Sciatica

gagiteebo

Hi guys, I've posted this on a different thread but maybe more people will see it here and can offer some advice...

I'll try and make this as short as possible but back in October I was lifting some heavy suitcases and felt a twinge in my back but thought nothing of it, the pain worsened over the next few days and I went to the doctor who told me I'd slipped a disc and gave me strong painkillers for it. The pain was unbearable but he said it would heal. I lived in fear of sneezing or coughing as it was torture. Eventually the pain in my back subsided but now I'm left with something worse in my opinion. It's a CONSTANT shooying pain from the my left buttock right down to my ankle. There is no relief from it and it's really getting me down.

I went back to the doctor but to be honest I found him to be very dismissive. I've finished the painkillers he has given me (the second course) but the pain is just as bad and somedays I take at least 5 or 6 solpadeine to ease it a little but it never goes away It is really affecting my quality of life, I can't swim or go to the gym like I used to. I'm a teacher and on my feet all day which doesn't help either. I really am at the end of my tether. I've heard stories of sciatica lasting years and years and the thought of this brings me to tears. Most days I come home and crawl into bed with a hot water bottle as it's all I can do to ease the pain.

Should I try a physio or a chiropracter? Has anyone else with sciatica been to either of these? I'm living near Roscrea, any recommendations for a good physio or chiro?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Khannie

The usual rules about medical advice apply to this thread. Since the OP isn't looking for medical advice directly I'm happy to leave it open.

OP: I'd go and see a 2nd GP as a starting point myself.

gagiteebo

Yeah I probably should but to be honest I find them to be too dismissive of back problems, very much 'Ah it'll go away by itself' attitude

RAWLiNGS

gagiteebo wrote: »

Hi guys, I've posted this on a different thread but maybe more people will see it here and can offer some advice...

I'll try and make this as short as possible but back in October I was lifting some heavy suitcases and felt a twinge in my back but thought nothing of it, the pain worsened over the next few days and I went to the doctor who told me I'd slipped a disc and gave me strong painkillers for it. The pain was unbearable but he said it would heal. I lived in fear of sneezing or coughing as it was torture. Eventually the pain in my back subsided but now I'm left with something worse in my opinion. It's a CONSTANT shooying pain from the my left buttock right down to my ankle. There is no relief from it and it's really getting me down.

I went back to the doctor but to be honest I found him to be very dismissive. I've finished the painkillers he has given me (the second course) but the pain is just as bad and somedays I take at least 5 or 6 solpadeine to ease it a little but it never goes away It is really affecting my quality of life, I can't swim or go to the gym like I used to. I'm a teacher and on my feet all day which doesn't help either. I really am at the end of my tether. I've heard stories of sciatica lasting years and years and the thought of this brings me to tears. Most days I come home and crawl into bed with a hot water bottle as it's all I can do to ease the pain.

Should I try a physio or a chiropracter? Has anyone else with sciatica been to either of these? I'm living near Roscrea, any recommendations for a good physio or chiro?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Hi,
I used to go to the gym a lot. One day, my left ankle locked in for 10 minutes, after that my knee became sore, then my lower back. I went to the hospital, xray, bone scan, there was no issue with my ankle. I was sent home. Started to exercise after 1 month. Pain in my ankle, lower back, everywhere... as you said "my left buttock right down to my ankle".
My doctor says that there is no issue. Obviously he was wrong.

So I went to a Physio, he gave me exercises, and I believe It has helped a lot so far, (Tuesday is my 3rd session). I am very depressed, this screwed up my life. But I see an improvement already, He gives me exercises, and i think im getting better.

Now, If I were you, I'd go to visit an other GP, as well as a physio. My pain is not as bad as you describe (I can live without painkillers), but Its still a very bad to live with. You should only seek medical advise from a SPECIALIST!

I have this for 6 months at this stage, and I was listenig to my friends, instead of listening to a doc, which was a mistake.

So first thing tomorrow;

Go and talk to a GP and find a physio, find a specialist ASAP. Don't waste your time here, as no one can/allowed to give you medical advises here.

I hope you will get better!

bubbleking

ok first of all you need an MRI to identify the extent of your slipped disk - if the disk never healed properly it may be pressing against a nerve causing this shooting pain down your leg. If the damage is bad enough it may require surgery but conservative treatment such as extension exercises may work.

you may also want to try some soft tissue release such as a foam roller to release the glutes and hamstrings but especially the piriformis as a tight piriformis can pinch the sciatic nerve.

