Discussion
- ** it hurts, a lot ...
From about March this year I've had on/off sciatica, nothing too severe, just a limp, bit more painful at times but bearable. Like an idiot, I didn't get help, well only saw GP but nothing specialist.
It got worse on this last occurrence, about a month ago, getting Physio and was back to almost normal, bit painful some mornings, but once I got moving not too bad.
A week or so back, must have overdone something - couldn't get out of bed, eventually managed,
Neighbour had to come rescue me off the floor when I was trying to do my physio exercises, had also got stuck in the car for 2 hrs, unable to get out. Been rarely alle to walk at times, and needed help.
Got carted off to the out of hours doctor, signed off for 2 weeks and have booked an ostiopath next week as well, continuing physio.
My car doesn't help (two mx5s) - fortunately, I sold one and got a Suzuki Jimmy, can at least get in and out with straining my back. Got a tens machine as well, that works when my back hurts but not worked out where to put the pads for the leg pain yet.
Been better today, only took x2 30mg co codimal to get up, and some 8mg during the day, been able to sit today for shortish periods, yesterday had to only stand or lean on something.
Wouldn't wish this on anyone.
Now on Naproxen, something to protect my stomach and 30mg co codimal, + diazepam.
I feel your pain.
I'd had various back issues over the years but never realised the absolute agony sciatica can bring on until I had it. It poleaxed me.
Once you have managed to calm the thing down in the short term, I can only say long term that daily back exercises is the way to go (it is for me anyway). I don't want that coming back in anger any time soon, that's for sure.
I'd had various back issues over the years but never realised the absolute agony sciatica can bring on until I had it. It poleaxed me.
Once you have managed to calm the thing down in the short term, I can only say long term that daily back exercises is the way to go (it is for me anyway). I don't want that coming back in anger any time soon, that's for sure.
Same here, had it for a few years but now don't have any back pain whatsoever. Well, apart from when I'm doing some work in the engine bay of my car but that affects most people I think.
Anyway, I'd wake up with this intense pain and that would be where it started. It took me a long time to make this connection so it must have been something to do with how I was sleeping so I needed to look at that first. I used to sleep with two thick pillows under my head at home, and once I slept at a hotel which had three (I was pissed and didn't remove them) and the sciatica came back.
My suggestion is to reduce the amount of pillows that you have in your bed.
Also, continue the stretches when it does hurt as these do help but albeit only slightly. Remember though you're treating the effect, and not the cause.
I then started going to the gym a couple of times a week. Nothing too strenuous but lifting weights can really help, especially on the lower back muscles which rarely get used in day to day life. Also there'll be specific machines for strengthening the back muscles so it's win win.
Worked for me and <touch wood> I've not had any sciatica or back pain for over a year now. It's bloody great!
I'm not saying these would work for you, but as a previous sufferer of sciatica I was willing to try anything.
Anyway, I'd wake up with this intense pain and that would be where it started. It took me a long time to make this connection so it must have been something to do with how I was sleeping so I needed to look at that first. I used to sleep with two thick pillows under my head at home, and once I slept at a hotel which had three (I was pissed and didn't remove them) and the sciatica came back.
My suggestion is to reduce the amount of pillows that you have in your bed.
Also, continue the stretches when it does hurt as these do help but albeit only slightly. Remember though you're treating the effect, and not the cause.
I then started going to the gym a couple of times a week. Nothing too strenuous but lifting weights can really help, especially on the lower back muscles which rarely get used in day to day life. Also there'll be specific machines for strengthening the back muscles so it's win win.
Worked for me and <touch wood> I've not had any sciatica or back pain for over a year now. It's bloody great!
I'm not saying these would work for you, but as a previous sufferer of sciatica I was willing to try anything.
Move the seat in the MX5 forward by 1/2 inch.
Mine (Mk1) triggered a HUGE flareup a few years ago just because I was reaching slightly further for the clutch and imperceptibly rocking my hips after a taller mate drove the car and I didn't move the seat forwards afterwards.
Couldn't put my feet on the floor out of bed the next morning - got about half way....
Yoga (near as damn it) cured mine in the end, in about 6 weeks, after suffering on and off for 6 years.
Mine (Mk1) triggered a HUGE flareup a few years ago just because I was reaching slightly further for the clutch and imperceptibly rocking my hips after a taller mate drove the car and I didn't move the seat forwards afterwards.
