Sciatica

landsurfer · Post by **landsurfer** » 16 Dec 2014, 7:58pm

So after the gout and the fatty liver, from which I have had good resolutions I now have sciatica !!!
not having the best year...
spent an hour with a Phyiso massaging my spine and bum . . Not as much fun as it sounds, to no effect.
She recommends I see my GP, but still took her £60 fee ! ! !
Can I exercise my way out of this?
Taking 30/500 co-codemol, Naproxen and Diazepam . . There must be a better way.
Suggestions please .. . . .

yakdiver · Post by **yakdiver** » 16 Dec 2014, 8:50pm

On the 24th I'm seeing a neurosurgeon as I've have a prolapsed disc which is pressing on the sciatic nerve and it has been giving me hell for the last three months. I'm also taking the same tablets as you.

Paulatic · Post by **Paulatic** » 16 Dec 2014, 9:02pm

I suffered with sciatica for years GP would prescribe painkillers. Eventually pain was so bad I resorted to try an osteopath. Best move I ever made, 3visits at £15 a time(20yrs ago) and I was pain free. [emoji3]

hondated · Post by **hondated** » 16 Dec 2014, 9:31pm

yakdiver wrote:On the 24th I'm seeing a neurosurgeon as I've have a prolapsed disc which is pressing on the sciatic nerve and it has been giving me hell for the last three months. I'm also taking the same tablets as you.

My son who is 41 - 6' 4" was suffering from the same as you and after many visits to see his doctor he was referred to Kings College Hospital where they gave him a local anaesthetic and cut part of the offending disc away. He went in in the morning and we collected him in the evening. Six weeks later he is still sore but no way is the pain as bad as it was. So if you get the opportunity see if you can get the same procedure done.Good luck and please keep us all informed of your progress.

al_yrpal · Post by **al_yrpal** » 16 Dec 2014, 10:01pm

Lay on your back on the bed and hug the knee of the affected leg hard repeatedly several times a day. Then hug both legs repeatedly. If I get it, which I do occasionally that sorts it out after a couple of days. An Osteopath recommended that.

Al

Colin63 · Post by **Colin63** » 16 Dec 2014, 10:04pm

I swear by the work of this woman http://www.sarahkey.com/. After several months of very bad sciatica I'm starting to see improvements after following her exercise regimes as outlined in her book The Back Sufferers Bible. I'm not sure where you live, but see if you can find an accredited practitioner of her techniques in your area.

cotswolds · Post by **cotswolds** » 17 Dec 2014, 10:18am

Sciatica is only a partial diagnosis, it just tells you something is pressing on the sciatic nerve somewhere. It's not always due to a prolapsed disc, see for example piriformis syndrome.The only way to find out what and where is an MRI scan. So something that an osteopath/chiropractor/physio etc does for one person that works brilliantly may have no effect on somebody else, or might possibly make things worse.

I'm fairly sure my sciatica was caused by yoga stretches which put pressure on the lower back which caused an already prolapsed disc to press on the sciatic nerve. I had an MRI scan and was on the waiting list for an operation when the problem self-resolved. I gradually resumed all my activities, apart from yoga (did one session which immediately gave sciatic twinges, and haven't tried again).

I found cycling helped relieve the pain, but someone I met recently found the opposite - it's all to do with where the pressure is and what any particular body position does to increase/lower the pressure for that individual's physiology. I didn't find the drugs helpful, but a TENS machine worked brilliantly.

Good luck with finding something that works for you.

landsurfer · Post by **landsurfer** » 17 Dec 2014, 1:21pm

This morning my doc has prescribed Morphine to give me some comfort and to relax the muscles currently in spasm . He is a racing cyclist and recons this is the best way forward ..... Sledge hammer / nut thinks I. But I'll give it a go... he doesn't tell me how to fix aircraft so I won't tell him how to fix my back .....yet :roll:

Post by **Vorpal** » 17 Dec 2014, 2:11pm

Actually, that solution may make some sense. When I had the same symptoms, I was told by the physio that it was mainly due to the muscles being excessively tight & pinching the nerves.

As I was pregnant, I was told not to take anything for the pain, but I did find massage threrapy helpful.

freeflow · Post by **freeflow** » 17 Dec 2014, 2:29pm

Www.backinaction.Co.UK

Click on the backpain tab.

Post by **Mick F** » 17 Dec 2014, 3:16pm

Mrs Mick F is just getting over a bout of sciatica.

Whatever anyone thinks, it isn't a "bad back", but a trapped sciatic nerve. It runs down from your spine, past your bum and down your leg. Mrs Mick F's pain was in her left cheek, and no painkiller would touch it. She was in agony and was recommended an osteopath in Liskeard, and at £35 a session, two (painful) sessions just about shifted it.

Trouble is, she then developed painful femural nerve, and her left leg went numb and painful both at the same time. She's slowly coming out of it now, but she's been off work since 3rd November. She's had physiotherapy and given exercises to do, but rest and taking it easy seems to be the way forward for her.

landsurfer · Post by **landsurfer** » 17 Dec 2014, 4:26pm

My pain level is such that my wife has to put my socks on in the morning as I cannot.
I have fractured my spine twice, L4 / L5 Vertebra and cervical spine, but that was 20 and 15 years ago, with full recovery.
Vorpal, the pain through pregnancy must have just added to the total grief before birth (With wonderful results )...Respect...
There seems to be a "Don't worry it will sort it self out" approach to this problem .... but I want to go cycling.. this weekend ...over the hols .. !!!

Post by **Mick F** » 17 Dec 2014, 4:59pm

Only your socks? :wink:

There were days when Mrs Mick F could hardly get out of bed. Good job she was comfortable lying down, that way she could get a good sleep.

Get well soon, and keep warm.

Swallow · Post by **Swallow** » 18 Dec 2014, 1:46pm

You need to get a proper diagnosis. I spent more than two years with sciatic type pain, spent a fortune on osteopaths and chiropractors, was examined by neurologists. Eventually an MRI scan showed severe spinal stenosis, I am now five weeks post op and hoping that I am now sorted, though not convinced at the moment

BrianP · Post by **BrianP** » 18 Dec 2014, 7:06pm

Doctors were no help when I was in agony with sciatica. Just strong painkillers which made me feel ill.

For me, as for other friends, a chiropractor sorted me out.

After full lower, middle, upper back and lower neck X-rays she explained that I broke a vertibrae in my lower back before I was 20 years old. I had an accident at 17 but never knew I had done dmge to my back.

These old injuries catch up with us, and are accidents waiting to happen when we stress the area. In my case leaning over plywood sheets for too long in freezing conditions.

You need to know what is causing sciatic nerve to give you such pain. For me, NHS was hopeless, Chiroprator completely helpful and sort me out and can now ride daily. Mind you sorting out the best frame to help my condition took some time. The solution for me is a very high front end, using a Salsa Fargo frame with swept bars.

Sciatica was the worst pain I have ever endured so my advice is to try a good chiropractor who X-rays your back to see what is wrong.
Brian

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