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My Sciatica Story

Posted , 7 users are following.

karl37887
karl37887

9 weeks ago I injured my back playing golf. Mild discomfort in my lower back that was with me for a week I stupidly helped a friend move some furniture a week later and for the past 8 weeks have been suffering with at times severe left sided sciatic pain.

starting in the left buttock and back of left thigh the pain was severe after sitting for more than half an hour or standing for half an hour.

After a number of weeks the pain shifted to the outside of my left calf with intermittent pain at the back of the calf. Numbness on the inside of my left big toe and the side of the toe next to it also numbness on the top of my foot from the big toe diagonally across to my ankle and a numb spot on the bottom of my foot pad.

In recent weeks I have hade severe pain above the ankle when I walk or stand for more than a couple of minutes as well as the calf pain. No pain when sleeping but often an aching leg on waking in the morning. And could only sleep on my right side otherwise I would get pain in my left buttock.

For 8 weeks I have been taking prescription co-codamol and Ibuprofen, Curcurmin C3 Coplex and using various cold gels and patches to the maximum. I have also been having weekly physio sessions.

My Physiotherapist says I have to keep moving which is very difficult when the severe pain comes on so quickly and I have to sit down to ease the pain. Dog walking is difficult if I don’t have a park bench every 50 metres.

last week I decided to do some walking on a treadmill, stopping and sitting every couple of minutes to recover from the pain. The pain was still there but felt I was getting the exercise and movement that my physio requested. Then a couple of days ago I decided to do some light jogging on the treadmill to my amazement no pain!! I could jog for 5 minute spells but then had to stop not for the pain but to catch my breath. When I stop jogging no pain just a tingling in the side of my calf.

i am still getting pain when walking but have noticed I am starting to walk further and my recovery time is decreasing and I am no longer taking maximum pain meds.

Miracle cure or coincidence? Sensible or stupid? All I know is I am in less pain which for me is heaven.

 

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • mattindro
    mattindro karl37887

    Posted

    I think if it works for you carry on. Movement is key. I am recovering from a herniated disc which started last August. Initially I kept up light jogging as it didn’t cause pain but ultimately I got significantly worse. There is no reason to think the running caused it though. If I was you I would try to avoid sitting too much and lie down instead. Make sure you are doing plenty of stretching too.
  • Greebo64
    Greebo64 karl37887

    Posted

    Jogging or running pounds the lower back & spine & it is definitely not recommended for sciatica & lumber spine issues.

    Movement & exercise  is key but not the running/jogging kind of movement.. IMO the Physio has helped fix you 

  • jacqueline01135
    jacqueline01135 karl37887

    Posted

    Sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees. is good it takes the strain off your spine...I KNOW ,, that getting out of bed is the First ,worst ,hurdle, but it has to be done.. Think you are over dosing on the pain killers ,they are allegedly not supposed to help .i found after trial and error a cream pain remover worked really well. Not allowed to tell the name ,,ridiculous rule when we need all the hepl we can get .It starts with the letter M 

    By the way my SCIATICA has left the building .Good luck

    • Greebo64
      Greebo64 jacqueline01135

      Posted

      I have just tried searching on Google for that cream you mention that starts with the letter M but to no avail

      ...Will you send me a personal with the name email that is allowed

    • estelle44124
      estelle44124 jacqueline01135

      Posted

      I use an ibuprofen gel/ diclofenac. They all have proprietary names, but that's what's in them. I find they help me a lot, thoughnI know others don't.

      The strange tenderness along the outside of my calf and intense tingling of my big toe drive me insane!!!! It's as bad as the sciatic pain really.

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX estelle44124

      Posted

      The diclofenac goes by the name Voltaren Gel (RX in the US).  EXCELLENT topical anti-inflammatory.  For nerve pain, I've used OTC Aspercream with 4% Lidocaine or Lidocaine patches.  I HATE the nerve meds like Neurontin (Gabapentin) and Lyrica.  Side effects and weight gain...ugh...

    • jacqueline01135
      jacqueline01135 estelle44124

      Posted

      Yes,, the big toe thing gives a strange feeling, but it is caused by the S nerve. I go into mega massage mode, It does go cold ,and stays cold for ages, I'm down to the tip toe end of numbness ,shoes feel funny . I give the outside calf a dollop of cream ,am and pm, and the pain is going ,but I do have a lump ,which I'm not too happy about.

      Something else to add to the "Must Have " list.

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