Sciatica

[lordna]

A visit to the doctors yesterday confirmed my suspicions that I am suffering from Sciatica in both legs.

Apart from exercise and pain killers, anybody else been through this and could offer advice?

[SimonH]

OUCH!!!

I've had this years ago in one leg and it was excruciating. I was prescribed some very strong muscle relaxants but me being me didn't read the instructions properly so ended up doubling up on the dose on the first day. Worked though :xxgrinning--00xx3:

The only other thing I can recommend is a visit to the chiropractor, as I think the cause is a trapped nerve between the third and fourth vertebrate.

Hope it clears up soon for you.

[joebloggs]

Yes. I've had it :cwm24:

I took Co codamol which I believe is the most powerful painkiller you can get without a prescription. I also used a tens machine for hours a day. I'm sure it worked, well - on a high setting I couldn't feel the pain any more - thou I felt like I was been pricked with a needle a million times. Which was better than the pain from sciatica :biggrin:

I even went to the docs, who told me to see a Physiotherapist, but I didn't want to take time off work. After about 8 wks it went away :Jump:

[lordna]

after about 8 wks it went away :Jump:

Ooooh, I like that bit!

[Arthur Little]

Ooooh, I like that bit!

:biggrin: ... cheery, ain't he!

Anyway ... worth taking Joe's advice and, hopefully, the pain will subside a lot sooner. :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Terpe]

i took Co codamol which i believe is the most powerful painkiller you can get without a prescription

I've never been able to get that without a prescription :Erm:

Both me and the wife have had Sciatica (and still do from time to time)
It's a right :Bugger:

I had pain in my lower back and right buttock.
I was told to do more walking and my wife was told to do less :Erm:

I'm not sure there's much that can be done. Painkillers can help disguise the pain but thats all.
You need to very careful with overall painkiller dosage.
Especially Co-Codamol. (Which can cause severe constipation is many folks)

Mine went within a couple of months thank goodness

[joebloggs]

I've never been able to get that without a prescription :Erm:



You need to ask the chemist for it, you can't get it off the shelf, I've bought it from Tesco and Asda, thou the chemist might ask you a few questions why you want it.

[Janedan0913]

Hi, I have sciatica as well on my right leg. The doctor didn't prescribe strong medication because I am pregnant, just paracetamol. Before, I was advise to see the physio but I was pregnant on my second child so I was just taught light exercises. Unfortunately, I didn't do any exercise due to being busy on my children and at work. But the doctors says that once you have sciatica pain, you need to remain physically active. But in my case, at the end of the day, my back aches a lot especially when I am in bed already or just sitting. It will take some time for me to stand up due to the pain I am experiencing. There are suitable exercise for every pain, you might as well see your GP so that he may refer you to a physiotherapist. The last thing that you wouldn't want to happen, most of us is surgery. But they said in every surgery there is always a risk. So the decision is yours. Just ask advice to the health expert who knows more about your condition. I hope my opinion helps you. look after yourself always. :Wave:

[Doc Alan]

I can sympathise Lordna, and hope your symptoms soon improve – as with any other member suffering a similar condition.


We are all vertebrates – meaning we have spinal / vertebral columns composed of vertebrae ( 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, sacrum and coccyx ). The vertebrae protect the spinal cord, and each vertebra is “ cushioned “ by a fibrous disc. Because we are primates who have evolved an upright posture, it’s not surprising that back pain is a common problem affecting most people at some stage in their life. It’s not usually serious, most often caused by bad posture, and usually gets better within a few weeks by taking painkillers, keeping mobile, and staying positive in outlook :xxgrinning--00xx3:.


Sciatica is pain due to irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve ( which runs from the back of the pelvis down each leg ); a mild form may accompany lower back pain or it may be very painful. There may often be no obvious cause, or it may result from a “ slipped disc “ due to repeated back strain and increasing age.



Clearly anyone who has felt the need to visit their doctor with one or more of the many types of back pain – with or without sciatica - is worried, and finding it hard to cope with the pain. I’m sure in those cases the doctor will have given appropriate advice, after full examination.


“ Over-the-counter “ pain killers are effective for most people. For acute ( short term ) sciatica, drugs like ibuprofen ( an NSAID, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ) are effective, but may be unsuitable if you have digestive or other disorders. Buy the much cheaper generic version :smile:. For longer term use, paracetamol ( acetaminophen ) may be used with or without codeine ( an “opioid or “weak relative “ of morphine ). “ Co-codamol “ is such a combination. It may be bought from a pharmacy ( Co-codamol 8/500 = codeine 8mg and paracetamol 500mg ); or prescribed ( Co-codamol 15/500 = codeine 15mg and paracetamol 500mg , Co-codamol 30/500 = codeine 30mg and paracetamol 500mg ). There are cautions about using these drugs, like any others, because of side effects.


