Sciatic nerve. Anyone?

[Starless]

I've had a few sciatic nerve issues over the years. Maybe once every 3-4 years. Painful for a day or so. Saturday woke up with that, oh great here it comes again, feeling. But this time it was bad. Really bad. By 11AM I was on the bed screaming. Nothing I could do helped. Even being totally still, the pain shot down with a vengeance from my hip to my knee. My hip and thigh felt like someone was stabbing me with electrified ice picks and my knee felt like it was in a vise. A trip to the ER was a waste of time. I feel somewhat better now, but still can't really walk. Been getting around on an office chair. Luckily we have hardwood floors so I can really fly around. And don't get me started on trying to sit on the toilet for more than 30 sec.
What have you done?

[flatbutt]

I've used ice packs with some success.

[stomachmonkey]

This is a constant daily problem for me.

Keeps me from sleeping.

Started doing 20 minutes of Yoga every morning.

It's much much better.

If I get lazy for a couple of days it starts to come back.

Stay out of the chair, (I know I know) it's only making things worse.

[CMDR Perry]

Listen to Monkey, daily Yoga stretches will make a big difference.

[oldE]

About 30 years ago my doctor told me to stop carrying my wallet in my hip pocket. Problem solved.
Hope it works for you.
Best
Les

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

This is a constant daily problem for me.

Keeps me from sleeping.

Started doing 20 minutes of Yoga every morning.

It's much much better.

If I get lazy for a couple of days it starts to come back.

Stay out of the chair, (I know I know) it's only making things worse.

Yep... Yep... and Yep.

Mine was caused by a herniated disc at L5/S1. I find that stretching the hamstrings and piriformis helps but a good overall yoga routine is best.

[Eric Hahl]

Best thing that has helped me was to stretch my hamstrings. That large muscle can pull you out of shape. For example, you have some sciatic pain and you start favoring a position that alleviates it. This is where the hammy comes in. Without stretching them, they will stiffen and start pulling the lower back into a position that isn't good.

Try this...



Get on the floor, and put one leg up on a wall and the other straight out. Slowly inch your butt closer to the wall while getting your upright leg as straight as possible.

Trust me, it works. Best thing I ever did!

[Starless]

OK, thanks for all the advise. I'll start stretching the hamstring. At this point I'll try anything. The thing is that most of the pain is now down on my knee. The hip is sore, but nothing like my knee.
So best not to baby the side causing all the pain and wait until i feel better to walk. Got it. I do have a walker I can use to support me if I feel like I'm about to collapse, so I'll start today.

[wdfifteen]

I'm sorry for your troubles. Living with pain sucks the life out of you.
I have had sciatic pain, but not that severe. It would hurt, but the biggest problem was if I coughed or sneezed my left leg went limp. If I felt a sneeze coming on I would have to drop to my knees or grab something to hold me up. I had other pain, but from the same cause. Which is weakening core muscles that let your spine pinch your spinal cord. It's been a long haul, but strengthening the muscles in the middle third of my body has helped me tremendously.
Stretches, a cortisone shot, and body core strengthening have worked miracles.
I've been to PT twice and the stretches on this web site cover most of what I was taught there. It works, but it takes time.

https://www.silversneakers.com/blog/sciatica-stretches-exercises-ease-pain-seniors/

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

https://www.silversneakers.com/blog/sciatica-stretches-exercises-ease-pain-seniors/

That is an excellent website. I will incorporate those I have not been doing.

I would also add "planking" for a good core....get to three minutes in position. Also, and you didn't mention this, but total body weight is a huge factor.

Cortisone doesn't work for me but CBD (with THC) does. I apply it directly on my groin.

I don't know your States position, but if available, they are worth trying....they work wonders for me.

I wish you the best. Pain can suck the joy out of life.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

T I apply it directly on my groin.

And that's helping your knee pain?

Really did not need that mental image, thanks.

and then triggered "this tennis elbow is really killing me. I use CBD with THC. I apply it directly to my groin. I'm more relaxed, but my elbow is getting worse."

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by masraum

And that's helping your knee pain?

"Honey, my knee hurts again, can you come help?"

[masraum]

Originally Posted by seahawk

"honey, my knee hurts again, can you come help?"

LOL!

"But it's a medical/health thing!"

[Arizona_928]

Stretches work in the moment.
The real goal is to find understand your triggers and to avoid that activity/ movement.

[JavaBrewer]

Been There Before. After a week or two after my last post I got more consistent relief from the pain, enough to sleep soundly. My right leg droop did not get better for another month or so. Attempts to stretch at times made things worse so I mainly focused on relaxing. Folks recommended some pool time but when I tried to dangle from the edge in deep water to flex a bit I thought I broke my back. Had to be helped out of the pool. A few months later I started a gym routine with core body stretching and strength routines. Now 12 or so years later no repeat events like that. I have dropped off the exercise this last year - need to get that going again. Good luck, it will get better.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

Stretches work in the moment.
The real goal is to find understand your triggers and to avoid that activity/ movement.

I disagree. Yes, initially do avoid the activity/movement that causes the pain, and some stretches do give immediate, temporary relief, but as a few others have said here the real goal is to use stretches and exercise to strengthen your core muscles so your sciatic nerve isn't getting pinched in your spine. Stretches and exercise may not give you immediate lasting relief, but if you keep with it you will be rewarded.

[Bill Douglas]

It sounds strange. But when I started trail running with the dogs my sciatic nerve pain went away.

I suspect it's because "There's more room in there" (bit where the nerve is getting pinched). Trail running gives you a good bounce around. stretches hip joints, loosens the spine up a bit. You kinda run loose.

It worked for me - good luck.

[Skytrooper]

The worst pain I have ever experienced was when I crushed my sciatic nerve. The nerve pain and burning from mid back all the way to my toes was excruciating. Lost the use of my right leg. I took 1.5 years to learn how to walk again. Severe drop foot. Went to nerve specialists, MRI, PT, Chiropracters (3 until I found a good one). Finally it got better, well as much as it ever will. I regained 80% function back. It has been 4.5 years now. It is a slow process. Strecting and light weight lifting is good to strengthen the core. The core is all important in preventing it from happening again.

[BoxsterSteve]

Originally Posted by oldE

About 30 years ago my doctor told me to stop carrying my wallet in my hip pocket. Problem solved.
Hope it works for you.
Best
Les

This.
A gradual thing for me.
I’d nearly be crippled after a 2+ hour drive. Excruciating pain in one ass cheek shooting down the leg.
Stopped carrying my wallet in a back pocket and sitting on it while driving.
Such a simple thing, but wow.

[gsxrken]

Google Dr. Stuart McGill and his “Big Three” exercises and then go down that rabbit hole on YouTube and the web. He’s done many fascinating studies on spines in his lab and he’s written several books that explain it all in approachable terms. One thing he preaches is never to do another sit-up in your life... and he backs it up with intradisc pressure instrumentation that illustrates it’s one of the worst things you can do.
In a nutshell, the spine needs to stay in a good position anchored by core stabilizing muscles; not wobble around due to either lack of core or from stretching into challenging positions.
Changed my life- without exaggeration.