Sciatica, who's had/got it and how did you get rid of it?
Discussion
bad company said:
Anybody know why the doctors like you to wait 6 weeks before you get a referral to a specialist. Does it usually clear up in this period?
Having said that I can't stand this any more and have already made an appointment for Wednesday.
My guess yes. I don't know if it varies from ailment to ailment but that timescale is what my GP said had to elapse till it became "chronic".Having said that I can't stand this any more and have already made an appointment for Wednesday.
IIRC he also said that treatment within this timescale and before swelling had eased is equally likely to exacerbate rather than cure,
regards,
Jet
jet_noise said:
My guess yes. I don't know if it varies from ailment to ailment but that timescale is what my GP said had to elapse till it became "chronic".
IIRC he also said that treatment within this timescale and before swelling had eased is equally likely to exacerbate rather than cure,
regards,
Jet
Sounds to me like your GP was trying to protect his budget. Blow that, I'm off to see a specialist.IIRC he also said that treatment within this timescale and before swelling had eased is equally likely to exacerbate rather than cure,
regards,
Jet
bad company said:
Sounds to me like your GP was trying to protect his budget. Blow that, I'm off to see a specialist.
He's just following referral criteria. If everyone who ever got back pain was referred to a specialist the system would be completely overwhelmed. Most back pain is muscular in nature and resolves itself with 6 weeks of rest. jet_noise said:
My guess yes. I don't know if it varies from ailment to ailment but that timescale is what my GP said had to elapse till it became "chronic".
IIRC he also said that treatment within this timescale and before swelling had eased is equally likely to exacerbate rather than cure,
regards,
Jet
Sounds to me like your GP was trying to protect his budget. Blow that, I'm off to see a specialist.IIRC he also said that treatment within this timescale and before swelling had eased is equally likely to exacerbate rather than cure,
regards,
Jet
I am suffering from Sciatica at the moment and unsure how best to treat it. I have had it once before but it seems to be more severe this time and after 4 weeks it seems to be getting worse. I am still excercising as that is the only time that it stops hurting. I can feel a bulge and swelling on the left side of my lower back in addition to shooting pains all the way down to my left foot. I also have family history and 3 of my 5 siblings have had corrective surgery, my sister had issues with bodily functions caused by an errant disc. I think it could be due to weekness in my core muscles but am unsure what excercises to do and when it is best to start them? Any advice gratefully received but will be seeing the Doc too. Self medicating with wine tonight
DUMBO100 said:
I am suffering from Sciatica at the moment and unsure how best to treat it. I have had it once before but it seems to be more severe this time and after 4 weeks it seems to be getting worse. I am still excercising as that is the only time that it stops hurting. I can feel a bulge and swelling on the left side of my lower back in addition to shooting pains all the way down to my left foot. I also have family history and 3 of my 5 siblings have had corrective surgery, my sister had issues with bodily functions caused by an errant disc. I think it could be due to weekness in my core muscles but am unsure what excercises to do and when it is best to start them? Any advice gratefully received but will be seeing the Doc too. Self medicating with wine tonight
Yep, I have also self medicated with beer & wine.Have you seen a physiotherapist yet?
I had sciatica which 6 week ago deteriorated to cauda equina syndrome - story here
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Anyone suffering lower back or sciatic nerve pain should familiarise themselves with certain symptoms such as numbness in the arse and saddle area, along with any impairment in bladder or bowel functions. Its time critical and will most likely put you in a wheelchair without appropriate intervention. I'm one of the luckier ones and can walk, but didn't get away unscathed.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Anyone suffering lower back or sciatic nerve pain should familiarise themselves with certain symptoms such as numbness in the arse and saddle area, along with any impairment in bladder or bowel functions. Its time critical and will most likely put you in a wheelchair without appropriate intervention. I'm one of the luckier ones and can walk, but didn't get away unscathed.
theboss said:
I had sciatica which 6 week ago deteriorated to cauda equina syndrome - story here
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Anyone suffering lower back or sciatic nerve pain should familiarise themselves with certain symptoms such as numbness in the arse and saddle area, along with any impairment in bladder or bowel functions. Its time critical and will most likely put you in a wheelchair without appropriate intervention. I'm one of the luckier ones and can walk, but didn't get away unscathed.
Wow and thanks for the warning. I'm seeing the spinal consultant on Wednesday, probably another MRI.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Anyone suffering lower back or sciatic nerve pain should familiarise themselves with certain symptoms such as numbness in the arse and saddle area, along with any impairment in bladder or bowel functions. Its time critical and will most likely put you in a wheelchair without appropriate intervention. I'm one of the luckier ones and can walk, but didn't get away unscathed.
How are you now?
