Sciatic?

[kuntrygurl78]

I was at my parents house tonight. I was talking to my dad about some pain I was having. It starts in my bum and goes down my leg to my toes. He said he has had the same problem, and he was told it is his sciatic nerve. He said a few trips to the chiropractor is what it took to make him feel better.

I went to a well respected medical site, and looked up info on the sciatic. The info that I read corresponded to what my dad said. I would consider a trip to the doctor, but Im trying not to make any expense that I dont have to until I find a job.

I thought that I remembered that some people on here also have this problem. I was wondering what you do to make it feel better. I have found that sleeping is the worst for me. I tried a heating pad and some tylenol last night. I think it helped. Any other tricks or tips would be greatly appreciated.

[Briza]

Yes, I injured my sciatic nerve while running and doing step aerobics. For me the pain was not constant but very intense. Just every so often throughout the day the pain would shoot down from my butt down the back of my leg to my ankle out of the blue and just about knock me off my feet. I seriously would practically collapse to the floor if I did not grab for something to hold on to. The pain seemed to only come when I was on my feet. I took anti-inflammatories such as advil and alleve as suggested by my dr. These two meds ok for me, might not be ok for others' bladders. I did not have IC at the time. This went on for a good six months or so before it finally went away and now the only time it bothers me is if someone grabs my buttcheek on that side or even any pressure put on it during a massage. The pain I have now is only very centrally located on that one cheek, in the exact spot where the sciatic nerve is. My massage therapist knows to stay far away from that spot...I will and HAVE literally flown off the massage table if that area is touched. Anyway, don't know if this is of any help? Just sharing my experience.

[ICNDonna]

When my sciatica flares, about the only way I can sleep is on my side with a pillow between my knees .

Donna

[SharonA]

I have sciatica nerve problems, also. I find that cold packs help ease the pain when it flares.

[bluetou]

I also have sciatica issues (with disc 4 & 5 herniation)...I now have these under control, but my sciatica acts up now and again.

Ice always helped me, heat made me worse. Only ice for 10-12 minutes, maxium. Also only ice when you feel as though you are going to relax afterwards. DOING exercise, or chores after your back has been iced is not a healthy thing to be doing, you may make your pain worse.

Also your sciatica nerve runs through your piriformus, I always get relief by going to my MASSAGE therapist and her working on my tight piriformus muscles. She will actually place her elblow into your buttock area and loosen it up. SOME find this painful...I find it an amazing release of a tight muscles.

If I can not get into the massage therapist and I feel tight down there, I will use a tennis ball placed on the floor and i then place my bottock/hip on the tennis ball and roll it around gently to loosen up the area. DO THIS GENTLY as you can use this too much and inflame the area.

I also do lots of yoga inbetween my massage appointments in order to keep my muscles long and relaxed.

An anti-inflamatory will help, as if you are suffering sciatica there is no doubht you are tensing up in your body and you may need a muscle relaxant to help alleviate this.

You defintely need to see your doctor and get some advice, a referral to a physio therapist.

I am not a huge fan of a chiro, only because they do a lot of manipulation to the neck and back area, which can cause other health concerns. I can always get a gentle crack out of my back with my yoga.

ALSO....a sciatica (lower back problems)...are due to tight hamstrings, so lying on your back and stretching your hamstrings will help.

((HUGS)) to you, nothing worse then back pain...ugh!

Peace
blue
:pray:

[leelee88]

This does sound like you have sciatic nerve problems..

What I have found to help the most is a warm bath, then have my husband massage my butt and hip.. It HURTS like heck while he does this but it eases the tension. Another thing that eases the pain is laying on a heating pad.. Eleve or Mortrin "IF" you can take it helps with the inflammation.

Oh and my mom also has this she goes to a chiro also for it and she says that is the only way she can get any relief when it starts acting up...I cannot afford going with all these other medical bills I have.. So i do what I can to help it at home..

[hdwadman]

I asked my wife about this. She is an OT, and she said that ice or cold works better long term, because it relieves the inflammation. Heat can help short term, but only because it relaxes muscles. Heat doesn't help with the underlying inflammation. She also suggested sleeping with a pillow between your knees to relieve pressure on the nerve. I hope this helps,
DeWayne

[kuntrygurl78]

Thanks so much for your advice! I will try the ice later tonight. I cant take ibuprofen, but I will take some more tylenol this weekend to help with the pain. I also like the idea of using a pillow between my legs when I sleep. I do this some nights due to plantar faciitis. I will make sure to do it more often.

Im sure that this is caused from me sitting on my bum all the time. Its hard not to since Im not working. I know I should go and get some exercise, but Illinois winters are so cold!

I think I will go ahead and call my doctor Monday. This looks like its going to be a continuing problem.

Again, thanks so much!