Scream out loud painful Sciatica

mkmel · Post by **mkmel** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 2:59 pm

Remember that Sunday in mid December when it was very icy and everyone was adviced to stay at home and not go out?

Well muggins here went out and even though I was wearing big boots with thick tread and thought I was being careful but I slipped on the ice. I didn't fall it it was more of a whiplash effect.

Ever since then luckily enough I am ok when sitting down and when sleeping but when I am walking just a few steps my left leg from my bum down to my foot is in absolute agony.

I have a an MRI Scan on 12th February and I am as good as certain it is a nerve problem and maybe linked to the spinal surgery I had back in August.

I take 3 Gabapentin 3 times a day and about 6 paracetamol a day and 2 Amitriptyline at night and yes I sleep well and long but the painkiller Gabapentin doesn't help much all though I have only started taking them for 3 days and my Doctor did say it could take a few days to take effect.

Anyone else had extremely painful Sciatica and if so any medication/painkillers you can recommend or any sort of treatment?

Never had pain like it.

Realistically I think I will have to have more surgery but in the meantime I need something to ease this extreme pain

Thanks

BOYSIE31 · Post by **BOYSIE31** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 3:13 pm

Not had the pain but had the numbness at the base of my back and buttock but bought a strap for my leg and seems to be helping a bit plus stretching exercies also helps

CharlieinNewMexico · Post by **CharlieinNewMexico** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 3:27 pm

Stretching. And muscle relaxants. (Theory being it's likely muscles or swollen bulging disc pushing against the nerve). Any of the pills women buy for period pain have water eliminators (help reduce swelling) name brands Pamprin, Midol over here not sure there. They work. Medical marijuana is also legal in NM for exactly this kind of thing.

mkmel · Post by **mkmel** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 3:35 pm

Stretching is a no for me with the extreme pain and I already take Amitriptyline which is a muscle relaxant.

From February to August I had a bulging disc two trapped nerves and a broken disc
In August the Surgeon shaved the disc to stop it touching the nerves.
Maybe my whiplash slip on the ice has somehow effected the surgery that was done

Blackrod · Post by **Blackrod** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 3:54 pm

Yes i have it. Slipped disc trapping nerve and 3 years of constant pain. Had the scans, physio and medicines. Yes that medicine made me sleep well but did not do a lot for the pain. I find a beer helps to a degree. Driving is very bad for it.

mkmel · Post by **mkmel** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 4:00 pm

You are right with the Amitriptyline making me sleep !onger than normal.

But that and the Gabapentin and Paracetamol do diddly squat for eradicating the extreme pain

CharlieinNewMexico · Post by **CharlieinNewMexico** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 4:01 pm

Very possible. As you've been through it all before you'll know how anything skeletal just needs a bump and everything is off again, like a domino effect. My thoughts are with you it's a miserable, mentally debilitating pain.
(Although I'll counter it with sneezing when you have broken ribs as a close run thing as to which is worst)

CharlieinNewMexico · Post by **CharlieinNewMexico** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 4:04 pm

Blackrod have you tried chiropractor? 6 months of appointments but mine realigned me until it no longer pushed against the nerve

Marney&Mee · Post by **Marney&Mee** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 4:05 pm

great name for a heavy metal band...

mkmel · Post by **mkmel** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 4:06 pm

You are right it f 'i g hurts

Over Christmas I had possible life threatening health problems which now seem under control but this extreme pain is completely f 'ing up my quality of life.

Let's see what the Scan shows up

Sutton-Claret · Post by **Sutton-Claret** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 4:13 pm

Yes I had Sciatica about 5 years ago. I couldn't sit down or lie down - I spent the first night walking round the living room watching films. I tried driving myself to A&E to get some painkillers but had to turn the car around as the pain was so bad. Eventually the doctor prescribed some painkillers and after about a fortnight I was able to carry on as normal.

Been ok since however I still have some numb areas down by right leg.

