Sciatica

[georgialee]

Does anyone have experience with sciatica? I am having major problems... pain in my lower back radiating to both hips and then down to my ankles. I'm going to a PT on Monday morning, so hopefully I will find some relief. This has been going on for about a month now and I'm at my wit's end.

 

[chicmom]

Oh that is just brutal. I've had that problem. Personally, the only thing that worked for me was rest. And I also took some over the counter Motrin.....

 

[sfw2]

I had intermittent sciatica during my pregnancies. Sorry you're having to deal with it.

I remember my dad having problems a few years ago. PT seemed to help him. Good luck!

 

[shelleyb1969]

I'm in PT for the 3rd week now. It actually makes me hurt worse. Sure hope you have a better experience. Good luck! It really is some kind of pain.

 

[4mychicks]

I've had pain on my left leg for 7 monthes now I was even told I would probably need grafting the Dr thought it was circulation problems. after xray, mri and ultra sound have been told now sciatica....my symptoms are after walking 50 feet or so my left leg HURTS from the hip down. if I sit or stand still for a moment it'll pass only to return within 50 ft. it has ruined my summer completely I so wanted to take my daughter shopping at the mall just the 2 of us and I ended up feeling like a burden to her. can't chase after my grandchildren like I want to... when the dr said nothing surgical can be done I wanted to cry..we are gonna try pain managment which I've heard nothing but bad about from people who've gone. Does it ever go away?
Kathleena

 

[joebryant]

My wife, son, dil, daughter, sil, and I were all in the Dominican Republic five years ago. I came down with a severe case of sciatica. I could not even walk. My daughter, a health food nut, gave me a bottle of liquid ARNICA that she had bought from a health food store. I rubbed it on my hip and down my leg. Within five minutes I was like new again. I had to use it two or three times to be completely cured, but believe me, it was a miracle worker.

 

[georgialee]

Thanks for all the comments!

Joe - I'll have to look for that.

I was fed up with the pain and have regularly been taking hydrocodone and 400mg ibuprofen since Thursday night. My back is already feeling better (after the pain meds wore off). I think the reduction in pain is relaxing my muscles enough to let up on the nerve pressure. I hardly ever take pain medicine (even tylenol), but this truly has worked. I'd say I feel 50% better than I did early in the day Thursday.

 

[BarkerChickens]

Possibly a chiropractor/massage therapy may help. I've had sciatica in the past, but it went away once going to a chiropractor (pinched nerve) and the other time it went away with deep tissue massage (obviously it takes a few visits, but nonetheless it was worked out).

Good luck!

 

[verthandi]

Quote:
I have dealt with it for over 5 years. Things that have helped, do not sit for more than 20 minutes at a time, walking helps. A yoga ball to use at your computer will take the pressure off the sciatic nerve. If it is really hurting alternate hot and cold packs on it for 20 minutes at a time. Slowly increase your magnesium level, it will make your stomach hurt if you increase it too quickly. Magnesium will help with the cramping from the sciatic nerve being pinched. Add calcium if you don't take it already. And don't laugh, but if you are old enough to remember the old ads for Doan's pills and can take aspirin products, pick up some Doan's pills. My PT guy told me about them and I laughed....but they are aspirin that is made with magnesium, if mine starts feeling like it is going to act up, I start taking them and it will usually short circuit the pain.

PT will help over time, expecially if they do any type of gentle manipulation.

 

[Uzuri]

Wish I could help, but all I can do is commiserate. All I ever do is wait until it fixes itself, and try not to bend over in the hen house while it's happening.