Newly diagnosed sciatica ... what to expect ?

max2009

Use a hot water bottle to calm down the back spasms.Also try an inversion table which are very good.I had painkillers that enabled me to walk every day and build up my back muscles.Make sure you are not overweight.I had severe sciatica from years of driving abroad with work but i managed to cure it.

zappster1966

Thank you all for your kind advice, I've read each post and am very grateful.

Today I've had my first "codeine headache", it's every bit as bad as a migraine.

I got up late this morning and my back wasn't too bad. So instead of taking co-codomol I took a couple of paracetomol instead, plus a higher strength ibuprofen. By 2pm my head was getting sore, by 3pm I was flat on my back with the lights out, blinds drawn and my head pounding, feeling sick, sore eyes etc etc. Not nice.

Who'd have thought painkillers, or the lack of them, could give you a migraine ? I'm learning more about modern medicine every day, learning the hard way unfortunately :-(

tenacioust123

My hot water bottle is my best friend

looby75

tenacioust123 wrote: »

My hot water bottle is my best friend

mine too, in fact I'm just about to go and fill mine up as my back has been so bad today

mumoftwins

I suffer from sciatica too, I also have two degenerative discs (had them since my early 20's) I have had all sorts of tests at hospital a few years when they said a back op would be no good for me. Have had steroid injections in my spine which helped for a while but the thing that kept me going was Chiropractic tretament.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to afford the treatment for a year now and my back and hip are really troubling me - went to see a Consultant last week and am booked in for an MRI scan in April.

Each night I take 2 cocodamol, rub some Seven Seas stuff into my hip and back and rest my hottie on my hip. Then, inevitably, I wake in pain during the night and am often up and around by 5am but am always very stiff and in so much pain so I take 2 cocodamol again - trouble is with taking these is the constipation :eek:.

I have also gained 2.5st in weight over last 2.5 years due to my back/hip problems which doesn't help either.

The only chair I am comfortable sitting in is my computer chair which has lumbar support and arms.

Years ago I had a 'backfriend' supportive seat which was great, but I don't know what has happened to it so am off to buy another one on Friday. If you are interested try this website https://www.online-ergonomics.co.uk or just google 'backfriend'.

Hope you feel better soon.

max2009

An inversion table will gently and gradually hang you up side down and take pressure of your joints and discs,letting fluid flow between them.It was the best thing i ever purchased and it cured my sciatica along with walking which cocodamol helped.Sitting and resting too much is the worse thing you can do as you are not working the back muscles.Also try and stretch your calves and hamstrings 2-3 times a day.

lorac3

As with most ailments treatment is specific to that person.
My OH has had this for over 20yrs now, he had an accident at work ( manual job ) and was medically retired, had an operation ( surgeon said he'd be back at work in 6 weeks ! ). They removed the disc causing the problem and because he healed too quick ( their words ) the scar tissue is causing the exact same problem as the disc was. Total waste of time him having the op. He now goes to a pain management clinic and has acupuncture which he says does help but beware taking lots of painkillers as he ended up with an ulcer as the strong tablets damaged his stomach ! He is now working part time and still suffers.

foulksy

I guess I have been lucky - well maybe not but certainly seen quicker than some of you. My sciatica started in October with a numb feeling in my foot when I ironed. Since then it has worsened and now I get pain when walking or standing but not too much when sitting or lying down. I went to my doctor at the end of November and was referred for physio which started in January. After 3 sessions, we agreed it was making no difference so she referred me for an MRI scan which I had 2 weeks later. I received the results 3 weeks later on Tuesday - a prolapsed disc requiring surgery. All in all pretty quick and impressive and all via the NHS. I am getting a top surgeon and I believe the waiting time is around 4 months which is not bad. Both of my parents had the same problem and my sister is having the op privately in a fortnight having tried all alternative therapies under the sun and then realising that surgery is the only option for her. I hope I don't get any of the complications you mentioned! My parents were both fine after theirs and did not need further treatment so it is not necessarily all gloom and doom.

I hope your back is sorted out soon and you get an appointment ASAP.

Take care

tenacioust123

I'm in the same position regarding stomach problems. I've been taking diclofenac for over 2 years with no protection, all of a sudden I started getting really bad stomach pains and feeling very sick, after a visit to the doctors I was put on omeprazone as he believes I have an ulcer. I am having an gastroscopy on the 2nd April to confirm this.

I would urge anyone taking any NSAID to make sure they speak to their doctor if they have not been prescribed a stomach protector.

tenacioust123

foulksy wrote: »

I guess I have been lucky - well maybe not but certainly seen quicker than some of you. My sciatica started in October with a numb feeling in my foot when I ironed. Since then it has worsened and now I get pain when walking or standing but not too much when sitting or lying down. I went to my doctor at the end of November and was referred for physio which started in January. After 3 sessions, we agreed it was making no difference so she referred me for an MRI scan which I had 2 weeks later. I received the results 3 weeks later on Tuesday - a prolapsed disc requiring surgery. All in all pretty quick and impressive and all via the NHS. I am getting a top surgeon and I believe the waiting time is around 4 months which is not bad. Both of my parents had the same problem and my sister is having the op privately in a fortnight having tried all alternative therapies under the sun and then realising that surgery is the only option for her. I hope I don't get any of the complications you mentioned! My parents were both fine after theirs and did not need further treatment so it is not necessarily all gloom and doom.

I hope your back is sorted out soon and you get an appointment ASAP.

Take care

Hi

What procedure are you having done?