My personal opinion ? Exercise is helpful – not inactivity as used to be recommended. Physiotherapy may be helpful. Other drugs, and surgical treatment would only be on individual medical advice. I would not pay a chiropractor or osteopath to treat a condition which in most cases will get better anyway.



http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sciatica/Pages/Introduction.aspx

https://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/~/media/SATFiles/MedsForPain-March2012/Co-codamolFactsheetMarch2012.ashx

[Terpe]

you need to ask the chemist for it, you can't get it off the shelf, i've bought it from tesco and asda, thou the chemist might ask you a few questions why you want it .

I asked my local chemist and now know why ..................hahaha

Because on prescription I get it free :icon_lol::icon_lol:

[lordna]

I can sympathise Lordna, and hope your symptoms soon improve – as with any other member suffering a similar condition.


We are all vertebrates – meaning we have spinal / vertebral columns composed of vertebrae ( 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, sacrum and coccyx ). The vertebrae protect the spinal cord, and each vertebra is “ cushioned “ by a fibrous disc. Because we are primates who have evolved an upright posture, it’s not surprising that back pain is a common problem affecting most people at some stage in their life. It’s not usually serious, most often caused by bad posture, and usually gets better within a few weeks by taking painkillers, keeping mobile, and staying positive in outlook :xxgrinning--00xx3:.


Sciatica is pain due to irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve ( which runs from the back of the pelvis down each leg ); a mild form may accompany lower back pain or it may be very painful. There may often be no obvious cause, or it may result from a “ slipped disc “ due to repeated back strain and increasing age.



Clearly anyone who has felt the need to visit their doctor with one or more of the many types of back pain – with or without sciatica - is worried, and finding it hard to cope with the pain. I’m sure in those cases the doctor will have given appropriate advice, after full examination.


“ Over-the-counter “ pain killers are effective for most people. For acute ( short term ) sciatica, drugs like ibuprofen ( an NSAID, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ) are effective, but may be unsuitable if you have digestive or other disorders. Buy the much cheaper generic version :smile:. For longer term use, paracetamol ( acetaminophen ) may be used with or without codeine ( an “opioid or “weak relative “ of morphine. “ Co-codamol “ is such a combination. It may be bought from a pharmacy ( Co-codamol 8/500 = codeine 8mg and paracetamol 500mg ); or prescribed ( Co-codamol 15/500 = codeine 15mg and paracetamol 500mg , Co-codamol 30/500 = codeine 30mg and paracetamol 500mg ). There are cautions about using these drugs, like any others, because of side effects.


My personal opinion ? Exercise is helpful – not inactivity as used to be recommended. Physiotherapy may be helpful. Other drugs, and surgical treatment would only be on individual medical advice. I would not pay a chiropractor or osteopath to treat a condition which in most cases will get better anyway.



http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sciatica/Pages/Introduction.aspx

https://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/~/media/SATFiles/MedsForPain-March2012/Co-codamolFactsheetMarch2012.ashx

Thanks Doc Alan for your very informative post. Before going to my GP i was more than a little concerned about the pain and what it could be, but now very much reassured. I have let my daily exercise lapse over recent months so i am now back at getting up earlier for half an hour walk on the Ashdown Forest (very pleasant). It takes a bit of time to get moving, as some have commented, it gets more painful after inactivity or lying down.

Thanks also to everyone else for giving us the benefit of your own experiences, however unpleasant it was at the time. It did occur to me to contact Doc Alan in a private message but as Sciatica is quite a common ailment, i thought it might be useful to others at a later date to read AND to see how others coped with it. Thanks again everyone!

[joebloggs]

I asked my local chemist and now know why ..................hahaha

Because on prescription I get it free :icon_lol::icon_lol:

Cheap skate :biggrin:

:xxparty-smiley-004:

They are cheap Peter, I think less than 70p for non brand ones (I think :Erm:) for 28.

[Michael Parnham]

I do sympathise with all you pain sufferers because I had shingles in 1989 and it was agony for about 6 to 8 weeks! I remember what my grandma used to say and it always makes me smile even now, if you have any pain anywhere, hit your big toe as hard as you can with a hammer and your pain will go away! :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Akilah Blythe]

Hi Lordna, try to do some back strengthening exercises and stretching of your hamstrings to incorporate with your walking exercises.

[lordna]

Hi Lordna, try to do some back strengthening exercises and stretching of your hamstrings to incorporate with your walking exercises.

Thanks...yes I will

[lordna]

Well since August 2013 (when this thread started) I have been suffering with leg pains and back pain. Visits to a physio seemed to help little and eventually I was referred to a back specialist who immediately ordered an MRI scan.

The result of this has revealed I have intradural tumours in the spine which may be Ependymomas and hopefully benign. I was referred to a neurosurgeon, had more MRI scans which confirmed only tumours in the Lumbar region of my spine.

Well, on Thursday this week I will be admitted to hospital for surgery when hopefully it will be removed.

So the moral of this story is if you are suffering get an MRI scan.

[Doc Alan]

Thank you Lordna, for taking the trouble to follow up your thread with an update. I’m sorry to learn that you have spinal intradural tumour(s).


Understandably this diagnosis would come as an unpleasant surprise, but of course you did the right thing, as your symptoms were not improving.


