Sciatica, who's had/got it and how did you get rid of it?
Discussion
Had it bad a few years ago, went for a scan and no.6 was pushing my spinal column. Up to that point I had put up with the pain for about a year (self employed at the time) but couldn't take anymore. Plenty of the correct back stretching/arching (as advised by physio) seemed to clear it up. Trouble was that due to putting up with it for so long I had been walking funny and had to have extra physio to stretch all my leg tendons. Huge pain killers from the consultant helped too. It comes back occasionally but I know roughly what to do now. If it's a disk then your body can absorb a certain amount of it but if that combined with the physio doesn't sort it you could be looking at surgery.
Mike
Mike
Probably rare, but my sciatica was caused by an allergic reaction to lactose in cows milk. This caused inflammation and intense pain (nearly crashed the car).
After I eliminated cows milk from my diet, the symptoms went quickly and (touch wood) have never returned.
Like I say, very unusual but you could try no milk for a few days, what have you to lose?
K
After I eliminated cows milk from my diet, the symptoms went quickly and (touch wood) have never returned.
Like I say, very unusual but you could try no milk for a few days, what have you to lose?
K
Dear RetroTed,
I feel your pain - mine.
Currently apart from painkillers (Cocodamol) my GP is rather shrugging his shoulders until a magic 6 weeks has elapsed. The condition than passes to chronic (IIRC) status and then referrals start.
I've been doing some web searched simple exercises.
I am pleased to say things have got a smidge better since Sunday. Can walk a short distance, mown my small lawn, washed a car, sit down for longer.
I hope there's another step (pun intended) change soon.
I like your description dental pain in the leg, thankfully the fix is not the same
regards,
Jet
I feel your pain - mine.
Currently apart from painkillers (Cocodamol) my GP is rather shrugging his shoulders until a magic 6 weeks has elapsed. The condition than passes to chronic (IIRC) status and then referrals start.
I've been doing some web searched simple exercises.
I am pleased to say things have got a smidge better since Sunday. Can walk a short distance, mown my small lawn, washed a car, sit down for longer.
I hope there's another step (pun intended) change soon.
I like your description dental pain in the leg, thankfully the fix is not the same
regards,
Jet
I feel passionately about this and feel great sympathy when I read (and recall) the pain. I'm not medically qualified but can offer my own experiences.
In 1995 my back "went", the pain and summer heat were almost unbearable.
My friend suggested Chiropractor (biggest mistkae I made) left me in agony and then avoided me.
Went to GP, got painkillers and diazpem ( good but make you drowsey, painkillers bung you up)
Got Consultant appt. After MRI/CAT type scan, he told me, no problem we'll "Wip out a disc" and you'll be fine in a few months. I was 26 at the time and would have gone with it but due to the 1 year wait, I opted for physio.
GET PHYSIO-- they'll tell you to learn to stretch the hamstring/attempt to strengthen core.
In the physio room was a "pain management" patient, that basically means they're teaching you how to cope. He was early 30's, has the op twice and now needed a walker to get around.
A physio actually told me that Consultants at that time did op's because thats all they knew, stretching/strength work was all too boring.
A tip use ICE but most of all see a Doctor to get a scan to reassure yourself that it is what you think it is and nothing else. My experience is mine and hopefully you get some idea's. In 2004 I got lazy and didn't stretch for a few months, a repeat occurred and taught me that flexibility for me is crucial as is core strength
In 1995 my back "went", the pain and summer heat were almost unbearable.
My friend suggested Chiropractor (biggest mistkae I made) left me in agony and then avoided me.
Went to GP, got painkillers and diazpem ( good but make you drowsey, painkillers bung you up)
Got Consultant appt. After MRI/CAT type scan, he told me, no problem we'll "Wip out a disc" and you'll be fine in a few months. I was 26 at the time and would have gone with it but due to the 1 year wait, I opted for physio.
GET PHYSIO-- they'll tell you to learn to stretch the hamstring/attempt to strengthen core.
In the physio room was a "pain management" patient, that basically means they're teaching you how to cope. He was early 30's, has the op twice and now needed a walker to get around.
A physio actually told me that Consultants at that time did op's because thats all they knew, stretching/strength work was all too boring.
A tip use ICE but most of all see a Doctor to get a scan to reassure yourself that it is what you think it is and nothing else. My experience is mine and hopefully you get some idea's. In 2004 I got lazy and didn't stretch for a few months, a repeat occurred and taught me that flexibility for me is crucial as is core strength
Teixe said:
I have it, a little better know after a nerve block injection.
I got an MRI done (suppested by the physiotherapist not the GP) that showed a protrusion of the disc, currently waiting for my next appointment, surgery.
If you can get an MRI done it will show how bad you are, it did for me.
I had these sciatic symtoms 3 years ago which got to the point that I was walking slanted and the pain did not go away. MRI showed 2 disc protusions and ended up with Cauda Equina Syndrome google itI got an MRI done (suppested by the physiotherapist not the GP) that showed a protrusion of the disc, currently waiting for my next appointment, surgery.
