Does anyone have any experience with Sciatica?

[Jax]

Hi guys,

I believe I may have sciattica and am starting to struggle with it. 6 years ago I had a car accident, quite a bad one, and hurt my back. I went to physio but was pregnant at the time so he told me there was nothing he could do. The doctors believed I had just put my back under to much pressure and that in time it would heal. I always intended on going back but never did with struggling with one thing or another. I started to notice that my bad back wasnt like other peoples bad back and started to notice more and more when and how the pain started and that it wasnt typical. It starts by feeling like a bad "lady pain" going through to a pain in my back/top of bottom and then I get a searing pain down my left leg and the middle of my foot starts to throb. As many of you know it is difficult for me to go to the doctor any advice. Its starting to feel quite restrictive and struggle moving for too long and I certainly cant do anything that require bending very much. I think its possibly going to be a blessing in disguise as it may force a situation in which I/we will have to go out but I am also abit scared.

[VirginVegGrower]

I started with sciatica when pregnant and had it both times. I can still suffer today, twelve years on if I twist funnily or lift heavy items without thinking how. I suspect it has more to do with your pregnancy at the time than a car accident.
A chiropractor helped me but they are expensive. Doctors tend to write cocodamol and/or diazepam prescriptions, neither of which help the cause, just mask the symptoms.

[Nicos]

Don't be scared- you just need a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Often sacro-iliac pain can be confused with sciatica- even by professionals.
The sacro-iliac joints are the large ones in your buttocks which go lax during pregnancy ( to allow the pelvis to enlage for birthing).
These tighten up over the months following delivery. If one - or both- were knocked slightly out of alignment during this time then they may well have tightened up in the 'wrong' position. Maybe only slightly, but enough to cause pain. It's also very common problem after childbirth anyway.

This is a problem I suffer from- and a quick manipulation sets it right again. I was taught how to DIY it myself and can self-manage the problem. Mine are permanently lax- so not quite the same thing as yours.
Of course- it may well be sciatica- and you will need to learn how to handle it.
Not nice xx
Do go and get it checked out when you can

[super trowel]

My wife has it.
She has to go to the chyroprator(? Is that how you spell it ?)

She says she comes out feeling brand new for a few days

[Jax]

I didnt go full term in the pregnancy as the car accident damaged the placenta. I was about 5 months so unsure I would have been far enough along to do damage.

[Nicos]

May have been enough to have made you succeptable- not sure really tbh.
Sorry to hear about your loss though xx

[Jax]

Oh, thats ok. Dont worry was 6 years ago now and have accepted it. I am just worried as to how long it may take to be in a position to get diagnoses and how bad it will get if that makes sense.

[donnakebab]

Have a look on the NHS Direct website and go through the symptom checker. It might help you to confirm your 'diagnosis'. I have had intermittent problem with sciatica so I know how painful it is. I have actually just been on the site myself as I have a knee problem at the moment.

Good Luck

[Florence Fennel]

Oh dear poor Jax, you need to see your GP. Could someone stay with your OH while you nip out? Hope you get it diagnosed and treated soon.

[Two_Sheds]

Sciatica ~ mine comes and goes. I nearly always have a pinching pain in my lower back (buttocky area) and occasionally it will shoot down my thigh too. Walking makes it worse, but running makes it better

I've found that keeping the back loose & moving is the best thing: gentle hip swaying, hula hoopy type movements.
I find it really good relief to lay on my back on the bed, but with my legs hanging off. This gives me a click & a good stretch (but do be very careful with this, probably best to get GP* advice).



* having said that, I've found they don't really believe exercise to be helpful, they just give you pills

[petal]

I developed this after a really bad birth (she was badly positioned and i had to have an epidural )with my daughter 11 years ago. its an on off thing - the only answer for me is complete rest when it and diclufenic- very interested in 2sheds exercises.

[Two_Sheds]

I also do backward bends on my ball, and yoga positions, esp cobra, salute to the sun

[cardiffsteve]

and yoga positions, esp cobra, salute to the sun

Is that you in the yoga video?


My BH has suffered from sciatica for 4 years after having a spinal block for knee surgery.
She has a lot of trouble sleeping and getting out of bed in the morning.

She has had Physio on the NHS for about 12months and now she is going to have an steroid injection in a Facet joint, which seems to be causing the pain. Just waiting to be sent for.

Jax you need to get it checked by your GP and get the correct treatment.
Yoga does help though.
Do gentle yoga exercise and take your time.

[Nicos]

Jax you need to get it checked by your GP and get the correct treatment.

Yeh- don't try and self diagnose and treat- backs are so complicated you could make it worse!

[Hilary B]

Not sure I'd be enthusiastic about the 'ordinary' medical profession either. All too many GPs etc will either just offer painkillers, or recommend surgery (or some combination). Painkillers don't solve the cause, and surgery isn't always the best way of correcting things (apart from the possibility of it going wrong).