Sciatica advice- how to ease the pain, am in agony?

[seadragon]

Have had back probs on and off for years but last dayshave pain from above my bum all the way down to ball of my right foot (first time have had this type of episode).

Dr says i have sciatica and I now have loads of strong painkilllers and anti inflammatory drugs. Besides making me slightly ill and drowsy they dont seem to have any effect with regards to pain relief.

I am in total agony, can barely walk, let alone stand for any period of time. I cant sleep either, with the only position of comfort when i sit in my armchair with legs at 90 degrees.

I am supposed to do exercises at some point but assume I do that once the episode/pain period is over.

Any advice to deal with the pain right now much appreciated, thanks !!!

[seadragon]

Thanks much appreciated

[seadragon]

Thanks for the help

[seadragon]

I am sure it will eventually thanks. Not felt this much pain before except when i had meningitis at 19.

I am on Naproxen and Co-codamol, 2 whacking big boxes of each. I found some stretches online and will do those and also maintain into the future.

Thanks again to all, just want to get through the worst of it, had have since Wed.

[seadragon]

Thanks will give the tennis ball thing a go. Thanks for all the advice, especially from those who have shared my pain, I will be happy to pass on my knowledge to someone else

[seadragon]

Feels worse today, the stretches i did last night seemed to make things more sensitive. I did sleep a lot better though, on my side with pillow between my knees. Slept ok up til about 5am when the pain really kicked in so took some co-codamol.

I have a tens machine and it was nice but because i am having spasms and feel like my leg is permanently cramping, the main sensation i feel was the electric shock, not any real relief.

I will stick with the co-codamol and also take more paracetemol, maybe stay off the naproxen. Will try the tennis ball idea later.

[seadragon]

CheesyFootballs said:

One thing I found to relieve some of the pain was to lie on the floor with my legs bent onto a chair.
That is, a normal sitting position but with your back flat on the floor and chair to support the legs.

yep have tried that in the past, works for sure

just put the tens machine on again, one part just above my bum and the other on my bum on the side. the right side where the pain is was pulsating so violently, it was like that tv advert on you see now and again where peoples backsides are wiggling. my gf thinks its s hoot. i feel quite drained after actually but in a weird sort of way when the tens machine is cranked all the way up it is really painful but also pleasurable when it subsides

am walking when i can but am getting funny looks, i look like that cripple guy off the 300 with Gerard Butler

[seadragon]

Thanks all so far. Will take all things into consideration. For now pain far too acute, can still barely walk or stand up striaight. Had to drive my gf to the hospital yesterday and walk her to the appt. you would have thought i was the patient but she cant drive and would have gotten lost.

Drugs arent really working but will stick with them. Am sleeping a bit better but usually wake up early am in total agony. Still cant walk for far so I guess justnhave to be patient.

When i feel better will have to do my stretches etc. Have been researching and Yin Yoga sounds about the right long term solution for me, will see how it goes

[seadragon]

Thanks

I am stretching as much as I can, just too painful to do for long and I am super sensitive for hours after. I am determined to keep stretching and taking the pills. Its been a week now but will keep on and plan to get fit again. I walk a lot with the dogs but nothing intensive.

[seadragon]

Well have been still in total agony, almost 3 weeks later. Havent gotten a sciatic belt or anything else but I went for an acupuncture appt yesterday and 24 hrs later I think the pain has dissipated by about 50%. I have another appt on wed. Am still doing some stretches but up until now I have had almost no flex due to the acute pain.

Based on my own experience thus far acupunture has been a winner. I have always been a sceptic but no longer. My acupunturist says he specifically moved to Herts because it is quite damp and as a result plenty of potential clients with issues to be treated. He has told me when out walking the dogs etc I need to be wearing windproof clothing, in my case trousers, or thermal underwear etc.

Will update again, thanks for all the tips/advice.