Sciatica - any helpful advice please

This happened to me a few of years ago. I will start by saying this was in my early 60's. I was decorating a bedroom and emulsioning above a fitted wardrobe and was sort of having to twist sideways. I came down off the ladder and tried to pull the ladder towards me and that was when the pain started! I went to the GP who said it would probably last about 6 weeks and gave me painkillers that didn't touch the pain. I couldn't weight bear on my right leg so in desperation went to a Chiropractor. I spent a small fortune there and the relief only lasted about 30 minutes! I used heat pads on my back too. Nothing seemed to work. Then one day I had eaten something which made me nauseous. I sort of staggered to the bathroom and lurched towards the basin and heaved to be sick. This action released the pinched nerve and gave instant relief! I swear that if it ever happens again I will swallow salt water and make myself sick. Sorry if this is a bit graphic but I swear it is the truth!

I have found that taking magnesium tablets and using a magnesium spray helps a lot. Holland and Barratt stock the spray.

I had sciatica for months. I couldn't stand, sit or walk without pain. A cooling mat on the chair gave some relief sitting but the best thing I got was a gel seat cushion. I saw the physio and had gentle stretching exercises. Hope you aren't plagued for too long.

I do the exercises online from NHS website to release the nerve, it works, it takes 3-5 to ease from the soreness. Didn’t go to Dr as it was clear what it was.

Acupuncture took my pain away in 3 sessions. It must be the original Chinese method.

Please see your GP. This could be hardening of the arteries - you might need statins or aspirin to reduce cholestrol

Have you had xrays of your spine? I'm only 63, but have arthritis in hips and knees and just recently also in my lower spine - which is triggering my sciatic nerve just like a prolapsed disc would do.

I had an excellent physio I paid initially as tge wait for NHS was horrendous, I also bought a tens machine from Amazon in desperation and it really helped. I’d certainly advise getting to see a doctor though.

I had a terrible bout of sciatica at the start of lockdown. The best instant relief that worked was to lie on the floor with one's lower legs supported on a low table or chair. This gives respite as there's no weight on the lower back or thighs, and even lasts a bit longer than for while you're doing it. Otherwise, alternate heat and cold pads, heat and cold ointments, and painkillers especially ibuprofen to relieve inflamation and paracetamol because you can. Walking is good but I found some stretches that should work didn't.

I was given Zapain and Ibrupofen pills by the doctor to help my sciatica. I had to stop the zapain after 4 days as my bowels stopped working(!) but carried on with ibuprofen. 4 weeks later I’m ok again. I hope your pain passes soon, it’s terrible isn’t it?

I've tried lying on a rolled up towel which I suppose is a spin-off from the Back Stretcher Avalon recommends, but found it very uncomfortable. Thats why I wondered if an elderly, not very flexible, 80 year old might find it unhelpful.
May I be cheeky and ask Avalon if you're fairly young and still flexible?
(ps I've also tried acupuncture which did work but only temporarily - for about 3 - 4 weeks)

I do the hamstring exercises while I’m cleaning my teeth.

These are the exercises my chiropractor showed me.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxIeqiyYZkQ

Try the back stretcher/ massager I mentioned earlier.

I have had this over the years and the best advise I was given , if possible lie flat on your back, on your bed is fine , left your effected leg up as far as you can , if you have someone else with you if they can support the leg and just give it a gentle push up, so that you are stretching the hamstring even more, do this twice to three times a day 10 times each time and I am sure you will see an improvement . If you live alone just try the lifting your leg without that final push. Even if it 6 inches up off the bed to start it will help. You can also stand holding a dining room chair and stretch your had leg back so that you stretch your hamstring again doesn't need to be far a few inches will be enough to start make sure you feel stable before you start. If your hospital has a walk in physio service try and go to that.

I could barely walk to the loo using crutches, I was in absolute agony.

FlexibleFriend

I've had this recently and a physio told me I needed to stretch my Hamstring as often as possible which was extremely painful but worked very rapidly. I was pain free within days. I laid on the bed and raised the affected leg as high as I could and flexed my foot as much as possible. Apparently I'm very supple so nearly took her head off but did that several times a day for several days and the pain was gone.

Interesting, walking gets rid of mine, stretching leg straight and pointing toes in bed too.

Well named then!

I've had this recently and a physio told me I needed to stretch my Hamstring as often as possible which was extremely painful but worked very rapidly. I was pain free within days. I laid on the bed and raised the affected leg as high as I could and flexed my foot as much as possible. Apparently I'm very supple so nearly took her head off but did that several times a day for several days and the pain was gone.

It will often ease up and go away.

Even chiropractors disagree on heat/cold. One practitioner recommended a heat pad, another a bag of frozen peas.
I see the science of the cold, you are shrinking the nerve.
But everyone had to find their own way
.

There are some NHS exercises on YouTube. I found the most helpful was sitting on a kitchen chair for a few minutes, at first it was agony and made me feel sick but it worked for me.

All you folk who manage to get GP appointments are very lucky! Surgery not interested when I had sciatica last year and was advised to take paracetamol.

Try not sit for to long and just have a walk about your apartment. I brought an electric heating pain from Amazon .
Letitwell
Electric heating pad
Dark grey is £22.99 other colours are dearer. So I had this one.

24" x 12"
6 temperature settings and 4 time settings.
The main pain I had was the Sciatica nerve in my bottom. This pad is soft and flexible. Sitting it on it at the highest setting eased the pain . Also Eases my back and when I put it under my thighs. I took extra pain killers but the heating pad helped the most. Also in bed lie on your back with a pillow under each thigh . It eases the pain so you can sleep. I am a side sleeper but this is the only way I could sleep.

I have found the pad very useful for wrapping round my arm when it's more painful.

Did find acupuncture helpful.

Displaced a disc in my 20’s and had sciatic pain since…found a fabulous chiropractor who gave me a series of exercises…no longer have pain at all……now in my 60’s and have been pain free for about the last 6…