slipped disc and sciatica. So painful!!

[iusedtobecool]

I'm 21 weeks pregnant and often suffer from back pain, but Thursday last week took it to a different level. I was on the floor, crying in pain unable to move. Paramedics were called who gave me gas and air to get into the ambulance, then was on a morphine drip.

I was in hospital for 3days, but still in pain. It's sciatica pain all down my left bum cheek to my foot.

The only way I can bear it is with painkillers, but i'm so worried about the effects on the baby. I've been.assured they are ok to take in pregnancy, but i'm still terrified.

I'm waiting for physio, but not sure what to do until then. I can't walk far, and can only lie on my side. I'm looking at exercises on the net to help out of sheer desperation. Really starting to get depressed about this. I feel like an awful mum.

I'm on tramadol, max dose co codamol and ibuprofen, all were advised by my obstetric consultant. I have to stop the ibuprofen later on, but otherwise been told its fine and I have to take it to keep going. Hope things improve. Sleeping is a bloody nightmare for me.

You're not an awful mum, you're ill - back problems are serious and it's a bit like mental health - because you don't have a plaster cast we treat them like they're not serious or debilitating.

I have a history of sciatica and I am amazed and SO grateful I've not had it at all during my pregnancy because I cannot think of a worse combination - you poor, poor thing. I found that rest and - when you can manage it - very very gentle exercise (slow walk round the block etc) was the best cure but taking things slowly is the best approach. Also, my experience has been that it occurs (to me at least) at certain "trigger weights" - my weight has fluctuated over the years and I have noticed I have two particular weights where I tend to flare up but the good news is that if I put on a bit of weight (or lose it but obviously you're not going to be doing that for the next 4 months!) it seems to take the pressure off again and it sorts itself out. Obviously that's only my experience but I guess what I'm saying is don't despair - there is every chance it will disappear just as quickly as it arrived and the chances of it staying with you for the rest of the pregnancy are slim to none.

Keep looking after yourself and trust the doctors not to give you anything to harm your baby - they will err on the side of caution, believe me - you will get better and your baby will be none the wiser.

Thank you so much. It just happened so suddenly. I could handle the back pain, but being pregnant has resulted in a slipped disc. I'm pretty much in.bed mostly but walking about the flat often. Because it's in my bum, I can't sit, so on sick leave from work, and lie on my left side, surrounded with pillows! Luckily DH is off work this week so can help out with DS1.

Really hope things improve soon! X