Newbie needing advice on sciatica

[Sheng Thao]

Hi there.

I was hoping I might get a few opinions on my current situation as it's been going on since mid Feb and the whole debarcle is now beginning to get me down.

I injured my lower back in mid Feb when I lifeted my baby boy and turned to pass him to my wife. There was intense pain in my lower lumbar for two or three days but that quickly subsided and I have been left with what I consider to be quite bad sciatica. Now, after reading some of the stories on this website and what the poor souls have had to endure, I dont feel quite as bad (psychologically that is). But the enduring sciatica really is becoming distressing.

The pain ranges from just below my right buttock down to the back of my right knee and more often than not, it feels like what I can only describe as a burning cramp. Usually, it is just there, extremely uncomfortable forcing me to rest a couple of times during the day as it becomes painful if I walk around too much or do too much. However a 15 minute sit down usually means I can do a bit more and get on with thing, even though the sciatica is still there. Yesterday, (for the first time since it started) I almost got through the whole day without it hurting too much but today it has been as bad as ever.

Went to docs who prescribed Dicoflenac which didnt work at all, 200mg of Ibruprofen which hardly touched the pain and so far all that has helped was some 400mg of enteric coated slow release Ibroprofen. I need to get some more from the docs to keep me going on bad days really. And thats all the docs did for me.

I self referred to our local NHS Physio, but I am still waiting to see them (appointment is 12 May!!). So, as this was the case, I shelled out £50 for an hour with an osteopath recommended by my best friend. It certainly freed up my spine and made some hellish cracks and crunches, but the sciatica remains which is so frustrating. He wanted me to go back for another session but I just cant afford it.

So, I found this site and I guess I wanted to see if there were any folks who had similar experiences and how things panned out. I'm 33, slim, non smoker who has always been in a fairly sound healthy shape. So this is really frustrating. I would really like to know if these things can heal up given enough time or do they require................(GULP!!) surgical intervention??

Cheers

Dan

 

[PeterJohnson]

stick with the osteopathy - if you're only giving him 1 session, then you really are expecting miracles. Future treatments are likely to be close to half the price of the 1st, but it really is a course of treatments - so stick with it, just like you wouldn't stop a course of anti-biotics after 1 tablet and expect to be all better.

From your description I'd be thinking along the lines of an SI or lumbar facet syndrome - which usually clears quite quickly with chiropractic/osteopathic treatment; but quite quickly means about 4-5 treatments, possibly a couple more as you've left it for 3 months.

Other possible diagnoses include piriformis syndrome, or pelvic trigger points; possibly even a disc injury; though it does really sound like SI / facet syndrome.

Treatment of choice for facet/SI syndrome is chiopractic/osteopathy, about equal.
Treatment of choice for piriformis/trigger points is chiropractic/osteopathy/physio (can add in sports massage once diagnosis is confirmed).
Treatment of choice for lumbar disc is chiropractic (Flexion-Distraction technique; but you'll need to ask the individual if they do that).

 

[Iamkindacool]

This tell us that perhaps you are suffering from disc injury or problem in nerves root.so,you should see orthopaedic doc first.

 

[ForAngoiio]

sorry for the delay in replying.

Thank you both for your responses. BIA - you sound like you know your onions if you pardon the expression. This SI 0r lumbar facet syndrome - is it possible to make a full recovery? I start my physiotherapy tomorrow and I'm praying to God that a prolonged programme of physio will resolve the whole thing. I agree that to expect a one visit cure to the osteo is expecting miracles, however I simply cant afford £40 a pop, twice a week for 3-6 months.

The exercises that both the physio and the osteo gave me seem to have little or no benefit and I'm struggling to find a painkiller that can take the edge off the discomfort...

