I think I self-diagnosed my sciatica issue
 

I'm not bed-ridden by any means. Just left leg pain - much of it near the top by the hip down to the thigh.

Started on Monday. Today is Day 3 with it.

No injury or specific event I can think of - I just woke up Monday morning with the leg pain.

From what I have read on the Internet, not much can be done for it by a medical practitioner so I'm just gonna ride it out for a while and follow some tips to assist with pain management.

If it doesn't subside by next week I may consult my GP.

==================

Here's what I found:

Everyday tips for finding relief include:

Gentle stretching, focusing on the buttocks, thighs, calf, and feet muscles.
Gentle exercise, such as yoga, swimming, or walking can often help ease inflammation.
Take over-the-counter pain medications to ease inflammation and pain. Some pain relief medications are available for purchase online, including aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen.
Use pain-relieving topical treatments on the painful areas. Some brands are available for purchase over the counter or online, including tiger balm.
Eat fruits and vegetables, especially foods rich in fiber and antioxidants, such as leafy green vegetables, berries, and citrus fruits.
Eat lean meats and nuts that contain anti-inflammatory compounds, such as omega-3. This might include fish, walnuts, almonds, or sesame seeds.
Limit foods linked with inflammation, such as red meat, alcohol, and heavily refined or preserved foods.
Stay hydrated, as dehydration can intensify inflammation and pain throughout the whole body.
Apply ice to the affected area using an icepack wrapped in a towel or dishcloth for 15 minutes sessions several times daily.
Apply heat to the affected area using a heating bag or hot water bottle several times daily.
Minimize stress, especially during or after menstruation or when symptoms are their worst.
Talk with a mental health professional to get help managing the stress of living with chronic pain.
Learn and practice mindful exercises, such as meditation and guided visualization, to help distract the mind from pain and stress.
Seek alternative therapies, such as acupuncture and massage therapy.

A person may also find that taking natural supplements that contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds can help with symptoms.

Natural supplements available for purchase online include:

probiotics
vitamins C, E, and A
magnesium glycinate
omega-3 fatty acids
ginger
turmeric
devil’s claw
capsicum
glucosamine

I found that heat exacerbated mine but ice helped a great deal

Interesting because I just finished using both a heat pad on the lower back plus a bed buddy wrapped around my thigh and the pain almost entirely went away. I know it will return but seems like the heat really helped.

I had it bad, really bad, a while ago. I ended up in the ER as the pain was so intense I couldn't do anything without being in pain. Didn't matter if I moved or not. Only thing that helped was physical therapy. I now have stretching exercises i do whenever I feel the slightest hint of sciatica. Mine was so bad that I was laid up in bed for a week. The only way to get around the house was on an office chair with wheels. No way could I stand. Sitting on the toilet was the worst part. Lasted about a month.

standing, walking, and sometimes driving are the worst for sciatica. Driving because any jostle or bump irritates it.

Hate to hear that Baz. Take it easy and get some rest. Only had it a couple days. It was tough and I think it was brought on by fatigue. I had some Darvocets stashed back and they really helped. Too bad they have been outlawed.

A few Oxycontin pills and a pint of whiskey will make you feel a lot better!

Like so many issues with humans, every person seems to have a different reaction to treatments. Some say heat, some say ice. Whatever works for you. Avoid pain pills except OTC products and follow dosage on the package.

I bought a TENS unit last year when mine returned. Immediate relief !

I was sent home from the ER with a prescription for Oxycodone. Did nothing for the pain, but they did knock me out and helped me sleep.

The human body is funny: I tried TENS to no satisfaction when friends recommended it to me. Worked like a charm for them.

Baz, I'll send you my TENS unit if you'd like.

For me, daily stretching, heating pads and a massage chair, some pot cream and this:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1642618520.jpg

My son gave me one for Christmas. He uses one for Jujitsu "issues" and swears by it.

I now do as well.

Get an MRI.

Back pain develops gradually so if this is a brand new experience of the aging bones, it could be something else.

MRI will confirm or exclude that diagnosis.

Thanks for this post and comment - and all the others.

I'd never heard of a TENS unit. I did some research and decided to get this one. Arrives tomorrow. $36 from Amazon. Will post feedback here.

Belifu Dual Channel TENS EMS Unit 16 Modes Muscle Stimulator for Pain Relief Therapy, Electronic Pulse Massager Muscle Massager

Got one coming, Paul. Thanks anyway and also for the additional info. Good stuff for everyone!