Geoffscars said:
I think it all depends on the physio
I've had this over the years but the last physio I saw really sorted it out with excersises
So much better than the others
If I feel it I do the excersises and it seems to deal with it
my fiend a physio was able to tell me I was very much out of condition and introduced me to the Swiss Ball.I've had this over the years but the last physio I saw really sorted it out with excersises
So much better than the others
If I feel it I do the excersises and it seems to deal with it
Never looked back
davhill said:
subbs said:
Two herniated discs L5 S1.
Lots of B*lls
t later...
Yoga. Sorted. Do it.
Sorry chum, L5/S1 is one disc. It's the lowest lumbar disc and sits between the underside of the lowest lumbar vertebra and the top of the sacrum.Lots of B*lls
t later...Yoga. Sorted. Do it.
Not being a smartybreeks/show - off, it's just that I had mine microdiscectomised twice.
bone - disc- bone-disc- bone and so one all the way from where your skull hooks onto the spine at the base of the skull to where the fused vertebrae at the back of the pelvis are
Back (no pun) in 1988 I fell off the back of a lorry. Yes, its true. Was loading it and fell backwards. There was a bulk lorry next to the lorry I was on and during the fall, I twisted round to try and break my fall. I still hit the ground quite hard but landed on my feet. Carried on working no problem.
Driving home my back felt a bit sore. Went to work the next day and back was stiff but thought no more about it. Driving home the second day and the pain started. Once home it was bloody agony. Couldn't find a comfortable position to rest.
Next day called the doc who at first refused to come out and demanded I go to the surgery. She reluctantly agreed to come and gave me some cocodamol which did nothing.
So next day i.e.48 hours without sleep called doc again. Different doc came out. I was laid in bed and had not been for a pee for 36 hours. Within 15 minutes an ambulance took me to hospital. Admitted to a ward and given some form of heroin pill that got rid of all the pain. Could only have two otherwise I would likely become addicted. Bliss while they lasted though
Following morning consultant organised one of those lumbar injections for the x-ray. A small prolapsed disc, I think it was the same number as the one mentioned above. Pressing against the nerve so lots of sciatic pain. In those days rest was the 'cure' so back to bed for a month. Returned no better and collapsed in the outpatients so readmitted. Registrar said operation Monday morning. Monday morning and consultant appeared and made it clear there was no operation due to the proximity of the nerves which could be permanently damaged if the blade slipped
So sent home and bed rest. I was given a sick note for 6 months
During the 6 months I watched a whole series of Fifteen to One with William G Stewart. The most boring time of my life. Eventually went back to work after almost 8 months only to find someone else had been given my job so P45 time (before employment tribunals etc).
Had to give up badminton which I played a lot at a decent club level, no more golf and digging the garden was out. The consultant said the problem would get better but would never go away and as I got older would become more troublesome. He was right. I manage the position I get out of bed and how I lift anything very carefully. Only had one serious recurrence that kept me off for 2 weeks. Still get lower back pain when standing for a short time or walking very slowly and as I write this, there is twitching and muscle spasms in my left leg. I have had this for almost 30 years.
BTW, the consultant said physio would do me no good but set me up for it anyway. He was right. Several physios and only made it worse so it clearly isn't for everyone.
Driving home my back felt a bit sore. Went to work the next day and back was stiff but thought no more about it. Driving home the second day and the pain started. Once home it was bloody agony. Couldn't find a comfortable position to rest.
Next day called the doc who at first refused to come out and demanded I go to the surgery. She reluctantly agreed to come and gave me some cocodamol which did nothing.
So next day i.e.48 hours without sleep called doc again. Different doc came out. I was laid in bed and had not been for a pee for 36 hours. Within 15 minutes an ambulance took me to hospital. Admitted to a ward and given some form of heroin pill that got rid of all the pain. Could only have two otherwise I would likely become addicted. Bliss while they lasted though
Following morning consultant organised one of those lumbar injections for the x-ray. A small prolapsed disc, I think it was the same number as the one mentioned above. Pressing against the nerve so lots of sciatic pain. In those days rest was the 'cure' so back to bed for a month. Returned no better and collapsed in the outpatients so readmitted. Registrar said operation Monday morning. Monday morning and consultant appeared and made it clear there was no operation due to the proximity of the nerves which could be permanently damaged if the blade slipped
So sent home and bed rest. I was given a sick note for 6 months
During the 6 months I watched a whole series of Fifteen to One with William G Stewart. The most boring time of my life. Eventually went back to work after almost 8 months only to find someone else had been given my job so P45 time (before employment tribunals etc).