Wouldn't wish it on anybody (except Piers Morgan) - Even women have said its more painful than childbirth....

elwaclaret · Post by **elwaclaret** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 4:25 pm

Anti inflams andpain killers that numb nerve endings are what dr's tend to dole out - Tramadol have always been a favorite. At the moment there's a big thing about the side effects (you're like a zombie). Without prescription just about the best relief comes from cauli

bob-the-scutter · Post by **bob-the-scutter** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 4:47 pm

mkmel wrote:Remember that Sunday in mid December when it was very icy and everyone was adviced to stay at home and not go out?

Well muggins here went out and even though I was wearing big boots with thick tread and thought I was being careful but I slipped on the ice. I didn't fall it it was more of a whiplash effect.

Ever since then luckily enough I am ok when sitting down and when sleeping but when I am walking just a few steps my left leg from my bum down to my foot is in absolute agony.

I have a an MRI Scan on 12th February and I am as good as certain it is a nerve problem and maybe linked to the spinal surgery I had back in August.

I take 3 Gabapentin 3 times a day and about 6 paracetamol a day and 2 Amitriptyline at night and yes I sleep well and long but the painkiller Gabapentin doesn't help much all though I have only started taking them for 3 days and my Doctor did say it could take a few days to take effect.

Anyone else had extremely painful Sciatica and if so any medication/painkillers you can recommend or any sort of treatment?

Never had pain like it.

Realistically I think I will have to have more surgery but in the meantime I need something to ease this extreme pain

Thanks

I had femoral nerve injury & had surgery 3 years ago on a blown disk. I know that pain!!

mkmel · Post by **mkmel** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 4:52 pm

Sutton-Claret wrote:Yes I had Sciatica about 5 years ago. I couldn't sit down or lie down - I spent the first night walking round the living room watching films. I tried driving myself to A&E to get some painkillers but had to turn the car around as the pain was so bad. Eventually the doctor prescribed some painkillers and after about a fortnight I was able to carry on as normal.

Been ok since however I still have some numb areas down by right leg.

Wouldn't wish it on anybody (except Piers Morgan) - Even women have said its more painful than childbirth....

What were the painkillers that your doctor prescribed that helped you return to normal?

mkmel · Post by **mkmel** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 4:56 pm

elwaclaret wrote:Anti inflams andpain killers that numb nerve endings are what dr's tend to dole out - Tramadol have always been a favorite. At the moment there's a big thing about the side effects (you're like a zombie). Without prescription just about the best relief comes from cauli

I tried Oramorph which is liquid morphine but not for long as it made me depressed and I burst into tears about 3 times.I would rather have the pain.

elwaclaret · Post by **elwaclaret** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 4:57 pm

mkmel wrote:What were the painkillers that your doctor prescribed that helped you return to normal?

If its Sciatica there is no known cure - or so the doctors told me.

elwaclaret · Post by **elwaclaret** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 4:59 pm

mkmel wrote:I tried Oramorph which is liquid morphine but not for long as it made me depressed and I burst into tears about 3 times.I would rather have the pain.

Yes Tramadol is similar and did the same to me (they eventually had me on 4 a day when I said enoughs enough).... hence I chose an alternative.

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 5:18 pm

Try an osteopath and see if they can do anything for you. I had a similar pain and it turned out my hip flexor was out of alignment.

Brunlea · Post by **Brunlea** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 5:30 pm

Suffer from this as well. Painkillers help but you have to be careful some, tramadol for example,are very powerful and can be dangerous over a long period of time.
I manage mine by always wearing a back support ( Lidl do good lightweight ones) when lifting or doing any heavy work.
Find a good masseur who specialises in sports injuries using ultrasound etc and have a regular treatment at least once a month to maintain your back. Light gym work to build up your core strength and walk regularly to exercise your legs. When it is really bad consider seeing your doctor and getting cortisone injections. When you are feeling better do not think it has gone as this is what I have done and at times paid a very heavy price so accept that it needs to be continually managed. All the best. UTC

mkmel · Post by **mkmel** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 5:36 pm

Maybe I asked for advice about this too early and should have waited to see what the MRI Scan results show up.
But no matter what I tell you it will not beat me.

