Sciatica anyone?

[Kraschenbirn]

Anybody got a suggestion or two on dealing with lower back/sciatica issues? Woke one morning a couple weeks ago with pain in my lower back and right leg (from the hip all the way to the ankle). Went to see my regular MD who diagnosed it as a pinched/irritated sciatic nerve, prescribed some painkillers, and referred me to a spine/back specialist who told me, this morning (after I'd waited 9 days for an appointment), there's not really any short-term fix for my condition and referred me to a physical therapist.

It's not like I've got a history of back problems 'cause I don't. Up until two weeks ago, I was doing a 40-minute flex/cardio workout daily with supervised 40-minute weight/resistance sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays with no subsequent aches or pains from the exercises. Now, I can barely climb a flight of stairs and hesitate to try carrying anything heavier than a bag of groceries 'cause I've already had that right knee just go limp and fold up when I put my weight down on it wrong.

Right about now, I'm open to anything. My 'regular' MD is a"Personal Care Physician" assigned through my Medicare Advantage coverage and is, basically, a GP whose main function is to act as a triage and refer anything more serious than everyday complaints to a specialist and the 'specialist' I saw this morning took a look at the x-rays and said about the only thing she could do would be a cortisone/steriod injection which *should* provide some relief for the leg pain but wouldn't do anything for the back pain or numbness in my knee/lower leg/ankle. When I said I'd like to hold off on that injection...I've heard some horror stories...she passed the buck, referring me to Physical Therapy for 'evaluation' and set-up of a program...but first available appointment is 10 days off...leaving me on my own until then.

Anyone got any experience with massage therapists or chiropractors?

Bill

[jcwit]

Oxycontin works, but I don't recommend it's long term use.

[clintsfolly]

Stretch the muscles in the back of your leg. I stand at the stairs and put my heel on the 3rd step holding it straight thy and roll toes to your knee. This helps me. Clint

[oneokie]

Chriopractors can help. Laying flat on the floor with the affected leg elevated (stool/chair) can also help. Avoid all climbing if possible.

[altheating]

From one of my buddies father who was a chiropractor. Sit in a hot bathtub for about twenty minutes. Then slowly stretch and reach to your toes without bouncing. Hold the stretch as long as possible. Get the bath water as hot as you can stand it. I have been using this method for twenty five plus years. Sciatica is a real pain in the arss! I get it 2-3 times a year. Inversion table helps me some too.

[rondog]

Had an MRI yet? Doc even mention it? As we age, things change. Discs can move, shrink, bulge, rupture. Vertebrae can shift, or develop spurs and arthritis growths. Lotta things can happen, might want to consider pursuing an MRI to find out. Probably need an Orthopedic or a Neurologist.

I've had two lumbar surgeries for sciatica, not much fun but beats the hell out of suffering. Surgery is a cr@pshoot, no guarantees of miracle fixes. I'm not 100% but I'm a helluva lot better than I was.

Bottom line, it's a very broad spectrum of possible problems and fixes. Don't give up, and don't settle for just taking drugs for the rest of your life. Seek out specialists.

Massage therapy can help some, so can chiro. Some people use inversion tables too. But if you have a bulged, herniated or ruptured disc, these treatments can make things worse too. I've also been told to look into accupuncture.

Personally, instead of "ow, this hurts! Make it stop!", I prefer the approach of "what's making this hurt? Let's find the source and fix that, rather than just medicating the pain."

You can also learn a lot by searching around on Google, Google Images, Wikipedia and YouTube. Back pain sucks, very hard to get rid of though. I've had problems of some kind most of my life.

Good luck to ya!

[2thepoint]

Bill,
Sounds like deja vu...... About a year and a half back I ruptured a couple vertebrae (L4L5) in my lower back getting up from a chair in a hunting blind. Within 48hrs I was dragging my leg and could hardly walk, pins and needles up and down my right leg and excruciating lower back pain. I had 3 epidurals in 90 days which had zero results. Percocet helped control the pain and let me sleep for more than 20 minutes without coming out of my skin. My back pain finally started to calm down a few months later. Only after the pain started to subside, did my Ortho doc send me to physical therapy for an eval and treatment. It was a slow process because my muscles hadn't been used in a while. After 2 months of PT I was finally able to resume about 80% of my past activities and get off the percocet. Today I still have the leg numbness and pins and needles. Like the poster above, I stretch to help reduce the intensity.

Since you recently injured your back, I suggest being careful with over doing activities on your own. A good Physical Therapist will be able to diagnose and target specific areas to help you address your back and leg issues without further damage. I know you asked about experience with Chiropractors and Massage Therapy. In my case, because the pain was so intense I was cautious about being worked on by a chiropractor. Unfortunately it was a slow process for me with no silver boolit............I hope yours heals much faster.

Good Luck!

Phil

[Kraschenbirn]

Had an MRI yet? Doc even mention it? As we age, things change. Discs can move, shrink, bulge, rupture. Vertebrae can shift, or develop spurs and arthritis growths. Lotta things can happen, might want to consider pursuing an MRI to find out. Probably need an Orthopedic or a Neurologist.

Orthopedic 'specialist' I saw this morning mentioned ordering an MRI but only in conjunction with the cortisone/steroid therapy. My regular MD had high-resolution (digital) X-rays run which were reviewed and discussed (with me) by both him and the orthopedics specialist this morning. Yeah, I've got some disc compression and a bit of arthritis but nothing out of line with my age (will turn 70 this year).

Since I started this thread - right after lunch - I've had my Physical Therapy eval moved up by a week (clinic's scheduler...a lovely person...called to say she had a cancellation and ask if I could make an early morning appointment this coming Monday. Took me about 2 1/2 seconds...including reaction time...to make the decision!! :)

Bill

[Bohica793]

I have found that (laugh if you will) the difference in weight of my 1911 carry versus my 9mm Shield and the tension in my belt will cause me sciatic pain and tingling issues. A belt or pants that are too tight or a IWB holster in the wrong place will put pressure on the sciatic nerve and give me fits. Takes a day or so to get over it and usually requires me to go through a whole regimen of back and ab exercises for relief. Hot showers help as well.

Just my experiences...YMMV

[DxieLandMan]

I have issues as well and I have found that about the only thing that helps is Tylenol Arthritis formula.

[MrWolf]

+1 on the acupuncture but get someone who knows what they are doing. I would stay the more traditional route.

[David2011]

You might ask about stretching excercises. Sometimes sitting in a chair and stretching your hands and arms out forward and down as far as comfortable helps. repeat 3 or 4 times, holding for 15-20 seconds or as long as you can if you can't make 20 seconds. Repeat 3-4 times daily. Check with the Doc first about doing this, though- wouldn't want it to get worse.

Been there- good luck!
David

[RickinTN]

I went through it about a year ago. I didn't believe it but the orthopedic doctor prescribed a "Z" pack (steroids). The first run made a drastic improvement and the second brought me back to normal. Haven't had a problem with it since then, which was February 2013.
Good Luck with it,
Rick

[milo32]

Sciatica is best relieved with antidepressants. I have a problem a while back, took Elavil 10 mg. at bedtime and in two weeks the pain was gone. Today doctors prescribe Symbalta for the same effect. Good Luck

[wch]

Short term: while standing, rotate your right foot as far to the right as possible and turn your trunk to the left. This will open the sciatic nerve channel to allow it to relax and ease your pain.

[Just Duke]

This thread is scaring the heck out of me.

[Recluse]

Inversion table is a godsend.

If you decide to explore accupuncture, do not anyone who you can understand what they're saying stick needles in you. Serious. I first had accupuncture in Hong Kong way back in my military days. A little Chinese guy about a hundred and seventy-four years old bounced into the room with his granddaughter who translated. She informed me that "Grandfather is twenty-four generations healer."

It's an art and science passed down from generation to generation over the course of MANY generations. Caucasians who speak better English than you do and profess to be accupuncturists and who show you membership in various associations are little more than faith healers and tv evangelists.

:coffee:

[lostchild0]

I drove a truck (small) for seven years when mine acted up my doc told me to move my wallet to the other side. Sounds funny but it worked for me over night. Its not a permanite cure but when mine acts up I just move my wallet. Hope this helps. lost....