Had to give up badminton which I played a lot at a decent club level, no more golf and digging the garden was out. The consultant said the problem would get better but would never go away and as I got older would become more troublesome. He was right. I manage the position I get out of bed and how I lift anything very carefully. Only had one serious recurrence that kept me off for 2 weeks. Still get lower back pain when standing for a short time or walking very slowly and as I write this, there is twitching and muscle spasms in my left leg. I have had this for almost 30 years.
BTW, the consultant said physio would do me no good but set me up for it anyway. He was right. Several physios and only made it worse so it clearly isn't for everyone.
Edited by N7GTX on Tuesday 3rd May 21:25
theboss said:
bad company said:
Wow and thanks for the warning. I'm seeing the spinal consultant on Wednesday, probably another MRI.
How are you now?
I've put an update on the linked thread, thankyou.How are you now?
Rest assured an MRI should reveal all - I wish I had got to an MRI machine sooner myself.
Good work. I had my six week post op check-up today and the surgeon is delightd with my progress but doesn't want to instil any false hope that bladder and bowel nerves will recover much if at all. He seemed to think I had got away fairly lightly for the condition and the severity of the compression when I was admitted. Here's hoping I guess. Good luck with your MRI.
subbs said:
Two herniated discs L5 S1.
Lots of B*llst later...
Yoga. Sorted. Do it.
This. But only once the worst of the spasm treated and NOT if you've recently protruded a disc. Long term management/ can use as treatment if recent and no disc prolapse. Lots of B*lls
t later...Yoga. Sorted. Do it.
One thing that is really helpful is trigger point therapy of whatever type. Googling acupressure and sciatica and getting some gentle to moderate pressure on the most tender area can be surprisingly effective. Acupuncture a lot more effective if done by someone even moderately good- saying that you tried it once with one practitioner and it was no good is like saying you once went to a doctor for a cold and they didn't cure it so you'll never see another! Chiropractors are variable but I used to live in Devon where there was an amazingly good one there.
Acupuncture is being heavily researched but clinical evidence is quite muddied for reasons Im not going into now but it is very good for neuropathic pain ime. Been using it in people and animals including myself 6 months (I'm a vet; legal for me to do both in the UK) and I've been very impressed. It often takes 2+ treatments for effects to start. Got interested after wife cured from years of debilitating neuropathy after recommended by a harley Street orthopaedic surgeon.
I have also had both herniated discs (c6/7 and l4/5 from memory) and come from a family where mother and grandmother had 4 spinal surgeries between them- with poor results- yet this has allowed me to manage even doing a heavy manual job!
A few years ago I overdid it whilst doing squats, and ended up with sciatica (down my left leg). fking horrible! I had a Camaro which was an auto, so my left leg just stayed bent whilst I drove to work. Every morning I would get out of the car with my leg frozen in a crooked position for at least 5 minutes!
I tried stretches and they aggravated it. I saw a physio and several massage therapists to no avail. They all said the problem was in my piriformis muscle.
Eventually I went to a sports physio and he said it was actually something in the sacroiliac joint area. A few light massages targeted there and the problem was massively reduced. I also coupled this with gentle walking. Even now though if I bend wrong or do too much leg exercise I start to feel the warning twinges.
TLDR - sciatica bad, properly targeted remedial work & light exercise good.
king horrible! I had a Camaro which was an auto, so my left leg just stayed bent whilst I drove to work. Every morning I would get out of the car with my leg frozen in a crooked position for at least 5 minutes!I tried stretches and they aggravated it. I saw a physio and several massage therapists to no avail. They all said the problem was in my piriformis muscle.
Eventually I went to a sports physio and he said it was actually something in the sacroiliac joint area. A few light massages targeted there and the problem was massively reduced. I also coupled this with gentle walking. Even now though if I bend wrong or do too much leg exercise I start to feel the warning twinges.
TLDR - sciatica bad, properly targeted remedial work & light exercise good.
RetroTed said:
So I have sciatica in my left leg and the pain is immense
I have seen my gp and I am awaiting to see a physiotherapist in a few weeks but I am wondering if anyone on here has had it and what if anything you did to get rid
There are a few excersises on youtube but nothing has worked
The first time I had a problem it felt like ages being near bed bound to begin with. I took naproxen and didn't do anything strenuous for a while - this really helped.I have seen my gp and I am awaiting to see a physiotherapist in a few weeks but I am wondering if anyone on here has had it and what if anything you did to get rid
There are a few excersises on youtube but nothing has worked
When I was up and about I had difficulty with various movements triggering the ''knife in your arse pain'' for about another year. Strangely I found flat bench press with free weight dumbbells kept me ''free and moving''.... Then gently onto core strength exercises when you're up to it.
It still flares up for me every now and then, but only lasts a few days and i'd describe it as moderate discomfort compared to the immense pain in the initial few months.
Get well soon - I remember it being worse than what I imagine child birth would be like.
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