Go get checked, could be something simple or may need attention.

I had it bad several years ago. MRI showed typical disc degeneration that old guys get. Couldn't move without stabbing pain down the leg.. couldn't sleep... pain killers helped a little. My wife works in the PT dept. at the local university, she hooked me up with one of the PHD teachers. He gave me some stretches to do like Pirifomis stretches.. basically sit on a table Indian style... but let one leg hang down over the edge. so the ball of the other foot is against the knee of the leg hanging off the side... Bend forward and touch your chin to that knee. Then switch legs. I have been doing this for the past 6 years and have zero pain anymore. I Mountainbike, work out with weights doing squats and other lifting. Even lift logs for my hobby sawmill. I find if I stay active, pretty much all of my aches and pains that go with old age are minimal. I consider myself lucky that I didn't have to get surgery. Many people do need it. Hope you get it figured out and get the pain behind you.

I've posted this before...its helped me immensely.. Stretching and strengthening your core will do wonders..do planks..

Me: 61, xrays a few ears ago revealed Scoliosis, Sciatica, arthritis, and compressed discs..I won the back pain lottery


Stretching and strengthening did wonders... I'm rarely bothered by sciatica anymore.. only after a long drive will I have numbness in my leg..


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If you tend to carry a wallet in your hip pocket, STOP IMMEDIATELY! I was amazed at how quickly the shooting pains in my leg stopped.
One of the best pieces of advice I received.

Best
Les

Hot a shower as possible while standing & stretching
Then ICE pack on back while laying down.
Then flat on the back stretching exercises.
Repeat 3 times a day

Went from totally immobile to full recovery in a few days.

PAIN IS YOUR FRIEND, IT LET'S YOU KNOW YOUR ALIVE

This is very true also !


The thing with the TENS unit is to apply the pads on both sides of the most painful area.

Actually, they didn't help with mine, it was so bad, I could only sleep on my stomach. I suffered from Nov on, just now able to move or sit without being in massive pain.

Nah, Baz is just a Florida Gators fan. :D

Baz my friend, I had the same thing happen to me last November through December and in to this new year. Severe pain developed out of nowhere in my lower back, down my left hip and into the top of my left thigh towards the knee. Sitting on a toilet was a nightmare. Sitting down anywhere I had to lay my left leg out behind me to sit down and then pull my leg over with my arms. Pain scale of 1-10 I was a hobbling 8 and when it hit I was a 42,000.

So I wound up approved for a dozen physical therapy sessions in December. Easy stuff you can do at home on your own once it is shown to you. It wasn't until towards the end of the 12 sessions that the therapist really earned their pay, and that was by diagnosing and adjusting the length of my legs to be the same as my pelvis had shifted forward on one side and backwards on the other. And then laying on my side while the therapist felt around the muscles on my left hip and pushed down HARD when she found the tight spot that made me go OWWWWWW!!!! Sessions always ended with 10 minutes of an ice pack. NO heat at any time and when asked about using a massager it was a definite absolute NO.

So the simple stretches that worked for me as a patient and certainly not a physical therapist:

1) Find a way to incline both feet about 30 degrees at your toes with heels on the ground. Lean forward and hold for 10 seconds. 20 reps of those. They really stretch your lower leg muscles. You'll feel it.

2) Find a stairway. One leg on level ground, put the other leg on the second step with your foot pointing upwards. Lean forward. Hold 10 seconds. 10 reps each leg.

3) Sit in a chair. One leg and foot flat on the ground. Cross other leg over that leg, sitting up straight lightly push down on your crossed leg at the knee while you lean forward. Hold for 10 seconds. 10 reps each leg.

Good Luck!

Don’t let Mrs. Seahawk see that! 😂

C’mon Baz...we both know what the problem is...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1642643386.jpg

for me, after several ER trips,
bouts with opiods (no effect, no relief)
my oncologists prescribed Steroids.

Within a few hours, I could run
up and down stairs !!!

Never going back to opiods again,
worthless for me. THe Steroids have
been the only relief to back pain.

Yo SCadaddle......

Thanks for the info and sorry about beating your Bulldogs tonight in basketball - but we really needed that win! ;)

But the win over Bama was pretty sweet so congrats on that one. You have a very good team and are going to do well this season.