[shooter93]

I have a back that will probably go down in the annals of back treatments. My first serious back injury was over 30 years ago and it's been downhill since. I had my second surgery in December which entailed a lot more work than the MRI had shown but it had to be done. Sciatica is no fun at all. It seriously disrupts your sleep. I've tried about every drug and treatment you can imagine so here's my experience and I hope it's helpful. As mentioned see a Chiropractor but make sure it's one who has a DTS machine. That's a machine that very gently stretches the lower spine and it helped me for quite awhile. Capsaicin cream will also help and it's available at Wal-Mart, drug stores etc. Read the directions because it does get hotter than a two dollar pistol but that subsides after a few days use. My last attempt in dealing with this has just started...acupuncture... It often has a very good effect on sciatica pain. It takes several treatments and I just had the first so I'll let you know how it works for me. After one treatment I could notice relief when I was standing but not when lying down but we'll see. Needless to say I've been told to quit doing what aggravates it but that's my job as a builder so that will never happen. I hope this helps somewhat because I know EXACTLY what you're going through and it's not fun at all.

[parson48]

My son (40 years old) was experiencing this type of pain, and his Dr. recommended, as did lostchild0's, that he relocate his wallet to the other side Sounds ridiculously simple, but it worked for him.

[Cmm_3940]

I have found that (laugh if you will) the difference in weight of my 1911 carry versus my 9mm Shield and the tension in my belt will cause me sciatic pain and tingling issues. A belt or pants that are too tight or a IWB holster in the wrong place will put pressure on the sciatic nerve and give me fits. Takes a day or so to get over it and usually requires me to go through a whole regimen of back and ab exercises for relief. Hot showers help as well.

Just my experiences...YMMV

+1 was told by the doctor that a tight belt can pinch the sciatic nerve when you sit down. Buy some suspenders.

[MrWolf]

Check with your Dr before letting a Chiropractor or therapist use the DTS machine. They messed up with the setting when they tried it on me and it felt like someone ran a red hot poker down my entire spine. I used to love my inversion table until it became painful as my back got worse. You can also get your Dr to prescribe Seroquel (sp?). Think they use it for bipolar but a single lowest dose (no issue with stopping them) has the side effect of letting you sleep. I used to be up every hour or two but that really helped with the sleep. Good luck.

[Kraschenbirn]

I want to thank everyone for their responses. Since the date of my Physical Therapy Eval has been moved up, I've made the decision to, essentially, do nothing (except continue my prescribed meds) until after I've seen the therapist.

Also, does anyone have any experience with electro-therapy (TENS machine)? I was talking to an old shooting buddy a little earlier and he says he's been using it for pain relief on the elbow/shoulder of his shooting arm for a couple years. (He's an NRA Pistol Distinguished Master, nearing 80, who still competes on a local level) Therapy was recommended by his grand-daughter-in-law, an RN who works with orthopedic post-op patients. I had electro-treatments thru Occupational Therapy, myself, for a badly sprained wrist almost 20 years ago when I was still in the construction business. Home-use equipment no longer requires a prescription or supervision and is relatively inexpensive so I'm wondering it it might be worth a try.

Bill

[KCcactus]

I ruptured a disc in my lower back in 1996. The Ortho I saw wanted to operate, but I wanted to try something else. My uncle had the same problem about 10 yrs before that and recovered with a back brace and exercise. The brace took most of my pain away. Physical therapy worked wonders for me, even though the insurance only allowed two weeks of it. They had me doing 10 reps of each exercise. I did several times that at home. If they offer to hook you up to a TINS unit, say yes. It took me over a year, but I healed without surgery. I still do the exercises they taught me. Now I only wear a brace when I drive or do any heavy lifting. You might want to try one. I used Aleve (naproxen sodium) for pain. It also helps with inflamation. Don't overdo it with over-the-counter pain meds. They can cause permanent liver damage with an overdose.

[KCcactus]

You posted while I was typing. The therapists used a TENS or TINS unit on me. It was AWESOME! It uses an electrical signal to disrupt the nerves and temporarily relieve pain.
I bought a unit off the internet a couple of years ago when my back was acting up. It didn't include any info on settings to use. I tried it some, but couldn't find the right setting to do much good. If you can get advice on the settings, it may work well for you.

[fecmech]

I drove a truck (small) for seven years when mine acted up my doc told me to move my wallet to the other side.
I moved my wallet to my front pocket years ago,makes a difference. I have been where you are and here's my 2 centavos. I had an appointment with a Neurosurgery practice when my back was really bad and pain down my leg. They referred me to a Chiropractor in their practice who over a period of about 6 months got me back to pain free. He used the electrical stimulator and heat prior to manipulating my back and prescribed some home exercises. Hydrocodone works well on back pain, just be careful and only use as much as you need. The Z pack of steroids does relieve pain in the short term and sometimes it may calm the nerves long enough to get you on the mend. The problem with back pain is the pain causes the muscles to get tense and aggravate things. Sometimes if you can ease the pain with the steroids for a short period that is enough for things to calm down and get better. Good luck to you, back pain is very debilitating and I hope yours improves quickly.

[RKJ]

My MD is also a chiropractor so I went to see him when I had this problem. He put me into a position that made me look like a pretzel, he then gave me a bear hug and a twist. I haven't had any problems since. I trust this Doctor but there are a few I've been to I wouldn't go back. Good Luck.

[monadnock#5]

When we're young, we understand that ailments are setbacks that need to be tolerated. There's no question that better days are ahead. Once retirement (and beyond) is on the horizon though, the mindset changes, and one starts wondering if "this" is the first, or second step in the cascade of events that results in.....

The main thing here is relax. Take it easy. Let the medication work for you. Study up on some Tai Chi warm up exercises available on the web, and do them at whatever level you are able. I would recommend this to anyone at any age.

One last. Drug interactions. Bad Bad JUJU. Avoid them like the plague.

[Charley]

I went through severe sciatic pain about 35 years ago. MD gave me painkillers of some sort, felt fine. Continued with my normal activities, painkillers used up and pain was far more severe. MD then referred me to an orthopedic surgeon, who gave me a cursory once over, and told me, "no problem, we'll do surgery". No MRIs back then, just Xrays. He didn't even do that. Scared me away, he wasn't going to cut on me.
Finally went to a chiropractor, who spent a good 45 minutes examining me, and sent me to a clinic for Xrays. Had a bulged disc, not herniated, between L4 and L5. Was putting pressure on the sciatic nerve. Chiropractor and I discussed options. His words: "you've got a badly bulged disc. The way I see it, you have two choices...you can have surgery, and take a long time to get better, or you can go exercise, physical therapy, and chiropractic care, and take a long time to get better. there is no quick and easy way". He was right. Took a good six months, at first the pain was so severe I couldn't walk. Spent my days lying on the floor, with a pillow under my belly to position my spine and disc so it wouldn't put pressure on the nerve. Rough time, but I'm glad I went that route. Once I was back in shape, I could do anything I wanted to do, AS LONG AS I DID IT CORRECTLY. Posture, lifting angles, the way you sit and lay make a huge difference. Relearn the mechanics of your body, and then you will avoid all the problems. I've never had a problem since.

[Bullwolf]

I have a real messed up back. It's so bad that I cast and reload while sitting down in a chair with wheels on a concrete slab.

Have tried the Chiropractor route with poor results. I don't like taking strong meds, and I am against invasive surgery. I have even tried inversion therapy with poor results. (I bought an expensive upside down table with stirrups)

Ironically enough the only thing that worked well for my Sciatica and back spasms was Acupuncture.

One guys take on the issue for what its worth.

Others seem to get good results from the Chiropractor, I did not however. My Chiropractor was actually the one who suggested Acupuncture, he said it worked well for some people with issues like I have. I almost blew off the idea of it as I couldn't really understand how sticking pins in me could possibly help, but I was willing to give just about anything a try at that point... Really glad I tried it now. I was surprised at how well Acupuncture worked for me.

Also, even though it hurts, you have to keep moving around. When you are able to, walk and get up and move around. Don't just be sedentary even though it's highly tempting to do so when your in pain. You need to keep those core muscles built up to help take the stress off your spine.