Finally you should try some sciatic nerve stretching which should help ease the pain - any physio worth their salt should be able to help you in this regard.

gagiteebo

Thanks for all the advice guys

I'm feeling a tad more hopeful!

bubblyone

Agree with second opinion and scan. There's no need to suffer! Yes, discs do often resolve themselves....but first make sure you have one, then look into treatment options. Physio/osteopath/chiropractor may help but you can also have injections around nerve root or an epidural to help settle things. Fight a little....nobody deserves that kind of pain!

JJayoo

A close friend of mine has Sciatia.

I found this video good in understanding how sciatia works

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoebKOngjbs

Stretching the Piriformis and Psoas muscles can help, and are good stretches in general.

Rain_Dog_Brian

Hi there. Not a doctor etc., but spent the last 2 years suffering with Sciatica. As a preface, everyone is different and there is no black or white.

Firstly, if GP says "it'll go away with time" then do not go back. Whilst it may go away, there is no certainty of that.

I went through numerous physios and chiros for two years. They were always very optimistic at the start but after 20-30 sessions, each could only say that there was little/no improvement. Whilst I got a certain amount of initial pain relief, it did not help in my case.

I had MRIs via specalist, and in the end resorted to surgery.

I am currently recovering from the operation (had it 25/01/10) and all seems to be going well. Definitely surgery is the last resort, but for some it is the only way (like me).

I would recomend an MRI by a Specalist asap so as to see the extent of the problem. It may be that your injury does not warrant surgery, but find out with an MRI.

If you would like more detail you can PM me and I'll fill you in in more detail.
Again, of course, I dont know the correct path for recovery for your case, but an MRI is just a tool to assess the situation.

Best of luck.

brianthebard

An MRI as mentioned, if possible, is a good idea. I was told I had a slipped disc, then later told I had a curvature in my spine(by a different person). Both cause similar pain and symptoms, but should be treated differently.
A sports physio would also be useful since they are usually interested in getting people mobile and active again unlike a doctor who will just drug you 9.5 times out of 10.
My one treated me with a tens machine amongst other things, which might be worth looking into.
Sciatica pain can go away with exercise, I had some when I hurt my lower back and still get occasional stabs, it becomes more frequent when I take time off though. Don't do anything which obviously makes the pain increase but do try to exercise again.

holdfast

Had recurring problems with sciatica for over two years and finally had in op in nov. did crossfit grace yesterday. but enough about me.

you have a bad back know, and if the pain goes away which it will sometime. you will have to change how you do everything and work on your core. it may come back, changes are it will. every time it happen increases the changes of happening again. i try ever thing to sort the problem physio, chiro, oesto and pilates. I guess what i am saying try them all, one man cure may not work with you. different systems and personality, ways of doing of treating patients. go and get an mri and talk to a specialist first and see what he says. they wont want to operate straight away, but its no harm hearing what your options are.

give it time a injury like this is frustrating. best of luck

ps some of the treatments worked for me in terms of pain relief, increased mobility etc. but in the end the disk may be too damaged and need surgery.

solway

Hows the going, i also had sciatica. I have it since october 06. Ive wasted possibly thousands of euro on physio and chiro's, swimming,accupuncture,quacks, you name it ive tried them all.I had mri in summer 09 and showed i had a herniated disc lying on 2 nerves. Was refered to Dr M o Sullivan in Cork University Hospital. He said he would either operate or try the EPIDURAL method.Eventually he said that i should go with epidural as i was so young and he didnt want to operate before i tried this first. I was then refered to Dr R McEllistrum in Limerick. He performed first injection in November 09 and i got good relief for about 4-6 weeks. I went for another injection in Jan 10 and i have to say that one more or less did the trick. I still get a few darts of pain now and again but overall im a new man. Im back playing sports and back in the gym lifting weights. Either doctor would be a massive help to your problem so if i was you id forget about physios or core training and all that stuff. Your problem is pretty serious so get cracking.

solway

Hows the going, i also had sciatica. I have it since october 06. Ive wasted possibly thousands of euro on physio and chiro's, swimming,accupuncture,quacks, you name it ive tried them all.I had mri in summer 09 and showed i had a herniated disc lying on 2 nerves. Was refered to Dr M o Sullivan in Cork University Hospital. He said he would either operate or try the EPIDURAL method.Eventually he said that i should go with epidural as i was so young and he didnt want to operate before i tried this first. I was then refered to Dr R McEllistrum in Limerick. He performed first injection in November 09 and i got good relief for about 4-6 weeks. I went for another injection in Jan 10 and i have to say that one more or less did the trick. I still get a few darts of pain now and again but overall im a new man. Im back playing sports and back in the gym lifting weights. Either doctor would be a massive help to your problem so if i was you id forget about physios or core training and all that stuff. Your problem is pretty serious so get cracking.

