Newly diagnosed sciatica ... what to expect ?

looby75

pipkin71 wrote: »

I didn't like taking the amitriptyline, particularly as I'm the only adult in the house. It's also why the diazepam dosage is so low, but it helps for now.

I would definitely see the doc about taking something to cut the risk of an ulcer looby, since you're taking the ibuprofen. Better to prevent an ulcer than deal with it once it happens.

yeah that's the main reason I didn't want it and the main reason I only take the tramadol when I just can't stand the pain anymore or I haven't slept in ages because of it. I always warn dd before I take it though, just so she knows.

I'll ask the GP about getting something to protect my stomach, my male GP did ask if I got a lot of indigestion or heartburn a couple of years ago, and told me to come back if I did. I now see the female GP (my lovely old gp is semi retired now so it's really hard to get an appointment with him ) and it's never been mentioned again.

shelovestobuystuff

Oh BTW,if you do go to a chiropractor make sure you go to a proper one.The first one I went to I left in more agony than I went in.He did what he called'gentle manipulation'basically a massage using his thumbs and knuckles.Thats not chiropracty.You have to go to a proper one,the ones who 'crack' bones.First time I went I squeeled when he fixed my neck,just because its so close to your ears you hear a loud crack but you dont feel any pain.My proper chiropracter also has an x-ray viewer on his wall and asked me to get copies of any x-rays I get done so he can see whats going on for himself.

foulksy

tenacioust123 wrote: »

Hi

What procedure are you having done?

I am having a partial discetomy and a partial laminectomy - although I don't know the full details as this was over the phone via the physio and I have not yet met the consultant. He comes very highly recommended though via several sources so I am hopeful that he will do a good job. I cannot believe the number of people on this list in agony without having even had basic scans! It makes me feel even more lucky to live where I do - Coventry.

baccyman

i have had 3 MRI scans over the years and X-Rays aswell they both show that i have got deteriation of the discs in my lumber region, and i also fractured a vertabrea at T1 that is a thorasic vertabrea and be cause it was never picked up when i did it, it has healed as a wedged vertabrea and this affects my back my chest and my neck and arms,
the reason that my back was never picked up was because i had a fall on my back and split the back of my head open and the hospital were more conserned about stitching my head than the complaints that i made about my back, this was about 20 years ago,
sometimes when i get pains in my chest and arms it is hard to tell if it is because of my back our if it could be the start of a heart attack,
i'm in my 50s so im at the sort of age when these things become more common and both my parents had heart attacks which is not too good.

pipkin71

I've had mri's so know what problems I have with my spine. I've also had a functioning capability test done to record how severe problems are. I've gone through a laminectomy but further surgery will be a last resort.

Back pain is an awful condition because it is very disabling. Having had two children, labour was a doddle compared to the sciatic pain, nerve pain or disabling back pain I've had.

Hopefully the OP's GP will decide whether an mri is necessary based on the problems presented but they aren't always automatically booked due to cost, waiting lists ect.

meemee75

HI all, just been reading this thread and the problems people are describing sound very much like I have even though I have not been diagnosed as yet, it only been about 6 years, apart from them thinking I have hip bursitus and meraglia paresthetica.

I am now on tramadol & paracetamol 4 times a day Oramorph as a top up when pain is really bad and Mirtazaphine for depression and used as sleeping tablets as pain keeps me awake most nights. This is after trying numerous different medications which did not agree with me. I have also been on amitriptyline but didn't get on with it at all, was very snappy as I was so tired from it, people at work were terrifed of talking to me due to response's they had had previously....:rolleyes:

Back at pain clinic in 2 weeks to discuss nerve conduction studies, had this done when problem first started about 6 years ago but showed nothing and pain was not at all as bad as it is now.

missymugwump

Hi all
another cripple here
I had sciatica for 5 years
It finally put me in hospital
I lost the use of my right leg and became incontinent (I was only 39) at the time

I know what caused it originally I was ice skating and a kid slammed into me knocking me down
I landed on the base of my spine
I know now what the pain was, I ended up having a discectomy 5 years later
I have had daily pain & sciatica since the operation

My GP is not interested basically saying that the Surgeon has done what he could

I stopped taking all my drugs
I keep as active as the pain allows
Heat helps,hot water bottles,partner friction rubbing to warm the area,soak in the bath etc...

I have accepted my lot & luckily have a high pain threashold, but it has aged me terribly mentally & physically,I have given up skating & surfing & running
I have put on three stone in the three years since & am yet to find a sport that does not hurt

OP everybodys problem is so individual
You will find what works for you
However this takes time & is trial & error

But keep moving is VITAL !

tanith

missymugwump wrote: »

Hi all
another cripple here
I had sciatica for 5 years
It finally put me in hospital
I lost the use of my right leg and became incontinent (I was only 39) at the time

I know what caused it originally I was ice skating and a kid slammed into me knocking me down
I landed on the base of my spine
I know now what the pain was, I ended up having a discectomy 5 years later
I have had daily pain & sciatica since the operation

My GP is not interested basically saying that the Surgeon has done what he could

I stopped taking all my drugs
I keep as active as the pain allows
Heat helps,hot water bottles,partner friction rubbing to warm the area,soak in the bath etc...

I have accepted my lot & luckily have a high pain threashold, but it has aged me terribly mentally & physically,I have given up skating & surfing & running
I have put on three stone in the three years since & am yet to find a sport that does not hurt

OP everybodys problem is so individual
You will find what works for you
However this takes time & is trial & error

But keep moving is VITAL !

Just wonder if you have tried speed walking... I do this for as long as I can manage each day, sometimes 20 mins sometimes I can manage an hour , but I have found not only have a lost some weight but my core muscles are stronger and my back and hip pain are less... although I do wonder if I am wearing out my arthritic joints quicker :rotfl:

missymugwump

I have tried walking on a treadmill at around 6.2k per hour
Some weeks I can others I can't walk up stairs sadly

I wanted to do pilates but couldnt find a class near me then when I found one hubby lost job so can't afford it at the moment
I will be trying it out as soon s monet allows

pipkin71

tanith wrote: »

Just wonder if you have tried speed walking... I do this for as long as I can manage each day, sometimes 20 mins sometimes I can manage an hour , but I have found not only have a lost some weight but my core muscles are stronger and my back and hip pain are less... although I do wonder if I am wearing out my arthritic joints quicker :rotfl:

That's interesting tanith.

I wouldn't be able to speed walk, I just about shuffle lol! I do have an air walker though and I wonder if a few minutes a day, then building up will increase core muscles?

I jarred my back on Saturday and have been feeling the tell-tale pinch of the sciatic nerve since yesterday. I'm keeping fingers crossed it doesn't develop into a sciatic episode and taking it easy right now, but the air walker is something to consider.