A tumour ( which literally means an abnormal growth of tissue in the body ) may be benign ( localised ) or malignant ( cancer, capable of spreading locally or to other parts of the body ). ANY type of tumour is an uncommon cause of sciatica – which, as I said in my previous post, is usually due to changes in the spine or slipped disc.


Ependymomas are rare, often slow-growing, arising in cells lining the central part of the spinal cord, as in your case ( or in the brain ).


As you say, the correct investigation included MRI scans. These give a very clear outline of normal and any abnormal anatomy. The surgeon will attempt to remove the ependymoma(s) and despite the likely diagnosis, it will be sent to the specialist neuropathologist for confirmation by microscopy. Of course the neurosurgeon will explain fully the planned operation, at which hopefully removal will be complete.


All the best with your forthcoming surgery :smile:.

[Terpe]

Well since August 2013 (when this thread started) I have been suffering with leg pains and back pain. Visits to a physio seemed to help little and eventually I was referred to a back specialist who immediately ordered an MRI scan.

The result of this has revealed I have intradural tumours in the spine which may be Ependymomas and hopefully benign. I was referred to a neurosurgeon, had more MRI scans which confirmed only tumours in the Lumbar region of my spine.

Well on Thursday this week I will be admitted to hospital for surgery when hopefully it will be removed.

So the moral of this story is if you are suffering get an MRI scan.

Best wishes for your hospitalisation and a speedy recovery.:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Arthur Little]

May I take this opportunity to express my very BEST wishes for the outcome your operation ... to hopefully, both relieve your symptoms - and rid you completely of the pain and stress you've suffered because of them - for once and for all! :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Michael Parnham]

Good luck Lordna, hope everything goes well and you get back to normal sooner rather than later! :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[myliitlehaven07]

I had sciatica before. I have therapy back home for weeks. I will advise to do the same thing, but don't pay as you can do it at home.

Do the hot water or towel therapy and every morning when you get up, pull your legs up towards your chest and other leg exercises. It has helped me a lot and I dont suffer it anymore.

Mine was already at its worst when I discovered it. I could hardly move anymore, could not lie down for long, nor sit! I was in terrible pain :NoNo::NoNo:

[Iani]

Hope you get this sorted fella, take care now

[lordna]

Thanks everyone for your best wishes etc...unfortunately just found out op is postponed till Monday.....more stress! I suppose one just has to wait patiently with our over subscribed NHS as they have to deal with emergencies first.

[Terpe]

Thanks everyone for your best wishes etc...unfortunately just found out op is postponed till Monday.....more stress! I suppose one just has to wait patiently with our over subscribed NHS as they have to deal with emergencies first.

That's a nuisance.......my wife's had experience of that. She was delayed three times over a period of 6 months.
I tried to have the op done privately and was told we'd have to start the process all over again and go through another 18 months.....needless to say we just stuck with it.

Really hope all works out well for you and you're back home soon.
Take care lordna :wink:

[lordna]

Just thought I would let you all know I survived the operation and have been discharged from hospital. For Doc's benefit....They performed a L2 to L4 Laminectomy and excision of 3 intradural tumours with diatemy of a 4th lesion. I have a couple of weeks till I know results of the pathology. All I can do now is rest, physio exercises and wait for the pain to get less. Might not be on the forum much as not very comfortable sitting in front of a computer at the moment

[Michael Parnham]

Pleased your op went ok, just take it easy for a while to allow recovery to take place! :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Arthur Little]

Just thought I would let you all know I survived the operation and have been discharged from hospital. For Doc's benefit....They performed a L2 to L4 Laminectomy and excision of 3 intradural tumours with diatemy of a 4th lesion. I have a couple of weeks till I know results of the pathology. All I can do now is rest, physio exercises and wait for the pain to get less. Might not be on the forum much as not very comfortable sitting in front of a computer at the moment

Thanks for your update ... relieved to read the surgery went fine; take care and good luck with your test results. :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Doc Alan]

Thank you Lordna for updating us, I hope your discomfort and pain soon get less :smile:.


Please don’t worry too much about the fact that three tumours were found and removed, with another ( presumably very small ) treated by diathermy ( using high frequency electric current to cut / destroy tissue ). Although it doesn’t in fact take two weeks to process and examine the tumours by microscopy, this will allow time for the neuropathologist to liase with your surgeon, so you may then be fully informed.


Best wishes for a full recovery :xxgrinning--00xx3:.

[Rosie1958]

Just thought I would let you all know I survived the operation and have been discharged from hospital. For Doc's benefit....They performed a L2 to L4 Laminectomy and excision of 3 intradural tumours with diatemy of a 4th lesion. I have a couple of weeks till I know results of the pathology. All I can do now is rest, physio exercises and wait for the pain to get less. Might not be on the forum much as not very comfortable sitting in front of a computer at the moment

Wishing you a speedy recovery Lordna, I hope that your pain soon subsides and that you are feeling much better. I will keep my fingers crossed that you receive good news :xxgrinning--00xx3: