Help with my Sciatic

[Succulent-one]

I have it in my right leg but it spreads to my left leg when its really bad. My doctor said it should go in "phases" of 6 weeks repeated every 1 to 10 years. But I have it pretty much all the time, but sometimes its worse than others. I know the discomfort. Standing for too long hurts. Sitting for too long hurts. Which is a bitch if you have 4 lectures in a row. I usually end up skipping some. If I walk a little in the day it eases it though. I try to avoid painkillers as they make me too groggy. It really sucks!

Hey we can all identify. And yes once it is not screaming pain, walking does seem to help, but I am not sure for how long. Mine sure doesn't like to run up and down stairs. I haven't used anything stronger than Alieve or Advil. And if the tummy can take it plain old asprin.

 

[EarnestImp]

doctors

Go see doctors and insist on MRI's and CAT Scans if needed. X-Rays can show flatttened disks, and/or arthritic bone spurs, but not the actual disk damage. Get surgery if you need it!!!

There was an article in the New Yorker some time ago about back surgery. The problem is that there is little objective evidence (like controlled studies) that it works. The type of treatment you get depends on the type of MD you go to. And MRI scans very often show abnormalities that have nothing to do with the source of the problem, which is bad because the MD might decide to operate anyway. The article is here: http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?020408fa_FACT

Scary stuff:

[size=-2]Trisha Bryant assumed that the procedures her surgeon recommended were necessary and had been validated by research. I, too, made that assumption when I suffered from recurrent lower-back pain twenty years ago and elected to have a fusion. If Trisha had explored the medical literature, however, she would have discovered that every aspect of her case—the interpretation of her MRI scan, the diagnosis of spinal instability, the rationale for fusing vertebrae, the impending discography—was controversial among spine specialists.[/size]

Quite frankly, I think many MDs don't have a clue what they are doing - they just do something and have blind faith that what they do will help.

My experience: sciatica goes away slowly by itself. But it can return with certain forms of stress. But now I seem to be beating it back with heavy freeweight exercises, like weighted reverse situps, weighted situps, squats...stuff that you would normally think hurts your back, but for me at least seems to help. Of course, you can't do this in the throes of an attack, but the weightroom might be something to consider in the long term.

 

[Succulent-one]

There was an article in the New Yorker some time ago about back surgery. The problem is that there is little objective evidence (like controlled studies) that it works. The type of treatment you get depends on the type of MD you go to. And MRI scans very often show abnormalities that have nothing to do with the source of the problem, which is bad because the MD might decide to operate anyway. The article is here: http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?020408fa_FACT

Scary stuff:


Quite frankly, I think many MDs don't have a clue what they are doing - they just do something and have blind faith that what they do will help.

My experience: sciatica goes away slowly by itself. But it can return with certain forms of stress. But now I seem to be beating it back with heavy freeweight exercises, like weighted reverse situps, weighted situps, squats...stuff that you would normally think hurts your back, but for me at least seems to help. Of course, you can't do this in the throes of an attack, but the weightroom might be something to consider in the long term.

Thanks for your input. I know any kind of surgery on the back is kind of scary. I would leave it for a last resort. I am much more in favor of exercise and more natural ways of dealing with it.

 

[MagicFingers]

Traction

Originally Posted by EarnestImp
There was an article in the New Yorker some time ago about back surgery. The problem is that there is little objective evidence (like controlled studies) that it works. The type of treatment you get depends on the type of MD you go to. And MRI scans very often show abnormalities that have nothing to do with the source of the problem, which is bad because the MD might decide to operate anyway. The article is here: http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?020408fa_FACT

I don't have to read this to know that it is complete hogwash. I can easily see on my MRI's and CT scans what and where the damage is/was. It is so obvious that if you have a disk pressing on a nerve, that cutting away the protrusion will relieve the pain from it pressing on the nerve.
I knew I was in severe pain and went from November to the end of June before I could get the surgery done. I had to push every step along the way to finally get them to see that I had a problem. The boss of the Ortho surgeon who did the surgery, at first said I had a sprained shoulder! I had to press them hard to get MRI's done, then they finally admitted I needed surgery. After it was over, the surgeon said, "The damage was actually worse than we thought, from looking at the MRI." I told him, "Yes, I know it was!"