Rain_Dog_Brian

My Specalist / Surgeon was Dr. Michael O'Sullivan, Regional Hospital Cork also. He is very very experienced and very very good at his job. I have heard nothing but compliments from many sources in terms of his capabilities.
In terms of personality, he's a bit gruff, but there are more important talents needed by a surgeon (e.g. small hands and good with a knife).

Annuv

From reseaching herniated discs/sciatica it looks like a lot of people eventually turn to the surgery after exhausting all other avenues, this is a little discouraging for those like myself trying to avoid surgery:(

However at least based on a few reports on Boards, the surgery is ultimately successful in relieving the pain

gagiteebo

Rain_Dog_Brian wrote: »

My Specalist / Surgeon was Dr. Michael O'Sullivan, Regional Hospital Cork also. He is very very experienced and very very good at his job. I have heard nothing but compliments from many sources in terms of his capabilities.
In terms of personality, he's a bit gruff, but there are more important talents needed by a surgeon (e.g. small hands and good with a knife).

This guy sounds good, his name keeps coming up. How did you get to see him? Did you ask to be referred to him through your own doctor? I used to live in Cork and I'm there a lot now so it'd be great if I could get to see him from the sounds of things Surgery is definitely a very last resort for me.

Rain_Dog_Brian

I've actually had surgery twice. The first time I got referred to a different surgeon (who I wont name). Things were very difficult after surgery that time (5 years ago I'd say).

I am not an expert regarding the systems of referrals etc. so maybe someone else might provide more light on that. It was my chiropractor who referred me to O'Sullivan (who is a neurosurgeon).

You should definitely get referred by a GP (necessary for insurance I think). I'd just ask whichever GP you know most recently (by phone?) to refer you to O'Sullivan looking for an MRI. No ifs or buts! Be clear and specific. The GP should be there to help you to this end.

I know surgey is the last resort. Some/ many people dont need it, but

MRI = INFORMATION!!!

Sorry about the caps but if you in pain, do it! Then let the specalists guide you regarding surgery. I know for a fact that O'Sullivan does surgery on less than 20% of those who come in. His words. You will in no way be pushed to surgery, in fact I had 6/7 MRIs over 2 years before I could get him to cut the damn bit out!

You will have to wait a few months before your first visit due to his workload. But after you're on his books the visits can be quite quick. therefore get the ball rolling now. Get your GP to do proper referral. If they wont, we'll find someone who will.

It is worth discussing whether you have health insurance. Maybe you are aware of ehat you are covered for, if not we could have a private message on the matter. If you want more info or to go through anything I've said, a telephone call might be quicker (you'd have to PM me your number).

Again, best of luck. there can be light at end of tunnel. I had bad, bad sciatica for 2 years non stop (nerve root block helped for a while, epidurals, physio, chiro, solpadol and diphene up the wazzo) but have been clear for the last two months.

But as said before, surgery is last resort. MRI is first!

Rain_Dog_Brian

Annuv wrote: »

From reseaching herniated discs/sciatica it looks like a lot of people eventually turn to the surgery after exhausting all other avenues, this is a little discouraging for those like myself trying to avoid surgery:(

However at least based on a few reports on Boards, the surgery is ultimately successful in relieving the pain

Annuv,
Since my posts seem to advocate surgery, I'd better point out that I know for a fact that Surgery is not always sucessful. I was made aware of this. I cannot give medical advice but only relate my own experience.

My only advice is to get all the information you can.
Best of luck to you too!

cynder

Ive had sciatica since i was 15, it strted with my knee giving way to a pain in my lower back and weekness in the leg. i get it both sides and sometimes both together.

just be thankful if your male and you dont have to carry a 9lb baby on top of the sciatic nerve it hurts like hell. after saying that with my 3rd fella i had it from when he was 8 week till he was born with no let up. ouch. that was 3 years ago.

I only get it on and off now sometimes for up to a week at a time. its a pain in the arse really.

If you have a facebook page look up a sciatica group on that and everyone there will have helpful ideas and of course their own experiences.

Rain_Dog_Brian

grindelwald wrote: »

Ive had sciatica since i was 15, it strted with my knee giving way to a pain in my lower back and weekness in the leg. i get it both sides and sometimes both together.

just be thankful if your male and you dont have to carry a 9lb baby on top of the sciatic nerve it hurts like hell. after saying that with my 3rd fella i had it from when he was 8 week till he was born with no let up. ouch. that was 3 years ago.

I only get it on and off now sometimes for up to a week at a time. its a pain in the arse really.