Couldn't put my feet on the floor out of bed the next morning - got about half way....
Yoga (near as damn it) cured mine in the end, in about 6 weeks, after suffering on and off for 6 years.
Child birth is nothing compared to sciatica...…mine was triggered by a slightly slipped disc.
Diazapam, co-codemol, naproxen and omeprazole, all in high doses really helped me plus sleeping with a pillow between my legs!
The medication played havoc with my "toilet routine" which was on hold for about 2 weeks but when that moment came I felt I was getting somewhere.
Took about 3 weeks before I could walk properly and, touch wood, has not returned.
Good luck!
Diazapam, co-codemol, naproxen and omeprazole, all in high doses really helped me plus sleeping with a pillow between my legs!
The medication played havoc with my "toilet routine" which was on hold for about 2 weeks but when that moment came I felt I was getting somewhere.
Took about 3 weeks before I could walk properly and, touch wood, has not returned.
Good luck!
Discs don't 'slip' anywhere!
OP reminds me of how I was, a good number of years back. First struck out of the blue when I went to get in my car. Everything locked up. Pain was incredible! Long story short. Could hardly move (anywhere) without severe pain. Mrs had to put my socks on every day. MRI showed lower disc 'herniated' (ie they don't slip). I recall almost weeping when I watched an old Alf Wainwright docu of walking over fells. F me, I couldn't walk on a flat path now, I actually thought I'd never walk on anything other than something level! I once said to my wife I wouldn't have minded the bottom half of my body being shot away. It's dreadful pain.
Discs also don't 'go' just like 'I only bent down to get a pencil and bang! I couldn't move.'
b
ks, it would have been building up to that stage for some time, months, sometimes years. Mine was due to bad posture, lifting badly (boxes of books!) plus ste driving position in car, etc. The warnings are there, but usually ignored. Until too late.
I got to the stage of the pre-med op. Surgeon took one look and said I'd progressed so well he virtually told me to go away. I confessed I looked at some in the same room, half my age, who looked how I felt that first day I locked up!
Should my pain come back badly again, the surgeon told me, the door was still open for the operation.
fk that! I read the 'bible'. (see below)
I walked miles. I walked everywhere! Initially it was hard, say 3 miles took nearly as many hrs! Eventually, I was doing 'bum bumping' once I was able to get back behind the wheel (I just looooooovee driving!), I touched my toes (slowly, daily), did roll ups, etc. I got a kneeling chair, still have it years on. And the best buy - the 'bible'.
Find out exactly how your back/spine/sciatic nerve (the largest in your body) works.
God might have made the spine a thing to behold, but the sciatic nerve is heath robinson in design - crap!
You need this. Best tenner I ever spent. Ignore the prince Charlie foreword, but she (Sarah Keys) did treat his pain.
edit
'bum bumping' embarrassing if outside, but who cares, it eases the pain. Indoors, grab the side of the bath, lower the bottom to the floor, legs wide apart, and slowly 'bump the bottom' up and down. Outside? I'd grab the sill of my car, door wide open, and do it. Strange looks from people, but who cares if it eases the pain.
Today. I get the odd twinge. Stand too long in one position and it might play up. But really, it's sod all. I did get some bad twinges a couple yrs back. Just did roll ups, touch toes and next day ...gone! Movement is the answer. Problem is when it's really bad you think you daren't move a bloody inch. You have to, to beat it.
OP reminds me of how I was, a good number of years back. First struck out of the blue when I went to get in my car. Everything locked up. Pain was incredible! Long story short. Could hardly move (anywhere) without severe pain. Mrs had to put my socks on every day. MRI showed lower disc 'herniated' (ie they don't slip). I recall almost weeping when I watched an old Alf Wainwright docu of walking over fells. F me, I couldn't walk on a flat path now, I actually thought I'd never walk on anything other than something level! I once said to my wife I wouldn't have minded the bottom half of my body being shot away. It's dreadful pain.
Discs also don't 'go' just like 'I only bent down to get a pencil and bang! I couldn't move.'
b
ks, it would have been building up to that stage for some time, months, sometimes years. Mine was due to bad posture, lifting badly (boxes of books!) plus ste driving position in car, etc. The warnings are there, but usually ignored. Until too late.I got to the stage of the pre-med op. Surgeon took one look and said I'd progressed so well he virtually told me to go away. I confessed I looked at some in the same room, half my age, who looked how I felt that first day I locked up!