Don't want to scare you. If you don't need surgery, don't get it. I DID need it. There was no doubt that it helped me each time, as it has helped millions of people. (or at least many thousands)
YEs, MANY doctors don't know their ass from a hole in the ground. So, pick your doc carefully.

Another thing I wanted to mention was that I hang at the gym, on the Lat Pulldown machine, I think it's called. I can relax every muscle in the lower back and let the weight stretch the vertebrae, and relieve the compressed disk. If you do stretching, stretch the muscles, and be careful to not bend the lower back too much. Remember the jelly doughnut thing when you are stretching.

 

[Undomiel]

Yeah I wouldn't risk surgery. :/ And I find going up even one flight of stairs extremly painful. I usually take a lift if I can. Also cycling sucks. About one mile and I'm in agony. Grrrrr.

 

[MagicFingers]

I love walking up and down stairs!

Yeah I wouldn't risk surgery. :/ And I find going up even one flight of stairs extremly painful. I usually take a lift if I can. Also cycling sucks. About one mile and I'm in agony. Grrrrr.

So, if your life is so miserable, WHY wouldn't you risk surgery?

 

[EarnestImp]

I don't have to read this to know that it is complete hogwash. I can easily see on my MRI's and CT scans what and where the damage is/was.

Well, you should read the article before proclaiming it to be hogwash. I know it sounds like a radical idea, but try it.

The point is that a large fraction of people of people with no pain have spinal abnormalities that show up on MRI. And in back patients, the spinal abornmalities that do show up may not be the ones causing the pain.

In your case, this seems not to have been the case. But in general, back care seems to involve lots of ill-educated guesswork. I would not want my back operated on until I grilled the doctor how much he really knows (based on studies and statistics) and how much he merely thinks he knows, based on anecdotes, limited personal experience, and wishful thinking.

 

[Undomiel]

So, if your life is so miserable, WHY wouldn't you risk surgery?

Cause it could make my life more miserable! Back operations scare me. My Dad has really bad back problems and I don't wanna end up like him.

 

[sig357]

Your best all-around solution...

in one word:

yoga

Okay, the docs are a good idea if you think you might have permanent damage, yada yada yada... but yoga is the best thing if it's just a matter of older, more unused muscles... and we all get older every day.

 

[tinmansgirl]

Ok, I need help from anyone out there who knows what to do about the Sciatic nerve. It has had me in bed for 2 days now, I can hardly stand it. Does anyone have tips on how to get rid of the ache??? I can't walk too far, I can't sit too long, I can't stand too long.....yikes and I am usually such a busy person this is hard on me. [/QUOTe
i have a herniated disc in my lower back that presses on the sciatic nerve at times when it becomes enflamed. It is not bad enough (or so Workansb Comp says) for surgery so i deal with the pain alot of it causing the sciatic nerve to act up .Horrible pains in my legs and down through the butt. One thing i have found after dealing with this for a year and 1/2 is what they did in pysical therepy. Take an ice cube w/ nothing around it , just plain and have someone rub it up and down your spine only in small areas at a time. The intense cold will cause a stinging burning sensation but continue for about 5 to 7 minutes. this should ease it i hope. it does for me sometimes. Also remember if you use heat to relieve it always follow with an ice pack to help reduce swelling. Hope it helps you. I know the pain you are going through.

 

[Dstorage]

One more vote for the chiropractor. If you have never tried one before you will be suprised with how they operate. The best ones often just have you show up and do it on a first come first served arrangement, at least here in the midwest anyway.

Finding the good ones can be tricky, if you know any old carpenters in their 50's or 60's ask those guys to recommend someone, they'll know who to send you to.

 

[Succulent-one]

Every one has been so helpful! It is most appreciated I am feeling so much better!. Here is what I did. I did ice packs on my lower back, I slept with 2 pillows under my knees, or if on my side, a pillow between my knees. I made sure to do stretching exercises. I have walked a lot more. I get up at work and walk around for 5 minues every hour. I intend to continue to do more low impact exercise. So hopefully I can keep this at bay!