 

[dear ghoul]

Hi Dan
This is a miserable complaint but it's very possible that you can make a good recovery.
If you feel you can't pay for the osteopathy, you could perhaps try another alternative treatment that requires less frequent appointments. I am a homeopath and see patients at 4-6 weekly intervals. It's impossible to say how many you would need. It might be 1 or 2 -or it could be more. Homeopathy can be extremely affective for people with sciatica or similar complaints. You can (and would be advised to) continue with any other treatment that your doctor offers you alongside this, and the homeopathic medicines are compatible with any others that you are taking from your gp.
As a last resort, you can buy a small selection of homeopathic remedies in a local pharmacy (don't confuse them with herbal- the staff will direct you). You could try one called Hypericum (not the quite different herbal preparation of hypericum). It is used to treat some complaints affecting the nerves -which of course would include sciatica. It might help with the pain at least temporarily but aside from that, self prescribing is probably not a good idea. If it doesn't help at all, it doesn't mean that homeopathy can't help you- just that it's not the most suitable remedy out of the hundreds a homeopath would choose from. HTH Hom

 

[Ayame]

if the psteopath said twice a week for 3-6 months then they're having you on. IF it is SI or lumbar facet syndrome, then you'd expect it to be self-limiting at around the 6-8 month mark (not 100% though).
With chiro.osteo treatment you'd expect it to take a total of 5-6 treatments, starting at twice a week, but quickly reducing the frequency. As you left it so long before starting treatment, then you'd probably take that 5-6 treatments out to 6-8.
Ye, you'd expect resolution to be complete, but you'd expect to be given some exercises (core stability stuff) to help prevent recurrence, and possibly to get that final 10-20% of improvement.

If given too early (in the treatment plan), exercises can be more damaging than helpful; so need to be carefully managed.

Painkillers are notriously bad at dealing with musculoskeletal pain, whatever they say in the adverts. TENS is a far better bet (ask your physio)

 

[Izzie]

I can highly recommend both the Bowen Technique and the Emmett Technique for any sciatic-type pain. Both are gentle forms of muscle-release therapy and Emmett in particular has developed a reputation for fast and effective pain release.

As Emmett is very new in the UK, there are very few qualified practitioners. If you want to PM me, I can probably give you a contact for your nearest one. In any case, I do hope you can get some release soon.

Best wishes
Debbbie

 

[jsiusmuy]

Have heard really good things about this type of treatment - seems as though worth a shot.

That said also agree with Zak_Han's point below. If the pain you feel as a result of walking around too much increases noticeably or you get any other leg/back symptom you should see your GP/specialist asap.

Olly.

 

[Kevin Durbin]

Dan, your symptoms sound very much like mine. I get the pain where my bottom meets my leg. It started off just there but now the pain reaches my foot. The best way I can describe it is if someone presses hard on a really sore bruise.

I would see if you can get referred by your GP and get a scan. I've had mine and I have a prolapse at L4/5 and have been told I need a discectomy.

Good luck

Wol.

 

[Jesslovesbritni]

Hi

Acupuncture has been used in China for over 3000 years for a diverse range of conditions. Research suggests that it may also help with Sciatic pain.

Thanks

 

[bbkb]

Thanks for all of the replies.

I'm getting pretty sick of all the discomfort that this thing is causing me. I'm seriously thinking of going back to the docs and asking to be reffered for a scan.

Does anyone know what the procedure is for a discectomy? E.g how long does it take to recover/heal, success rates, is it heavily invasive or can it be carried out via keyhole surgery??

Thanks

 

[Cool Hun]

I would def go back to the docs and ask to be referred for a scan. What's stopping you from doing this?

The sooner you start the process, the better. I still have not heard from the NHS and was referred in March. The private surgeon I saw through work told me that the op would involve about 48 hours in hosp and I'd have a 2 - 3 inch cut down my spine to get to the disc which will be closed afterwards with staples. He said I would be off work completely for 4 - 6 weeks (not able to drive etc), and then I would need a few more months on light duties. I've not heard about a keyhole option. He told me there was a 90 - 95% chance of the op being successful, and a 5% chance of the prop reoccurring once I've recovered.