Sleep can be hard to come by when you suffer from Sciatica as well. Give hot tub therapy and Acupuncture a look, some insurance plans will even cover Acupuncture.

Hope it all works out well for you, whatever route you go.


- Bullwolf

[MaLar]

OK I'll step in here. I have Arthritis in my lower back compression fractures, bone spurs, and scoliosis in my lower back.
I worked construction for decades when I was younger. My back pain isn't the sharp some one is sticking a knife in me. It's the constant deep ache that keeps me awake at knights kind of pain that drugs don't touch.
I ride a bike to strengthen my back. Lost some weight, lost about thirty pounds in the last year that has helped a lot.
Here's the crazy part Martial Arts first is Tai-Chi. Then if you can handle it Taekwondo. My back almost never bothers me now. Now if I could fix my hip pain.

LaMar

[MaryB]

I have had back issues since high school, in 2008 they finally did an MRI and found a lot of bone spurs compressing everything along with bulged discs. Did a year of PT and finally gave in and had surgery. 6 months to recover from that gave me another 4 years semi pain free. Then 3 discs blew and I am back at square one facing a lower back fusion.

PT will work on stretching and core strengthening exercises. It does help a lot and I still do some to this day. Lyrica is great for nerve pain and far better than the rest of the mentioned meds(I tried them all including gabapentin). Depending on the issues chiro can help but with ruptured discs that is no longer an option for me. Have bones spurs all up and down my spine, it will eventually fuse itself together, 4 ruptured neck discs, 3 in the lumbar region... pain is an old friend that I control somewhat with narcotics.

[rondog]

OK, since I've had so much back trouble, I've been collecting images. This isn't an attempt at diagnosis or advice, I just offer these images and info I've picked up as food for thought. No guarantees of accuracy.

The Sciatic Nerve is actually a bundle of many nerves, that originate in different places. The L3 root, L4 root, L5 root, S1 root.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/health%20stuff/lumbardrawingrear.jpg

Depending on where the nerve impingement is occurring, which root, the pain can show up in different areas of your legs. This can help give an idea where the problem may be.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/health%20stuff/sciatica.jpg

Herniated disc at L5/S1.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/health%20stuff/L5-S1herniation.jpg

MRI of same.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/health%20stuff/L5-S1herniationMRI.jpg

[rondog]

My own special joy is called Lumbar Stenosis, basically deterioration of the vertebrae and discs causing multiple impingements on the spinal cord. Yay.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/health%20stuff/lumbarstenosis01.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/health%20stuff/lumbarstenosis02.jpg

First surgery was to try and grind out some of the bone on several vertebrae for nerve clearance. Called a Laminotomy.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/health%20stuff/neural-foramen04.jpg

Second surgery was to cut out and remove the center sections of L3, L4 and L5. Called a Laminectomy. More yay.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/health%20stuff/lumbar_laminectomy_intro0102.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/health%20stuff/lumbar_stenosis_surgery0102.jpg

Chop 'em on the red lines and remove the center piece.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/health%20stuff/500px-Lumbar_vertebrae02.jpg

This shows the various muscle groups of the back. Surgery involves disrupting and pissing off a lot of these, and spinal pain also pisses them off, causing spasms and more pain.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/health%20stuff/backmuscles01.jpg

Finally, this is a photo of the actual L3 area inside a body (cadaver). This is where a surgeon has to work, and why they make the big bucks. The big numbers are the L3 and L4 vertebrae, the small numbers are different nerve bundles. Ain't like working on an old Chevy.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/health%20stuff/cadaverphoto.jpg

[MaryB]

Name a lower back issue... I have it :shock: stenosis, bulged/blown discs, arthritis, list is long. You eventually learn to live with it.

[Jr.]

From one of my buddies father who was a chiropractor. Sit in a hot bathtub for about twenty minutes. Then slowly stretch and reach to your toes without bouncing. Hold the stretch as long as possible. Get the bath water as hot as you can stand it. I have been using this method for twenty five plus years. Sciatica is a real pain in the arss! I get it 2-3 times a year. Inversion table helps me some too.
+1 for this get it all the time, this is the best relief I've found also putting some Epsom salt in the water helps to relax the muscles that are knotted and holding pressure where it ought not be. But be careful too much time in an Epsom salt bath can turn your legs to jello making for a good nights sleep.

[AlaskanGuy]

I got one of these neato devices....

104444

I have found that pain pills and such do nothing but mask the problem... What causes pain is inflammation... I take a anti inflammatory called Relefan... It treats the inflammation, not mask the pain... After a while, the pain, tingling, pins and needles and such become old friends, and I have learned to manage my expectations, knowing that my back will never be what it was, so I keep my core strong, and deal with the pain when it gets bad... Took 5 back operations to get to this point, so I will just skip the docs from here on out, and just deal....

AG

[DR Owl Creek]

I've had a problem with my knees for a long time. I started taking Glucosamine-Chondroiton to ease the discomfort and stop them from creaking when I walk. When I started taking the Glucosamine-Chondroiton, the sciatica went away too. If I stop taking it, the aching comes back for both in a few days. When I start taking it again, almost all the discomfort goes away.

Glucosamine-Chondroiton is a natural product, and is supposed to rebuild cartilage. I take a 1500 mg horse-pill about 3 - 4 times a day. It takes a few days to get the stuff in your system, and start working. If you stop taking it, in a few days the pain comes back.

You might give it a try. It seems to work for me.

Dave

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

[snuffy]

I've been a chiropractic patient sine I was 23 Y.O. I'm 68 now, I'll keep going to one until I die.

I was involved in a severe car crash during my time in the A.F. I got a bad whiplash that was undiagnosed, and therefore untreated. A year after I got out, I was having bad lower back pain. I went the chiropractor that my mom had used. He said you have had a whiplash that has developed into spinal disease that will result in either need for multiple surgeries, or constant care by him or some other chiropractor. I chose the chiropractic option, no cutting for me.

Over the years I've had maybe 6-8 different bone benders. Some for only a short time, because they were quacks. Others because my insurance wouldn't cover them. My first one up and died on me!

My current doc says he can't do some things, like for a ruptured disk. It's more of a prevention therapy, keeping things aligned prevents eventual problems.

One thing that has been mentioned, it takes time. My doc says "how much time has it taken to get this badly out of alignment"? "Don't expect it to get back in alignment right away"!

My son was in the 82nd airborne. He made maybe 10 jumps, none into a combat situation. He had lower back pain since his first jump. It got real bad one day before class at school, he couldn't even walk. He crawled to the car, his sister drove him to the local E-room. The docs took x-rays, said there's nothing wrong. They gave him some pain meds, and muscle relaxants. Those helped him bear it, I told him to go to my chiropractor. He called, couldn't get into see him, but a different bone bender took him in. It turned out to be the Sacroiliac joint. A simple snap back to near normal position allowed him to be able to walk out and get off the pain meds completely. he needed to go back for two more adjustments, but has been pain free for a year since then. Some times it's so simple and is quickly taken care of. But the medicos can only give you drugs and say grin and bear it.

[35isit]

I fell from a tree stand last November 3rd. Broke my L3 verterbra. I take the max dose of gabapenten 3600 mg per day. I have the L3 root pain shown in the picture above. The hair on my leg is tender and hurts when I touch it. The gabapenten has helped me to sleep, I lie flat on my back with my knees bent. I have a pillow under my knees. This takes the pressure off your spine and relaxes your muscles. The days of sleeping on my stomach are over.

[MrWolf]

I just got back from getting all three spine MRI's, cervical, thoracic, and lumbar. Did them all in one visit which took about an hour and a half. Had my EMG's done Wednesday. Been dealing with this since 1994. I feel your pain.

[KAF]

Learn to live with your pain, you NOW have back problems for good.
The pain down to your ankle says alot, it is a serious nerve being pissed with. IF you had a weakness in your knee and it allowed it to crumble and you fell or nearly fell get used to it.
You have entered the low back problem group of MANY Americans.
PT is the first thing they try if nothing comes of it a MRI will be done and a nero surgeon will tell you what can be done.

