Sciatica. I have it. Now what?

[Caseyelan]

Anyone get this shit affliction? My doc has me on a regular dose of motrin and going to a physical therapist.
Anything help that fun tingly arm?

[ADF]

Your best bet is to wear contacts and have special blood pockets on your fingertips so they don't catch you at the turnstile.

[JPMNICK]

Your best bet is to wear contacts and have special blood pockets on your fingertips so they don't catch you at the turnstile.

shave your fucking eye lashes or else you might not make it to space

[boosterp]

Anyone get this shit affliction? My doc has me on a regular dose of motrin and going to a physical therapist.
Anything help that fun tingly arm?

Sciatica affects the sciatic nerve (a bundle) located in the buttocks and runs down your legs. It can come from a compressed disk, narrowing of the foramen (opening in the backbone basically), heritage, etc. Usually meds like neurontin help because it will take away the stinging/burning feeling. Motrin helps reduce tissue inflammation involving the nerve bundle.

Excersise, therapy, warm compresses/baths, and medication can help. Worst case is steroid shots, nerve blocks, and/or surgery.

You just had a child which is the likely precursor that set it off.

[Gvac]

I had a bout with it a few months ago. It was torture.

Basically you take Aleve (because it has an anti-inflammatory in it) and wait for it to pass.

It lasts about 3-4 days.

I hope it never comes back again, and I hope the same for you.

[~Katja~]

I had a bout with it a few months ago. It was torture.

Basically you take Aleve (because it has an anti-inflammatory in it) and wait for it to pass.

It lasts about 3-4 days.

I hope it never comes back again, and I hope the same for you.

motrin and aleve are both ibuprofen ...


casey, just try to not lift the babies for a bit ( and I know that seems nearly impossible)
The PT can teach you a few effective exercises for pain relief you might be able to do on your own at home instead of having to lugg both kids with you to the session or find a sitter...

I hope it passes soon!

[boosterp]

motrin and aleve are both ibuprofen ...


casey, just try to not lift the babies for a bit ( and I know that seems nearly impossible)
The PT can teach you a few effective exercises for pain relief you might be able to do on your own at home instead of having to lugg both kids with you to the session or find a sitter...

I hope it passes soon!

No Alieve is naproxin, a different type of NSAID and easier on the stomach and kidneys.

[Caseyelan]

Yeah I'm taking 600mgs of motrin now... this thing passes? I have had it for like weeks! FUCK.

[spoon]

I'm gonna go with....pain, that's what.

[Caseyelan]

I'm gonna go with....pain, that's what.

Face to me? errrr.

[~Katja~]

No Alieve is naproxin, a different type of NSAID and easier on the stomach and kidneys.
that's right, both are anti inflammatory though... I mixed that up. I had a prescription for a higher dosage naproxen once (actually when I had such severe back pain that I could not walk and had to do PT as well) and it made me nauseous... so I was just to take motrin instead... so I guess you just have to find whichever one works better for ya

[boosterp]

Yeah I'm taking 600mgs of motrin now... this thing passes? I have had it for like weeks! FUCK.

It can take days, weeks, years, or never completely go away.

that's right, both are anti inflammatory though... I mixed that up. I had a prescription for a higher dosage naproxen once (actually when I had such severe back pain that I could not walk and had to do PT as well) and it made me nauseous... so I was just to take motrin instead... so I guess you just have to find whichever one works better for ya

A lot depends on how your stomach first processes it, plus OTC Motrin has an coating on it that makes it start to break down in the small intestine instead of the stomach for protection.

[~Katja~]

Yeah I'm taking 600mgs of motrin now... this thing passes? I have had it for like weeks! FUCK.
the PT or exercises really do help. and one day you will get up and feel like it hurts less and all of the sudden it's gone.
Just think positive! It will get better.

It's not from a herniated disc or anything, is it?
Just kinda the typical pregnancy sciatica?

[~Katja~]

It can take days, weeks, years, or never completely go away.
.

way to make her feel good :wallbash: hehe

[silks]

Ouch! I'm surprised the doc didn't prescribe something a little more potent like Indomethacin since in your case the sciatica is something that will be temporary. I know this is probably impossible, but try to get as much rest as you can.

The PT will teach you some stretching exercises that will really help. I always got relief by laying on my back and gently pulling my knees (or having my wife push my knees) up to my chest.

Feel better.

[boosterp]

way to make her feel good :wallbash: hehe

I know, but I have to tell the truth.

Ouch! I'm surprised the doc didn't prescribe something a little more potent like Indomethacin since in your case the sciatica is something that will be temporary. I know this is probably impossible, but try to get as much rest as you can.

The PT will teach you some stretching exercises that will really help. I always got relief by laying on my back and gently pulling my knees (or having my wife push my knees) up to my chest.