Wol

 

[lutherRuisy]

Hi Sorry to hear about your back. There are some things you can do help yourself and anything is worth a go if it means you avoid surgery. I would try Pilates. You need just a handful of exercises to do 3 or 4 times a day to stretch out your back and strengthen your core. It takes a little effort, but I've had clients with your problem - most from disc problems - and those who religiously did their exercises have all made complete recoveries. If you want to find out more about it, you can look at www.vitalflow.com where you can also find plenty of info on backs and how to care for them. Many of the exercises recommended by physios, osteopaths and chiropractor run along the same lines as Pilates and once you have recovered it is a great way to prevent recurrence. You should have an MRI to confirm the problem so go along to your doctor and insist, but there will be a waiting list. You don't want to spend too much time taking pain killers either. Good luck

 

[mireliz]

hi,

have been going to physio which as yet seems to have had little or no effect. The Physio said she thought it could be something to do with my facet joint but could that cause the scaitica?

 

[ojomqewc]

Hi,

If you get imflamation around the joint for what ever reason this can then push on the nerve. I think the best thing to do is get a scan to see whats going on. There are so many things that can cause pain in your legs and back it is sometimes hard to find. Before my disc popped out last November i got bad back pain this was in April, in the May i had injections in my joints to take away imflamation in the joints. This lasted until the November.

Push for the scan.

Olli

 

[Darin H]

well.....

went back to the docs today and they have finally prescribed me something that 'slightly' eases the pain. 800mg of modified release Ibruprofen. But something strange has happened. The sciatic pain seemes to have retracted up my leg a bit - no longer going from back to behind the knee, its now stopping about mid way down my hamstring - still aches in my heel though. And the lower lumbar has started to ache pretty badly again. I've no idea what this means. I have another physio appt on Tues so I guess I'll have a word with them.

I know this is a million dollar question, but does anyone know how long physio can take? And how 'strictly' do you need to follow the exercise routines??

cheers

 

[pnvvxcyn]

and..........

is it possible to recover from a herniated disk without surgery???

 

[Claudia Shapiro]

Hi,

Exercises= Every day.

Treatment can take a few weeks to a few years there is no real time scale, it depends on how your body reacts and how much effort you put in.

You can manage a bulging disc and your body will adjust to whats going on. Some people say that a disc can be pushed back in, I am not sure if this is true but you can strengthen the area around the disc to stop any more damage being done. If the disc is pushing on nerves then you have to ask how bad is the pain and how much damage is being done. You could put off an operation for years then go ahead and it will make no difference because of the damage has been done.

I would say that the op has taken about 90% off the pain away and once i get in the pool and get to see the physio next week i am hoping to get rid of more of the tightness in my right leg.

Its very hard to say yes i want an operation, I had no choice the disc was hitting my bladder nerve. If i was asked i am not sure i would do it but now i have had it i am much happier. Have a long think about the pain you are in and if you have given physio and exercises a chance to work.

Olli

 

[Signora Banker]

TENS machines can be quite helpful and at least could help reduce the pain killers you might need to take. I had sciatica when I was pregnant and had a kinesiology session which stopped it. Hope this helps,
blucatheaven x

 

[Kynndra]

Hi There.

was hoping that some of you folks out there might be able to offer a few words of encouragement?

Went back to the physio on Tuesday and I ended up seeing a new therapist who seemed fairly positive. She said that she thinks it is a disc problem rather than facet joint - to which my heart sank. This whole debarcle has been going on since mid Feb and I'm starting to think that I'm never going to recover......seriously. Surely if I was on some road to recovery there would have been at least the smallest of improvements. In fact, the sciatica is as painful as ever at the moment. Without wanting to sound too much like a wuss, the situation has almost driven me to tears as I'm finding it increasingly difficult to look after my little boy while my wife is at work.

The physio has given me some basic exercises to follow which I am doing but I can't help feel that the entire thing is pointless as I dont seem to be making ANY improvement.



Is there anything else I can do to ease the pain etc??

Any thoughts will be VERY, VERY welcome.

Dan