If you have a facebook page look up a sciatica group on that and everyone there will have helpful ideas and of course their own experiences.

Nice that youve got a sense of humuor about it! And obviously you're a woman cause you didnt need surgery (pain threshold, etc.)!! No way I could stick mine, and it wasnt going away. I had hoped time would solve problem but it didnt. Surgeon told me after surgery that disk had seperated and lodged itself in Nerve Canal, so I'd have had to wait until the worms got it out!

solway

Rain_Dog_Brian wrote: »

My Specalist / Surgeon was Dr. Michael O'Sullivan, Regional Hospital Cork also. He is very very experienced and very very good at his job. I have heard nothing but compliments from many sources in terms of his capabilities.
In terms of personality, he's a bit gruff, but there are more important talents needed by a surgeon (e.g. small hands and good with a knife).

Ya i found the same with his personality, hes very abrupt and you feel like "should i ask this question or not". You feel like you might upset him or something. Youve to sqeeze answers out of him.

solway

grindelwald wrote: »

Ive had sciatica since i was 15, it strted with my knee giving way to a pain in my lower back and weekness in the leg. i get it both sides and sometimes both together.

just be thankful if your male and you dont have to carry a 9lb baby on top of the sciatic nerve it hurts like hell. after saying that with my 3rd fella i had it from when he was 8 week till he was born with no let up. ouch. that was 3 years ago.

I only get it on and off now sometimes for up to a week at a time. its a pain in the arse really.

If you have a facebook page look up a sciatica group on that and everyone there will have helpful ideas and of course their own experiences.

Ooooouch! Now that sounds like crazy pain.

bubblyone

-See GP or specialist
-MRI if you haven't settled by now
-Epidurals or nerve root injections are often successful in settling the symptoms. The natural history of disc disease is that the disc scars down and the pressure on the nerve eases. Injections can buy time until the body heals itself
-Surgery if conservative measures fail-there are risks like permanent nerve damage, and there are no guarantees with it either. On the other hand, most people do really well if they get to the point of having to have it.

-Mr O'Sullivan is superb if you do end up seeing a neurosurgeon. Cork in general is a very good centre.

cynder

Yep im a woman, and I really hope I can keep my sense of humour even on my death bed. If I didn’t laugh about it, I would cry. As one person quoted ' what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger'.

I felt something go pop the one day in the sciatic region and had pain for a week, and I only lent over the side board a little bit, that was a couple of months ago. A lot of the pain would be localised to the sciatic area (I feel as if I could get a pair of scissors and snip the nerve myself). But I can also get the pain right down to my toes. I dont think I have it as bad as some people and believe it could be worse. When I get to the point of no return I will then seek out a solution in the mean time i'll keep on plodding on.

cynder

Rain_Dog_Brian wrote: »

Surgeon told me after surgery that disk had seperated and lodged itself in Nerve Canal

Ouch - no amount of time would have solved that one. lucky you had the surgery. Hope the worms aren't too disapointed.....

dan_d

Op, My boyfriend got that last year. he's 27, and developed a prolapsed disc from lifting heavy items. He went to a doctor as the pain got very severe over about a month, and was referred to a specialist in Beaumont.
He went for surgery as the doctor told him that if he couldn't put his socks on in the morning, there wasn't much point in trying anything else. And he couldn't. He was in agony, living on painkillers. So he had the surgery.
Now it doesn't always work, we knew. And he did not get better straight away. He was laid up for 8 weeks, and is still building up his back muscles a year later.
He found it very hard, because a lot of people had told him that he'd be great after it. And he wasn't, he could still feel pain when he woke up, down into his heel. It's far, far less now - almost gone - but he's had a year of physio, acupuncture, and 2 injections...not sure what they call them, but they're like epidural...they desensitize the nerve that the disc is pressing against, to give it a chance to heal. Also the scar tissue was causing problems, it was pressing against the nerve. He's a whole lot better now,but even up to 5 months after the op, he couldn't even sit in a restaurant for a meal for more than about 40 mins. Now he's okay, but it does get stiff and sore after a long day - that's more muscular than anything else though.

For your own sake, you should get an MRI to start, and see somebody about it. You only get one life OP, there's no point being in constant pain.

PokeHerKing

Hi All,

Quick question, Ive been doing SS for about 2 months now and Ive also been doing stretches to improve my posture and general stretches.

I was in with my GF on Friday last and shifted in my seat and felt this sharp pain right at the top of my a$$, like i could barely stand up with the pain and when I did get up I couldnt sit back down again! I went to bed with the pain and woke up fine, was grand all sat night untill a little sexual escipade and it happened again. Same pain but only lasted about 30 mins this time.

