Sciatica - how do you cope?

Merry_Gentry

Nice one on getting that bit more sleep - amazing what 6 hours kip can do for you

sassy17

hi-

glad to hear things are letting up for you- hope it continues.

I have had 2 lots of surgical decompression, 11 years ago and 16 months ago- thought i was done with sciatica- lost 2 stone and got quite fit. Then all started again 2 months ago.

I am really fed up- been off sick from work for weeks, cant drive, can hardly walk, and the pain is awful. I have had an MRI scan last week but apparantly the picture was obscured by scar tissue so will need another with dye in my spine. The doc has just given me Morphine as the tramadol not helping enough. Was reluctant but just need some relief and to get a bit more mobile!

It is hard to keep positive and happy. The only saving grace is that OH is off work (made redundant) so is home to get kids to school etc.. of course that generates its own problems financially, but at least i am still on full pay for now. am trying not to feel too sorry for myself as i know i am nor the only one. Is hard though!
sassy

tenacioust123

I'm still suffering from the dreaded Sciatica, I had a fusion on L4/5 just 18 months ago, not even sure if it was the right thing to do.

I now have nerve damage to my right thigh and right foot which means I have foot drop, just waiting for a foot brace (No shorts for me this summer). I still have loads of pain in my back too. I take a long list of medication Parecetomol, Tramadol, Gabapentin, Diclofenac, Omeprazole and Oramorph, which doesn't always deal with the pain.

Back pain and sciatica are awful and I feel very sorry for anyone that has to deal with it.

sunnyone

I can recomend Bu Trans patches for constent non drowsy pain relief 24/7, they are @20x stronger than morphine, there are stronger patches available for the really bad time, they are Fentanly (sp) which are @80x stronger than morphine.

I used to wake up needing the loo and I couldnt get out of bed to go but with patches I can.

sunnyone

Sparkkee

I don't know if anyone else has suggested this (just skimmed, sorry!) but can i suggest getting a fit ball (also called a Swiss Ball) to sit on during the day? I've had it on and off for about 12 years now and I find it really helps, as you can't sit still on it.

Also, if you are going back to work, make sure you have a proper chair to sit on. There is nothing that will make it worse than a chair which doesn't give oyu proper support at the right angles.

Sorry I can't be more help - it's the most excruciating thing I have ever experienced and you have my deepest sympathies.

Sparkkee

tenacioust123

sunnyone wrote: »

I can recomend Bu Trans patches for constent non drowsy pain relief 24/7, they are @20x stronger than morphine, there are stronger patches available for the really bad time, they are Fentanly (sp) which are @80x stronger than morphine.

I used to wake up needing the loo and I couldnt get out of bed to go but with patches I can.

sunnyone

Funnily enough I don't get drowsy :rotfl: Occasionally I get a little tired, the worse side effect I get is nausea and stomach pains, which my doctor thought might be an ulcer, luckily It's not I had an Endoscopy and all was ok. I have also put on a bit of weight, I think that is because of the gabapentin.

Gino13

150mg of Lyrica twice a day works for me, it's a painkiller that works specifically on the nerves - but everyone is different, a TENS machine also helps.

mumoftwins

Had 2nd visit to Chiro yesterday and I can notice a slight improvement! I am still icing the area a few times a day, particularly before bed, and am now creeping up to 5 hours continuous sleep from 4.5hrs, have been having to get up after 5hrs because of the pain but find I can go back after about 45mins and sleep again for another 3/4hours which is great!

beanielou

Glad to hear things are slowly improving for you
Beautiful weather here today & I am looking forward to meeting Ampersand on Tuesday
Take care xx

mumoftwins

beanielou wrote: »

Glad to hear things are slowly improving for you
Beautiful weather here today & I am looking forward to meeting Ampersand on Tuesday
Take care xx

Have a lovely time Beanie, she is one very special lady!