Sciatica....

specialman

specialman

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Pat MacInnes
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Anyone else suffer with it?

Had tinges and twitches in both legs (right more than left though) for about five or six years since I injured my right ankle and damaged my coccyx but kind of just thought nothing of it, writing it off as one of those things. A few stretches and some leg elevation seemed to work.

However, over the last few weeks the twinges have got worse and more painful and over the last two weeks it's been unbearable at when sat watching telly and when driving for more than half an hour or so. My hips felt like they were on fire and my right leg was all over the shop, giving way regularly when walking.

Saw the doc yesterday (actually the practise sister) and after a bit of pocking and prodding, diagnosed it as a 'bit of sciatica'. On some anti-inflammatory pills and co-codamol for the pain for two weeks and then it's reassessment if nothing has changed or it's worse.

She couldn't really offer and therapeutic advice other than not to sit for too long inactive and not to overexert myself. Pilates and yoga were suggested and some simple stretches.

Just gotta see what happens but just wondered what other sufferers did to get by and to deal with it on a daily basis? Is it lessening with pills alone or are you having to do other activities to deal with it?...
 
Acupuncture with electric current down the needles works wonders for me.:thumbs:
I do a lot of falling over on the left leg. Happens without warning. Makes life 'fun' with a chainsaw in my hand!:lol::lol:
 
Can empathise.....following a fall whilst cycling last year and landing heavily on my left butt cheek, i found myself in increasing discomfort in that said area and radiating down my left leg, partcularly the thigh region although occassionaly further toward my foot.
I left it be for several months but due to the discomfort i was forced to have it checked out and like you I have sciatica caused by the fall.
I was offered and received several treatments of traction which helped a little but to be honest the discomfort never dissapeared, it was simply relieved temporarily.
As for meds...I have to be in an immense amount of pain to take painkillers as i typically end up suffering with other problems from them.
I have pretty much come to accept that it is something I have to live with although I have read cases where some exercises help some people.
Hopefully you will find what works for you.
One thing that typically does seem to agrivate mine is if I sit around too long in one spot.
Good luck
 
This works for me, has brought me from agony to relief many times

Flexi-Bak
 
I had a serious bout about 15 years ago. It was so bad I couldn't depress the clutch pedal in my car.

I was eventually diagnosed with a prolapsed disc in my lower back which was successfully treated.

I sympathise with anyone suffering from sciatica as the pain can be quite horrendous.

Andy
 
TENS machine to help the pain and Acupuncture was the way forward to getting me walking again and pain free.
 
sawman said:
Is that a 'One size fits all' ? I ask as I assume the female model is a bit narrower than me!:D
Click to expand...

Works for me and I'm not, well small :suspect:

Actual manufacturer's website is HERE - there is a 60 day money back guarantee so you can test if your rear fits or not :D
 
gramps said:
Works for me and I'm not, well small :suspect:

Actual manufacturer's website is HERE - there is a 60 day money back guarantee so you can test if your rear fits or not :D
Click to expand...

Thanks.:thumbs: I have taken a note of the site.
A working lifetime in forestry/sawmills has taken its toll. I would do it all again though.:D
 
Asha said:
.....One thing that typically does seem to agrivate mine is if I sit around too long in one spot....
Click to expand...

Definitely the worst way to bring it on for me too. Just sat here typing I can feel my right leg going all weird.
 
I suffered from bad sciatica down both legs for about 2 years. Tried lots of things such as stretches, acupuncture and TENS machines, all with temporary relief.
It wasn't until I saw a Chiropractor and Pilates classes that I have been completely pain free for over a year now.
 
Sometimes sciatica is made worse with over tight pyriformis muscles. They can be stretched by sitting cross legged on the floor and leaning slowly forward. You can feel them pulling. Then repeat with other leg upper most.
 
tee_tee said:
I suffered from bad sciatica down both legs for about 2 years. Tried lots of things such as stretches, acupuncture and TENS machines, all with temporary relief.
It wasn't until I saw a Chiropractor and Pilates classes that I have been completely pain free for over a year now.
Click to expand...