I have prostate cancer had a heart attack in 2003 have type 2 diabetes had spinal surgery last August.
And my Kidneys packed up in December last year and I had 2 secondary heart attacks also last December and at the same time I had blood clots down below in a catheter and they also found blood clots in both of my lungs.And of course I now have very painful sciatica.

Apart from all that I am in good nick.

I am still here and am an extremely positive person so I will say it again

It will not beat me

clive40golf · Post by **clive40golf** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 5:44 pm

I’ve had a bad back for two years, an absolute depressing and life changing experience. Had Mri’s That showed 2 discs impinging on root nerves. Tried everything but it wouldn’t get better, Naproxen and co-codimol works to some extent, went down the neuro drug route, but like other people have said it leaves you as a zombie.
I would recommend trying to get to see a rhuematologist if you can and try to attack your problem from a different angle, it worked for me. I’ve been diagnosed with something else now (AS) that has the characteristics of disc/sciatica problems but has also incorporated other symptoms I’ve had previousl( still have two bulging discs, but most males in their late forties early fifties have some disc damage). I’m getting the best treatment the nhs can give me gold standard in fact so there may be some improvement but at least I know what I have and how to manage it.
Wouldn’t recommend having chiropractic treatments until you know what you have. If I’d have gone down that route there’s a chance I could have ended up in a wheelchair.

Blackrod · Post by **Blackrod** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 5:44 pm

My nerve is no longer trapped in the back but has left me with the pain down leg and foot. Massages help with the back and I may start them on the leg. About to start a new drug but can't think what's it's called. If it helps with the pain I will post it on here.

Claretforshaw · Post by **Claretforshaw** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 6:13 pm

You have my sympathy, I have had sciatica problems for about 20 years, now suffer painfully with spine problems at the top and bottom plus arthritis, mostly in the neck and head. I am on 6 gabapentins a day and co- codomol, not sure they make any difference, I didn't get on with the amitriptyline made me feel crap. BUT the worst time I had was with sciatica, really painful only helped with Physiotherapy and two epidural injections, one 22 years ago and one 10 years ago, seem to last 12 years so I am not looking forward to the next two years. They seem to comprise a cocktail of painkillers and steroids but they work ....with physio, good luck.

Burnleybabe · Post by **Burnleybabe** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 6:16 pm

I had a Discectomy in Walton Hospital last April.
After suffering from Sciatica and compressed disc for a couple of years.
It did not work, I have had another MRI Scan and have been advised to have Surgery again.
I will make that decision when I go back later this month.
I cant take any pain killers, due to my Migraines.
Unfortunately I can no longer drive very far either.
Nor attend as many games as I want to especially away games, due to having to stand.

Sorry I cant help with any pain killers

mkmel · Post by **mkmel** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 6:17 pm

Thank you guys for all of your comments and suggestions

clive40golf · Post by **clive40golf** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 6:25 pm

Your local hospital should have a pain clinic. I’ve had a couple of epidurals and injections into facet joints, they work for a short time. The most effective injection you can have is a radio frequency one. They insert a needle way into your back into the actual nerves, they then send a radio frequency down the needle to check it’s the right one, they then send a different radio frequency down the needle that actually heats up the needle. They then cause lesions on the nerves and block the pain. It hurts like hell but has a very good success rate.

spadesclaret · Post by **spadesclaret** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 6:25 pm

People react differently to drugs. elwa doesn't like what Tramadol does to him whereas I find it one of the very few painkillers that work. Yes, it makes me drowsy but that's better than debilitating pain.

