[ECHOES]

My sciatica has really been bugging me the last few weeks. Pain all the time and particularly when I stand; it takes me a few seconds to get moving from a standing position. It hurts all the time and I can NOT get comfortable. All day at work I'm up and down, trying to stretch, relieve the tightness and pain.

I'm also having a lot of leg cramping at night and I don't know if that's related. I just hurt from my lower back to my toes, but especially my butt, hip, groin, and calf. I know I need a new, extra-firm mattress. Soon but can't do that at this time.

Anyone have this? I'm reading that Gabapentin (Neurontin) has been helpful to some. I have some that was prescribed for something else and am considering trying it. I can only take anti-inflammatory drugs a few days then my stomach gets in the act. Maybe TMI but I'm also concerned about feeling as if I have less control of my bowels in that the muscles don't seem to be functioning correctly. That scares me a bit, although I'm closer to Depends age than I am Pampers age anyway.

My primary doc knows I have sciatica and a history of bulging disc that was confirmed by MRI. I was just there and don't go back until January and my insurance is a catastrophic plan so I have to pay the first $3000.00 (and am currently paying on a $907 balance--down from $2600.00). I want to avoid incurring any more debt there.

So, any ideas are welcome!
Thanks for allowing me to vent.

[(JD)]

Yes, the leg cramping is related. You need to stretch your hamstrings and work the trigger points in your buttocks and back of your thigh to help relieve them. Taking something for inflammation might also help, as when the bone goes out, nipping the sciatic nerve it causes swelling which makes it worse.

Can you put a piece of board under the mattress where your back/tush is to increase firmness?

Use a tennis ball to work the trigger points (I can't press with my hands, and just lie on them (and sob.)

Yes, when the back is spasmed or weakened from being unable to strengthen it due to the pain etc, we have less control over our bladder and bowels.

My weakest side is left side. One exercise to help strengthen the muscles to lessen the pain from this is thus: (for me) lie along edge of bed, with right foot, knee bent supporting me, on my elbows on my face with left leg lying along the edge of the bed. Raise left foot bending at knee and lower it back to bed. Ugh. It hurts but should help. (if your pain is down right side, then reverse this?)

Ice or heat... but only 15 minutes intervals. Sorry but the experts who talk about regular back pain and say exercise don't lie in bed...they aren't talking about this when the swelling is bad... activity makes it worse.

[ECHOES]

Thanks so much, Sky!

I will try all of your suggestions. Yes mine is the opposite, the right side. The trigger points--are those the places where there's pain? Or the buttock and back points from where the pain seems to originate? I also do a 'cat' stretch where I get on the floor on my hands and knees and arch my back to stretch it out. And I will lay in bed on my back and put both legs up, bent at the knee and hug my legs to my chest; this stretch seems to be very relieving.

I thought about a board. I might just sleep on the floor. (I can see the cat looking at me like, ummm you're in my spot there Mom).

I have been walking at work during breaks and at lunch, thinking that would help but it hasn't and I thought I was not doing enough or something; maybe I'll give that a rest for now since it's 90's and 80% humidity now (not quite summer yet with only 80% humidity. lol)

Thank you for all your ideas. I wish there was a permanent 'fix' for this for us.

[bebop]

hon if you are having bowel problems it could be the disk has ruptured. please call your dr asap and have it checked.

[ECHOES]

Thanks bebop. It's possible. I am also feeling unusual discomfort in my back. But I have no money for anything more medical until the old expenses are paid.

[Perna]

Maybe you can find a piece of info here that might help?

http://www.spine-health.com/conditio...tica-treatment

Sorry you're hurting, certainly does not sound very fun! My father would get it occasionally but I've only had it once (when we were travelling with long drive in the car) and certainly don't ever want it again.

[ECHOES]

Thank you linkmeister Perna

It will resolve, but it's sure hanging in there this time. Doing the ice tonight (wet towel, freeze, use in plastic bag--works great, forms right to you!)

[ECHOES]

I must have done something right, or somthings.

First, I put my glasses on and noticed the Ibuprofen Rx was from 2005
And I remembered how when I get a rare headache, Aspirin works very well for me, so I
decided to try just some plan old wonder-drug Aspirin.
I did more exercises and more frequently.
I rested more.

And something helped because the sciatica if very much better. The relief has been heavenly!

I have some physical things to do here at home this weekend, so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed I don't aggravate it into coming back.

[Mouse_]

OH Boy do I know what your going through. SInce my last bad attack 2yrs ago, I never did fully recovery feeling in my foot and as I am a recoverying pain-med addict, I didn't go back to the Dr's because I was afraid he may give me something and I'll be hooked again or I was afraid that I really did want him to give me something so I will be hooked again, but 3weeks ago with it getting harder and harder to do my job and constant pain I went and explained I wasn't looking for time off work, nor narcotics and he prescribed "Diclofenic" and it worked wonders!

[ECHOES]

Thank you so much Mouse. I'm so glad you found something to help you.
It doesn't go completely away for me either and that's okay compared to how bad it is at it's worst. I was really in fear of losing function in my legs. I had trouble getting going after standing up and I was wobby--ran into a wall on the way out of therapy
I haven't heard of that medication and I wonder if we have here across the pond.

[leucite]

Heys

I can empathise! I have lumbar issues and occasional sciatica (it used to be permanent before surgery).
So, if you ever wanna chat, it'd be good to talk to someone else with the dual diagnosis of back and mental health lol

Gabapentin has been a godsend for some people. It made me crazy tbh, but then they put me on the new improved version, Pregabalin, which seemed to help. That is, when I can afford the prescription.

Good luck!
x