Psyatic Nerve (sciatic Nerve) Question

[kimluvswdw]

My nerve has been killing me the last month and I finally went to the doctor today for it. He gave me an anti-inflammatory and some muscles relaxers. I have taken thew muscle relaxers before for something different and I don't like how they make me feel. Does anyone have any ideas for some relief? Thanks, Kim

 

[luvmy2sams]

I had severe sciatic nerve pain for almost a year before I had back surgery in 2005. Stretching exercises helped alleviate some of the pain, and I practically lived 24/7 on a TENS unit. Muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories never touched the pain, nor did anything over the counter (Advil, etc.). Oxycodone was phenomenal, though.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

 

[KirstenB]

I had sciatic nerve pain, and cortisone shots would relieve it. Mine would flare up when I was jogging, or sitting in a car for a long time. I've pretty much given up jogging, and it's subsided.

 

[Robindianne]

acupuncture

 

[Disneylover79]

When mine acts up I try to stretch it out....right now I am on Soma (muscle relaxer) for my neck and back and it doesnt make me fell all groggy.... I know that flexeral does.... I wish I could gets some pain meds though... my head is absolutly killing me.... I know you dont like what the muscle relaxers do to you but it iwll make the pain go away... also try standing up and crossing the bad leg over the good leg and bedn down to touch your toes... it helps to stretch that muscle that is piniching the nerve... I hope you get relief....

 

[Alaska Catdog]

My sciatic pain dramatically reduced in intensity after I started swimming regularly. I swim laps its low impact and does not hurt,

 

[mom2grace]

My chiropractor helped a lot!

 

[DISFANSHAN]

My chiropractor helped a lot!

ITA. My sciatica acts up when I'm pregnant, so I can't take meds for it. But the chiropractor worked wonders!!
Good luck!

 

[NotUrsula]

I also get it when pregnant, no drugs allowed.

The right exercises will do wonders. Ask your doc to refer you for some physical therapy to learn what you need to do.

 

[Dodie]

The only thing that really helped me when I had this was physical therapy, including exercises, light traction, and ultrasound (heat) treatments.

I did have the cortizone (?) shot in my spine as well. That gave me quite a bit of relief without all of the groggy side effects of oral meds.

You need to treat what's causing the problem, not just the symptoms.

Those muscle relaxants make me too sleepy. I can only take them at bedtime. There's no way I could work.

 

[Diva of Dragons]

I pinched mine so bad one time that I literally couldn't move my legs. The only thing I did was Chiropractic, and I had to be carried into the office. I walked out, with help. It took a while to completely recover because the initial injury was so bad but I did heal. Meds can only mask the pain. They can't take the pressure off the nerve and keep irreparable damage from occurring.

I hope you feel better soon!!

 

[MAKmom]

Steriods cleared it up for me & it has not returned in 2 years.

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

Chiropractor.

Helped me in one visit.

 

[kimmikayb]

acupuncture really helped me...and I wasn't a believer. Problem is, it's expensive. Steroid shots help too, short term. Therapy and stretching...and last resort...surgery.

 

[mrsv98]

acupuncture

ITA

Accupuncture will relieve the pain and you won't have any drug hangover. You will probably have to go 2x/week at first, but then when the pain is under control, youi can most likely go 2x/month. It is the best treatment by far I have found for back issues.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

I was on Flexerall & Naprosin (sp?) for back pain 2 years ago - could not stand up straight my back hurt soooo bad. Found out I had a ruptured/herniated disc in my lower back after MRI. My physician wanted me to see a surgeon but I wanted to do whatever I could WITHOUT surgery. I started seeing a chiropractor and he in turn referred me to a physical threapist. I would piggy back my visits to see 1 and the immediately follow with the other. My chiropractor explained it best that he would align the skelatal while the PT would align and retrain my muscles to be in the proper position. My PT taught me several stretching exercises that helped a great deal and when my back starts to bother me now, usually I can head off a full blown back attack by doing those exercises. Currently I have been med free now for 2 years and I have also been successfully taken off my migraine meds as well. I see my chiropractor every 6-8 weeks or so and call to make an appt. if I feel that I have overdone things.

The exercises he taught me were easy, low/no impact. Here are some examples (see pictures) of things I was "taught" :http://www.spine-health.com/topics/conserv/Sciatica-Exercises/Exercises-Herniated-Disc.html
For me the "superman" pose worked well - lie on belly on flow, extend hands over your head like superman flying, and lift legs slightly off the floor.

 

[Dodie]

My PT taught me several stretching exercises that helped a great deal and when my back starts to bother me now, usually I can head off a full blown back attack by doing those exercises.

I should have said this too. The physical therapy sessions, coupled with the ultrasound, traction, and cortizone shot, made me much better, BUT, the exercises I learned at PT have helped me quash the problem right away whenever I've felt the beginnings of that painful twinge since.

 

[kimluvswdw]

Thanks for all the advice. I have to be careful and try not to take steroids because I have Aplastic Anemia and the steroids will supress my immune system.

 

[Lily Anna]

I am sort of at a loss. I never had sciatic pain before that I know of until I had hip replacement surgery. About 7 months after the surgery, I started having this terrible pain. The pain is on the side where the hip was replaced. It starts in the lower back, and down the side of the hip. I went to the surgeon who x-rayed my hip and the surgery was fine. He said it must be sciatica. His tech said she would give me a shot anytime I need it. The orto surgeon only handles surgery.

I am wondering what type of doctor to go to for this. Should I go to a regular ortho, or a neurologist? I just don't know who handles this.

Thanks

 

[Diva of Dragons]

acupuncture

And, Chiropractor!
You have to get the pressure off the nerve and no amount of anti-inflammatories will do it. They treat the symptom, not the cause.

I hope you feel better soon!