Sciatica

[neelyp]

Been pretty sore for a couple of weeks now, the pain is moving around a bit, presently both calves are sore and my right arse is agony.
Was very, very difficult getting my socks on this morning. In fact it was hard enough getting out of bed.
The blokes at work are fed up with me looking like I'm training for the 100m hobbling race in the Special Olympics and are making strong suggestions that I do something about it, so of to the docs it is.

What (if anything) can a GP do for me?

[GTIR]

GP, pain killers or refer you to a specialist with a view to a potential op - but only if it's ongoing as they are very reluctant to operate. In most cases it will "fix" itself.

You could try physio or the like but my own experience is self awareness of your own back. Sounds silly but until you have a problem you don't realise what pressure you put your back under.
I'd suggest, long term, building your stomach muscles up. Then get into the habit of using them!

When you get up or move just tense them up so they take the strain.
Worked for me after years of problems.

Also, if you're a fatty lose some weight.

[Craphouserat]

Your GP will give you an examination. Check your mobility - lie you on a bed lift each of your legs in turn slowly asking to tell him/her if and when/where it hurts. If you have a prolapsed disc you will want to kill him/her after they have lifted one of your legs an inch - in m ycase the right. If they susoect you have a disc problem they will tell you it needs rest - the stuff that comes out and outs pressure on your nerve root can and does go back inside in time. Mine didnt and Ive been through two ops and I'm wating on another MRI to decide if i need further surgery. If your doc thinks your pain is from nerve compresion they will prescribe some painkillers - probably an anti inflammatory such as diclofenac - watch these. They may work well - I was on them now have stomach problems all the time. They may also prescribe painkillers depending on how bad your pain is. Could be dihydrocodine,tramadol antriptyline and the like. Dihydro will leave you stoned a tad and constipated. Tram didnt work for me. Amytrip is a good drug you take at night for nerve root pain - will leave you sleepy next day depending on doseage. I am on all these and more including Pregabalin. If you want to discuss anything your doc says or any drugs he/she puts you on feel free to pm me.

All the best

Barry

P.s - please excuse any spelling errors - I'm stoned - due to above!

[EmmaP]

Build up your core strength and that includes building up muscle strength in glutes and quads. Pilates will no doubt help. Also, get regular deep tissue massages. Once a fortnight is best but at very minimum once a month. And stretch regularly too.

[996 sps]

piriformis flexibility may help, google that and you will see its a muscle which can sometimes flare up the sciatic nerve. Stretching this muscle can help.

[Arnold The Bat]

I had a bad bout of sciatica a couple of years ago. When it started it was agony just as you describe and I really stuggled to get about but eventually it calmed down to a constant pain which I figured would sort itself out. I eventually went to the doctor who prescribed Sodium Diclofenic which I will swear is a genuine wonder drug as the pain was completely gone within 24hours.

I would recommend this for anything that involves inflamation as I've also had a constant pain in my right knee, the doc' prescribed more Sodium Diclofenic and again a pain which I had been living with for several months pretty much cleared up overnight.

I didn't get any side effects as mentioned above but I've always had a bit of a dicky stomache so maybe I just didn't notice.

Edited by Arnold The Bat on Thursday 9th September 18:06

[Bill]

Sciatica in both legs is unusual, so go see your GP. If you have pins and needles or numbness around your groin or anus, you have erectile issues or you're struggling to pee even though you feel you need to go to A&E, now.

Google cauda equina syndrome if you're not sure about taking me seriously.

[CerbitonFlyer]

I feel for you OP. I had the same about 8 weeks ago. After a couple of days I went see the doc who after giving me a quick examination prescribed me diclofenic and pain killers. Luckily I have private healthcare so got an immediate referal to a sports Physio. The pyhsio has been great and the exercises he's given me have really helped. My calf muscle in my left leg is still really sore but it's miles better than it was. It's been really frustrating how slowly it's healed but in the last week it suddenly feels much better. Just to warn you at can take months to get back to normal, but the sooner you do something about it the sooner (and quicker) it will start to heal

[Gusanita]

I have had sciatica for about 3 years and at one point I could not move at all. I have found doctors to be useless as all they have done is prescribe anti-inflammation tablets, which cure the symptoms but not the cause.

I ended up going to an osteopath who managed to help but like a pp said there are things in my life which aggravate the condition which means that it hasn't had a chance to heal properly.

I would really recommend going to see an osteopath, they will look at your whole body and ask questions about your general medical history, they will let you know what kind of things may be causing or aggravating the issue as well as ease the initial pain. If it is something that they can't help you with or something serious they will give refer you to someone who can.

[Faceplant]

EmmaP said:

get regular deep tissue massages. Once a fortnight is best but at very minimum once a month.

I can recommend these too - they were the only thing that gave me any kind of relieve during 12 months spent crawling around with a ruptured disc at L5/S1

[neelyp]

Just to update.
I went to my GP who prescribed me nowt and told me to rest in bed for two to three days. This seems to fly in the face of everything I've ever been told about back pain i.e. keep as mobile as possible.
So I've ignored his advice.
I'm getting by now with only a couple of doses of Ibuprofen a day and am managing to get my socks on much easier (this is my gauge as to how buggered my back is). Left foot is still quite numb with very restricted up and down movement and I have a slight pain in my right ankle which goes away after walking around for a few minutes, so it's definetely getting better.

Thanks for all the advice in the thread, if it doesn't clear up a visit to a back expert will be my next step.

[Bill]

neelyp said:

I went to my GP who prescribed me nowt and told me to rest in bed for two to three days. .

neelyp said:

So I've ignored his advice.

[wainy]

When I did mine in, I had microdisectomy 2 years ago was refered to physio which didn't work as disc was too far gone. But after the rehab was good with physio especially using a Swiss ball so would recommend getting one of these and use the exercises to strengthen your core muscles. Walking always helped but not carrying ANYTHING as it's the "little weights" which can cause problems. Also as someone mentioned when bending or carrying things tense the muscles in your stomach, back and arse! Don't do sit ups as this can put pressure on your disc.
My sciatica was for about 5 years before finally gave up and during that time I tried Chiro but on reflection think normal exercises would have been money better spent on my case.

[wainy]

Also try lying on living room floor with cushion to support head/ torso now and again if watching tv for example which will releive some pressure and also help move the discs if it is disc

[Randy Winkman]

As an occasional sufferer, I'd say that increased flexibility might help. Stretching exercises for calves, thighs, hips etc.