Living with Sciatica

I fully understand and sympathize as no one really knows how much pain sciatica causes. Like you once Zi am up and moving I'm good. This week I saw a specialist who has told me we need to get the pain under control first. Started on new meds and it has helped a little already. At least getting out of bed this morning was not as excruciating as the last few so I'm hoping this might be the start of positive things to come. I like this discussion group simply for the interaction and knowing that we are not suffering alone. 

Stay positive and hope things improve.

It's a difficult one for many to understand & I'm so sorry you've been through all of this. I don't know if my story will help, but there's loads of us out there (not that this helps with indiviual situations, but maybe helps to talk?)

I've had a 10+ year history (starting with mild sciatica, then my disc going twice and more recently the disc going again and causing nerve problems in my leg). By far the worst pain I've experienced is the leg pain (numbness + pain, mostly in ankle/foot). It affects everything I do. I haven't been on holiday in 15 years, my social life was limited (now non-existent), having to deal with relentless pain is awful. I almost "got used" to it, until just over 4 months ago with this new one, now I'm on heaps of tablets and waiting for spinal injections. My physio keeps getting cancelled (NHS) so I decided in the last week to try and help myself with some limited walking (on a stick, tiny distances).

Exercise always helped me a lot before, I'm not sure it'll have the same impact with the foot problem, but I'll try anything (as I'm sure you have and will do). I'm 38 and just not ready to give up yet (though have felt like it). It's very very painful, but I'm trying to push through the pain, if that doesn't work, then I'm reliant on the NHS (not good) - they won't operate unless a last resort or medical emergency due to the risk of more nerve damage/infection etc.

It's just finding a way to manage the pain, with meds, exercise etc. but ultimately it's a very difficult condition and unless you've been there.. you really will never know.

Wishing you all the best, hope you find another solution soon.

My sciatic pain started two years ago by just twisting while exercising. I have a lower lumbar degenerated disc that pinched the nerve. I am careful not to overdo any stress to that area. My right foot is numb and tingling most of the time. Ibuprofen killed the pain after I went for about 10 months on pain meds.

It is depressing and tiresome to deal with. Keep moving and use soaking in Epsom Sslt. Check out natural supplement change the diet and eat less fatty food and too many carbs. Wrap the leg in an elastic bandage from ankle up the le. I like to use the Aspercream as it acts like a pain reliever.

Hi everyone thanks for replies, i found out from MRI scan I have two herniated discs lower back and a 3rd one is pinched nerve. Same with me they wont operate unless I cant use my legs or cant go to the loo. Other then that just have to live with it, its a 4 month wait for a pain clinic on the nhs in my area, I feel I have been given very little support from the NHS, my doctor can only do so much. But then again some have had the operation have been worse after it. The pain clinic is suppose to be supportive although never been to one, but waiting times is not helpful to the patient suffering who in mean time become depressed. To make matters worse I fell onto my painful back in the park a couple of weeks ago which took me right back to a pain of 10 again plus a sprained ankle on top. The parks toilets porta loos were at least ten feet in from the walk way onto the muddly grass and it had been raining a lot. I dont know about other countries but in uk the nhs only do ops if they really have to. otherwise they dont.since the words of costs are mentioned all the time. 

I hope technology catches up with pain and something is invented to take it away. Now in my mid 40s, I just hope I can walk my daughter down the isle when that day comes , without excruciating pain from my sciatica.

Hi

I'm not sure where you're based but hopefully you can make it to this clinic based off Edgware rd London .

I myself suffered sciatica on and off for over 9 years and lower back pain. I've had all the pain killers which don't work plus nerve root injections. The first one was ok for a few months but the second was not good at all. Then the meetings with the surgeon... Omg no thanks not to mention having young children myself I didn't like the idea of having that kind of surgery and waking up to the kids jumping on the bed. I have a worn lower lumbar joint and had 2 herniated discs forcing me out of a 20yr career which after a long painful journey I've managed to get back into after 4yrs.

Anyway this clinic offers treatment called IDD which decompresses the discs by slowly stretching out the spine allowing the vitamins and nutrients to naturally regenerate and the discs to heal.

The clinic is called SPINEX DISC CLINIC and the number is 0207 100 4598.

If you have an MRI scan that is a plus.

I highly recommend this treatment as I was in pain 247 and could barely walk at one point. This really did save me and I hope it does the same for you.

Good luck 🙂

Hi,

You really need to try turmeric ( not the powder! The actual root - it looks like ginger) get a thumb sized piece grind it in the cheese grater (smallest grater) until it's in tiny bits and mix with abit of milk and drink first thing in the morning. I swear by it! As its the most powerful anti inflammatory in the world. The best thing it has no side effects. Whenever I get a flare up I have it and I'm as good as new over a few days. The trick is to have it every day as it keeps the swelling down. Myself and many other people I have told have benefitted. To name one, my friend had a slipped disc and doctor said he had to operate to remove the jelly pushing on the nerves (everyone knows what this is!) but he said he wanted to try something else and operate as a last resort. So he tried this and over time the pain has gone and he is back to normal. (He didn't need to operate!)

I know it sounds like a miricle cure but honestly try it! What's the worse that can happen?

Also try decompression. First thing I do when I wake up is put my hands on the bannister and bend forward and try to push my bum as far back as I can. I can feel all the pressure realise from the discs in my lower back. I try and do this a few times a day especially when I feel the pain coming I get indtand relief