I tried Pregabalin several months ago. Never again! It left me confused and unable to articulate. I knew what I wanted to say but the wrong words came out. Very scary.

mel, my advice is don't be fobbed off. There are so many painkillers out there that one (or a combination) is bound to suit you. Pester your doctor to try different ones until you find the right one.

Paul Waine · Post by **Paul Waine** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 6:29 pm

mkmel wrote:Maybe I asked for advice about this too early and should have waited to see what the MRI Scan results show up.
But no matter what I tell you it will not beat me.

I have prostate cancer had a heart attack in 2003 have type 2 diabetes had spinal surgery last August.
And my Kidneys packed up in December last year and I had 2 secondary heart attacks also last December and at the same time I had blood clots down below in a catheter and they also found blood clots in both of my lungs.And of course I now have very painful sciatica.

Apart from all that I am in good nick.

I am still here and am an extremely positive person so I will say it again

It will not beat me

Hi mkmel, that's a horrible long list of medical issues. My sympathies. And, I love the "apart from all that...." and "It will not beat me."

Good luck.

mkmel · Post by **mkmel** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 6:37 pm

As I said I am an extremely positive person and no way will it beat me.

I am going to wait to see the results of the scan hear what the powers that be say and then look back at the comments from all you guys on here.

And don't worry spades I won't get fobbed off.

I always think there are no such things as problems only solutions.

And I will find the solution believe me

Long Time Lurker · Post by **Long Time Lurker** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 6:43 pm

I've had chronic back pain and in the beginning I used pain killers. I've never been one for taking lots of tablets so I was always worried about the number that I was taking. Even though I consciously tried to limit my intake I still ended up popping them like candy for a time. The net result was that they kept me moving, to a degree, but they covered up the pain and made the injury worse over time. Pain is a way of telling you that something is wrong and you have to be careful.

The NHS back clinic in Nelson helped me out enormously in my recovery, with physiotherapy and a structured exercise program as I improved. Although I think your condition sounds to be even more serious than mine. I still get relapses from time to time and I don't think I will ever be 100%.

One of the best products that I found for pain management was "Wood Lock". Other people have recommended "Tiger Balm" to me, but I've never tried that. Back in the day Voltarol used to be quite good, when it was only available on prescription, but the active ingredients have been lowered so much in recent times that it is only moderately effective now.

Ooogeorgeorgeoghani · Post by **Ooogeorgeorgeoghani** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 6:52 pm

Was going to offer advice but considering your history I would only take advice from specialists, if it was me though I would be careful on how much medication I took it's all addictive and can create problems of their own , good luck hope you get it sorted

Sutton-Claret · Post by **Sutton-Claret** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 6:55 pm

mkmel wrote:What were the painkillers that your doctor prescribed that helped you return to normal?

He prescribed tramadol - keeping moving also helped. The physio gave me some excercises to do to try and prevent it coming back which I do regularly.

dougcollins · Post by **dougcollins** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 7:25 pm

Walk as far as you possibly can.

Worked for me, it was worth the blisters.

Holtyclaret · Post by **Holtyclaret** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 7:47 pm

Had it twice but avoided surgery. It’s the worst, both times different. Lots of fruit and veg and as much exercise, stretching you can do. Both times I was tired, eating poorly etc when I got it so look after that side of things, will also help bowel movements as painkillers may bung you up!! Amitripyline and codeine for me at the time.

Good luck, it does get better eventually.

Walnutwillie · Post by **Walnutwillie** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 8:22 pm

Hot water bottle 5min then ice pack 5 min
Repeat repeat and repeat
Worked for me

TheFamilyCat · Post by **TheFamilyCat** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 8:51 pm

I've struggled with sciatica in the past but fortunately haven't had any serious flare ups for a few years now.

Worst advice I had was from my GP who signed me off work for a week and told me to rest it. Another doctor subsequently told me I should keep moving so it didn't seize up.

