Sciatica

Happywanderer · The Master

Sciatica

Pejay · Guru

Marj,

Just looked up the health info site I sometimes look at - www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au (much better than the Qld Health site) and the article on sciatica sounds quite interesting, and suggests that bed rest may not be helpful!! Worth a look anyway.

June

Happywanderer · The Master

Thats what I've always thought too June, a bit difficult at midnight when i'm trying to get some sleep.
I normally go for an walk of about an hour every day and that seems to relieve it. its just not happening this time.
Maybe I will have to get out there more.
I will check that website. Thanks.

Sheba · Guru

www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Pejay, the link will display properly as a link, if you hit the Enter button after typing it in.

Cheers,

Sheba.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Going for walks?! I could barely walk at all last time!
Marj, even though the pain is in your bum and down the back of your leg, its coming from a pinched nerve in the spine. I was told to put the hottie there on the lower spine for that reason.
Also, I have had acupuncture which gave some relief, but its expensive.... my Dr reckons it goes away when its ready whether you treat it or not, and just advised rest, lying flat on your back.
Very best wishes with this painful problem.

Happywanderer · The Master

Thanks Gerty, will try the heat pack on the spine and see how that goes.. I know my back always burns in the lower spine quite badly with just a little bend like brushing teeth or doing dishes.
Have had sciatica for years on and off but never so much pain as this one. Usually walking and a good massage is enough to right it.
Will go away when its ready?? Yeh right. This episode started in April when I arrived up here and moved heavy furniture and got out in the garden. Has slowly got worse.
Had a couple of great massages from the wonderful ROWDYRABBIT at Gympie camp. He was baffled that he wasn't able to release it.
Then this lady in town over the last month.
Until I get this fixed I won't be going anywhere.
I know I have put on weight since I arrived up here too so wondering if thats has anything to do with it not going away.

Sheba · Guru

These are some Home Remedies from the Sciatica Link Marj. Have you tried an ice Pack ?

Home remedies

Suggestions for managing sciatica include:

Rest
Over-the-counter painkillers
Ice packs
Proper posture
Resting the back by not bending, flexing or lifting heavy weights
Warm baths
Sleeping on a mattress that is neither too soft, nor too hard
Ergonomic furniture, such as chairs with lumbar support
Gentle exercises to strengthen and support the lower back

Cheers,

Sheba.

Happywanderer · The Master

Sheba wrote:
These are some Home Remedies from the Sciatica Link Marj. Have you tried an ice Pack ?
Home remedies

Suggestions for managing sciatica include:
Rest
Over-the-counter painkillers
Ice packs
Proper posture
Resting the back by not bending, flexing or lifting heavy weights
Warm baths
Sleeping on a mattress that is neither too soft, nor too hard
Ergonomic furniture, such as chairs with lumbar support
Gentle exercises to strengthen and support the lower back
Cheers,
Sheba.

Hi Sheba, will go through that list.

* Yep doing a bit of that

* Yep, Panadol Osteo and Mobic, both on script

* No have been using heat packs

* I do try to stand up straight

* Resting the back but doing the exercise the doc gave me a list off last year

* Don't have a bath

* Think my mattress might be a bit soft. I was used to a nice firm one

* Wouldn't mind one of those support things you hang from upside down which lets it all go loose

* Doing the exercises the doc gave me last year. And walking if I can put the right foot down on the ground

Rip and Rosie · Guru

Have been reading this thread with interest, as I was always of the mind that ice packs were the way to go.

Hot packs increase the circulation, whereas cold packs reduce blood flow.

So, my regime would have been anti-inflamatory drugs and ice.

When the acute pain subsides, gentle excercise.

Happywanderer · The Master

Maybe thats why it got worse a couple of days ago. Thats when I started using the heat pack.
A lot better today, had no pain over night and can walk easily this morning.

Beth54 · Guru

Sorry, I have no good advise for you Marj, but I feel for you.

Happywanderer · The Master

Hasn't been too bad today, except when going into Bundy with son in his 4x4. he had appointment so I got him to drop me off at Sugarland shopping centre.
Had a painful ride, so can't see me travelling too far for a while yet.

Beth54 · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
Hasn't been too bad today, except when going into Bundy with son in his 4x4. he had appointment so I got him to drop me off at Sugarland shopping centre.
Had a painful ride, so can't see me travelling too far for a while yet.

Some of those 4WD's can be awfully rough, and some can be way too high to climb up into comfortably. I suspect that may have been how I put my hip out in the first place.