I was crippled with it 4 years ago (pain was almost as bad as toothache). Doc sent me to physio which did nothing for me.
After that I went to a chiropractor every week at first. Improvement was steady and have been pain free for nearly 3 years and I can walk as much as I want every day. See the chiro once per 4 months now and do a few minutes of exercises every morning.
 
arclight said:
I was crippled with it 4 years ago (pain was almost as bad as toothache). Doc sent me to physio which did nothing for me.
After that I went to a chiropractor every week at first. Improvement was steady and have been pain free for nearly 3 years and I can walk as much as I want every day. See the chiro once per 4 months now and do a few minutes of exercises every morning.
Click to expand...

Almost same as me in the fact that It took about 4-6 weeks before I could feel the difference in pain levels, I was suddenly able to sit on the floor or chair and get up with no shooting pain.
I have a close friend that had chronic sciatica before & for much longer than me, and having recovered completely from it. It was his idea, and he basically forced me to go and see the chiro. I must admit though I wasn't keen on the techniques used :eek:.
But I always felt more supple and free moving once I went for a session. Other than the cost, as it is not funded by the NHS I would definitley recommend seeing a chiroprator, as they seem to very knowledgable at pinpointing and fixing problems.
 
I developed sciatica six years ago from bad desk habits while working. The only thing that managed to get rid of it was a two month course of weekly physiotherapy combined with a strange electric treatment, where they'd put a pad with a current on my lower back for 30 minutes before each therapy session.
 
I had a terrible back for years and really sympathise with any back pain sufferers.

I managed to find the right physio, eventually, and at the time started taking Glucosamine and Cod liver oil. Bingo, very little pain and suffering these days.

Good luck with it.
 
onona said:
I developed sciatica six years ago from bad desk habits while working. The only thing that managed to get rid of it was a two month course of weekly physiotherapy combined with a strange electric treatment, where they'd put a pad with a current on my lower back for 30 minutes before each therapy session.
Click to expand...

I saw a chiropractor a few years ago and he said that the majority of his cases were those relating to bad posture, especially when using computers.

A few days in to the treatment I have noticed a difference from the anti-inflammatory pills and the cocodamol. I think the anti-inflammatory pills are working a bit too del - my right hip feels less tense but as a result, it's clicking like morse code every time I move!! :lol:
 
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specialman said:
I saw a chiropractor a few years ago and he said that the majority of his cases were those relating to bad posture, especially when using computers.

A few days in to the treatment I have noticed a difference from the anti-inflammatory pills and the cocodamol. I think the anti-inflammatory pills are working a bit too del - my right hip feels less tense but as a result, it's clicking like morse code every time I move!! :lol:
Click to expand...

Similarly mine started with pain that made me think that a hip joint was worn, but it wasn't.
Thing to remember about sciatica is that it is not a disease in itself, but a symptom of another problem that is causing the sciatic nerve to be irritated. Unless you get the underlying cause diagnosed then anything done too relive it will be guesswork and may make the symptoms worse.
I have had people with sciatica ask what exercises the chiropractor has me do, but I refuse to tell them since they are specific to an injury I have.
 
arclight said:
Similarly mine started with pain that made me think that a hip joint was worn, but it wasn't.
Thing to remember about sciatica is that it is not a disease in itself, but a symptom of another problem that is causing the sciatic nerve to be irritated. Unless you get the underlying cause diagnosed then anything done too relive it will be guesswork and may make the symptoms worse.
I have had people with sciatica ask what exercises the chiropractor has me do, but I refuse to tell them since they are specific to an injury I have.
Click to expand...

I read that. It could be anything from muscle damage to a dodgy disc in your back, by way of tumours, nerve constriction or other unsavoury ailments.

I'll see what the pills do and then report back to the doc. The problem I have is these local GPs are too rushed and even if there is an improvement, it's unsure whether there will be further treatment needed but I get the feeling at times that the GPs just want shot of you. I don't want i just to be a case of taking pils and then it coming back in a month or so and like you say, the underlying problem has to be sorted to really be sure :)
 
I have a slight twist at the base of my spine that used to trap the sciatic nerve and my legs would disappear from under me at totally random times. About ten years ago I took up pilates, which strengthens the muscles that hold your spine in place. Touch wood, I haven't had a problem since plus I'm much more flexible all round. I can't recommend it highly enough :-)
 
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