How long does scaitica numbness last

[Onthehill12345]

Just above really. Since last week I've been in the worst pain of my life, especially in my calf. Been to the doctor and physio who confirmed scaticia and compression on the s1 nerve. I've been prescribed amitriptyline and diclofenac along with excerises.

The pain seems slightly better today but the back of my leg and half my foot are numb along with weakness. I'm wondering how long the numbness and pain can last. Also, any suggestions to help the pain. I've got 2 small kids and dreading the Easter holidays with the pain.

You’ll need proper physio to really clear it. The prescription drugs are just a mask for the pain.

It took me over 4 months of physio exercises, and you really do need to do them a couple of times each day to get any relief. I found a couple of shiatsu sessions on the side made the biggest difference, but you have to pay for that privately.

Thanks @maowmaow. I've been to a private and NHS physio. They both gave similar excerises and I've to return to both in 2 weeks.

Did you have numbness, did it go away? It's like I've got a massive knot kn my calf when I walk.

I'll need to Google shiatsu. I'll try anything.

Mine lasted at least 6 weeks. I did lots of walking which seemed to ease it - it was sitting down that I struggled with. And once the pain kicked in from sitting, I had to lie face down on the floor to get any relief.

@Onthehill12345 my sciatica ended up as Spondylolithesis which is a break in my spine where my discs slip down and my nerves a shit I'm in pain 8 different painkillers 4 times a day I'm on medical cannabis still in pain been on the list 2 and a half year so be carefull there not missing anything my surgeon told me sciatica is a symptom of another thing Good Luck

4 years

Never for me. I still have exactly the numbness you describe, 10 years on.

I had foot drop with mine and I've never fully regained feeling in that foot and the front of my shin. I think the original injury was mid 90s, so it's been a while. When you are healed, start doing Pilates, it really helps.

The severest case of it...come and goes. Been like that for about 6 years. But it's always there..a dull ache in the background. Caused by two bulging discs in my spine. I use a portable tens machine and do pilates and yoga which helps.

Thanks for sharing and really sorry to hear that many of you continue to suffer. It's really awful, the worst pain I've felt and I had my children on gas and air.

I did have bolts of numbness travel down the leg, yes. Really make sure you are doing your physio religiously each day, multiple times.

On my second shiatsu session the practitioner did an excruciatingly painful massage of the calf muscle, and this made the biggest difference of relief for me, along with exercises that stretched the lower back muscles.

Mine has never gone away. It's been about 12 years. Lots of numbness in my leg and foot.

I had numbness in my foot and altered sensation in my leg. The odd sensation in my leg lasted about 6 weeks and the foot numbness gradually wore off after 8-12 weeks. I also had random pins and needle type pain across my body which I found very scary. That took about 6 months to go - I was told it was nerves reawakening. I still have the back pain after 15 months and after a flare up, have now got intermittant tingling in finger tips which I'm quite scared about. Worried there's something more sinister at work so working up the courage to go back to the GP.

Same

Hope.my surgeon has good news for me on Thursday I've waiting long enough

Today my pain has been minimal and that's me moving from diclofenac to ibuprofen. The numbness going from the thight to foot is unchanged, resulting in a unattractive limp. I really hope I can get the feeling and strength back.

Just such a horrible condition.

You need to do physio exercises a few times a day. Keep moving too. I’ve had flair ups that have lasted a few weeks, the worst is currently at 4 months. When it eases take up Pilates , swiming and yoga. Google steroid injections as they can help.

@autisticbookworm did you have numbness? I'm still numb from back of my thigh down to my small toe. Just wondering if that resolved?

I've been doing my excerises multiple times a day, I think they are definitely helping.

I get numbness and shooting pains I my legs plus spasms in my lower back. The sciatica comes and goes. I’m taking tapentadol paracetamol and ibuprofen currently.

Mine doesn't go away at any time even during bed time it's been the worse time of my life

Mine improved a bit, but I still have a numb stripe down the back of my leg to my toes. It's been 5 years.
Weekly physio for 2 months and some nerve focused painkillers is what helped me.

About six years. I just moved funny and my back clicked and my thigh subsequently went numb.

i got acupuncture physio chiropractor and it wore off slowly over the years.

I'm waiting on a spinal fusion. I'm at desperate stages here

Going for surgery soon it's called PLIF I think anyone had this

I hope it goes well. When is it?

I had S1 / L5 slipped disc over a year ago. Still have calf tightness and numbness in foot. Physio said it will likely always be like it if no improvement after a year. It’s an odd feeling but one I’m learning to live with