[MtGun44]

My doc gave me a sheet of exercises and it showed a bit of improvement in 2-3 days, and
as I kept at them, it cleared up entirely after about 3 weeks. I kept at them for another
couple of months but have slacked off without any relapse. As bad as it was, I had a
great deal of difficulty believing that exercise could do anything, but it totally fixed it
for me.

Bill

[MaryB]

Ask your doc for a trial of Lyrica, it is a more refined version of gabapentin without some of the side effects like memory issues.


I fell from a tree stand last November 3rd. Broke my L3 verterbra. I take the max dose of gabapenten 3600 mg per day. I have the L3 root pain shown in the picture above. The hair on my leg is tender and hurts when I touch it. The gabapenten has helped me to sleep, I lie flat on my back with my knees bent. I have a pillow under my knees. This takes the pressure off your spine and relaxes your muscles. The days of sleeping on my stomach are over.

[Mumblypeg]

I can't add much that has not already been said.... why do you think I'm up at 3am? I've tried most of the things that have been suggested except the pins and needles but that may be next. They all seem to help some but my pain has moved around to different places at different times and come and goes. Right now it's in my right hip and thigh and down to my ankle. If misery loves company it looks like you have plenty of friends... funny thing is right now... I can climb trees but can't walk half the time... I feel like a monkey. I wish you well.... I think you will find some relief in something but it may not last as others have said.

[smokesahoy]

Get rid of your crappy NASA bed. Nobody goes to space for years but we expect these new beds to last that long.

Get 8" of packed cotton batting and after a week of getting used to it kiss your back pain good bye.

[Magana559]

Welcome to the wonderful world of sciatica. It's actually not wonderful at all, it's horrible.
Take it from me with 2 minimal invasive surgery, one dural tear repair, and one two level lumbar fusion.
Step one is rest with no lifting, bending, or twisting to see if it goes away on its own.
Step two if it's not gone in a week you need a MRI. If it's found you have a ruptured disc then it's time for step 3.
Step three, get yourself a highly recommended orthopedic surgeon so you can get some shots...they just might work.
Step four is if nothing has worked and you need surgery to correct it....it's time to get cut open! Go for a minimal invasive surgery and give it some time with no lifting, bending, twisting. You will feel better as soon as you wake up....no kidding.
Step five is if you are losing your legs only! Step 5 is a fusion. ...it changes you forever. It works and the pain is reduced in your legs and your weakness is gone. BUT and that is a big BUT it has its tradeoffs.
I have lost the ability to bend and have increased pain in my back, deep skeletal pain and muscle pain........but (another one!) It's given me my legs back.

If none of this makes sense I'm sorry as its almost 2 am and my medication keeps me up and groggy.

[Magana559]

Oh and if you smoke, STOP NOW. Smoking is related to increased back injures and slow healing.

[MrWolf]

Do not allow anyone to give you neck injections next to your spinal cord without a Fluoroscope. I had never heard about one and evidently neither did the doc. Got two shots and ever since then the worst leg pain that will not go away.

[gray wolf]

I can't add to much, I suffer also with this miserable pain.
I use to walk for miles with a pack on my back and now I can't walk 50 yards and back again without stopping in between.
Yesterday I did a little mild lifting, ( target stand ) and last night I couldn't sleep, numbness in my legs was terrible.

I was told years ago I had degenerative Authorities, I have very bad neck pain and shoulder pain, ( all the time )
coupled with the Sciatica. I had the PT and it helped some. I will not take any heavy pain Meds. I do take Ibuprofen 600 Mg. three times a day.

It's not help for many that have to be in the working world, but for me the best thing is to watch that i do and not lift anything over 10 pounds, not to much bending at the waste, and to generally watch what i do.

I know that I am 72 years old, I don't keep that a secret from myself, but sometimes it gets down right hard to not do all the things that I use to do.

This may sound funny, but sometimes when we watch a movie and I see some one running and climbing and jumping,
I find myself saying, WOW I remember when I could do all of those things.

Now I do less and I do it slower, but I will not give up this fight to function, I was never issued the give up Gene
But still it saddens me sometimes.

Gray Wolf

[monadnock#5]

http://taichi.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TCDC&Product_Code=TP-TCKF-6&Category_Code=TP

I understand that we are all individuals. As such, we are affected by disease and disability differently, so one size fits all cures won't work. Got it. If you want to maintain and perhaps expand your range of mobility however, exercise is the universal key thereto.

Tai Chi is considered one of the martial arts. For the pro, it resembles ballet moves.

The first video in the collection above, Fundamentals of Tai Chi, the one I'd recommend to anyone, is all warm up exercises. Two men and one woman, demonstrating 3 levels of ability go through each move. This is really good stuff. If you're not afraid to dance as though no one is watching, this is stuff that can be done anywhere, anytime.

[KCcactus]

Here's the crazy part Martial Arts first is Tai-Chi. Then if you can handle it Taekwondo. My back almost never bothers me now.

LaMar

You aren't the only one. We started Taekwondo almost 6 years ago as a family. My back is better now than it has been in years. Fortunately, our Grand Master is really good about letting you work around health issues.

[kungfustyle]

I know this works from experience. Get a stability ball, make sure that its firm. Sit on it and do pelvic tucks and side to side using just your pelvis. Do this for about two minutes. The nerve also runs through the butt cheek and if you have a soccer ball you can get on your hands and feet and "sit" on the side that hurts. Work the ball around and you'll feel when you hit the right spot. Move in a clockwise circle and this will stimulate the nerve and release some of the pain. This worked so well I got rid of my inversion table.

[Bulldogger]

You are not alone. Lots of good advice here. Just be sure to discuss with your Dr and Therapist as to what you undertake, and don't. Listen, ask questions, ask ore questions, then decide what is best for you. Dr's and treatment specialists all too often decide the best thing for you is whatever they specialize in. They all also tend to operate from a play book. Now when I hear a physical therapist start lecturing about "core strengthening", I smack him. Yes, it's important to have good condition in all your support muscles, but it isn't a cure all, I know for certain.

Try non-invasive treatments and exercises first, and for the love of God try to not take any pills if you don't have to.

My only suggestion not specirfically stated in the above posts is to consider getting a second opinion, or at least talk to specialists that don't perform the treatment you're considering. By this I mean staying away from someone holding a scalpel if you want to ask questions about cutting. I was hesitant to have a back procedure (facet rhizotomy) at the neurosurgeon's prodding, so I talked to another surgeon who doesn't perform that procedure. He gave me an honest unbiased opinion, then I want back and asked more questions of the first guy, and in the end I did undergo the procedure, with positive results and a clear mind while undergoing it (just as good).

Best wishes for gaining pain-free days again soon brother.

Alex

[MaryB]

I used to sit on an exercise ball at my desk when using the computer. One night Tigger my 25 pound Bengal cat snuck up, stretched, and sank claws in. After I rolled off him he wasn't to pleased... didn't do my back any good either when the ball blew out.

[doc1876]

Acupuncture and an inversion table. It si the only way to go. I love my table so much I bought one for my son, and my sweetie's son. They have both seen improvement also.
Good luck, and always streach before doing anything each morning.