Regarding the leg pain stuff - I'm happy for you that you were able to get some help and it actually did some good. Appreciate all the details on the therapy stuff.

My situation isn't nearly as bad as it sounds like yours was so hopefully I will be able to get past this without any outside assistance. But we will see what happens. I'm not against getting help, if needed.

I will work on some of the stretching exercises you mentioned.

Thanks again and best to you going forward! SmileWavy

LOL....good one, Mike! :)

For the record...I don't carry my wallet on my person except while on one of my motorbikes, and then it resides in one of my front pockets.

I'm not even sure if any of my shorts even have a back pocket! :p

OK thanks....I was given some steroids when I had my bronchitis last year, I think. I would never take any opiods.....unless it was a last resort, I guess.....

THANK YOU, Bill, Tim, Les, and Ted!

I truly appreciate all the advice! Will hang onto and deploy as appropriate. ;)

What an amazing forum....love you guys! SmileWavy

Let me tell you of my bout with Sciatica. Shooting pain down my right leg, self treated for about a month. Went to a Pain Consultant, got an MRI. Showed arthritis & stenosis in L3 & L4. Over 3 months got 3 epidurals & non lasted longer than 3 days. Went to a Neurosurgeon for consult. Reviewed my MRI & epidurals. Was concerned that the shots had done nothing. I do have issues in my lower back though. Sent me for an upper neck MRI & Cat Scan. Showed A4, A5 & A6 all compressed & bone spurs in A5 & A6 pushing directly on the right side of my spinal cord. I reported my neck never ached. He said nerves travel from the neck to all you lower extremities & that sciatica had started there & in conjunction with my back issues, "you're all messed up" 3 weeks ago I had the attached surgery No more leg pain & shooting sciatica & oddly enough, much more sensitive feeling in my fingers. Still need help walking because of the back but the angrist issue is gone. 4 months from now, I go in for the lower back. This was a double spine fusion, 4 plates & 8 screws later. Ya never know.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1642686775.jpg

This thread just cost me $50 for an Amazon order for a TENS unit. I ordered it within the 17 minute timeframe that Amazon stated would allow it to be delivered - TODAY! First time I've had same day delivery - even though they do have a warehouse within 30 minutes of the house.

Actually - it's picking up all that furniture and other items from the roadside.

I had to laugh out loud. (sorry Baz)

Yikes! Well I guess anything is possible when you start getting into issues with the sciatic nerve and discs, etc. Hopefully my situation is just temporary. But like you said Googam....you never know. Best wishes for the rest of your treatment and thanks for sharing!


No doubt, Mark! :)

Keep us posted on how the TENS works out for you. Which unit did you get, BTW?

I just left a voice mail for my doctor to call me back and let me know what their thoughts are on pain management going forward, plus whatever else they would recommend, so we'll see what they say.

I'm not in out of this world pain but it's enough to interfere with physical activity which is enough of a concern.

Thanks again all......SmileWavy

3pm appointment today. Will report back.....

OK here's the latest.....

Picked up my Rx.

Prednisone 10mg and Gabapentin 300mg.

Will take one of the Gabapentin's tonight before going to bed and start the Prednisone tomorrow.

FWIW, this morning I took 3 of some weaker (4mg) Prednisone that I had left over from a bout of bronchitis last year. Not sure if it did anything but overall the pain doesn't seem as bad tonight. I also took 4x200mg Advils around 1pm.

My TENS came today but I haven't opened the box yet.

Thanks again for all the help. I was bragging about you all to my doc today. She thought it was great.

I cringe every time I read the word "sciatica". I've had it and it's freekin awful. :( ... Get better soon Baz.

We are all different and will be affected or relieved to various degrees.

I find for me at this point in time that lack of exercise will trigger episodes.

Whenever I get lazy I pay the price.

Be very careful with the prednisone!

That stuff is scary. My MIL started taking it under doctor's orders. She suddenly felt like 20 years younger and loved it. She is a very quiet lady, and I had never had a long conversation with her after many years of marriage to her daughter. Out of the blue, she called my cell and chatted like a teenage girl about all sorts of things for over an hour!

She finally started gaining weight, especially in her face, and her doc took her off of it. She crashed like a heroin addict with a monkey on her back. It is a too long of a story to go into her issues then, but it was months before she was back to normal.

Just be careful with that stuff. It is powerful medicine.

Thanks, mate....appreciate it!

The meds are helping with the pain a bit. Hopefully things will get better soon.