Then sunday I was reachin under my bed and again same pain, this time laying me out until around 11 on sunday evening and I did it at like 5pm.

Inbetween all this I was fully functional, out at homebase lifting boxes, walikng, sitting n all grand. After sundays incident i decided to be carefull doing any movements and I have not worked out all week.

Now, only rarely I will feel a twinge but I still feel like it could happen again, It feels like something is loose right at the top of the crack. Im not looking for advice on what to do, I know I should take a trip to the GP.

Just interested in anyone who has been diagnosed with sciatica and have had a similar course of events like myself. I have spoken to family and friends and mentioned sciatica but theyve all dismissed it and said "oh you'd know all abou it if you had it"

Sorry for the long post but not working out is really gettin me down and the thoughts of having something that could effect me for life is truly depressing! thanks to anyone who read, all comments appreciated.

Annuv

dan_d wrote: »

Op, My boyfriend got that last year. he's 27, and developed a prolapsed disc from lifting heavy items. He went to a doctor as the pain got very severe over about a month, and was referred to a specialist in Beaumont.
He went for surgery as the doctor told him that if he couldn't put his socks on in the morning, there wasn't much point in trying anything else. And he couldn't. He was in agony, living on painkillers. So he had the surgery.
Now it doesn't always work, we knew. And he did not get better straight away. He was laid up for 8 weeks, and is still building up his back muscles a year later.
He found it very hard, because a lot of people had told him that he'd be great after it. And he wasn't, he could still feel pain when he woke up, down into his heel. It's far, far less now - almost gone - but he's had a year of physio, acupuncture, and 2 injections...not sure what they call them, but they're like epidural...they desensitize the nerve that the disc is pressing against, to give it a chance to heal. Also the scar tissue was causing problems, it was pressing against the nerve. He's a whole lot better now,but even up to 5 months after the op, he couldn't even sit in a restaurant for a meal for more than about 40 mins. Now he's okay, but it does get stiff and sore after a long day - that's more muscular than anything else though.

For your own sake, you should get an MRI to start, and see somebody about it. You only get one life OP, there's no point being in constant pain.

Hi Dan d, it sure looks like your boyfriend had it tough, good to see he is now on the road the recovery. Do you mind if I ask a few questions? (apologies to the OP!)
When the op was finished, was he initally told it was a success by the surgeon?
8 weeks seems to be a relatively long time to be laid up after this op - was there complications or was this due the scar tissue impinging on the nerve?
Do you recall the name of the surgeon?

Thanks!

shootermacg

gagiteebo wrote: »

Hi guys, I've posted this on a different thread but maybe more people will see it here and can offer some advice...

I'll try and make this as short as possible but back in October I was lifting some heavy suitcases and felt a twinge in my back but thought nothing of it, the pain worsened over the next few days and I went to the doctor who told me I'd slipped a disc and gave me strong painkillers for it. The pain was unbearable but he said it would heal. I lived in fear of sneezing or coughing as it was torture. Eventually the pain in my back subsided but now I'm left with something worse in my opinion. It's a CONSTANT shooying pain from the my left buttock right down to my ankle. There is no relief from it and it's really getting me down.

I went back to the doctor but to be honest I found him to be very dismissive. I've finished the painkillers he has given me (the second course) but the pain is just as bad and somedays I take at least 5 or 6 solpadeine to ease it a little but it never goes away It is really affecting my quality of life, I can't swim or go to the gym like I used to. I'm a teacher and on my feet all day which doesn't help either. I really am at the end of my tether. I've heard stories of sciatica lasting years and years and the thought of this brings me to tears. Most days I come home and crawl into bed with a hot water bottle as it's all I can do to ease the pain.

Should I try a physio or a chiropracter? Has anyone else with sciatica been to either of these? I'm living near Roscrea, any recommendations for a good physio or chiro?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Ouch mate, I feel your pain!
Well for one thing I'd question the doctor, he seems to be a bit of a tard (the quality of GPs has really hit rock bottom these days).
I had this pretty bad on one ocsion, (I'm blaming straight leg deadlifts followed by inverted rows the next day) but my doctor put me on a course of steroids. The problem with sciatica is that the sciatic nerve runs near the affected area. After you pop a disc out the nerve becomes inflamed.
The steroids are to treat the inflamation. I'm shocked he just gave you painkillers!


