hello peeps....

[lcg]

does anyone have experience of sciatica here? does it come on gradually, hit you like a train full on, or is it different for everyone? i have chronic arthritis and take shedfuls of medication for that anyway (meloxicam, co-codamol and fentanyl)....but lately i have woken through the night with searing pain in my butt that feels suspiciously like the sciatic nerve pinging away (and occasionally in the day too). what is the treatment for sciatica and how is it managed long-term?

also, is there anything more i can do about the pain i experience when i wake up and the more general, painful aching after being relaxed in my sleep? i am fed up of waking 4-5 times a night, sometimes having to wander around and shovel more medication down my throat before going back to sleep? or do i have to wait until i see the rheumatologist next week (instead of gp) for advice/meds change/increase or else?

mtia....lisa x

[tinkerbell23]

My dad suffers LCG ...he was reducedmto tears...apparently lying on a hard surface...ie the floor...can relieve it?

Ive seen many folk try accupuncture with good effect. I really feel for you its a terrible affliction....good luck xxx

[vodkancoke]

I suffer from it lcg76. It hits me like a train. I go to the physio for massage and acupuncture which really helps. I also take diclofenic (sp) for it. It's not a constant thing with me but when it appears it hits me hard. I would go to your gp to make sure it is sciatica. Get better soon xxx

[lcg]

hi tinks. tried acupuncture for my arthritis and while it was relaxing, it did absolutely nowt else, unfortunately. i haven't got any hard floors either....so will have to keep rolling around on the carpet for now! i just wish i could get something that would sort out my pain once and for all - but the dr's seem content on letting me suffer before they do stuff about it! and i have 2 x 14 hour days on the ward over the weekend to look forward to :(

[lcg]

hi vc....my gp is rubbish to useless, unfortunately. i do have a clinic app next week, tho. but that's not until friday.....i really am rolling around while i'm typing this! it hurts....x

[tonyav]

It's those FM heels, vodcancoke !

[vodkancoke]

Oh I feel for you. Have you any painkillers in the house? I know it's not the solution but have you tried a hot bath? x

[vodkancoke]

Lol Tony, you could be right! ;)

[tinkerbell23]

I feel for you, esp with the working weekend ahead!!!!! Xx

[lcg]

i've taken every single pill, vc...fentanyl patch, meloxicam, co-codamol, diclofenac, tramadol....not to mention the psychiatric crap i take! i am seriously considering chopping bits off. meh x

[tonyav]

How about if you hold the shower head to it, set on cold maybe numb it a bit.

[tinkerbell23]

Double meh :0(

Would any sort of muscle relaxant help? Could you nab one of the physios at work and see what they say?

Im clutching at straws here....but hows your mattress? And your work shoes?

Im going to have to get a comfier pair for when i start back...my feet were literally on fire and it goes straight to your back after 14hrs xxx

[ubasses]

My OH went the accupuncture route, but it was with a physio at the local hospital, nothing like the relaxing type. A large needle was put into the muscle and when he could not take any more was left for a while. Each week needle went in further and was twisted more. At the end of 6 weeks he was pain free, physio could not guarantee complete cure but now over year without pain. This was NHS.

[tinkerbell23]

Heat patches btw? Or cooling whatever feels better, tried any topical gels or sprays etc? Xxx

[lcg]

in this weather tony? i'm not into that idea....i'm already freezing bits off!!! i also can't have a hot bath....if my body temp rises, the patch leeches out fentanyl and people have died from that Sugar! it's a large patch....i simply can't take any more meds (i have literally eaten them all!) as i have already taken the max dose of several. it should be enough to knock out a pony. but it's F***ING soooo painful....

[tinkerbell23]

I read about a leg lifting excersise aswell but i cant remember it :0(

I really feel sorry for you ...not that it helps but i do.....carefull work isnt aggrivating it too....xxx

[tonyav]

Any supermarkets open near you, pharmacy section, you could get some of that Freeze spray ( for sports injuries ) it works.

[lcg]

tinks....good shoes now (the arthritis saw to that - my feet grew a size and sensible ones are the only option). max doses of 2 nsaids....mucho codeine....and bugger all else in the house and i'm at work at 7am tomorrow. great suggestions, though, but not looking forward to the morning. btw...i work in a nuthouse, so not a physio in sight (or anyone else for that matter as it's the weekend) x

[shoota]

Try going on all fours, cross one leg over the other and then slowly push that leg backwards 'til you feel the pull in your bum, then come back on to all fours and do the other leg. Repeat as necessary but do it gently.
Worked for me when I had sciatica.

[lcg]

mmmm...freeze spray sounds like a good 'un - definitely one i haven't tried before. i'll get some of that before i go in, tony. work is def a problem, tinks....but i do like eating and paying my bills! i can't afford to give up on work and will probably still be at that ruddy place in my afterlife! i'm a stubborn cow and will work like a donkey until i drop.

[lcg]

nice gloves, shoota! i'm sort of doing that exercise as i'm rolling round the floor typing. it feels great for a couple of seconds, but the pain just keeps coming back. i also bought a nice memory foam mattress which is great and helps some (better than before) but i still keep waking up in the night as everything gets all stiff again (!) and hurts like a mo fo x