[Superfly]

Buy some bates 918 boots and never put on running shoes again you will be amazed

[sleeper1428]

One other person mentioned this but I'll just add my 2 cents worth. I've had sciatica in my left leg twice in the past 5 or so years and each time I've requested what is called a Dose Pack as treatment. This is short term - one week - therapy using graduated doses of Methylprednisolone, a steroid, and I have to say that each time I've had complete resolution of the pain before I completed the full week of pills. You start out with a fairly high dose and then the dose is tapered down each day until you've taken all the pills in the Dose Pack. The first time I had pain relief for about a year and a half before it started up again but since finishing the second Dose Pack three and a half years ago I've not had a single bit of recurring sciatic pain. As a retired anesthesiologist, I agree with those of you who have cautioned against jumping into accepting back surgery before trying other modalities of pain relief. I've seen too many cases where patients either were helped only marginally by surgery and in some cases ended up worse than they were prior to surgery. Chiropractic therapy can help a great deal and will often take care of sciatic pain with only a few sessions. I had this therapy myself and it helped a great deal but just didn't get rid of the pain completely so that's why I decided to try the Dose Pack the first time. Because it's short term steroid therapy it carries very few of the risks associated with steroid use on a long term basis. At least it's worth discussing with your internist or orthopedic surgeon - although surgeons make their money cutting so that's something to keep in mind.

sleeper1428

[popper]

TENS works but don't get hooked on it. I got sciatica many years ago after a fast trip to Yellowstone with 3 women, mostly from driving and hauling luggage. Do the soaking & stretching & light asprin treatment, see if it goes away. Mine took about 3 wks.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

As a full-time and part-time farrier for about 10 or 12 years, I learned several techniques to keep my back healthy. The most simple exercise - lay flat on your back on a bed or pad on the floor with arms outstretched to the sides, Raise your left leg/foot toward your right hand, then move it back to flat on the floor, raise your right leg/foot toward your left hand. Do this slow and easy, 10 or 15 times if you can. You will feel your back straightening and the pain into the legs will be helped. It too is a stretching exercise similar to some yoga and tai chi movements Yoga and tai chi are both useful in resolving back pain. Most drugs and even a lot of surguries only provide temporary relief if some form of exercise or stretching is not continued. Don't sit on your wallet, AT ALL. If you carry a belt gun, figure out where to carry so it does not irritate you. Weight of a sidearm, weight of your shoes, shoe fit, and Your weight can all be factors. Walking is good.

[MaryB]

Similar exercise, while laying flat on your back slide your feet up towards your rear so your knees are bent. Raise your rear off the floor until you form a straight line from neck to knees and hold it for a 10 count. Repeat 10-30 times a set and 2-3 times a day. Core strength is what you need to hold your back in line

[3006guns]

Incredible to find this thread.......I've been suffering with what HAS to be sciatica for several weeks now (I had a disc repaired surgically back in 2008, and at that time the surgeon remarked that there was some deterioration). Pain down both buttocks, back of the thighs and calves. Been taking Advil or Ibuprofen which doesn't work anymore. It's robbing me of sleep too. The only thing keeping me from seeing my doctor is getting my retirement medical benefits straightened out but frankly, I don't think I can wait anymore. I'm going to print out some of these posts and take them with me to the doc for ideas, since a surgical fix doesn't seem likely.

[doc1876]

there are a lot of good posts here, and if someone is hurting from this, they will do anything to get rid of the pain, including surgery.
If any of these suggestions can keep someone from getting an early surgery, I hope that it will help, so here is a bump

[jmort]

I have found walking to work better than anything.

[seaboltm]

I had a severe case several years ago. I mean get me to the ER because I can't walk pain. Crawled across the floor, out the door, across the yard, into the truck pain. And I have a high pain tolerance, like when I get sutures I tell the doc to skip the local and start sewing. Finally started doing light weight leg press reps on a weight machine of all things. Cured it quick. Never had another problem.

[shooter93]

It's a pretty common disorder and until you've had it severely it's hard to explain the level of out right pain no matter how tough you are. Lots of good advice here with the MOST important being....see a qualified surgeon/doctor as soon as possible. If it gets bad enough no exercise or anything but a surgery will help it. My discs were crushed so badly I had virtually no nerve channel left in the spine and the nerves we being crushed. I had non-functioning legs. The surgery has helped a lot of things but we're moving into phase 3 as the sciatic pain has been creeping up again.

[tygar]

Anybody got a suggestion or two on dealing with lower back/sciatica issues? Woke one morning a couple weeks ago with pain in my lower back and right leg (from the hip all the way to the ankle). Bill

I have dealt with Sciatica, herniated/ruptured discs (8), spinal operations (2) with another probably coming & 2 broken necks. I competed in power lifting, wrestled freestyle & greco, did judo & sambo until I was 40 & have DJD of everything.

I know what back/neck pain is & had sciatic nerve pain in both the right & left sides & down the right to the ankle & left to knee.

I suffered for years & the Drs said the only thing they could do is operate & there was 1/3 chance it would get worse, 1/3 it wouldn't help & 1/3 it would help.

My ortho doc at Elmendorf AFB in AK sent me to his buddy who was an anesthesiologist, also an ex navy seal so a good guy.

He said he had been giving shots in the spine to deaden the nerves which was working well in some people.

I said sure, lets do it. Well, it was not fun & he had to dig around a lot to get it thru my arthritic spine. He said it sometimes takes several tries, a couple weeks apart.

The first one didn't work very well, but we tried again & on the second time it worked! Not only worked it was like a miracle. No pain, no numbness or tingling, no stabing pains in the legs & pack.

It lasted for about 3 months (he had said normal was 3-6 months of relief).

The next time it was easier as he knew basically where to shoot. This one lasted about 6 mon.

The next one lasted over a year, subsequent shots lasted from 1-2 yrs.

When we moved back to VA I had to go to Walter Reed Army Hospital. They had a well established program & they were using a scope that they could see your spine in real time & could just go right in. It now took maybe 15 minutes from prep to completion & almost no pain or discomfort.

I continued with the shots for a number of years & eventually & got so I didn't need the shots.

If I bounce around on the 4 wheeler or tracter etc I might get a slight problem for a few days, but havn't had a shot in a good 5 yrs.

Best dam thing I ever had to give me relief. Next best thing was foraminatomies (?). This is where they go in & open up the spinal column so the nerves aren't pinched.

If they are not considering this for recurrent sciatica get a new doc. IT WORKS.

If your doc said it won't help with the pain & nerve tingling etc, BS. The pain comes from the nerve being pinched. Stop the nerve pain & the pain goes away. It can be pinched both from muscle spasm or spinal pinching. If only muscle spasm, flexeril(muscle relaxer), a spinal shot, R&R, & maybe PT down the line, all will help.

If the spine, the shot, pain pills, & maybe a foraminotomy can help.

Start with the least invasive, i.e. pills, shot, R&R, heat & cold packs etc. & go from there.

It can really drag you down, the pain can be very debilitating so get a doc that knows what they're doing.

Good Luck
Tom

I hate taking drugs but when in bad pain it helps to take the edge off. Just don't take to many or to often.

[MaryB]

I went through 4 rounds of the shots, for me they lasted less and less to where they no longer do anything. Have one coming up on my neck because the doc won't try surgery unless I try a shot. Nice way to pad their income

[gsdelong]

+ on tens -- double negative on cortisone

[rondog]

I don't remember the details, but my surgeon told me that your reaction to the shots tells them a lot about the problem. Something like - if the shot gives you good relief, then it's an inflammation issue and surgery isn't needed. But if the shot only gives you a little relief for a day or two, that's an indication of an actual nerve impingement problem. But I'm no trained medical pro, that's just what I remember him saying.

I'm a firm believer though, that chiropractors, massage therapy, accupuncture, etc., can only do so much and is only effective on some issues. Some other issues however, are real problems that need real solutions, and those other treatments will only provide temp relief, and chiropractors can actually make things worse.

Personally, I'd rather have a doc work to find the problem and resolve it, than just figure out the best way to medicate me and provide relief. I'd rather try eliminating the problem surgically than just take drugs forever to numb up.

JMHO.

[MaryB]

I am intermittently losing right leg function, going to have to talk surgery the end of the month and get it fixed. Wanted to put it off until next spring.

[Echo]

I have faith in the Physical Terrorists - they beat me up, but it works. My PT had me doing some core work yesterday, and I am sore as all getout today - but I will get better. All this from a recent bout with MSSA, and I'm still on anti-biotic meds after almost 3 months.

[MtGun44]

Exercise solved mine entirely, your back may be different, but I'd sure as heck do all the exercises
in the world and work with a few PT folks for quite a bit before I would let anyone cut on my
back.
The problems I was having led me to believe that exercises would be entirely futile. Several days
had no effect, then it started kicking in. I cannot tell you how amazed I am that simple
exercises could fix something that was that bad.

Bill

[shoot-n-lead]

I have it frequently and have found something that works pretty well for me. I have leg raise rack that I can get up on and place my arms on the supports and let my lower body hang free for about a minute. I will do this 2 or three times, once a day and it seems to create space between the discs and it makes a lot of difference. So far, it has been sufficient to take care of mine.