I was prescribed diclofenac and cocodamol which helped.

occ-claret · Post by **occ-claret** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 9:17 pm

Some drugs help people in different ways. Diclophenic was the best anti inflamotory for me

piston broke · Post by **piston broke** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 9:59 pm

Mel, your post 20 is scary. You have my sympathy and best wishes going forward.
I suppose all sciatica problems are different but a good friend of mine was off work for 12 months with it and his cure was a double dose of surfboards, every day. Eventually he got there and is now as fit as he ever was.

bfccrazy · Post by **bfccrazy** » Fri Feb 02, 2018 11:39 pm

Haven't read through the thread fully but I got it bad when we played Chelsea last season - I dosed up on morphine tablets which got me through the game with the pain masked.

I wouldn't recommend it s a long term thing though obviously - Pilates has helped me but I still have a constant pain after a car accident I was in.

Sutton-Claret · Post by **Sutton-Claret** » Tue Feb 06, 2018 11:55 am

Just remembered something else the physio told me - not to drive long distances or sit for long periods with your wallet in your back trouser pocket.....

aggi · Post by **aggi** » Tue Feb 06, 2018 1:37 pm

I had this a few years ago caused by a bulging disc (the one in the white circle) impinging on the nerve. Not even being able to sit, never mind walk or stand, was very debilitating.

: 00000005.JPG (79.34 KiB) Viewed 5009 times

I was subscribed anti-inflammatories but they didn't seem to do a great deal other than make me feel ill. The NHS were pretty useless, the private consultant I saw recommended a steroid injection into the area as a temporary solution and to give it time to heal but the NHS wouldn't pay for that.

Fortunately it has mainly recovered by itself, although it still gives me some slight pain when I've been doing things like DIY and strained my back a bit.

mdd2 · Post by **mdd2** » Tue Feb 06, 2018 2:19 pm

Impressive

THEWELLERNUT70 · Post by **THEWELLERNUT70** » Tue Feb 06, 2018 6:50 pm

It's something I've suffered with on and off since I was 16. I take cocodamol 30/500 and cuprofen max strength ibuprofen (which I use instead of the prescribed naproxen as it's a little easier on my stomach). Heat pads/hot water bottles also help.

When my back goes it goes completely and feels as though the bottom of my back upwards is being separated from the top of my ar5e downwards by being cut in two with a red hot sword

Im_not_Robbie_Blake · Post by **Im_not_Robbie_Blake** » Tue Feb 06, 2018 6:57 pm

MIne was just like the one shown on the scan above and I had a microdiscectomy to remove the bulged bit of disc material. A week after the operation I sneezed, and that caused more disc material to bulge into the same place. I had to have another discectomy. As a result of the two operations in the same place I have scar tissue that sticks to the sciatic nerve from time to time, causing the obvious sciatica. Blooming horrible when it happens, but can be relieved a bit by doing some exercises I was shown at a Pilates class. I had previously tried acupuncture - it was no use whatsoever.

philip10 · Post by **philip10** » Tue Feb 06, 2018 6:58 pm

Severe pains in top of leg 3 months ago which was diagnosed as historic damage to my 2nd vertebrae. Drugs were of no use so I attended my local osteopath for a course of treatment which seems to done the trick. I was told to use an ice pack 3 times a day @15 minutes a time. I have never experienced pain of that intensity before.

lakesider · Post by **lakesider** » Tue Feb 06, 2018 7:23 pm

You have been in the wars!
Could be worth contacting these people below. Its a research charity doing some good stuff around pain management.Its a national organisation based in Liverpool and run by the hospital and the university. Although seen as a resource of expertise to general clinicians and GP practices they will take calls from patients directly. Both the chairman and me as a trustee are massive clarets fans. Let us know if it was helpful at all.
http://www.painrelieffoundation.org.uk/

Lowbankclaret · Post by **Lowbankclaret** » Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:09 pm

I have a prolapsed disc which is managed by exercise and since I changed car has been on the whole ok.

Now I have to suffer a 60 hour travel trip for work and it worries me my back will not make it.

