Advice needed for trip with Sciatica

[kjs1976]

Hi - I'm bummed because DH was just diagnosed with Sciatica down one leg and we are waiting on the results of his MRI to see what is causing it. We have a 7 day trip planned with my family in 11 days...was supposed to be an all out fun trip. DH, my bros, and I love to ride the coasters. I don't think DH will be able to do all the big rides.

I wanted any advice/help those of you could give me in making his trip as fun yet unpainful as possible. And also, if anyone has used a back brace to lessen the pain, let me know as I just came across some info on this and wondered about the effectiveness.

Thanks!

 

[ducklite]

You might have him speak to his doctor about seeing a chriopractor for it.

While I think that some claims that some chiropractors make are ridiculous (such as one in NYC who says he can cure Alzheimers and Deafness) there are some things they can help greatly with, sciatica being one of them.

Anne

 

[Tinkwantabe]

I agree see a chiropractor and also - as a massage therapist myself find one that is associated with a med spa or at the chiro office as they generally know treatment massage - Ask before you book if the person knows how to deal with the condition.

Ice everyday when you return back to the hotel so bring plastic bags as the walking can irritate it... He may want to rent a wheelchair if he is hurting to much. Talk to your doctor about the trip and he may be able to offer some options for him



best of luck ----

 

[zumbergc]

How is his sciatica irritated? If its irritated more by walking than sitting, getting a scooter/ecv, will be better than the manual wheel chair.

Those sling seats, are rough to sit in all day, if you feel better sitting than walking?

I've chiropractic care with great success with my back problems.
I would also try finding a massage therapist who has experience working with low back, sciatica experieneces.
Some massage therapists take clients when they darn well no they aren't qualified to help out.

One of the therapists I use has 20 years experience. He has worked on lots of car accident people, and injury issues.
However, at the same place he works. Someone called in and said she had a car accident and was looking for a massage. Well, 10 sessions later with this lady massage therapist (i'm not picking on lady massage therapists) the lady massage therapist recommended she try Bill, the guy I use. Well, the lady told him she felt better after his one massage then all the other 10 attempts the other person had made. The other person had no business working on her, she didn't have a clue as what to do. She was just wanting business. I am glad she referred the client to the other therapist, but 10 sessions later is a lot of wasted $$.
Working problem areas, and injuries is a different ball of wax, then getting a nice relaxing massage.
So ask around people who have had injuries and used certain massage thereapists.

Ow, I had a massage at the akl, as I get work done regularly on my legs and back. They might give a good relaxing massage, I even asked at the desk, and they were only interested in selling the massage. The lady had no idea how to get knots out of muscles. The push harder technique, or harder, then harder again is not what a trigger point massage, or deep tissue massage is about. Just pushing hard doesn't make a knot go away. You have to get all the knots that may or may not be smaller, up and down that muscle to de-activate for some knots to go away. This massage therapist didn't have a clue. Yes, she was nice and professional and all, but they shouldn't be claiming to do deep tissue work, when they are clueless.

ALso, ask how much of the time they do deep tissue work, or if they mainly do swedish/relaxation massages.

Connie

 

[LindaR]

Well............I'm not sure how enjoyable this trip will be for your hubby. I've been to WDW with severe pain due to a herniated disc (after one surgery and before my spinal fusion). We didn't do very much. Couldn't. Fortunately for DD17 and me, this was not our first OR last trip so it wasn't a big deal that I couldn't do much.

If this is a "once in a lifetime" trip, you all would be better off postponing it until he is well. You DON'T want to create further problems that could mean a trip to the ER far, far away from home and his own doctor.

How did I do a trip? Mine got aggravated WHILE I was there AND I had to drive from FL back to NM because this happened on 9/11. It was not good.

 

[minkydog]

[deleted]

ETA: I didn't realize that you had posted this on another board and I had already answered your post. Forgive me

 

[Va-bear]

Hi- I think a lot will depend on the MRI results. Muscular back problems seem to do well - or atleast aren't worsened - w/ chiropractic work and massage. However, disc and canal narrowing type problems can be severely aggravated and indeed, worsened with these treatments - so tread carefully. I have digenerative spine disease - 2 surgeries with one on the way.

