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Sciatica problem...

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Do you have to pay for them though? I am ringing NHS direct later though as I need some temporary pain relief so that I can sleep! I get pins and needles in my leg/foot too! [/QUOTE]
I am so sorry - I should have said CHIROPRACTOR (It's my age)
 
If it helps, I've had sciatica, on and off, for 2 decades now and used to be a martyr to it until a GP suggested I try taking Ibuprofen for no more than 48 hours, at the highest recommended dose, IMMEDIATELY I feel the sciatica begin.

I was sceptical, but he said that a lot of the subsequent pain is because the trapped nerve becomes inflamed and if you can reduce the initial swelling quickly, you've a much better chance of it subsiding, and preventing the weeks of pain that comes with it, normally.

That was 5 years ago. Since then I've found the Ibuprofen has worked well, the last time being on Monday of this week, when I woke up with it in the early hours of the morning (I'd been working in the garden a lot during the weekend, which often brings it on). Within a couple of hours the pain had gone and hasn't been back since.

I can only say what has worked for me; I can't promise it'll help everyone or that your sciatica will respond the way mine does. I'd also make sure you're OK with Ibuprofen and that you don't exceed the recommended dose, or take it too often.

Good luck, and I hope you get some relief from it soon. God knows, it's a bloody awful affliction and makes your life a complete misery while it lasts.
 
Nicola Anne have you ever tried a Tens machine you put the electrode pads on the painful area and they send a little electrical charge to block the pain you can adjust the intensity of the charge, women often use them when they are in labour
You can buy them at the chemist and they are not very expensive around £20/25
 
Nicola - Tom's advice regarding Ibuprofen is well-meant and, as a muscle relaxant, is wonderful taking some 20 to 30 minutes on average to take effect. More and more research is being done on Ibuprofen and there is a consensus that regular use is now to be avoided and especial care must be taken if prolonged use is the case that it does not nullify some other meds used on a permanent basis. Ibuprofen is great for really evil toothache as well.

I trust you have read my apology for R-------------- instead of Chiropractor. Do ask your Clinic if they will fund this for you - you will only need two visits to see whether a Chiropractor can help you.
 
A friend of mine often has sciatica and has been suffering for the last couple of months with a very bad bout. She was so bad she could not walk upright. She felt 20 years older than she is. She has had countless physio sessions which have helped her but the only real help came when she had acupuncture and this was funded by the NHS. It is interesting that someone has mentioned reducing the inflammation as my friend was put on Naproxen to do exactly that.

Also, and I am sure many people on this site are fed up to the back teeth with me saying this, as you are a diabetic you may find that you also have an under active thyroid which can cause nerve damage, make existing damage worse and make you resistant to the effect of painkillers. Ask your GP for a full blood screening. You may have to ask a few times but keep plodding away it took me nearly 2 years to even get the blood test. Of course once the diabetes was diagnosed a full blood test was done and hey presto.

I do wish you the best on this as I have only had sciatica once when I was in my twenties (years ago now) but it was so painful that life did not seem worth living, but it can change. Also I would wait until you have seen a fully qualified physio before you try any other alternatives.
 
When I had hip burstis the doctor told me to take ibuprofen and parcetamol together for the pain..well take one then the other about an 1 hour later.. did not find that it helped much. Now I have a re ocurrence of the bursitis again and wondered if taking the ibuprofen as you recommend would be more effective What is the max dose of ibuprofen and how many did you take in the 48 hours
 
Hi Nicola Anne,

Last century I had an excruciating pain from my hip all the way down to the sole of my right foot. My Doc thought it was a slipped disk (and didn't even suggest a painkiller). The Neurologist he referred me to apparently thought it was a trapped sciatic nerve. It turned out to be something altogether more problematic which put me in a wheelchair for a couple of years (and some).

In desperation, a couple of months after it came on, I saw a chiropractor. Two weeks later I had the same pain, in both legs. My experience would not lead me to recommend a (generic) chiropractor.

A good Osteopath, if you can find one (I couldn't), is a treasure. Also at that time I found a lady who did what she called electronic acupuncture (I think that would be tens these days). That worked for me.



J.
 
I suffer from sciatica from time to time although a lot less since I had surgery 4 years ago to ease a prolapsed disc. An MRI will show if this is your problem. Rheumatologist may offer you a kenalog injection which would probably help but may in fact make your diabetes worse - so ask questions first! I had 3 such injections in a short period of time and these are suspected as being the cause of me going from managing my diabetes by diet alone to having to use both insulin and Metformin.

I have found that a chiropractor or reflexologist can help as does coedine. You may benefit from anti-inflammatory pills either OTC or others on prescription. I also find a hot water bottle or ice pack can help.


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
see a good sports massage therapist. I used to practice while I was at university and i treated many people with sciatica. Basically go onto the School of Sports Massage - http://www.lssm.com/index.php
Look for a therapist in their directory that is closest to you.
Usually it takes me about 2 - 3 good hour long sessions. Sometimes I sort the person out after 1 session but then I always recomend a return session.
Do you walk on your toes? Heels? not good for sciatica at all
Basically your piriformis muscle is tight which is placing pressure on your sciatic nerve. This muscle is deep in the glutes / (butt). It can be painful but with a good therapist, it should be ok.

Hope that helps you.
 
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