[Kraschenbirn]

WOW!! Been away for a couple weeks and came back to find this thread has taken off with a life of it's own.

Anyway, since I last posted, I've been working with a really good (in my opinion) PT and feel like I've made pretty fair progress. I must admit it wasn't a lot of fun at first but, today - six weeks later - I'm completely off the prescription meds (pain-killers & anti-inflammatories) and back to doing about 90% of my regular, twice-a-week fitness work-out. Actually started riding my bicycle again...short rides - 3-4 miles on flat terrain...last Monday with the target of working back up to my previous 35-40 miles a week by the end of the summer.

At my current rate of progress, my therapist estimates it's going to take another 3 to 4 months for 'full recovery' (i.e. back to where I started) and the therapeutic exercises I've added to my daily 'flex and stretch' routine are going to be a 'forever' thing but, hey, I'm not complaining. I turn 70 this year but my last 'body fitness age' rating (pre-sciatica) came in at 63 (years) and I'm aiming to get back, at least, that far ahead of the game.

Bill

[MtGun44]

Good to hear that exercise and PT is doing it for you. I think more
folks could benefit from this than will actually stick to it long enough
to see it work. I was really amazed at how it can work.

Bill

[shooter93]

Congrats Bill I'm glad it worked for you. For me I was beyond the point of no return. On that note...Mary....if you THINK you may need surgery...DO NOT WAIT. I had no choice in waiting. We both had elderly parents and it fell to us to provide what was necessary for them. No complaints and no regrets in doing so but it cost me dearly because I waited. A third of my spine is steel, screws, plates and fusions. I'm pretty much assured of never having a pain free day again in my life if the acupuncture doesn't help. The damage was just to great because it got worse and worse as I postponed it. Don't do it if you don't have to.

[MaryB]

Already had a laminectomy 4 years ago, now all the discs in that area ruptured plus my spine is unstable, I can feel bone grate on bone as it slides sideways sometimes. I see the neurosurgeon the 26th, was supposed to be for my neck injection followup but going to talk low back instead. Neck injection was pushed off to July 3rd.

[djgoings]

I have suffered with sciatic pain in my left leg for about 15 months. I had tried Prednisone, acupuncture, PT. The acupuncture and PT exercises relieved about half of the pain. Within the last few months I finally had x-rays and an MRI of my spine. The MRI revealed a bulged disc between L5/S1. Part of the bulge is due to a cyst. About 5 weeks ago my pain level increased significantly. My wife had some "Joint Soother" by Vitamin World, left over from her sore hip. I figured what the heck, I'll try taking these. They contain Glucosamine, Chondroitin & MSM. Within 2 days my pain level was reduced by 90%. Last week, I tried reducing my dose from 2 pills/day to 1 pill/day. Within hours I could feel the pain in my butt increasing. I went back to 2 pills/day and back to about 90% pain reduction. Yesterday I met with an neurologist surgeon to discuss everything. He was amazed at the results that I have had with the Joint Soother. He said that in addition to the Glucosamine, Chondroitin & MSM, it contains anti inflammatory medicine. He believes that this is the main reason for my pain relief. The fish oil may be providing lubrication in the bulge area as well. He had never heard of anyone trying this medicine for sciatic pain. Early on I had tried heavy doses of Advil with little relief. I'm still continuing with my PT exercises but wouldn't go without my Joint Soother for anything. If the anti inflammatory drug is really what is reducing the pain, the surgeon said that eventually things may heal on their own, but this may take months, as this area has been inflamed for 15 months.

[tygar]

The thing about this & other pain is that even though we may have the same "problem", it affects us all differently & different remedies may or may not work for a given individual.

The shots in the spine worked for me when someone finally tried it after 20 years of the problem & trying everything the docs wanted me to try. Of course the "quit riding bucking horses, wrestling, power lifting, judo, & sombo", dictate was not listened to until the judo doc told me to stop or be in a wheel chair. lol that sunk in.

I'm currently seeing a PT for my neck which has C1-C7 damage & 2 operations, & this little Korean PT does these little manipulations, pinches, & little pressure points presses & has reduced my pain by a good 70% & increased flexibility a bunch. First time ever PT has helped in any way. Just keep trying & avoid "back" operations if at all possible as your chance of improvement is less than 50%.

Point is try everything, it might just work.

[Multigunner]

Best treatment for back problems is a 16 foot runabout with a 55 hp outboard motor. Wish I still had that boat.After a few hours on the lake you felt like you'd been to a massage parlor, except no extra charge for a happy ending. I loved that boat but not quite that much.

[dakotashooter2]

You just have to try stuff till you find something that work. My hip and leg just started bothering me about a month ago. About 11/2 years ago it was affecting my shoulder and upper back. Chiropracters have been no help, painkillers - no, muscle relaxants no. ... PT has helped some as well as just staying active and applying heat gives some relief. My own experience has been that the more I baby it the worse it gets.

[Brisiong]

Check with your Dr before letting a Chiropractor or therapist use the DTS machine. They messed up with the setting when they tried it on me and it felt like someone ran a red hot poker down my entire spine. I used to love my inversion table (http://www.wordsiseek.com/inversion-table/) until it became painful as my back got worse. You can also get your Dr to prescribe Seroquel (sp?). Think they use it for bipolar but a single lowest dose (no issue with stopping them) has the side effect of letting you sleep. I used to be up every hour or two but that really helped with the sleep. Good luck.

What was your routine with inversion table? Share your inversion table therapy routine so that i can also initiate it.

[Taylor]

-relocate wallet...I sometimes take it from my pocket while driving
-soak in hot tub of water
-meds,I use hydracodone and oxycodone
-tens unit is a god send along with the wife massaging my lower back

Oh yeah...it plain ole sucks!!
You can't walk,stand up,lie down,just kinda waller around.But I did find that if I lay on the floor,scoot my but up to the couch with my legs and feet on the couch,it gives some relief.

Good luck brother,it don't go away,maybe take a break,but it will be back.

[Rustyleee]

Two words... chiropractor and ice.

[Boz330]

Chiropractor and inversion table, the ice helps as well. Went through this almost 20 years ago. I get to doing well and back off of the Chiro and have a re-occurrence. I was really skeptical of a Chiropractor but when I got to the point that I couldn't stand it I was ready to try anything for relief and he helped. In fact I've got an appointment this morning.

Bob

[MrWolf]

What was your routine with inversion table? Share your inversion table therapy routine so that i can also initiate it.

Have actually started using it again and can now tolerate 3-4 minutes and getting slightly better over time. Start slow and adjust your incline. On full incline It became clear how I could move and what not to do. My pain was so bad I was actually considering letting them cut me but I have started using the Quell unit I saw on tv. I checked it out and they have a 60 day return policy and good reviews on Amazon. Helps about 80% of folks. Been using it for a little over two weeks and it is helping with the excruciating pain part so no cutting for now. Good luck.

[twc1964]

I've had this miserable sciatic pain for years. Have a compressed disc pressing on it but since my insurance was screwed up by obamacare mandates, I would have to pay 6000.00 for my deductible for surgery. Might try a chiropractor and see if he can crack a few joints. So far not much will take it away for more than a few hours. Really sucks.

[44man]

Cost us a lot to get carol fixed. Chiropractor with the machine. Three ruptured disks from a car accident. She could not walk but after the first treatment she walked out and was cured at the end.
Nutrients, machine and tenz after. Not covered by insurance. But I told her "NO CUTTING". Inversion will help but disks need nutrients to heal. The doc gave bottles of it. I watched her fall asleep on the machine. She could not sleep at night. Good doc and I could go in and watch, given good coffee and a comfy chair. The machine is computer controlled. Surges and is fit to the section of spine up to the neck.