Feel better.

Idomethacin is horrible on the stomach, worse than motrin. We hardly use it anymore because it is so rough.

[spoon]

Being totally serious here Casey, if you have pain in ur legs your doc has diagnosed as sciatica, and on top of that a "fun tingly arm", you may want to get MS ruled out. The summer usually brings out more MS exacerbations (some true, some not), but the months after pregnancy anyone with it usually has it come back with a vengance. Meaning, if someone has very benign symptoms before the pregnancy, they usually all but go away during pregnancy due to changes in estriol levels and surely other hormonal changes. However, and I know this for multiple reasons, one being my sis has MS and two kids / another being it's my field of work, shortly after giving birth those levels go back to normal and MS seemingly comes back around 1.5 to 2 times harder than normal.

MD's usually get patients back on meds almost immediately after giving birth (barring complications with delivery) as to stop this process as best possible. Being that the best Preg Category for all the drugs out there right now is B, and the rest are C or worse, it isn't often anyone stays on meds during pregnancy...especially since they have a sort of natural protection during those 9 months. Estriol studies are being done at multiple site at this time as well, one here at UMDNJ that my company / I am involved in. The amount of research in this area is amazing, just one of the many reasons I got into this area of medicine (personal being the biggest factor).

I'm probably wrong here Casey, but it's something to make sure of and pushing this one to Dr. Steve wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Good luck.

[Caseyelan]

Thanks for being a pal and not throwing a "bro" at the end of your post spoon.

[sink]

Fuck that shit, tell the doc to get you some vics

[biggirl]

I had the sciatic nerve issue while pregnant with first child, it went away after delivery. Then I had it again with 2nd child, it hasn't gone away. I have never had it checked out. I blame it on the excessive weight gain. I am pretty sure it will go away after I lose some more weight. Maybe I am wrong, but I am sticking to that conclusion. Motrin helps mine on a bad day. Good Luck. I hope it goes away really soon! You need all of your energy for your kids!!

[lleeder]

Use one of those vibrators on it.

[spoon]

I had the sciatic nerve issue while pregnant with first child, it went away after delivery. Then I had it again with 2nd child, it hasn't gone away. I have never had it checked out. I blame it on the excessive weight gain. I am pretty sure it will go away after I lose some more weight. Maybe I am wrong, but I am sticking to that conclusion. Motrin helps mine on a bad day. Good Luck. I hope it goes away really soon! You need all of your energy for your kids!!

Watch that motrin, in excess it can eat a hole in the stomach lining.

[boosterp]

I had the sciatic nerve issue while pregnant with first child, it went away after delivery. Then I had it again with 2nd child, it hasn't gone away. I have never had it checked out. I blame it on the excessive weight gain. I am pretty sure it will go away after I lose some more weight. Maybe I am wrong, but I am sticking to that conclusion. Motrin helps mine on a bad day. Good Luck. I hope it goes away really soon! You need all of your energy for your kids!!

Weight can be a big problem in sciatica and back pain in general. Most who loose weight will feel better as their activity increases, weight decreases, and the lumbar vertebra are less stressed.

[tanless1]

see a chiropractor - youll be fixed up in 4 or 5 visits- see if you can wrangle a massage other 2 out of the deal.

[Chigworthy]

Make sure to bug your doctor if it persists. I had sciatica for about a year before I finally got around to seeing the doctor. By then it had progressed to the point where physical therapy, electro-shock, and epidurals did not touch it, resulting in a laminectomy. Push for an MRI if it continues.

[boosterp]

see a chiropractor - youll be fixed up in 4 or 5 visits- see if you can wrangle a massage other 2 out of the deal.

You have to be careful though because if it is a compressed disk a chiropractor can make it hurt more.

She has to go through these steps thanks to insurance. If PT does not work they can do a MRI and pinpoint the issue. If nothing is found there they can do an EMG which will tell if there is nerve problems and where.

Since it may be related to pregnancy and/or weight this may go away after awhile.

[ANC]

I would check with your doctor first, but I know people in my family found relief by taking Quinine pills (found at any drug store) or drinking tonic water (contains quinine).

[Radioguy]

Firstly, I wish the quickest recovery for Casey. :)

Usually meds like neurontin help because it will take away the stinging/burning feeling. Motrin helps reduce tissue inflammation involving the nerve bundle.

Neurontin and Lyrica can cause water weight gain, and there are reported cases of suicide. I've always been iffy about taking those long term.

Excersise, therapy, warm compresses/baths, and medication can help. Worst case is steroid shots, nerve blocks, and/or surgery.

You just had a child which is the likely precursor that set it off.

Always do PT until it works, or they tell you it doesn't anymore.

Fuck that shit, tell the doc to get you some vics

This really has been the best way for me to go.

