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Cortisone injections for sciatica relief

Posted , 3 users are following.

fiona51388
fiona51388

Does anyone know anything about cortisone injections for sciatica pain.  I have heard they can be painful but work. 

I've had chronic sciatic pain for over seven weeks now and get an attack up to four times a day every day, having to apply tons of lavender oil, deep freeze or ibuprofen gel, followed by deep freeze spray as its the only way I can get any relief from it.  I am on Naproxen but they are not touching the pain and niether is a full course now of glucosamine high strength.   I cannot manage the housework without gritting my teeth so had to have a friend over to help me who's time is also limited.

I am due to go on holiday an intensive walking holiday in June in the Lakes, booked before the pain came on, but I have paid for it now and don't want to miss, I feel sure the fellow travellers will get completely hacked off with me if I have to keep stopping and it will not only ruin the holiday, but I will be laid up for several days on my return when I am booked on an art course other side of town due to start soon as I get back.  The doctors must have many people with this and similar complaints who are genuinely unable to put their lives on hold because of the pain who need effective relief.

I have been refused a scan on the grounds I was told I would have a numbness in my water works etc if anything was twisted or crushing the nerve, so surely some form of temporary relief is after seven weeks non stop of this, appropriate.  I'm  just wondering if I will have to beg and plead for this as well as obviously I am not able to "time" these attacks with a visit to the Gp and writhe around in front of him but is that whats demanded of me?

Anyone any ideas of what I can do as as it stands the pain is preventing me from getting on with life and doing the things I enjoy doing.  Fiona

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • bev99777
    bev99777 fiona51388

    Posted

    Hi Fiona I'm struggling to at the moment it's only been 10 days and omg got pain up left calf going into pelvis. My leg swelled up Dr did dimar as she thought it may be clot came bk normal. Nothing is really touching the pain been told to go to physio next week. Do u have pain in your back cos I don't. I've asked for an ultra sound but he said it's not appropriate

    • fiona51388
      fiona51388 bev99777

      Posted

      Hi Bev, yep in same boat, being refused a scan.  Mutterings about physiotherapy if it gets worse or goes on much longer.  Naproxen tablets not touching it.  My pain is in the back as well but more pronounced in the leg, the entire length of my right leg and feels as if it is being wrenched from its socket, and down to and including my right foot.  I have argued a strong case to my GP about having an injection as oddly enoguh I'm on a depot injection for my schizophrenia and they have always worked far better for me than tablets, which is something I will say to the GP as well.  I hope your situation improves and you can get them to see sense.  Best wishes, Fiona

    • fiona51388
      fiona51388

      Posted

      Hi Bev, I made a decision tonight, in small hours, lol, I am booking an appointment with a chiropractor who comes highly recommended in my local area, if I can, first thing tomorrow and ask them if they are able to take payment on my credit card as this will leave me enough over for my June Lake District excursion spends, - I have already paid the holiday fees themselves, its going to be worth it I feel i f you have been reading Chico's posts on sciatica as he maintains most sciatic related issues can be cured by a chiropractor in seconds and I'm just sick of conventional medical route and where it has got me, nowhere.

    • bev99777
      bev99777 fiona51388

      Posted

      Really struggling Fiona in so much pain with leg been almost 2 weeks now started as cramp in left leg has been more painful as times gone on. My Dr was on about an mri leg scan but now another dr has said it's muscular been in so much pain today went to a and e sent me away. Haven't had back pain does it sound like scatica

    • fiona51388
      fiona51388 bev99777

      Posted

      Well im no medic but it could well be sciatica. I'm sorry you're suffering. I think a chiropractor is going to be my salvation as they can tell so much and put it right. I have my preliminary interview tomorrow afternoon. ill keep you posted how i get on. Fiona

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX fiona51388

      Posted

      Time out!!!!  I'm "Not-a-Doc"...  I'm just relating what I've gone through and what worked for me.  Chiropractic has been very successful for me; others use PT, acupuncture, etc.  I just wanted to highlight three things:

      1. You have to find the cause of your sciatic problem.  Taking pills and "resting" doesn't solve the problem.  GPs just throw meds at you.  I disagree with that approach.  You have to actively pursue the cause and fix it.

      2. Sometimes the path leads you through everything possible and you may have to see a neurosurgeon because there's actually something wrong in your spine.  That happened to me once.  Don't rule it out but I wouldn't start there.

      3. I recommend chiropractic not because I buy into their whole philosophy but simply because it has worked for me many times.  It's also the least invasive, zero drug solution.  Yeah...maybe some OTC ibuprofen and Voltaren Gel for inflammation but freaking Gabapentin right out of the box???  That stuff will put 20 pounds on you in a month.

      Yeah, chiro may take a few weeks to work in most cases; that quick "pretzel twist" worked for me instantly when the sciatica was the direct result of a fall.  Think about it...consider your options.  Just find the cause and fix the problem.  You don't have to live with this.

  • 8Violet
    8Violet fiona51388

    Posted

    My sciatica issues last almost a year and I’m not quite normal but getting there after 15 months. I don’t want to discourage you as my sister found relief after 4 months but her doctor identified the issue and she started on gabapentin almost right away as well as naproxene. I would suggest PT for lots of stretching to strengthen your core, I still do this daily. I also take turmeric and eat foods to reduce inflammation. After 9 months, I had a cortisone shot and it helped mildly as I could sit after for more than a few minutes and I could before. I also read a lot about back mechanics. I hope your healing process doesn’t take as long as mine and you can enjoy life again. I was homebound for months and it was miserable. 
  • fiona51388
    fiona51388

    Posted

    Hi just to update, I am now seeing a chiropractor and there has been some progress after just one session with him, the manipulation he warned me may cause the pain to travel from the leg more to the back, which it did, I can feel it mainly in the evenings and at night, but he said that will ease over time, as for my leg pain, it is much improved after only one session and I have five more after the initial interview to go into my medical history, my verdict best decision I ever made and looking forward to further progress and even cure.
    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX fiona51388

      Posted

      My last encounter took 3 weeks at 2-3X/week.  Also takes time for the inflammation to subside.  Glad you're feeling better.

  • bev99777
    bev99777 fiona51388

    Posted

    Does lavender oil help where do u put it cos I hurt calf to start with now back
    • fiona51388
      fiona51388 bev99777

      Posted

      Hi Bev, well firstly I better warn you, Holland & barrett say you shouldn't put it directly onto your skin but I personally feel thats a bit "health and safety" taken to lengths, so I douse all over lower back, buttock, thigh, back of knee, calf and foot as the pain is intense and it really does help., so up to you really.

  • bev99777
    bev99777 fiona51388

    Posted

    It's worth a go do u put it on neat then?

    • fiona51388
      fiona51388 bev99777

      Posted

      Well I do Bev as i have found it more effective that way and less fiddling about. It hasnt done my skin any harm at all but possibly careful if your skin a bit on the sensitive side. My problem is i cant tolerate pain, never have been able to and always go for a "quick fix" every time. lol.

    • bev99777
      bev99777 fiona51388

      Posted

      Me too Fiona have got lavender oil never known pain like this in tears all the time.
    • fiona51388
      fiona51388 bev99777

      Posted

      Really feel for you Bev, what i find works is i douse all over painful areas with the lavender, follow straight up with deep freeze gel as the heat ones make my skin rashy, the straight after the gel i use supercool cms deep freeze spray. They will moderate my reply if i say where i get them from probably but ill try, Wilko sell them £1 a can, and the gel is a lot cheaper in their too. Other than that my chiropractor is working miracles, in so much less pain after just one hour session that i have great hope for my five follow up sessions. Take care, Fiona

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