Anyone else get sciatica?

[rightontime]

I got sciatica when I was pregnant with DS2, (well I assume it is sciatica - shooting pain in my right side back/bum and all the way down my leg when it is really bad) now 13w with DC3 and sciatica seems to be flaring up again. I got it occasionally after DS2 was born but nothing like it is now.

Just wondering of anyone else suffers and what, if anything I can do to ease it.

Yep me :( !!! Painful during the nights too! I am 29 weeks now and have had it since about 15 weeks .... wish it would go away.

When i went to the docs, they couldnt give me anything just said paracetamol but that doesnt touch it, they also said apply heat, but again for me it doesnt help.

Go and see an osteopath or a chiropractor - they can help.

If you can't afford to do that, then get a pelvic belt/strap.

but really, the osteo/chiro is the best bet. I am pretty sure mine helped me avoid SPD, as I was a prime candidate for it, having had sciatica for years (that my osteo keeps under control) and an unstable pelvis.

Does having sciatica make SPD more likely? Really don't want SPD, haven't had it so for though...

What causes the sciatica? I have pretty bad joints in my back and hips.

Maybe I should google it

Sciatica specifically doesn't make SPD more likely, it depends on what is causing the sciatica. In my case, unstable pelvis and very messy sacroiliac joints cause the sciatica - the unstable pelvis could easily have gone on to SPD.

Sciatica is caused by compression of the sciatic nerve, which can be due to muscular tension in the buttocks, lower back or to joint compression in the sacro-iliac region (back of the pelvis where it joins the spine).

Yoga can help, but not when you're pg unless you are already a regular yoga person.

The osteopath/chiro can do gentle manipulations around your lower back/pelvis to release the tension in the muscles and joints and free off your sciatic nerve, thus stopping the compression pain.

The pelvic belt/strap supports the pelvis and associated joints, allowing the tension in the muscles to ease off, which may or may not be enough to release the compression on the sciatic nerve.

I was thinking about starting a thread! I had sciatica when pg with dd and am 20wks with dc2 and have started getting that familiar 'stand up and leg gives way' feeling, accompanied by shooting pains and a numb right bum cheek.

When pg with dd I self referred to a pregnancy physio who did some manipulations and gave me a support belt. Am going to do the same thing first thing tomorrow.

get referred to a physio, sometimes gentle stretching can help, and also they can check its not something else......thought mine was a bit of sciatica but then realised I had thrown the bottom of my back out!

I had sporadic sciatica before prg and had been seeing a physio for it, and then it started to flare up when I was around 26 weeks. There's a great stretch that really helps:

Sit upright, on edge of chair or firm sofa. Put ankle of one leg on knee of other leg. Hold it with your hands if needs be. Imagine (or not!) that you have a beach ball where your stomach is, then bend your upper body slowly over the ball and towards your knees/the floor (ie bend, keeping a good stretch in your spine). You should feel a really good stretch in that side/bottom/hip area, which will help to release the sciatic nerve. Keep breathing into the stretch and trying to get lower and lower down. Take it slow and don't push it if it doesn't want to go. Then do the other side.

This is also brilliant to do in a swimming pool (in which case you don't need to sit, just hold on to side of pool, in front of you, and do the stretch crouching down - the water will take your weight).

Also this time round I found sitting on a good firm sofa/armchair with a hot water bottle in small of back/bum really helped.

Good luck everyone and hope you're feeling better soon. I know what a pain sciatica can be - I was crying with it.

try some of these www.womenfitness.net/top10_yoga_exercises.htm

I have had flare up since my early 20s after working on my feet in retail throughout uni wearing heels am dreading it flaring up in Pregnancy.

I also have 1 leg shorter than other and always stand with my weight on one side have got chiropractor sessions I got before I knew I was pregnant to try sort out my posture etc to help in case I got pregnAnt funnily enough.

It is horrible and unpredictable and I sometimes drive distances for work well not going to be able to much longer as long drives aggravate it ah pregnancy is so glamorous is it not.

Thanks for all your help and replies.

If I do the exercises will they help even when the pain isn't there? I tend to get the pain when walking or when I am at work although it seems to be getting worse daily ATM.

if you get any bowel or bladder issues it is important that you get thee to Drs or A and E

Can I just carefully suggest that unless you are used to doing yoga, you would be better off starting any yoga exercises in a class with a trained teacher, rather than from the internet - because the collagen in your muscles, tendons and joints has already started to soften as you are pregnant so you are at more risk of doing yourself an injury if you try to do yoga exercises you have never done before. A yoga teacher can advise you how far to push yourself.

If you are used to doing yoga, of course it's not likely to be an issue.

I also have sciatica. That awful feeling when I stand up and then my leg gives way. When it goes I can't put weight on that leg for ages after. Am only 18 weeks, with DC2, and have already started to get pains on the inside of my legs too. My bum muscles really ache and am scared this is leading to SPD.

To get an NHS physio referral can I ask my MW or does it have to be my GP? Really can't afford to pay privately as only living on one wage. I used to have private physio which really helped so definitely something I should look into.

I would def speak to your MW ASAP if you are worried about SPD. Don't know if she can refer you but she will be able to let you know what you need to do.

First-timer here, at 26 weeks but have had it since around 15 weeks I think.

I get extremely painful muscle spasms in my buttocks and lower back. I have to be careful when I sit, lie down, walk or try to stand up, and in the mornings especially it feels like my pelvis is very sore, hurts a lot to move around or turn over, etc.

My physiotherapist said I need to sit better - basically more at a 90 degree angle. But with my bump incredibly large I have to lean backwards, and sitting in general is uncomfortable. (Even with lots of pillows!)

It's horrible, hoping everyone manages to find some way to help them. :( My physiotherapist will be giving me a support belt at my next appointment.