[boosterp]

Firstly, I wish the quickest recovery for Casey. :)



Neurontin and Lyrica can cause water weight gain, and there are reported cases of suicide. I've always been iffy about taking those long term.



At the dose (low) that you take it for this sort of pain the side effects are minimum. You are thinking of seizure dosing.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

Randy had it last year, a vicodin addiction came out of it


he did some PT and recovered



definitely see a doctor, they will set you in the right path

[Caseyelan]

Randy had it last year, a vicodin addiction came out of it


he did some PT and recovered



definitely see a doctor, they will set you in the right path

I did see the doc... hence PT and a flow of motrin.

Today's not so bad. But, every morning and evening it KILLS. Sleeping has become a thing of the past with the kid yelling and the fact that I can't lay in one position comfortably for more then 20 mins.

it blows.

I wish I had something to kill the pain at night... but I realize that's unlikely.

[ANC]

I did see the doc... hence PT and a flow of motrin.

Today's not so bad. But, every morning and evening it KILLS. Sleeping has become a thing of the past with the kid yelling and the fact that I can't lay in one position comfortably for more then 20 mins.

it blows.

I wish I had something to kill the pain at night... but I realize that's unlikely.

Here's the pills I was talking about. 6.99 at CVS, worth a shot. They helped a buddy of mine with his ciatica:

http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/images/fs/large/35497329568.jpg

[King Hippos Bandaid]

I did see the doc... hence PT and a flow of motrin.

Today's not so bad. But, every morning and evening it KILLS. Sleeping has become a thing of the past with the kid yelling and the fact that I can't lay in one position comfortably for more then 20 mins.

it blows.

I wish I had something to kill the pain at night... but I realize that's unlikely.


Randy can give you happy pills at the next event, he seems to have them often

[disneyspy]

Randy can give you happy pills at the next event, he seems to have them often

if you were my twin brother i'd be hopped up on pills all the time too

[Hamey]

I've had it for years on and off. Right now it's on... PT did nothing for me but atleast I got a message out of it.

[Pitdoc]

, but do you have pain in your back too? Pain in the back is sciatica. Pain in the ARM ( especially tingling fingers) is caused by something called cervical radiculopathy. It's caused by an impingement of the nerves coming out of your neck , either by muscle spasms, swelling,or arthritis ( not usually at your age) . If all your pain or tingling is in your arm , thats a slightly different treatment than sciatica

[Caseyelan]

, but do you have pain in your back too? Pain in the back is sciatica. Pain in the ARM ( especially tingling fingers) is caused by something called cervical radiculopathy. It's caused by an impingement of the nerves coming out of your neck , either by muscle spasms, swelling,or arthritis ( not usually at your age) . If all your pain or tingling is in your arm , thats a slightly different treatment than sciatica

yep I get the tingly arm sometimes.
A very legit doctor diagnosed me. He said if the motrin and PT don't work, I gotta go in for a brain scan in 6 weeks.

[Pitdoc]

..try some warm soaks to the neck & upper shoulder area of the affected arm. Heat sometimes relaxes the muscles that might be impinging on your nerves. A muscle relaxant might help too. I wouldn't reccomend you go in for specific testing of pain/tingling in the arm , because all they do is stick dull needles in your neck/ shoulder/ arm, then tell you it'll go away with treatment. This happened to me 14 yrs ago, and the testing had NO impact on my treatment ( which conssted mostly of waiting for it to go away in a month)

[tanless1]

i had some terible arm pains and tingles set off by to much PDA ( cricked neck) usage - a few years at the computer terminal blah blah- chiropractor - deep tissue massage, and i mean the massage that makes you cry - take the pain to break through to the otherside type - plus laser and eletric - of course i am not a doctor - incase there was any question
there is certainly a time for PT - wld never say otherwise - there is also a time to get to the solution w/ a competent professional - and they are NOT all competent.

[BinaryTaoist]

Anyone get this shit affliction? My doc has me on a regular dose of motrin and going to a physical therapist.
Anything help that fun tingly arm?

Sciatica might not just be from a disc problem, it could also be the piriformis muscle (one of the muscles of our bum), which the sciatic nerve runs between, tightening on the nerve...


If it were me, I'd start with piriformis and psoaz muscle stretches (which can be found online) and nightly epsom salt baths (which remove muscle tesnion).

Other then that I'd put acupuncture needles right in my piriformis & low back...

Edit: wait, is it your arm or your leg or both thats bothering you? Do you ever switch arms when carrying those kids?

[Gvac]

yep I get the tingly arm sometimes.
A very legit doctor diagnosed me. He said if the motrin and PT don't work, I gotta go in for a brain scan in 6 weeks.

There are exercises you can do to alleviate (and hopefully prevent the return of) the pain.

Dr. Steve hooked me up with 'em.