Anyone have helpful hint for sciatica pain?

[Snoozan]

My DH has been suffering for a number of days now with severe sciatica pain. He's been to the doctor, who recommended ibuprofen for day and tylenol/codeine for nighttime to help him get a little sleep. Problem is, my DH doesn't take pills, so has to take children's liquid ibuprofen which really doesn't do much. He doesn't seem to be getting much better, even with the heating pad and occasional ice pack to the lower back. He sat around all weekend, which is hard for him as he hates to sit around doing nothing, but he's still not really any better.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Is this something that a chiropractor could help? Or a physical therapist?

 

[bananiem]

Did he go to a general practitioner or an orthopedic doctor? Did they do x-rays? From personal experience I would make sure it's sciatica pain. I think a chiro or physical therapist could help but MAKE SURE somebody takes x-rays first. Just to be sure it's that and treated correctly. My "sciatic pain" turned out to be a benign bone cyst that would have been a whole lot easier to fix if I'd gone in 3 months sooner.
I have arthritis in my left leg that flairs up from time to time and sitting in a warm tub really helps me. Has he tried that?

 

[grinningghost]

My DH's severe sciatica turned out to be a couple herniated discs. X-rays or an MRI are probably in order, just to be sure.

My DH has to take some pretty heavy muscle relaxers when his acts up. Unfortunately, his job doesn't allow him to take them - which means he either takes time off or suffers.

Sciatica is very painful. I do hope your DH finds some relief soon, I know how awful my DH suffers. Give him a hug. He needs it.

 

[Nathan's Grandma]

My boss has just gone through the same thing in the past two weeks. She went to a chiropractor and he was able to allow her to walk. She went two times a day for three days until she could see a Orthopedic surgeon. He gave her Steroids for the swelling and that is helping.

She is a runner and is not allowed to run at all. She is not going to the chiropractor because it is not going to help her in the long run and her insurance does not pay for it. Her L4 disk is really bad and she had stress fractures in both her hips.
They are just helping her get her swelling down at this time to relieve the pain.

 

[mt2]

I have this problem and sitting in a car for more than 30 minutes kills me.

Have your DH lie on the floor on his back. Have him raise his legs with his knees bent. His thighs should be at a 90 degree angle to the floor and his calfs will be at a 90 degree angle to his thighs(parallel to the floor). Have his calfs resting on a chair or table trying to keep everything 90 degrees. Have his arms straight out with his palms up about 45 degrees away from his body. He should lay like this for approximately 15mins a day.

This is supposed to help your hips go back into their natural position and relieve pain. It does me wonders. I was taking 2400mg of Advil a day for pain (Dr's orders). They were going to give me Hydrocortizone shots next. Noway if possible. I haven't been in that much pain since I started doing this in Feb.

This is from a book that I received. I'm currently out of town so I don't know the name but will get back to you if you would like. Just let me know.

I hope that I have been some help. I know the pain that he is in.

mt2

 

[pat fan]

My DH suffers from this about once a year so I understand where you're coming from. I have a cousin who does Accupressure and it helps SO much! Make sure there are no other problems )as suggested by previous posters) but find yourself a good accupressurist (sp?) and get your DH there ASAP. The last time hubbies sciatica flared up he went right away and the pain was gone in one visit. Good luck.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

I have this problem. My doctor put me on several pain meds. I didn't want to do that so I went to a chiropracter and that was the best thing for the pain. The chiropracter told me not to use heat because it will agravate it. The best thing is ice every 15 minutes.

 

[Luv2Roam]

My sympathy!!
I had that problem around two years ago.
I was going to a physical therapist and a chiropractor -- each 2 x a week.
At it's worse, it took me 45 minutes and of a lot of effort and pain to go from a laying down position to sitting. Once standing I was fine.
The PT and chiro each knew I was seeing the other. I was curious what they would do different. (The chiro took x-rays.)
They both had me lay on my stomach while they pressed hard on my lower back, pushing slightly in one direction, pushing the disc off my nerve.
My regular doctor had me on a prescription anti-inflammatory and was aware of the PT and chiro treatments.
Part of the physical therapy was just sleeping on a certain side. (In this case my right side, to press the disc off in a different direction.)
A heating pad helped me. That was really the only way I could sleep.
The chiro did not want me to use the heating pad, as that only increased the inflammation, hence worsening the problem. He wanted me to use ice packs.
The PT said if heat gets me through the night then use it. He said the heat penetration is only surface level and not deep where the inflammation and pinched nerve was. Yes, cold is better. But if heat worked -- use it. (Band-aid effect anyway.)
The PT also did some sort of SLIGHT electric charge stuff to my back. Felt more like an ultrasound.
It took a few weeks, and lots of babying my back, but the initial pain went away. I just had to be careful for months afterwards.

Good luck!!

BTW - I was told by a doc that four Advil equal a prescription strength anti-inflammatory.

 

[Virgo10]

I've had problems with sciatica for years. One thing I learned along the way was how important it is to keep your body in good alignment while you sleep. To do that here's what I do.

I have two waffle mattresses on top of my regular mattress. On each side I have pillows under the waffle mattresses so that my knees will be at the same height as my hips when I lay on my side. The waffle mattresses aren't real thick ones but are just thick enough to cushion my hips and they also keep the pillows in place during the night. This position keeps the muscles from stretching too far while I'm asleep.

I've been told by several doctors and PT's that sitting is the worst position. It puts all the stress right where the pain is coming from.

I also agree with seeing a chiropractor. Find a good one and get some help. Sciatica is the pits!

Roberta

 

[Blondie]

My mom has pain from Sciatica and is on her 3rd (maybe 4th) Epidural.

 

[shortbun]

Personal experience unfortunately. Ice, not heat-imagine
adding heat to something already inflamed. Ice for 15 minutes
each hour for three hours. Continue the ibuprofen -sorry he
doesn't take pills, it helps SOOOOOOOOO much! He needs to
get about 800mg into his system and keep it there for a few
days. Lots of water and a little stretching. when he does stand,
bend the knees so the legs don't lock the rear end right at that
nerve ending AND a slight pelvic thrust, he'll know when it's right.
I got mine from very bumpy riding for about two weeks, five hours a day and a 35 hour plane ride right after. Chiropractic
could relieve some of the skeletal stress and acupressure would
be good in relieving the muscles bunching up around that
sciatic nerve that is inflamed. Good luck and keep working on the
pills. Maybe you could crush them and put them in liquid that he
could drink quickly?Good luck!
mimi

 

[Chim Chiminy]

I started doing yoga/pilates a couple months ago and it has helped my pain immensely.

My doctor said I had sciatica and bursitis starting in my right hip.

I think it is the stretching of the yoga that helps relieve the pressure.
I was taking prescription anti imflammatories, but I no longer have to take them. The yoga has helped me get off the meds.