OT Sciatica

Can I suggest getting yourself a light weight weight lifters belt ..you can pick one up from argos
Sits comfortably under your shirt
Gives you plenty of support
Speaking from experience
Started of as sciatica f
I had 3 discs fused in 84 curvature of the spine along with spondylosis now got D.I.S.H ( Forestiers disease ) neck shoulder area ...so had my fair share of medication back pain , and the reflective pain which causes my legs to go
Been bed bound more than once
.learnt to walk again
So yeah I rely on my belt ..I find it helps me big time

 

I’ve been there myself - on several occasions short and long - I think the best advice I’ve had from a GP was to simply get out of pain - i.e by having enough of whatever works to relieve the pain. As long as you’re in pain the spasm around the injury stays locked on so exacerbates everything. Get out of pain and things can start to relax and go right.
Things that worked well for me were Celebrex (Celacoxib) which are in the ibuprofen family I think - often prescribed for arthritis but basically a good safe long-term anti inflammatory with little to no side effects. You could ask about that via the gp when you (eventually) see them. Pregabalin worked too to mask the nerve pain, but can make you feel a bit other-worldly for the first few days.
When I was really at my wit’s end with pain I couldn’t shift - I found lying on my front on the bed, with a pillow under my torso lengthways and trying to sort of sag over it long enough to relax into the position (maybe 20 - 30 mins) and the pain started to ease off.
the best position will depend on exactly what’s injured though. Feel for you fella - but it’s not going to last forever it really isn’t!

 

I thought sciatica was more lower back? If not, then proper insoles solved a problem with pain in my hip that I'd had for years, so probably worth a go.

I'm literally on my feet for 12-14 hours every day though, which probably has something to do with it.

 

Best wishes mate.

 

We must be really lucky because I hear of these issues where it seems impossible to see a GP and we don't have that. I am registered at the Park Green surgery in South Kirkby and, whilst of course we have to play the 8am phone roulette, I generally get in same day.

Sounds horrible and you have my sympathy. In your position, I would be tempted to visit the GP surgery in person, where they can see your distress, and insist they do something.

 

check if you’re able to self refer to physio at your gp surgery (ask them on phone or check website)
You need to see a physio not a gp
It also sounds like you may also need an MRI scan referral
When you speak with your surgery tomorrow say these things, see if does trick.

 

I had it for years, made worse by bdgh physios. I spoke to a private phisio who reccomended I see a neurosurgeon. I went private to see top neurosurgeon at thornbury. After a scan showed L4 5 stenosis he reccomended decompression surgery. Op was scary because everyone said I'd end up paralysed or have vertebra fused. It went well virtually painless. Returned to work about 12 weeks later(joiner).
12 mths later pain returned, went back and scan showed I'd done same again next joint up. So 2022 repeated same op. Been fine since as long as I don't do much lifting.
Decided to retire, not risking doing it a third time.

 

Suffered myself for over 20 years. As I love live music, used to call it my “gig leg”, after 3 songs max I had to sit down. Was affecting everything I did eventually.Tried everything over the years. Finally got referred to a spinal surgeon who suggested I try steroid injections. Had 5 of these to no avail. After another follow up appointment telling him nothing had changed he gave me the choice, grin and bear it or have surgery. At 60 I was thinking it was a big thing to undertake but also how much it was stopping me doing things I love. I used to visit my son and grandkids in Berlin and would end up sat on a bench for hours while they walked round the city for example. Anyway I decided to go through with it as I couldn’t bear living in pain for the rest of my life. In June 23 I had an S1 L5 spinal fusion. An operation where basically they insert a small cage between the vertebrae. This creates a space which stops the eroded vertebrae touching the sciatic nerve leaving it free of any contact. The vertebrae above and below the cage eventually grow into each other to create a solid bone hence “fusion”.
2 years on (touch wood!) I haven’t had one bit of pain. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made and has been truly life changing. It would be definitely worth going down the steroid injection road first though as apparently it works for a lot of people, I suppose it depends how bad you have it. I really hope you get it sorted mate as I literally felt your pain. Good luck pal.

 

Other cheap suggestion is acupressure mats. My wife bought me one and I was really skeptical, but laying down in it (no t-shirt) or standing on it was really uncomfortable but it did make a noticeable difference. Link below is for example, much the same whatever you get.

https://amzn.eu/d/exmlHXg

 

Do you take statins ? I did and was crippled by it.Tried a different one after not taking any and improving then yet again it came back.I saw my GP again and came off them and haven't looked back.

 

The sciatic nerve runs down from your lower back to the foot. Whilst good insoles are a good idea, most of the pain I get is when I'm stationary, not on my feet. Driving a longer distance, lying in bed and long flights / coach journeys are the times it plagues me the most.

 

You need an MRI scan on your back. In the meantime you need a painkiller for nerve pain such as pregabolin or gabapentin.

 

I suggested Osteopathy because in my early forties I had a chronic back problem brought on by many years truck driving. It was so bad that I considered giving up work. I was recommended this Osteopath, and being sceptical, gave it a try. I saw him once a week for a few weeks, and then every few weeks for the rest of my working life. I retired from driving at 70 years old. 5 years later now and my back is still no problem. It did change my life.

 

I had it in 2015 noticeably immediately after a 2-hour car journey. I went to the doctors because I was concerned it might have been caused by cycling but he said cycling would if anything prevent it. So my advice would be (to quote Norman Tebbit) "Get on yer bike". Got to be worth a try.

 

Sorts me out ,good one at Shaw Lane cricket club ,Julia Caththorne.
Not cheap but will sort you out.

 

To help combat the pain Naproxim is very strong anti inflammatory, May need to take acid reflux tablets to counteract the stomach acid.
But really helped me out on the summer vacation.

 

Pregabolin definitely works.
Severed my arm and they were ace as i recuperated.

 

As someone who's had back pain for over 25 years. A few things to try:

1) Chiropractor - they should be able to help with the acute phase.
2) CBD oil - get some good CBD oil - Holland & Barrett have a range.
3) Acupuncture - I have also had good relief from back pain with this i you don't mind needles.

Don't get hooked on the drugs, friend of mine had to be weaned off the stuff the doctors gave her, turned her into a Zombie.

To prevent acute episodes of pain and sciatica now I do a morning stretching/yoga routine - religiously. Really keeps it under control, once you get some mobility back I'd look into doing a set of stretches daily, it really helps.

 

I used to get it fairly regularly and went to various chiropractors/accupuncturists etc.
Eventually saw someone who said the problem was that I sit with my wallet in my back pocket. Stopped doing that and have barely had any back issues since.

 

I have it right now, first time in my life. It’s bloody agony!!