If you can get an MRI done it will show how bad you are, it did for me.
Anyway rushed in and had my prolappsed disc removed L5 S1 or 2 can't remember so in theory it shouldn't happen again and guess what......
Anyways back onto this time, the pain is getting worse and no excercises are working so Monday cannot come soon enough.The only way I can ease the pain is by lying in bed...
On a pain chart I'm gonna give this a good 8.5
On a quick note about the swimming - swimming's great, but be careful not to put your spine into harmful positions and extensions. For some people for instance (me included), considerable pain results during arching of the back (during and after the activity), which rules out breaststroke entirely, and one needs to be careful even if reaching up to touch the side at the end of a length.
I have this arching of the back issue and can only swim the front crawl, if I'm careful about my alignment (and thankfully I'm learning a swimming technique called Total Immersion, which obsesses about position and technique). Swimming's superb for my back if I keep perfectly flat in the water with my spine in a natural position, and remember to stop swimming at the end by rotating to an upright position before I touch the side of the pool. The good thing about front crawl is that if done correctly it requires a lot of core strength, and involves twisting of the hips. This motion is superb for my own specific back condition, as it keeps the facet joints moving and also keeps tone in my core muscles.
I have this arching of the back issue and can only swim the front crawl, if I'm careful about my alignment (and thankfully I'm learning a swimming technique called Total Immersion, which obsesses about position and technique). Swimming's superb for my back if I keep perfectly flat in the water with my spine in a natural position, and remember to stop swimming at the end by rotating to an upright position before I touch the side of the pool. The good thing about front crawl is that if done correctly it requires a lot of core strength, and involves twisting of the hips. This motion is superb for my own specific back condition, as it keeps the facet joints moving and also keeps tone in my core muscles.
Like many on here - had awful problems with it and lower back pain from time to time following disc injuries. Some flare ups so bad that even though doctors recommended exercise and I knew I should it was impossible for weeks - even months on two occasions - but only got anything like better after I could.
Physio was variable - one nearly ruined me one worked wonders. Diclofenac is God's own juice! Brilliant stuff. Codeine the Devils' - for me, foul stuff (as was Opium); made me feel awful, didn't help much with pain then the constipation made the symptoms ever worse. Never again.
Medication aside the two things that really helped me were walking - daily up to 6 to 8 miles when I really needed to make improvements - and hyperextensions. These, and stretching, have been my saviour as my hamstrings have become really tight and tend to cramp + seem to set the back off again.
The way I've done them, which seems 'safe' and helps stave off issues (when I neglect them the stiffness and referred pain often comes back) is to lie flat on my stomach, arms either at my side or folded under my chest and then curl the body up and back whilst looking forwards/up. Gradually the height I can gain and the looseness I feel has improved, with good effects on my back. The doctor suggested up to 20 a session up to 3 times a day. BUT as ever take medical advice first!
Physio was variable - one nearly ruined me one worked wonders. Diclofenac is God's own juice! Brilliant stuff. Codeine the Devils' - for me, foul stuff (as was Opium); made me feel awful, didn't help much with pain then the constipation made the symptoms ever worse. Never again.
Medication aside the two things that really helped me were walking - daily up to 6 to 8 miles when I really needed to make improvements - and hyperextensions. These, and stretching, have been my saviour as my hamstrings have become really tight and tend to cramp + seem to set the back off again.
The way I've done them, which seems 'safe' and helps stave off issues (when I neglect them the stiffness and referred pain often comes back) is to lie flat on my stomach, arms either at my side or folded under my chest and then curl the body up and back whilst looking forwards/up. Gradually the height I can gain and the looseness I feel has improved, with good effects on my back. The doctor suggested up to 20 a session up to 3 times a day. BUT as ever take medical advice first!
Lost_BMW said:
Like many on here - had awful problems with it and lower back pain from time to time following disc injuries. Some flare ups so bad that even though doctors recommended exercise and I knew I should it was impossible for weeks - even months on two occasions - but only got anything like better after I could.
Physio was variable - one nearly ruined me one worked wonders. Diclofenac is God's own juice! Brilliant stuff. Codeine the Devils' - for me, foul stuff (as was Opium); made me feel awful, didn't help much with pain then the constipation made the symptoms ever worse. Never again.
Medication aside the two things that really helped me were walking - daily up to 6 to 8 miles when I really needed to make improvements - and hyperextensions. These, and stretching, have been my saviour as my hamstrings have become really tight and tend to cramp + seem to set the back off again.
The way I've done them, which seems 'safe' and helps stave off issues (when I neglect them the stiffness and referred pain often comes back) is to lie flat on my stomach, arms either at my side or folded under my chest and then curl the body up and back whilst looking forwards/up. Gradually the height I can gain and the looseness I feel has improved, with good effects on my back. The doctor suggested up to 20 a session up to 3 times a day. BUT as ever take medical advice first!
I'm sure I have had diclofenac and I will try the stretchesPhysio was variable - one nearly ruined me one worked wonders. Diclofenac is God's own juice! Brilliant stuff. Codeine the Devils' - for me, foul stuff (as was Opium); made me feel awful, didn't help much with pain then the constipation made the symptoms ever worse. Never again.