Hopefully I got though it intact.

Clevedon Claret · Post by **Clevedon Claret** » Wed Feb 07, 2018 10:45 am

[quote="mkmel"]Remember that Sunday in mid December when it was very icy and everyone was adviced to stay at home and not go out?

Well muggins here went out and even though I was wearing big boots with thick tread and thought I was being careful but I slipped on the ice. I didn't fall it it was more of a whiplash effect.

Ever since then luckily enough I am ok when sitting down and when sleeping but when I am walking just a few steps my left leg from my bum down to my foot is in absolute agony.

I have a an MRI Scan on 12th February and I am as good as certain it is a nerve problem and maybe linked to the spinal surgery I had back in August.

I take 3 Gabapentin 3 times a day and about 6 paracetamol a day and 2 Amitriptyline at night and yes I sleep well and long but the painkiller Gabapentin doesn't help much all though I have only started taking them for 3 days and my Doctor did say it could take a few days to take effect.

Anyone else had extremely painful Sciatica and if so any medication/painkillers you can recommend or any sort of treatment?

Never had pain like it.

Realistically I think I will have to have more surgery but in the meantime I need something to ease this extreme pain

Thanks[/q

Hi mkmel.

I know this pain you are speaking of and can confirm it can actually get worse.

I was in your position 12 years ago when I was a European / Continental Haulier, I had a disc bulge L4/5 that was pressing on the nerve, causing what you quite rightly describe as scream out loud sciatica.
At the time the NHS was in a real mess and waiting lists were horificly long, so for 18 months whilst waiting for surgery I battled on Trucking back and forth weekly between the UK and Spain or Italy, oblivious to the risks of serious damage to myself.
The surgery to shave my disc bulge never came..
The disc exploded wilst on my way to Italy. .
Long story short, I am disabled now, unable to walk without the use of walking aids and living with chronic right sided sciatica and back pain.

Gabapentin 1- 3 times a day?

Be very careful when taking Gabapentin / Pregabalin.

This horrible medication was made to tackle epilepsy, it is not a pain killer. Doctors tried me on both of these meds but the high doses needed to make a diference have horrible side effcts. coming off of this medication made me feel like Renton in the coming off of Heroin scenes from Trainspotting..Horrible.

I have tried many kinds of medication to help make life a little less painful, morphine patches, many opiates in tablet form, along with the gabapentin. The most suited painkiller for serious back pain IMHO is Longtec/Shortec, this used to be known as Oxycontin, Longtec is taken twice daily every 12 hrs, the shortec is a 4 hour booster when needed instead of oramorph.
Medicinal Marjuana is honestly the best relaxant for chronic back pain, don't care what anyone not suffering might think.
It's just a shame our blinkered government are so out of touch.

I know 100% what you are going through mel, this pain can really wear you out. If that sciatica gets right to your toes get straight to A+E .

Best wishes mkmel.

Dark Cloud · Post by **Dark Cloud** » Wed Feb 07, 2018 11:09 am

I used to get regular bouts of sciatica over many years after injuring my back playing cricket and it is VERY debilitating. Eventually I went to an osteopath. He sorted it in about 6 weekly sessions and it was much better for a time. BUT about 2 years that after that it came back. I went again for more sessions and after a few weeks of treatment he suggested I did regular exercise as this strengthens muscles, tissues and the "core" making it less likely to re occur. That was 4 years ago and so far it has proved to be correct and I have kept up with exercising. A side effect of that last time I had it though was dreadful pains and uncontrollable spasms all down my left leg, especially in the morning after just getting out of bed. These still happen sometimes, but nothing like as bad as they were.
PS. Just a point to note. If you've never visited an osteopath it can be a weird experience because the chap I saw was 6'6", and as well as using his hands on the damaged area he tended to spend a lot of time "lying" on me to squash my body into the required positions. When you're only wearing your boxers that's a bit strange, so I'd definitely look up a lady practitioner next time!!!!