Sciatica

[bobbie22]

I have had sciatica since Christmas. Been to Physio and a Chiropractor. Am taking codydramol. Also have solpadol, but they make me sick. I have a TENS machine also. Nothing works. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[queenofmean]

My mum had Reflexology and after a few sessions it was gone and she hasn't had any problems since...could be worth looking into

[Bathsheba]

Hi Bobbie. As I understand it, sciatica is caused by back problems. Have you had an xray to see what the discs in your back are like?

x x

[PankySmooch]

Ask your GP to get you a MRI scan, that'll tell you more

[Broseph]

Bobbie try Kratom. It's an epic pain reliever and anti anxiety herb and it works and works well it does.

[Broseph]

This is a great read about this wonderful plant.

http://ensobotanicals.com/kratom/

[bobbie22]

Thanks to you for your replies. I haven't had any of the tests mentioned, but I do have an appointment with the doc early next week. Will have to ask the doctor about kratom, as I take so much other stuff. Will let you know. X

[jennyjoan]

most of your problems believe it or not - arms, shoulders etc come from the back - I had a wonderful osteopath really wonderful - now she has retired and i am stll looking. good night again LOL - looks like a beautiful morning but I have black out blinds out - so will get ito bed and rest if anything - see you in the morning. JjCon

[Sqad]

Six months of back pain, should at least stimulate some investigation and i would have thought that an MRI scan was an excellent suggestion.
Tactfully mention an X-Ray to your GP.

[Bathsheba]

When I suddenly couldn't straighten up + had to walk bent double, I went to a chiropractor, + the 1st thing he did was send me for an x ray (at my own expense) so he knew exactly what he was dealing with. Cost £40, if I remember, but was about 15 years ago. Chiropactor worked wonders though...he got me nearly upright at 1st apptmnt! Nor available on NHS sadly, luckily for me I'm in this insurance plan (used to be called tht "Hospital Saturday Fund")...wonder if any other oldies remember that?, Lol. Best of luck bobbie.

Baths
x x
l

[Broseph]

/ Will have to ask the doctor about kratom, as I take so much other stuff. Will let you know. X/

Hi bobbie. In my experience doctors don't seem to know anything about herbs and alternative medicines as well as supplements unless they have researched them or have patients that use them or use them themselves so I seriously doubt whether he or she would know anything about Kratom and will usually direct you to pharmaceuticals which they have an agenda pushing onto the public tho it's always paramount to ask the doctor and research interactions with any meds you're taking.

Good luck and all the best.

[jennyjoan]

I had sciatica years ago and I never took a thing - in those days you didn't - I am sorry bobbie but it takes time and will go away eventually a long time. If you get an MRI - sure it comes up you have sciatica (it is very sore|) but as I say goes away in ITS own time. This is a new thing Kratom and it may work and you could give it a go. good luck.

[Mamyalynne]

Soldiering on with it is admirable Conne , but further tests may reveal a bulging disc for example which could change the method of treatment and or physio.

[jennyjoan]

guess you're right Mamy as things have moved on since I had it.

[johnny37]

ive had it for 30 yrs. never had any treatment. i was given to believe there is no cure. at first is was excrutiating. Physio/chiro can teach you how to stand up, sit down, etc but you can teach yourself how to handle it. only you know when it hurts. now mine hurts only very infrequently. Now I have another annoying pain in the area of my shoulder blade but that is another matter. perhaps my brain is centering on that one instead!

[jennyjoan]

ach it is oul age Johnny - tho I dont know your age LOL thats your business.

[vulcan42]

Nobody has mentioned acupuncture. A friend of mine suffered with sciatica he also was bent and unable to walk very far, he had this treatment and has become a new man. He has just retuned from Budapest and is travelling to Italy shorty. The treatment isn't cheap,for the first month he went twice a week and that cost £320 and he now goes once a week at £20 per session. However he's totally pain free and said he would gladly pay double.

[jackthehat]

Sciatica is a symptom of 'something' and that 'something' needs to be diagnosed before it can be treated.
In my case it was bulging/herniated/slipped discs.
Painkillers helped....a bit; stretching/resting helped....a bit; a spinal cortisone injection helped....a bit; acupuncture helped....a lot. I would recommend acupuncture as pain-relief.
However, none of the above sorted out the 'mechanical' problem of my discs; that was solved by an operation.
I took an MRI scan to diagnose the actual problem but once that was done it was fairly plain sailing...

[jennyjoan]

well i had my second session of acupuncture for my shoulder last Monday - felt good for half an hour that would be it. Some people it works for some not - Sqad calls Abacadabra medicine tho I dont what he meant. It is truly great when somebody finally gets relief for pain.

[bobbie22]

Thanks to all of you for the advice. Will let you know how I get on with my GP.

[Sqad]

jennyjoan...abracadabra......an illusion, in the mind, magician's entertainment.

No scientific foundation.