Should my pain come back badly again, the surgeon told me, the door was still open for the operation.
f
k that! I read the 'bible'. (see below)I walked miles. I walked everywhere! Initially it was hard, say 3 miles took nearly as many hrs! Eventually, I was doing 'bum bumping' once I was able to get back behind the wheel (I just looooooovee driving!), I touched my toes (slowly, daily), did roll ups, etc. I got a kneeling chair, still have it years on. And the best buy - the 'bible'.
Find out exactly how your back/spine/sciatic nerve (the largest in your body) works.
God might have made the spine a thing to behold, but the sciatic nerve is heath robinson in design - crap!
You need this. Best tenner I ever spent. Ignore the prince Charlie foreword, but she (Sarah Keys) did treat his pain.
edit
'bum bumping' embarrassing if outside, but who cares, it eases the pain. Indoors, grab the side of the bath, lower the bottom to the floor, legs wide apart, and slowly 'bump the bottom' up and down. Outside? I'd grab the sill of my car, door wide open, and do it. Strange looks from people, but who cares if it eases the pain.
Today. I get the odd twinge. Stand too long in one position and it might play up. But really, it's sod all. I did get some bad twinges a couple yrs back. Just did roll ups, touch toes and next day ...gone! Movement is the answer. Problem is when it's really bad you think you daren't move a bloody inch. You have to, to beat it.
Edited by dandarez on Wednesday 9th October 22:40
I was just trying to think how long ago it was, must have been 15 or 16 yrs ago, my disc 'went'?
It took about 18 mths from the initial disc going to getting to pre-med.
Then I bought the bible.
I'm pretty sure I bought it on Amazon -
just looked and there it is 'you purchased this item on 5 Sep 2005'.
It took about 18 mths from the initial disc going to getting to pre-med.
Then I bought the bible.
I'm pretty sure I bought it on Amazon -
just looked and there it is 'you purchased this item on 5 Sep 2005'.
Thanks guys, it's good to hear the stories and advice.
Better today, took less painkillers, had a lie down expecting to need tablets to get up, but first tried massaging my back (as best one can) and any tender spots in the leg, I could reach - this was after 4 hrs of being still and got up first attempt - massive improvement as at one stage a few days back i couldn't walk.
Have always done exercises (until this issue stopped me) I was doing all or most of the recommend ones to prevent back issues (warm up for sports club) multiple times a week, so lack of exercise wasn't the cause. I need new chairs in the lounge anyway, so will research what's good and also look at a new mattress ( have memory foam type at sec) - I'll get that book as well.
Physiondid an amazing job today, limped in and almo st walked out - he tried some sports massage - going back Fri for more of the same then physio again on Mon. Getting consultant /scan organised as well to see if they can find a cause.
Better today, took less painkillers, had a lie down expecting to need tablets to get up, but first tried massaging my back (as best one can) and any tender spots in the leg, I could reach - this was after 4 hrs of being still and got up first attempt - massive improvement as at one stage a few days back i couldn't walk.
Have always done exercises (until this issue stopped me) I was doing all or most of the recommend ones to prevent back issues (warm up for sports club) multiple times a week, so lack of exercise wasn't the cause. I need new chairs in the lounge anyway, so will research what's good and also look at a new mattress ( have memory foam type at sec) - I'll get that book as well.
Physiondid an amazing job today, limped in and almo st walked out - he tried some sports massage - going back Fri for more of the same then physio again on Mon. Getting consultant /scan organised as well to see if they can find a cause.
So, an update ...
Had a MRI scan, results shot herniated disc L5-S1, so quite low down. In terms of the severiated, the surgeon described it as 'moderate'.
Overall, I would say I'm better than I was, though the past few days have not been so good, but more a dull annoying pain than shockingly severe - not quite needing painkillers, though close.
Booked in next week for a steroid injection to calm things down.
Had a MRI scan, results shot herniated disc L5-S1, so quite low down. In terms of the severiated, the surgeon described it as 'moderate'.
Overall, I would say I'm better than I was, though the past few days have not been so good, but more a dull annoying pain than shockingly severe - not quite needing painkillers, though close.
Booked in next week for a steroid injection to calm things down.
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