Any back sufferers-i would really appreciate some advice as dh is flat on back.

[santababi]

He slipped on ice yesterday and has been in pain since.
He didnt fall but twisted awkardly. He can only lie flat or stand. Hes seen the doc-said its sciatica as pain increases when he lifts his leg.
The pain in in his lower back mostly.
I would really appreciate any tips because ive never seen him in so much pain-he cried last night briefly. This is what im doing-paracetamol,voltarol regularly.
10% brufen gel locally.2mgs diazepam when needed.
Hot wheat bag.
Purely selfishly how long could he be this bad for-i am a working mum with 3 children and a MEGGA month at work.He cant even get up to the toilet on his own today and when he does it makes me cringe because he`s in so much pain. He actually went kneeling .
Many thanks.

this happened me last year in february, i was off work for around 3 months, 2 of which i could barely move. i had physio for a long time after that before i was back to normal again

3 months !
Poor you (off to check if he paid ! )

i had to get ultrasound treatment and some sort of small electric shock treatment for weeks, as well as exercises, before i got my full movement back
and then suffered withdrawal finally coming off the tramadol tablets after about 5 months
maybe he'll be luckier than me tho
has he been referred for physio at all

No no referral .He couldn`t get at the mo tbh.
I have a tens machine but it comes in spasms .
The physio system here is terrible - even acute referrals have to wait weeks.
Thanks for your reply.

Try and get him to an osteopath. I have suffered on and off with back trouble for over 20 years. The doctor is never any help and says take pain killers (anti inflammatories are generally better) At times I have had weeks off work. The last bad spell I had was just after DD was born and I was persuaded to go to the osteos. It was brilliant - I had a couple of sessions and saw an immediate improvement.

I had similar treatment to harleyd, and have just been referred to back specialist after 2 months of suffering! Also used a TENS machine, but it wasn't much help. The physio excercises are what helped ease it off finally - gentle pelvic rotations (forwards and back), side glides, hands and knees whilst relaxing and tightening stomach muscles, lying on back and pulling alternate knees to chest, back compressions (like push ups but only from waist up) - everything very measured and gentle, stop at any pain.

Also don't use heat on it - it only increases the inflammation. Use an ice pack for max. 10 minutes in any one hour.

I have used chiropractors in the past for less actute back problems and they are pretty good at getting the pain levels down.