As I said I had it, went to the doctor and he put me on a course of steroids + painkillers. I went back after the course of steroids were over and told the doctor the treatment didn't work.
He asked me about how many I was taking and it turned out that I was taking only half the required dosage.
I restarted the steroids at the correct dosage and it cleared up in a few weeks. I get a warning twinge every now and then but thank god that pain you've described is gone.

Washout

i had sciatica a year ago....physio cured it in 4 sessions.


and now
ive got it at the moment. i took a fall on xmas day landing on my butt.

gp gave me loads of god pills which helped and pain eased for a time.

but from the beginning o fmarch ive been in hell.
i had an mri and went to see dr padraig o neill at the mater.
he said i had a slight bulge but it was the type of bulge 80% ppl would have anyways and they would have no pain. he suggested swimming and general core workout and also see a physio.

so i went to same physio who reckoned my piriformis is really tight and sacrolic joint is twisted out of place.

i had about 4 physio sessions but it hasnt improved.

after a session last monday ive been practically bed ridden for a week with no sleep, sometimes crying or screaming in pain. i think physio ws more aggresive than normal and has just tweaked it worse.

currently no pain killer on earth is working. i have a drug which does help the sciatic nerve pain

but i have humongous pain in my butt and my foot feels numb but due to hypersensitivity so physio was happy it wasnt serious.

i cant stand up for more than 2 minutes or sit down for more than 2 minutes.

i have decided to try ostepathic route and had assessment from one on thursday.
first session tommorow and im hoping this works.

i cant take this anymore...especially the lack of sleep. gp did give me sleeping tablets but they make me dillisional rather than make me sleep.

ho[ing osteopathy works

shootermacg

All I can say is..if your doctor isn't perscribing steroids ask for them. if you've had a course with no results my sympahy goes with you. I had a terrible time with it.
Getting up after sitting is like someone tied a string from your ass to your toe and tightened it.
Good job it cleared up for me with steroids.

Rain_Dog_Brian

Washout wrote: »

i cant take this anymore...especially the lack of sleep. gp did give me sleeping tablets but they make me dillisional rather than make me sleep.

ho[ing osteopathy works

That Sounds bad Washout. I was similar at the end. Should you get another MRI? Things can change quickly.. A nerve root block might also get rid of pain for a month or two?

Best of luck Washout. You seem really in a bad way. Hope things turn around soon for you.

B.

Washout

Rain_Dog_Brian wrote: »

That Sounds bad Washout. I was similar at the end. Should you get another MRI? Things can change quickly.. A nerve root block might also get rid of pain for a month or two?

Best of luck Washout. You seem really in a bad way. Hope things turn around soon for you.

B.

thanks..decided to try osteopathy. i know a reputible one personnally

token56

Ah Sciatica, where to start well I have been suffering for over a year now, had an operation at the end of last year and now in the middle of physio, hoping it will all be back to normal soon, but its still not, but I'm still hopeful. Anyway there are a few things to first of all clarify about Sciatica, I have learned a significant amount about it.

The source causing sciatica is not always caused be a slipped disk, or herniated disk or whatever, but can also be caused by the piriformus (called piriformus syndrome, and is generally just treated by physio workouts) and other muscles in your bum. The most important thing with sciatica is first of all identifying the cause of it and not just treating the symptomes i.e. the pain with pain killers. In your case you have been told is a slipped disk, but you should really go to a GP or medical doctor with experience of this to get this properly diagnosed and be sure, like many others having an MRI scan is normally the best thing for this.

If it is a slipped or herniated disk there are many options for treatment and it does not always require surgery, indeed this should probably be the last option. Proper physio treatment and stablizing the region can be enough to stop the pain in some situations. Anyway you can discuss with your GP which is the best treatment option but just identify yourself with all of them before you decide on any. Once any treatment has been proposed try to be as proactive as you can in it.

The most important thing is getting the cause of your sciatica properly identified. I've been told by everyone I have dealt with during my journey that people often continue to suffer with problems even after surgery simply because it has been misdiagnosed in the first place. But the doctor you see should direct you in the right direction. The one you are currently with doesn't seem to be doing this so I would advise maybe switching doctors for treatment of this at least. The GP I went to before being refered for my surgery is pretty close to your locality, he is in Birr, if you are interested PM me.

Best of luck OP.

Washout

ok my foot has gone numb to touch and my arse also feels numb with bladder/bowel weakness.

going to the loo is torture.

im thinking of going to a & e in the morning. in fact i think i just will.

i dont have health insurance nad that portion of it worries me.

bubblyone

Washout wrote: »

ok my foot has gone numb to touch and my arse also feels numb with bladder/bowel weakness.

going to the loo is torture.

im thinking of going to a & e in the morning. in fact i think i just will.

i dont have health insurance nad that portion of it worries me.