Medication aside the two things that really helped me were walking - daily up to 6 to 8 miles when I really needed to make improvements - and hyperextensions. These, and stretching, have been my saviour as my hamstrings have become really tight and tend to cramp + seem to set the back off again.
The way I've done them, which seems 'safe' and helps stave off issues (when I neglect them the stiffness and referred pain often comes back) is to lie flat on my stomach, arms either at my side or folded under my chest and then curl the body up and back whilst looking forwards/up. Gradually the height I can gain and the looseness I feel has improved, with good effects on my back. The doctor suggested up to 20 a session up to 3 times a day. BUT as ever take medical advice first!
Sounds like everyone's different. I had it once about 5 years ago and have never known anything like it. I couldnt even breathe, could only do low panting. Codeine makes me hallucinate but was the only thing that touched the pain. Deep respect to anyone who lives with it.
The only thing I would say is that when I was younger, I was properly double jointed; feet behind head etc. My physio told me never to carry anything that can destabilise my joints, because they are so loose. I avoid rucksacks, laptop bags etc now and always use a wheelie bag.
The only thing I would say is that when I was younger, I was properly double jointed; feet behind head etc. My physio told me never to carry anything that can destabilise my joints, because they are so loose. I avoid rucksacks, laptop bags etc now and always use a wheelie bag.
wainy said:
Micro disectomy, never looked back. Extreme option but it had gone too far and wasn't getting any better.
extreme option indeed and one the individual and their surgeon are the only ones who can make a call on, surgical procedures to the back run the risk of making things worse ... Used the search facility and found a suitable thread to resurrect.
I've recently been introduced to this charming condition. Started last week, bad at the weekend, mostly lay in bed, back at work this week, no real problem when standing up and working but after I have been sitting down for a while I get it in my left leg when I stand up.
Had a session of physiotherapy today with doesn't seem to have made any difference, so having read the posts on this thread it seems the consensus is the stretching exercises. Think I will have a look at what YouTube has on the subject.
I've recently been introduced to this charming condition. Started last week, bad at the weekend, mostly lay in bed, back at work this week, no real problem when standing up and working but after I have been sitting down for a while I get it in my left leg when I stand up.
Had a session of physiotherapy today with doesn't seem to have made any difference, so having read the posts on this thread it seems the consensus is the stretching exercises. Think I will have a look at what YouTube has on the subject.
I had a ruptured L4/5 disc last year. I was in agony.
After repeated trips to my GP & chiropractor & a constant diet of pain killing drugs, I went for an MRI scan.
The fluid/ gel from the disc had pushed the sciatic nerve against the spine ( I'm sure that's how it was explained to me).
I had minimal back pain, but the leg/ arse pain was unbearable, really the worst I've ever experienced.
Physio helped me massively, as did a tens machine, but time has been the biggest factor, taking about 10 months to become pain free.
After repeated trips to my GP & chiropractor & a constant diet of pain killing drugs, I went for an MRI scan.
The fluid/ gel from the disc had pushed the sciatic nerve against the spine ( I'm sure that's how it was explained to me).
I had minimal back pain, but the leg/ arse pain was unbearable, really the worst I've ever experienced.
Physio helped me massively, as did a tens machine, but time has been the biggest factor, taking about 10 months to become pain free.
The problem with sciatica is that every case is unique. The nerve can be compressed in all sorts of locations from the lumbar spine, to deep in the hip to the leg. Causes can be bone/joint compression to muscle compression to rubbing caused by a lack of protective fat around the nerve. No one fix is going to work for all, so it's kind of going to be a voyage of discovery.
What you need to do is find the exact cause. I've worked with many clients who have sciatica, somethings work some don't. What they all have in common though is a job that involves a lot of static sitting or a lot of static standing.
What you need to do is find the exact cause. I've worked with many clients who have sciatica, somethings work some don't. What they all have in common though is a job that involves a lot of static sitting or a lot of static standing.
Bump.
I have had lower back problems on and off for some years but I have never had sciatica before and it's far and away the most painful and uncomfortable condition I have ever suffered from. I'm ok walking, I did over 9 miles on Wednesday with no problem BUT I just cannot find a comfortable position to sit in.
I'm seeing a physiotherapist and have an appointment with a spine consultant next week.
Oh well, back to lying on the couch and watching tv sideways.
I have had lower back problems on and off for some years but I have never had sciatica before and it's far and away the most painful and uncomfortable condition I have ever suffered from. I'm ok walking, I did over 9 miles on Wednesday with no problem BUT I just cannot find a comfortable position to sit in.
I'm seeing a physiotherapist and have an appointment with a spine consultant next week.
Oh well, back to lying on the couch and watching tv sideways.
subbs said:
Two herniated discs L5 S1.
Lots of B*llst 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*llst later...
Yoga. Sorted. Do it.
Not being a smartybreeks/show - off, it's just that I had mine microdiscectomised twice.
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