[Blackwater]

I struggled with back problems from '81 to '12. Surgery finally fixed it. After hurting it badly, and in tremendous pain, my doc gave me muscle relaxers and a pain killer, and started dialing the phone for an appt. with a back surgeon. I'd long heard almost only horror stories at that time about back surgeries, and looking back, they were in the infancy, I think, of really learning how to do them. After talking to others about their own problems, (easy since there are so many here!) I declined the operation and decided to try everything else before that, because of the many horror stories I was hearing about back surgeries at that time. Quite accidentally, I discovered chiropractic! A friend called me because I was the only person in town he trusted to do so, and I went from my work and picked him up at his work, and helped him into my truck, and took him into his chiropractors. Had to help him in, grunting, groaning and exclaiming, and his eyes were large with all the pain. The doc came and got him, and helped him back, did the treatment, and in a little over 30 min., my friend strutted out like a banatam rooster with a whole chicken coop of hens to play with!!! I may not be the sharpest wit around, but when you paint me a picture like THAT, I CAN at least learn what's right before my eyes and undeniable!

I'd been taught that chiros are "quacks" and would hurt you, and if you went to them long enough, they'd likely kill you. So it was with some trepidation and much frustration that I went to my first chiro treatment with my buddy's chiro. I could not believe the results! I walked out normally, albeit with a little sense of swelling.

HOWEVER, there's a qualifier here. I've never since found an individual chiro that can do what that chiro did for me. He closed his office and moved to Atlanta to tend to his in-laws' properties in Atlanta. I've tried every chiro in town since, and not one has been anything like the one I started with.

Chiro is an art, really, and like any artist, talents vary. I just happened to luck onto one that kept me from surgery for many years, until he moved. So if you try a chiro, don't expect the first you go to to be your last. There is LOTS of variation among them! MUCH more than with MD type docs. And IF (never a certainty) you CAN find one that really "clicks" with what ails you, he CAN let you avoid surgery for many years, and there's no telling what we'll learn in that time that might ensure your good to great results compared to what we have now.

I figure I'll always owe Ralph, my and my buddy's original chiro, an awful lot, because he enabled me to go for years until they finally seem to have the back operations down very much more solidly than they did 30+ years ago!

But if surgery is the prescribed "cure" for you, be assured that though no surgery's outcome is a given, it's FAR, FAR better than it once was. 80% of the folks I asked initially did NOT recommend surgery, and horror stories were not uncommon. Now, probably 90% recommend it and have very good results. That's a BIG change! For once in my life, I think I actually did the right thing! Probably just an accident, but boy! Am I ever grateful for it now!

[edler7]

The last round of sciatica for me came from sitting cross legged in a shower floor for a day doing tile work. My usual low back pain relief methods did nothing for it. I googled yoga for sciatica, found some stretches and started them. Within 2 days it was gone, doing the stretches twice a day for about 20 minutes each session.

For garden variety LBP, I found shooting 200 yard targets with my M1 gave me a lot of relief. Shoot a clip, walk down and check target, walk back, repeat. After 3-4 clips my back doesn't hurt anywhere close to what it did when I started...and 4 trips is close to a mile of walking. I suppose just walking a mile would work too, but not nearly as fun.

[MrWolf]

I have also found that I feel a lot better after walking the 2.3 miles around my community lake. Need to keep moving.

[montana_charlie]

My wife had a 'stimulator' implanted above her buttock.
After a couple of months, she is till trying to decide if it is worth the effort ... and price.

[MrWolf]

That is why I decided to try the Quell unit. Straps on your calf and 60 days to decide to keep or not. The constant pain sucks. Just got the news from the employer fitness for duty exam I was sent on. Can only work two hours a day. Finishing up my unused time then have to try for a disability pension. Fun times.

[Lloyd Smale]

5 back surgerys later. Three for discs two for implanting stimulator (had to be redone) I'm as bad as ever. If you think a tens unit helps you probably don't have real pain. Ive got the industrial strength unit implanted in my back and its fine for mild discomfort when driving but it doesnt NOTHING for REAL back pain. As a matter of fact ive found that the elect. current flowing through your muscles tends to make you tighten up and can give temp relief but make the big picture worse. Same goes for narcotics. If narcotics make your pain go away you don't have REAL back pain (short of high dose narcotics that inject in you after surgery) When I'm bad I can eat oxycodone like m&ms it they do about nothing but constipate me and have me sitting in a chair to lazy to move but still hurting.

As to it coming on fast mine happened at age 49. Never had a bit of back problem. Don't ever even remember a sore back. I lifted a 75lb roll of wire and twisted and went to my knees. Been down hill since. Now I'm going in for a hip replacement that the doc said could have been at least partially caused by my bad back and walking wrong because of the pain. As to what to do I don't have a good answer for you. If you can bear it for a few months WITHOUT narcotics then Id try it and see if it gets better. If its just muscle pain a chiropractor might help. If you have serious disc problems theres no way in HE^^ id let a chiropractor twist and stretch me.

Id be looking for a REAL doctor to give you a game plan. Like I said narcotics ARENT the answer. Maybe for a couple days but your playing Russian roulette with addiction and theres lots of bad side effects even if you don't get addicted. Exercise is good, that is if its GOOD exercise. Talk to your doctor and do JUST WHAT HE SAYS. Not what someone on here tells you. Bottom line is theres proabably 50 percent of the population that has back problems of some kind and all of them are full of advice. But if you fall into the 2 or 3 percent that have REAL problems, by that I mean you cant function because of pain. I mean the kind of pain that makes you crawl out of the bedroom in the morning not the kind that an advil takes care of then you need to ignore everyones advice on here including mine and go see at least one good back doctor if not two. A lot of marginal cases don't get relief from surgery. Some even get worse. But a bedroom crawler about allways comes out of it at least a little better so don't fear surgery.

[Lloyd Smale]

mine sure wasn't. If I didn't fear even more pain and scar tissue id probably have it removed.
My wife had a 'stimulator' implanted above her buttock.
After a couple of months, she is till trying to decide if it is worth the effort ... and price.

[Premod70]

Narcotics is never the answer to enduring pain. The drugs kill the nervous system and magnify the pain after about three days of use. It's much better to "man up" and go with the pain, not tryi g to fight it. After three days of pain the body begins to adapt to the cause, some pains will never go away, one has to learn how to live with and adjust their life style. The worst thing one can do with back pain is gain weight, if you are laying around to ease the pain don't eat. With time things will get better, good luck

[Lloyd Smale]

one other thing to not rule out. I have been having a lot of pain in my left buttock. Its the side I allways had sciatic pain in. The first thing the doctor asked me was if I had numbness in my toes. He said siatic nerve problems, at least bad ones, about allways have numbness due to the nerve being damaged or pinched. I told him ive had no feeling in my toes for 10 years on my left side. Just out of luck he noticed on my xrays and mris that I had a bum hip. He said hips will give the same symptoms of sciatica but without the numbness. He told me if I didn't have a past history of back problems that would be the first thing he would have looked at. I have to agree with him. Ive hand moderate to severe sciatica over the last 10 years. the last two years were just moderate and I thought I was improving then this cropped up and common sense told me it was my back again. To be honest I couldn't tell you theres one tiny bit difference in the pain or where its at. It still shoots down the leg just like sciatica too. So after all this babble my point is to have your doc look at your hip too.

[Lloyd Smale]

yup and that's very hard to do. Ive gained 40lbs since my first back problems. I was very active. My job as an electrical lineman kept me in shape. I never did get back to work and between sitting around recovering from operations and the fact that I just do get the excursive I used to get at work the pounds have snuck up on me. Just last month the wife and I started going to the gym to work out. Just starting to get in the grove and now its time for another operation!!!!
Narcotics is never the answer to enduring pain. The drugs kill the nervous system and magnify the pain after about three days of use. It's much better to "man up" and go with the pain, not tryi g to fight it. After three days of pain the body begins to adapt to the cause, some pains will never go away, one has to learn how to live with and adjust their life style. The worst thing one can do with back pain is gain weight, if you are laying around to ease the pain don't eat. With time things will get better, good luck

[MrWolf]

Was at my Ortho doc this morning and we're discussing the stimulator implants. While there I saw the BMI index chart. Ever notice how much of a joke they are? I am 6' and 207lbs with a 35" waist. According to that chart I am 30lbs overweight! You have to keep moving no matter the pain, it really will help after a bit. I walk my 2.3 miles everyday, even in the rain - I will skip the icy days in winter as I am scared stiff of falling with all that is wrong with me. I also adjusted my diet to account for the loss of calories burnt during activities I used to do. Tough not eating my cupcakes and sweets like I used to.