Lack of health insurance doesn't matter at all. If you have bladder/bowel problems, it's an emergency. Definitely A&E. No questions.

Annuv

Washout wrote: »

ok my foot has gone numb to touch and my arse also feels numb with bladder/bowel weakness.

going to the loo is torture.

im thinking of going to a & e in the morning. in fact i think i just will.

i dont have health insurance nad that portion of it worries me.

I have suffered with bad sciatica for a few months now, it's slowly getting better thankfully, but I know what you're going through, it's hell

If you have numbness around the groin, ass, etc do not hestitate to go to A+E. My GP told me that if I had numbness there to not even contact him, to just got straight to hospital. I am not a doctor so I cannot give medical advice, but I wouldn't wait, better safe than sorry!

whosedaddy?

my 2cents...

Suffering back pain for for many years.. and tingling down right leg.
I can feel for that the "living in fear of sneezing or coughing"...
MRI scan showed the usual disc budging, compressed discs, the lot...
Got my Chiropractor experience, after some bad episode, no permanent improvement...

Also did the classic physio route - strengthing the core muscles, which made things only worse.

Currently going down the physical theragy route.. mainly pirinformis syndrom (compressing the sciatic nerve) treatment. Which so far has shown the most promising results of all treatments. But even if it gets me pain free, there still the question of finding the root cause for pirinformis.

Surely only an option for mild enough cases.

AugustusMinimus

Had my lower back go out one time. Was on my back for an entire week.

Went to a chiropractor. After an x-ray, the chiropractor told me that one of my disks was thinner than it should usually be and that there was a lack of movement between two vertebrae in my lower back.

I found that the chiropractor didn't do much for me.

When my back eventually improved, I decided to start doing a bit of regular jogging with the idea that the constant pounding would improve the strength of my lower back muscles.

Whosedaddy ? What sort of core work were you doing. Were you doing back extensions and the like. I know a lot of people who will work core by doing the plank and side plank and will completely ignore their back. Would cause a muscle imbalance.

snowcrazie

I suffered from sciatica for over two years when i was younger after damaging my hip doing martial arts. I went to the chiropractor every three days for about a year and a half and stopped doing any high impact exercise (swapping the treadmill for the crosstrainer and such). My sciatica did eventually go away but it took so long that I got an ulcer from all the difene I had to take. Watch out for that stuff, it effective but can leave you with worse problems then you started with!

gagiteebo

snowcrazie wrote: »

I suffered from sciatica for over two years when i was younger after damaging my hip doing martial arts. I went to the chiropractor every three days for about a year and a half and stopped doing any high impact exercise (swapping the treadmill for the crosstrainer and such). My sciatica did eventually go away but it took so long that I got an ulcer from all the difene I had to take. Watch out for that stuff, it effective but can leave you with worse problems then you started with!

Well I went for a second opinion to my childhood doctor, should have done that in the first place but am living too far away....anyway he was much more supportive and I'm booked for an MRI and physio and he said that if that makes no difference then we'll go down another route, surgery is the absolute last option! Thank God he said that!

I'm on difene at the minute and I hear what you say about the side effects etc and that does worry me to hear that but when it's the only thing that offers me some relief from the excrutiating pain I am willing to take it for a little while!

I never realised so many people suffered with Sciatica until I started this thread. On the one hand it's great that I'm not alone but I'm so sorry other people have to go through this. A colleague of mine suffered with it while she was pregnant and she said that at times it was more painful than childbirth :eek:

Washout

Annuv wrote: »

I have suffered with bad sciatica for a few months now, it's slowly getting better thankfully, but I know what you're going through, it's hell

If you have numbness around the groin, ass, etc do not hestitate to go to A+E. My GP told me that if I had numbness there to not even contact him, to just got straight to hospital. I am not a doctor so I cannot give medical advice, but I wouldn't wait, better safe than sorry!

well its 2 weeks since i went to a and e in blanchardstown. and got transfered to the mater. they found a swelling/mass/tumour in my pelvic/sacrum area...biopsied it on thurs but dont expect to get results tll middle of next week.

they dont think its cancerous but until they know what it is they are not operating.
its pushing against s1 and bladder as well aspiriformis which is the cause of numbness and pain.

bubblyone

Washout wrote: »

well its 2 weeks since i went to a and e in blanchardstown. and got transfered to the mater. they found a swelling/mass/tumour in my pelvic/sacrum area...biopsied it on thurs but dont expect to get results tll middle of next week.

they dont think its cancerous but until they know what it is they are not operating.
its pushing against s1 and bladder as well aspiriformis which is the cause of numbness and pain.

