Sciatica

Some years ago I had sciatica. I can honestly say I have never ever known pain like it. I could hardly move. At that time we didn't have a stand alone shower, we had an over the bath one. I didn't shower or bathe for weeks as I couldn't get into the bath. When I thought it was easing I decided to walk to my mum's which was less than a five minute walk away. I got about 25 yards from home and realised I couldn't go further. Turning round I looked at my front door, it was like trying to scale Everest. Gradually the really acute phase eased and i went to see a physio for eight sessions. She really did treat me, not just give me a sheet of exercises to follow. I firmly believe that seeing her really did help, though it would have been absolutely impossible for the first few weeks. In total I was off work for two months. Fortunately it has never happened since.

Unfortunately, it takes almost nothing to trap the nerve.
Recently, must have turned over badly in bed, Problem. OK standing up or walking, but sitting or lying, even in a "Stressless" chair caused pain. Eventually, over a week the pain lessened.
On other occasions, standing between two sturdy chairs, back to back, and using my arms to raise my feet off the ground, gradually helped. (Be GENTLE, no shocks, when returning feet to the floor afterwards). Probably about 30 seconds is as long as I can manage.
Repeat as often as possible during the day.
The weight of your lower body, puts you into traction, and hopefully allows things to start moving back to where they should be, and taking pressure off the nerves.

My DH has lived with sciatica for years, luckily in between bouts he’s OKish. He was finally offered surgery late last year but with Covid on the up again it was cancelled. Not sure when he’ll have a chance again. I do sympathise with the pain, as nothing really seems to help.

I had to have Neurosurgery about 20 yrs ago, in the end I was an emergency admission. I know just how agonising it all is.

I too am wondering whether a scan has been done and they know exactly the site of the problem. My friend has just had neurosurgery to her back and it has been a huge success.

When I had sciatica I had traction and it really helped. I also used crutches as it helped to take some weight from my back and made it possible to be more mobile, which is recommended.

You need an MRI so that you know exactly what is happening and where, I’m assuming that you’ve been referred to a Consultant as you are on so many drugs? Also assuming that you’ve been told to contact them urgently if certain things happen?

Sympathy from me for sure.
Currently having an episode of back something. Which occurs periodically. All I can do is the exercises, pain relief, direct heat and hope it’s not too long this time.

BrendaLaw22, it's hell isn't it? It's been on and off since 2017.

I can't tolerate the Amitriptyline - it just gave me headaches and nightmares. I take Tramadol along with Codeine, when it's bad, and lie down a lot.

It's pretty exhausting when you have to keep changing position from sitting, standing, walking and lying (on front, one side, other side) all day.

I have an electric blanket, weighted blanket, Emma mattress in the living room, TENS machine, do exercises, walk twice daily - still it regularly returns.

I have upper and lower disc problems, but wear-and-tear, apparently not severe enough for an operation. I really dread journeys as they're guaranteed to set it off!

Put your shoes on while sitting on the stairs (second stair up). Lift each foot onto the first stair up, where you can reach it without bending forward. Hold the banister to help stand up again.

Time is the best cure for it. Meanwhile -
Gentle stretching exercises before you put all your weight on your legs in the mornings, before you even get up.
A pillow'cushion between your knees at night.
A revolving cushion on car seat, and desk and dining-room chairs so that you sit down from an easy angle and swivel the cushion round instead of twisting your back to get in.
Avoid carrying things on one side - put shopping in a backpack to distribute the weight evenly.
Stand as straight as you can. Use a stick to help you keep a straight back, but don't lean forward heavily onto it.
Don't lift anything with your back curved forward or bent to the side.
A tight waistband on skirt of trousers (or knickers) can press on the sensitive nerve, Slacken it off - loop a strong elastic band between button and buttonhole to ease it an inch or two.

Oh you poor thing, I do sympathise there’s nothing worse than back pain. Keep on with the physio as it will help. My husband suffered from sciatica many years ago. He had an epidural injection into the base of his spine in the musculoskeletal unit and has not suffered since. Maybe this would be something you can discuss with your GP once COVID is over.

I do sympathise as I have suffered in the past several flares. I went through a raft of meds, physios I did lots of stretching exercises etc eventually it settled down. I had surgery on my spine for a bulging disc and I haven’t had another bad flare since just twinges.