Bad sciatica - can I use ibrofen gel?

[Boggler]

I'm suffering from a bad case of sciatica, and I know I can't take ibrofen tablets but was wondering if the pain releiving gel is ok? I'm 19wks pregnant and don't want to do anything harmful but paraceptamol just isn't touching the pain!

I had a bad case of it the other week and had some gel in the house, I read the instructions and it did say don't use if pregnant. It may be worth speaking to your doctor / MW though.

When I had really bad sciatica that codeine and anti-inflammetries didn't touch, the only relief I got was lying down on the floor with my legs resting on a chair (like the table top position in pilates, but resting on a support!)

Usually the answer is no to ibuprofen but some doctors might say it is ok in the second trimester. You should get medical advice before taking it though. Co-codamol on prescription is fine in pregnancy.

thanks I'll check with mw - trouble is she doesht answer her phone!

Get to the GP for some codeine, no need to suffer unessecarily!

Try freeze gels instead for some relief - I think they're ok, but check to be on the safe side.

I suffered AWFULLY with sciatica when I was pregnant with DD. I literally couldn't move some days. I went to see a homeopath and prescribed me a herbal remedy. Within a week I was cured for the rest of my pregnancy! They're safe to use in pregnancy and even in young babies (went back when DD had bad colic) the appointment was a bit expensive as you can't do it on the NHS, but for me was worth every single penny and wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

I had previously been to the hospital several times, seen a physio , had a band to wear.. Paracetomal.. Nothing else even touched it.

I wish you the best of luck with it and I hope for you it gets sorted ASAP

I had similar pains earlier on (20ish weeks) and was told by midwife not to use any gels or anything else but paracetamol.
Would a warm bath help?

Hi there - you could try heat (good old fashioned hot water bottle) or some gentle massage if you have an obliging dp. I suffer from this a lot and have found this is more helpful than painkillers in the long run. If you think it is likely to be an ongoing problem you could look at doing a yoga in pregnancy class, which is fantastic for strengethening the back, as well as the other benefits.

First, I think you should check that it IS sciatica, and not pelvic girdle pain (akin to SPD, but which occurs at the back of the pelvis). True sciatica (i.e. inflammation of the sciatic nerve due to compression) is relatively rare in pregnancy. Is the pain a burning, shooting sensation down the back of your thigh or above the knee? One way to find out is by doing the straight leg raise - lie on your back, relax, and get someone to raise the affected leg (while you keep it straight but relaxed) as high as possible. If you scream then it may well be sciatica.

If you are a long-term sciatica sufferer then you know all this, so ignore the above paragraph.

If it isn't sciatica then you may gain a lot of relief by getting some treatment/physio for pelvic girdle pain.

Either way, I think you should see your GP before self-treating.

I agree with Fish and Jam - see your GP as a first step.

I have a tear in a disc in my lower pack and sacroiliac pain on my left glut and down my leg that has become quite chronic the past 5 weeks (I'm 15+3). Was already seeing spinal consultant, osteo, GP and having one on one Pilates sessions but it just gets worse.

I now have codeine as a last resort and frequently use a hot water bottle, which I find really soothing. But ultimately my spinal consultant told me yesterday to listen to my body and, when the pain is really bad, lie down! Working from home at the moment in order to accomodate this though so it might be trickier for some.

I'm also going to try a belt, which may work for you also?