Has anyone suffered from sciatica?

[Kitty 34]

I spent last Thursday night in ER and was diagnosed with this. I can only walk right now with the help of a walker or my DH and boys (yes I feel like I'm 90!!! )

I'm on valium for muscle spasms and vicodin for the pain so you can imagine my mind set the last few days.

Tonight I'm sceduled for an MRI with an appt with a neurosurgeon next week.

Have any of you suffered from this and what was your outcome? All I know is giving birth is less painful than what I've experience but don't want to start a debate on that!!!

 

[Jeafl]

I've had sciatic pain caused by a ruptured disc in my back. One third of the disc actually broke off! I've given birth 3 times, and let me tell you, I'd rather have the pain of childbirth anyday! At least in labor you have a break between contractions. With sciatica, it's constant pain. I actually took 2 vicodin and 4 advil all at once and it didn't help the pain. I'm lucky I didn't kill myself doing that!

In any case, after 2 MRI's and a scheduled spinal surgery, I ended up gettting a last minute second opinion. The second doctor gave me a Medrol dose pack (steroids), and within a couple of days the pain was better. I will still need the surgery someday, but for now I'm doing ok.

 

[Ronda93]

I've had trouble with sciatic nerve pain for a few years. I've improved it with weight loss and moderate exercise. Still bothers me occasionally, but doesn't sound nearly as bad as your case.

I've had an MRI. They can see a small shift in the lumbar vertebrae which contributes to the tingling/numbness.

The thing that gives me the most relief is better shoes. A few years ago it just kept getting worse. Then I noticed I'd mixed up my shoes (had several pair of the same style). The wear was much more pronounced on left vs. right. Squared away my shoes and it got better fast.

This year started having pain during the summer... again just kept getting worse. It was keeping me up at night. No position was comfortable. Again looked at my shoes and realized that the heels were worn down unevenly. New shoes and I feel much better. I probably have a larger problem which is causing the uneven wear, but that's another project ; )

If yours has been a slow developing, nagging condition take a look around. Check your contact points with the world... shoes, seats, bed... anything changed? Anything worn out? It can really matter. I also get the same pain after a long car trip

If this is a sudden, intense pain it could be a shift in the spine. It could be back in place already and the effect you're feeling is the swelling/irritation around the nerve.

You might check out ...
http://www.spine-health.com/topics/cd/d_sciatica/sc01.html
http://www.sciatica-home-treatment.com/Sciatica Symptoms.htm


Good luck. I know it seems like there's no relief. Let us know what happens.

Ronda

 

[house_of_princesses]

Shoes helped me out a great deal. (I used a chiropractor when the pain prevented me from walking.) Anyway, when it starts acting up, I lay down flat, no pillow. Arms at my side. Takes some getting used to, but it helps immensely. Another thing for me was proper posture. If you raise your arms, inhale deep then relax everthing but your diaphram (sp?), put your shoulders back. You'll feel your stomack and lower back muscles doing a workout. But it helps my sciatica, too.

Hope you get some relief soon. What you're going through is not fun.

 

[LindaR]

Yep, it is FAR worse than labor! I have had two back surgeries (a laminectomy and then spinal fusion). The discs were actually compressing my spinal cord on the right side. Even two years AFTER surgery, I still have permanent nerve damage.

My word of caution: Be very careful about the medicines you put into your body. They all have very serious side effects. They are very, very addictive. If you have a loss of sensation, or a loss of bladder or bowel control, go to the emergency room. Check out the reputation of your back doctor. My back doctor sent me to one of the top spinal surgeons in this area (didn't send me to his office partners who perform surgery).

If you have any questions, pm me.