Who knew Sciatica could be like this

I found cold compresses, pain killers, exercises, Pilates and treatment from a chiropractor helped. Sciatica truly is the worst pain, worse than childbirth and broken bones. Huge sympathy to anyone currently suffering.

I've had sciatica (although not at the front as you describe OP) and, just like Aldom, I could only crawl. And even that was sheer agony. It went on like that for 3 months. I hope you feel better soon and settle nicely into your new home OP.

Thanks Usedtobeblond it was all done very easily I included the discharge letter so they get an idea what’s going on. I will make a telephone app as soon as I am able to ask for physio referral. Still no improvement though I’m just grateful my pain is now controlled and tolerable.

At least it was not “she” Tanith which I was always reminded was the cat’s mother.
Joking apart I hope the surgery will allow that.
This is no time to be without medical support locally.

‘her’ being my daughter

I’ve done research this morning and it is the femoral nerve that is being pinched either by the hip itself or L2 spinal disc I found a few exercises which I will give a very gingerly try but it’s going to take an expert to fix this I think, going to ring a GP later to see if they will allow her to register me with all the relevant paperwork and a permission letter but without me being there as I cannot trust my leg not to give way if I try to go myself. Hey! ho! on I go.

Acupuncture worked for me too for this dreadful pain.

From being fit and healthy I suddenly started with sciatica 20 years ago. I was told 12 months wait to see a consultant on the NHS. I went to an osteopath who gave me exercises and manipulated me, said it would get better on each visit.

Luckily I had private health cover through work and saw a consultant had a scan and he diagnosed a prolapsed disc. I had an operation within 2 weeks. I know that if I hadn't had that health insurance I would have had to resign my job as the pain was unbearable.

I don't want to alarm anyone but the thing to be aware of with sciatica if you get the following symptoms you must go to A & E immediately

have weakness or numbness in both legs that's severe or getting worse

have numbness around or under your genitals, or around your bottom (anus)

find it hard to start peeing, cannot pee or cannot control when you pee – and this is not normal for you

do not notice when you need to poo or cannot control when you poo – and this is not normal for you

This is because sciatica can cause nerve damage and paralysis.

My GP told me this when first diagnosed. No doubt gransnetters on here who suffer have been told the same but I just wanted to post as warning.

It was a Sports Physiotherapist who helped me when I had dreadful sciatica. I followed the exercise routine religiously.

Lots of advice, sciatica can hit surprising parts, there's likely a diagram on the net which links the apparent pain to a given nerve 'aperture' in the spine that's now getting squashed?

I've never found acupuncture to be the slightest help, nor an osteopath, BUT I have had great success with a chiropractor (get a local recommendation?) and/or a physio. I still use the physio exercises I had from over 50 years ago, to relieve lower-back muscles in spasm.

But bodies are different, other folk may get relief from those methods, each to their own!

Sciatica? Awful pain. Worse than toothache. I saw an osteopath and pain went in one session but there are osteopaths and not so good osteopaths.

Poor you - sciatic pain is evil (best way to describe it). Really hope you are over the worst soon. I had similar a few years back - trapped femoral nerve I think(similar to sciatic nerve but on the front of the leg). It was relieved by some steroid injections in the end and touch wood have never had it so bad since.
Anyone who has had sciatica, will sympathise with you hugely (and that includes me!!) Finger's crossed you are out of pain and discomfort very soon.

Thanks for all the advice, I had Diazepam by injection, Oramorph and now Amytriptyline, I almost emptied 2 tanks of Entinox on the way to hosptal. I will look into self referral physio thanks for that.

With the pain being in your groin and front of leg , sounds like you are suffering from Periformis syndrome. You will have quite specific exercises for this .
It is painful as this is what I suffered with - it took 2 X-rays 1 MRI 2 GPs & several physios to diagnose it. It is under co trol now but occasionally it reminds me so I start up the exercises again .
Wish you luck 😊

Quite a scary experience you had, do hope you are improving and pain easing.

I had sciatica for 2 years as a result of a bulging disc, right at the bottom of my spine so the pain was the entire length of my right leg. I was on liquid morphine and amitrptyline for over a year as pain blocking injections and steroid injections didn't work. When the disc finally slipped altogether, I was in agony and had to have gas and air from a paramedic to get me off the kitchen floor! Only an operation finally sorted it out, although I still have to be very careful with my back. It is the worst pain I have ever had, I totally sympathise and hope you can get some relief soon.

Use ice packs. If you have any problem urinating you need emergency treatment. Amitriptyline can help with nerve pain.
I feel for you.

Oh poor you, nowt worse than Sciatica, especially if it’s affecting your groin & leg 😩

So sorry, just what you don’t need! I had sciatica when I was pregnant so couldn’t take any pain relief but it was nothing like you’re experiencing. I hope you get some relief soon.

DH was prescribed Diazepam to relax the muscle spasms. Only for a few days though. Doubt they helped much. He was encouraged to try to keep moving although that was clearly excruciating at first.

A heat pad might help. (Some folk prefer an icy one). Plug in versions are easy to use.
You probably won't be able to do much in the way of exercise until the pain subsides, but they are good for later, and prevention.

It’s really terrible sciatica. Awful time I had with it sending you hugs.

When I had my last two bouts of physio I self referred to to the NHS Physio, I was seen very quickly. I can't see why you would be refused as you haven't had time to register at a GP Surgery. Check your local NHS Trust website to see if this is available where you live. Good Luck.

Trust me I'm being very careful with every movement, as for doing yoga 🤣 if i could put my foot to the floor for more than a second I'd happily do yoga.

tanith

Oh Luckygirl13 that made laugh 😂
Thankfully my new ensuite is 5 steps from my bed so with the blasted frame the hospital gave me I can manage and occupying myself changing as many addresses as I can while sitting here. Enjoy this lovely weather ladies.

Be careful how you land on the loo as well, go down gently!