I saw an excellent physio who gave exercises that empowered me and cured my sciatica. The chiropractor was a charlatan in my view.

Several themes on here which I would agree with based on my experience - ice/heat, exercises (cobra, bird-dog, cat-cow, nerve flossing), Ibuprofen, but I’ve never tried Tens other than in labour which I didn’t really get on with. Can anyone recommend a particular Tens machine?

Physio today went through the exercises he gave me two weeks ago. He corrected a couple re my right foot position. My right foot points out and tends to drag which I need to work on. Otherwise he's very pleased with my progress re confidence and increased strength in my right and left leg.

He's added one more exercise and will see me again in two weeks.

I tell you I was wiped out and stiff when I got home. Took two co codamol and a nap.

I lay flat on my ice pack tonight and felt vaguely human again. I just can't do that all day instead of working unless I can suspend the laptop above me !
It's so bloody miserable

I think that you should get a sick note to concentrate on getting through the acute phase. My physio said today if you have a busy day which wipes you out rest the next day. Self care is important.

You won’t like this but I was off work for at least 4 weeks, partly because like you I had a desk job and sitting down was impossible.

It is miserable and the only way is through it. But the more you rest, the quicker the pain will subside to the stage where you can start moving and doing physio. By continuing to work / do shopping etc you are just extending this really painful phase.

I went out to see a friend this weekend - local house catherine type thing and managed a few hours but came home early (4 hours before DH!)
It was nice to see people but I was very aware I was wincing and ooofing and glad to get home
I wasn't too bad working today so took my Ddog out and ten mins in it went again. Just the stopping sharply for when he was sniffing then trying to set off again
I really feel like I want to book a premier inn and just lie down for two days !!

Just been furniture shopping. Physio said get a higher sofa, chair with legs. Easier to get out of. So I sat in a few. Well he was right I can stand much more easily. Just a thought.

We've just got a new sofa - before the leg started though so doubt it's that and it is a high ish one. Today I feel ever so slightly better on waking and managed 19 mins walk without the dog last night just to test normal movement. I'll do the same again today and some more gentle Pilates stretches. I have to get better. I'm going mad !

Well done 👍. Wish I could walk that far.

I cleaned out the fire yesterday, all the surrounds, glass, hearth, polished all the furniture, was on hands and knees wiping skirting. Had a meeting at the bank. All good until I stood up and the pain I very slowly made my way back to the car with husband. Put heated seat on.

Drank two glasses of wine went to bed early, had to get up for painkillers during the night.

Will be taking it easy today, no housework.

It's so frustrating and depressing.

Well I'm still suffering. The walk was short lived and am in pain and awake again now.
Saw physio. He thinks trapped nerve but not a disc.
I'm so fed up. Exercises don't bring relief but aren't making it worse but the message he did was agony. Been super sore since.
Wide awake now due to pain on moving and snoring DH. Walked for 5 mins yesterday before it hurt then was in pain and when I got back (my destination was 6 mins away - 3 if walking normally - I could hardly weight bear on it

Did you look into IDD therapy OP? It helped me massively but I know it’s £££

I’ve had this too, exactly as you are describing, it’s awful and debilitating.

Naproxen made me feel really sick but acupuncture was a game changer and it was recommended by my physio. I was sceptical at first but it was pretty instant relief. Lying on my side at night with a pillow between my knees also gave me some relief.

good luck!

What does physio think is causing the trapped nerve? It's usually a herniated disc.

Have you had an MRI?

What meds are you on @tattoonewbie ? Can the physio refer you for an MRI?