Pejay · Guru

Sheba wrote:
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Pejay, the link will display properly as a link, if you hit the Enter button after typing it in.
Cheers,
Sheba.

Thanks Sheba, couldn't work out why it didn't work properly - will know next time.

Happywanderer · The Master

I have finally worked out when this sciatica started this time round and this bad. When I bought this sofa not long after moving in here. I remember at the time having difficulty sitting on it with my sciatica playing up. I even put a board under the cushions and that made it worse.
I need to go find another sofa.

Beth54 · Guru

Oh that's a bumma...added expense I mean. But it'll be worth it. smile

Happywanderer · The Master

Had a heck of a time getting off to sleep last night, took about 2 hours of changing position, getting up, going back to bed. etc etc.

Feels a lot better today so we will see.

Don't know when I will be able to find a new more comfortable sofa so at the moment I sit on the front part with one cheek hanging off the edge. What next.

Beth54 · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
Had a heck of a time getting off to sleep last night, took about 2 hours of changing position, getting up, going back to bed. etc etc.

Feels a lot better today so we will see.

Don't know when I will be able to find a new more comfortable sofa so at the moment I sit on the front part with one cheek hanging off the edge. What next.

Whatever works!

pricey43 · Guru

Marj,

We have a T.E.N.S machine which is great when all else fails. It sends an electric pulse to the pads which you place appropriately. It is medically approved and used by physios. They are a bit expensive but if you have private health cover you can get a refund for some of it. Excellent for all types of aches and pains and helps with blood circulation andinjury healing..

Beth54 · Guru

My sister has one of those. It does a great job on her problematic knee.

There was someone demonstrating them in my local shopping centre so I tried it out. Would love to have bought one, but too exxy for me.

Happywanderer · The Master

I'm like Beth, too exxy for me too. No don't have private health cover.
Will keep working on it.

Beth54 · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
I'm like Beth, too exxy for me too. No don't have private health cover.
Will keep working on it.

Pity you didn't get to meet my sister in May Marj. You could have invited yourself down there for a 'turn' on hers!

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Marj you could maybe try to swap your sofa for somebody else's?

Happywanderer · The Master

I bought it off an eldery couple when I moved here. My lounge room is big enough for it to go up the other end when I find something better. Always need more seating. Only paid 100.00 for it so no use getting rid of it. The grandkids can always use it.

Hoodathunkit · Senior Member

Sciatica can also be caused by a spasm in the muscle that runs down the side of your thigh, (pseudo sciatica)

If you can, press your thumb into the middle of that muscle as hard as you can stand it and massage that muscle up and down your leg you can get some relief. You will know if you have the right spot because it hurts like all get out.

If you can't manage it get a friend or massuse to do it for you. You will be amazed at the relief.

Alternatively you may have a nerve pinched in your lower spine and need to go to a chiroprator to get it realigned.

Sitting on dodgy couches and bad beds will certainly not help. If you cant sleep then place a pillow under your buttocks.

Good luck I hope this helps, I suffer from Sciatica myself so I know these tips help.

-- Edited by Hoodathunkit on Thursday 16th of August 2012 09:12:15 AM

Sheba · Guru

Got my Script for Panadol Osteo from my DR. today Marj. He suggested taking 2 three times a day for 2-3 months. If it's really bad, to take 2 Panadeine Forte before bed as well.

Will start them tomorrow.

Cheers,

Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Thursday 16th of August 2012 06:22:18 PM

Happywanderer · The Master

Thanks Hoodathunkit. Yes I did the pressing in the muscle with my knuckle. Oh boy I knew the spot well, have done that often. Haven't tried the pillow under the buttocks at night though. Have had a good day today, hardly any pain at all. Fingers crossed.
Can't take Panadeine Forte Sheba, it knocks me out. But am taking Panadol Osteo 2 = 3 times a day. And also took a Mobic the other day.
Hopefully it is starting to subside now. No pain going into Childers in sons 4x4 today for groceries.

Sheba · Guru

Glad you're getting some relief Marj.

Cheers,

Sheba.

Beth54 · Guru

Sheba wrote:
Glad you're getting some relief Marj.
Cheers,
Sheba.

Ditto.

Hoodathunkit · Senior Member

Hi Marj so glad you are getting some relief, another tip....don't sit with your legs crossed...and walk as much as you can as walking reduces the infammation around the nerve... so my chiropractor tells me. If it flares up again just keep kneading that muscle!!!!. Good luck and happy travels.