[MaryB]

My neurosurgeon said the best thing I can do for my back is walk at least 15 minutes a day, 30 is better.

I cut way back on the narcotics and no they don't kill the pain. They also don't make me feel high(never did have that effect on me, pot doesn't affect me either). I take them morning and before bed and they dull the pain enough for me to get up and function. Picked a basket of tomatoes today, got them in the freezer until I have enough for a 5 gallon pot of sauce. Pulled some weeds, checked the green beans and picked a small handful, checked the cucumbers but not enough to pick for a quart of pickles. Would have got more done but I cracked a tooth Monday and fighting bad tooth nerve pain. See the oral surgeon tomorrow to see what thegame plan is, probably cut it out like the rest of the ones that broke. Inherited my dad's bad teeth genes, he lost most of his before he was 50...

[Battis]

I got hurt on the job in 1989, had surgery in 1991, and guess what? They took out the wrong disk. The DR was off by two (he removed L3L4 instead of L5S1). Messed up my leg real bad. I had to retire with a pension two years later. After that, no Dr would touch me until I found one with some balls (five years later. He was #27 that I went to see). He went in, cleaned out L5S1, relieved most of the pain, but the leg never came back. Now I wear a leg brace. Best thing I found for the pain - walking, and chin-ups (or pull downs at the gym). Bike riding also helped - a mountain bike that makes you stretch forward. The inversion bed can cause other problems - glaucoma, ankle problems. I still have one but I stopped using it. Some people swear by chiropractors - they never helped me, and some made me feel worse. Keep the weight down, especially around the middle, and keep your muscles as strong as you can.
The worst part is when I figure out the lost wages from retiring early - it's up around $1.2 mill right now.
Did I go after the Dr who messed up? I tried. I met with a high powered Boston lawyer and he said that I needed $30,000 up front for an expert witness (which I did not have) and there was no guarantee that I'd win a penny. And, the only expert witness that I could use would have been the Dr that was about to perform surgery on me.
I had a third surgery a few years ago in Boston that made it even better. Gotta find the right DR.
Just can't argue with Fate.

[Lloyd Smale]

In Michigan theres laws that protect doctors so well that malpractice suits are very rare. You not only have to prove the doctor made a mistake but also have to prove that either he did it on purpose (which is about impossible to do) or prove he was impaired or has a past history of a lot of incompetence. The courts have said there human and do make mistakes and that's part of the risk of surgery.

[lightload]

My condition was somewhat relieved by this exercise. Lie on your back, bend your leg so that you can hold your knee with your hands clasped on the front of the knee and then pull the knee backwards. Hold this position for 10 seconds or so and then do the same with the other knee. Do at least 12 reps.

Try Advil or Aleve, either of which is needed to reduce inflammation. Chiropractors made mine worse. Acupuncture helped the Chinaman but not me. Surgery fixed it.

Ice packs on your lower back will relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Ice therapy, Advil or Aleve, and the exercise above will get you on the road. Your doctor should have known this--it's old information.

[JWFilips]

Has anyone ever seen a situation where taking Cholesterol Medication (Statins) brought on a bout of Sciatica or made it worse?

[mold maker]

Statins can and often do have many side effects that include pain, fatigue, and weight change. I had to try 3 before the Doc found one I could or was willing to tolerate. As with lots of modern drugs, the side effects can be worse than the benefits they provide.
They may be necessary, but sure are trading the witch for the broom.

[MrWolf]

Statins caused a huge increase in lower back pain for me. I can't even take red rice yeast which is actually the base statin.

[JWFilips]

Reason I'm Asking Is I never had Sciatica before ( But I have had a bad back for 45 years) . A hurting back I know how to fix but this Sciatica is intense with little relief.
When it first occurred I took my self off Lipitor because I remember my Doctor telling me to do that if I ever get pain in my legs So I gave him a call & went into see him ( 3 days later) & by then it was my first morning of relief in a week! My wife even joked saying "you're seeing the doctor today and you're pain went away!"
My doc put me on one of those week long steroid packs and by 36 hours I was doing great! Then I started taking the Lipitor again & 3 days later My pain returned!
Maybe just coincidence but I'm not sure.
Since most of my intense pain happens in the middle of the night when I should be sleeping and is mostly just my left calf muscle radiating down to my ankle (Granted after awhile my butt cheek starts hurting) but most of the problem is in my left calf muscle and I don't really notice Back pain per se. Now that I have been back on the Statin for 10 days I feel I'm as bad as I was when this first happened.

[Half Dog]

I vote for anything that works. I have tried many things to relieve lower back pain and I still have some to try.

Once I was learning to play the violin when I had back issues. The healing was quicker and as I try to understand why; I concluded that the vibrations the violin created massaged things back in place.

[Blackwater]

JWP, a friend of mine has always been the very picture of health and vitality, but he's got hereditary arterial disease, and he takes whatever his doc recommends he take. The doc had him on Lipitor, and it was totally debilitating for him, and he quit taking it. Went back and the doc tried several more meds, and finally found one he could tolerate, but it keeps his legs and other muscles in pain, but it's usually bearable. Can't remember which med it was that reduced the pain, but if I were you, I'd go back and request a med change if you think you really need the meds.

I was put on Lipitor briefly, but it was so debilitating and painful, I just quit it after a week or two, and absolutely refused to get back on it. Whether that's smart or not is debatable, of course, but for me, it was so debilitating and such a burden, I just figured I'd take my chances. Now, I'm wondering if it might not be advisable for me to go back and try some of the other statins? Who knows? I don't. Most docs seem to want to put what I think are way too many folks on meds, way too often, but I've been known to be wrong before about medical issues, so ..... ya' pays yer monies an' takes yer choices, an' it works out like it works out. Not being 10 ft. tall, bulletproof and immortal any more is a real downer sometimes, isn't it?

[tygar]

FWIW I have been on Pravastatin for several years & it hasn't (at least obviously) harmed me. I have a real bad back & have been hurting for 40yrs. Had really bad sciatica caused from disc impingement on the nerves. Both legs, hurt like hell. Started getting the shots in the spine around 1990 & had them off & on until about 06. They always worked, usually for a period of 1-2 yrs & by 06 I've had no more shots & with little re-occurance.

[MaryB]

Lipitor is a killer and I expect to see it taken off the market soon. I would prefer to manage my cholesterol via diet. No fake oils, no hydrogenated oils... I use olive oil for my salads and to saute, or good ole bacon fat or butter! My cholesterol levels are those of a 20 year old and i am 56! And I am fat and my doc shakes her head saying they should be through the roof! I eat a lot of raw veg on top of the good oils(if it is a man made oil with chemical processing do not eat it!), I eat beef 3-5 times a week, I eat bacon and eggs and chicken skin...

[Djones]

Ice pack on lower back

a good physical therapist

a rock hard firm bed

lots of water

walk as much as you can. Get out and do stuff to stay active.

Money clip or other front pocket wallet

work on your posture as much as possible

these are things that helped me improve my pinched L5S1 problem

[Blackwater]

That's some great advice, Djones. I'm a living testament to what NOT heeding those words can do! For years, my billfold was thick with all sorts of stuff I rarely used, but thought I "needed." It consistently made things worse. It's an example of what a "little thing" that never varies and is always working against you can really do, and it's significant! I was always too busy to take time for such good advice, and now, I'm paying for it. Sooner or later, we all become less than 10 ft. tall, bulletproof and immortal. The old timers used to emphasized posture, and I just laughed at it. Nowadays, it's not nearly as "funny" as it used to be! "Too soon old, too late smart" seems to apply far more than I wish it did! But any who heed those "little things" will reap out of proportion benefits, as likely as not. Making things worse than they have to be ain't real smart! But many of us have to learn the hard way, and I could be the poster child for that one!

[fecmech]

I was on lipitor over 10 yrs. before it gave me problems. Tried others but had the same results. Went to Crestor and it worked for about a year before the pain began. My Doc suggested taking the Crestor every other day and that has worked for the past few years. My cholesterol numbers are good and no pain. Just for your info.