Very sorry to hear that. You're in good hands in the Mater though-excellent team of surgeons, radiologists etc.

Annuv

Washout wrote: »

well its 2 weeks since i went to a and e in blanchardstown. and got transfered to the mater. they found a swelling/mass/tumour in my pelvic/sacrum area...biopsied it on thurs but dont expect to get results tll middle of next week.

they dont think its cancerous but until they know what it is they are not operating.
its pushing against s1 and bladder as well aspiriformis which is the cause of numbness and pain.

Well now at least they know what is causing your pain. Best of luck with everything, hopefully you'll be on the road to recovery soon

cailin deas1

Hi Everyone
After some advice. I have been suffering like the rest of ye with back pain for years and i finally bit the bullet and asked the doctor to refer me to a specialist. Got an MRI and have 2 slipped discs was put on nerve pain killer which hasnt worked and i am going for an Epidural on Thursday. just wondering if any of ye had this done. I am supposed to be going to a wedding on Friday and i would like to know how you felt the day after. I know everyone reacts differently to treatments but any advice appreciated.

Annuv

cailin deas1 wrote: »

Hi Everyone
After some advice. I have been suffering like the rest of ye with back pain for years and i finally bit the bullet and asked the doctor to refer me to a specialist. Got an MRI and have 2 slipped discs was put on nerve pain killer which hasnt worked and i am going for an Epidural on Thursday. just wondering if any of ye had this done. I am supposed to be going to a wedding on Friday and i would like to know how you felt the day after. I know everyone reacts differently to treatments but any advice appreciated.

Hi Cailin Deas, i've a herniated disc and was recommended surgery but for some reason I was never offered the epidural option so I can't comment much on it except that from researching it appears to be a relatively common treatment. By now I suppose you've had it, how did it go?

I have had bulging disc and sciatica for a while now, got MRI scan done last September.

Anyway, Do not apply hot water bottle, its an inflamed nerve you dont want heat it anymore, freeze it. Secondly their are some stretches you can do to help relive the pain, look it up on youtube. Thirdly, painkillers are good as it calms the nerve and lets it heal quicker, I know, Im the same dont wanna be taking painkillers for the rest of my life !

Mine is Kinda under control now - I tried alot more things but they were the most effective.

My two cent

bubblyone

cailin deas1 wrote: »

Hi Everyone
After some advice. I have been suffering like the rest of ye with back pain for years and i finally bit the bullet and asked the doctor to refer me to a specialist. Got an MRI and have 2 slipped discs was put on nerve pain killer which hasnt worked and i am going for an Epidural on Thursday. just wondering if any of ye had this done. I am supposed to be going to a wedding on Friday and i would like to know how you felt the day after. I know everyone reacts differently to treatments but any advice appreciated.

Most people feel fine after the epidural but you have to lie flat for 24 hours after it so you may need to think about what time you go to the wedding! The drugs are put into the epidural space and lying flat allows them maximum chance to travel around/coat the nerves and give you benefit.

seadnamac

I've been suffering from lower back pain while running/playing sports for the last couple of years now. I've tried different footwear and orthodics and this does help initially for the first couple of sessions, but then the pain just comes back again.

I came across sciatica just from googling around on the net and reckon that this might be my problem. I get a really tight and painful feeling in my lower back (usually starting on the right hand side) and then feel as if there are little shocks of pain running down my buttocks and hamstrings, sometimes down to my calfs. It is really restricting and very frustrating.

Does that sound about right for sciatica? Who should I go see first about it, a doctor or a physio?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

d'Oracle

seadnamac wrote: »

I've been suffering from lower back pain while running/playing sports for the last couple of years now. I've tried different footwear and orthodics and this does help initially for the first couple of sessions, but then the pain just comes back again.

I came across sciatica just from googling around on the net and reckon that this might be my problem. I get a really tight and painful feeling in my lower back (usually starting on the right hand side) and then feel as if there are little shocks of pain running down my buttocks and hamstrings, sometimes down to my calfs. It is really restricting and very frustrating.

Does that sound about right for sciatica? Who should I go see first about it, a doctor or a physio?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Probably a Physio or Osteopath.
A GP can realistically only refer you.

MyPeopleDrankTheSoup

bumping old thread here but i'm suffering myself for the last week since a PB on deadlifts. 5th rep of 105kg and form was SHOCKING. one rep did all the damage. been sore since on the left side of lumbar region but not shocking painful. more annoying. any ideas how long i'll be off deads/squats/rows? i was thinking 4 to 6 weeks hopefully. too optimistic?