I find a back brace helps alot - but use it as spareingly as possible. Muscles begin to degrade in two days - and the ab muscles are so important to the back so you dont want to lose any (if possible.) I find if I wear it for the "big' part of the day and then dont wear it around the hotel, etc. I do quite well.
Lots of ibuprophen too!!

 

[Ali]

Not to scare you, but if one person can fix their back issues without having to go through what I have gone through, my message is worth it. Please follow up asap with the MRI results - I had what was called sciatica for 6 months with worsening pain, just given drugs and steroids and back belt by both my regular MD and chiropractor to wear and it got so bad I lost the ability to walk and use the bathroom. I went into the Er with over 2 liters of urine in my bladder, spinal disk fragments floating in the spinal canal and the prognosis of paralysis without immediate surgery. Obviously, I had the surgery and I am able to walk. Still can't go to the bathroom on my own. Just from "Sciatica"... it's a catch all term for pain the shoots down the leg. Make sure that's all it is!!!

I just wanted you to now that I was able to "tough" it out and walk around Disney right before I ended up in the ER. I wish I hadn't done it. The pain was horrible and I truly coudn't get comfortable anywhere in any position and I didn't want to ruin my son's trip. Perhaps DH will be happier at home if he is having a lot of pain.

Alicia

 

[tarkus]

Not to scare you, but if one person can fix their back issues without having to go through what I have gone through, my message is worth it. Please follow up asap with the MRI results - I had what was called sciatica for 6 months with worsening pain, just given drugs and steroids and back belt by both my regular MD and chiropractor to wear and it got so bad I lost the ability to walk and use the bathroom. I went into the Er with over 2 liters of urine in my bladder, spinal disk fragments floating in the spinal canal and the prognosis of paralysis without immediate surgery. Obviously, I had the surgery and I am able to walk. Still can't go to the bathroom on my own. Just from "Sciatica"... it's a catch all term for pain the shoots down the leg. Make sure that's all it is!!!

I just wanted you to now that I was able to "tough" it out and walk around Disney right before I ended up in the ER. I wish I hadn't done it. The pain was horrible and I truly coudn't get comfortable anywhere in any position and I didn't want to ruin my son's trip. Perhaps DH will be happier at home if he is having a lot of pain.

Alicia

Read Alicia's post with great care as she is giving advise that one should heed.

Many doctors miss a bigger problem in the lumbar region, spinal cord compression that could be disastrous if a traumatic event should happen.

In my case it was just a massive herniation of a disk that has left me with many of the above problems and paralysis.

I was also diagnosed with "sciatica" but insisted on an MRI, and then was getting cut for decompression in 2 hours.

I was lucky, so to speak, that the neurologist recognized the CES, many don't so second opinions are worth there weight in gold. Once the trauma occurs time is of the essence for decompression and greater chance at recovery.

It's called Cauda Equina Syndrome and it's rare. My doctors at both Mayo Clinic ans Jackson Memorial/Miami project told me they may only see one or two of this a year. Most goes undiagnosed.

I don't want the scare anyone but it's important to know.

Alittle mare info:
http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/showthread.php?t=21893

All the best,
Alan

 

[Ali]

It's amazing to me to see another CES sufferer in here! I always feel weird discussing my disability because it is generally invisible and almost completely unknown, so no one understands how I could go from complaiinng about a hurt back to incontnence issues... not typical for a 35 year old person!

We just have to keep spreading the word to make sure CES becomes more known!

Alicia

 

[tarkus]

It's amazing to me to see another CES sufferer in here! I always feel weird discussing my disability because it is generally invisible and almost completely unknown, so no one understands how I could go from complaiinng about a hurt back to incontnence issues... not typical for a 35 year old person!

We just have to keep spreading the word to make sure CES becomes more known!

Alicia

Ok, so we are "the one or two" cases the doctors see a year......!
Feel free to keep in touch, I get it.

Alan