I've had sciatic problems off and on for 13 years and I see a neurosurgeon for treatment. On 3 separate occasions in those 13 years I've had to have cortisone injections in my sciatic joint. The cortisone treats the inflammation and the pain disappears very quickly. the neurosurgeon uses a fluoroscope to make sure he guides it into the exact spot. He also injects a local anesthetic so that I don't feel any pain from the deeper injections that go right into the joint. Plus I can drive myself there and home again.

Before my physician gave me the injections he sent me for X Rays and an MRI of the cervical and lumbar spine.

Who diagnosed your sciatica? If the chiropractor is unable to resolve your pain do you have a Plan B?

I hope you soon get relief.
Maire

This post was edited by maire_cate on Sun, Jan 12, 14 at 11:33

Ohhhhh. I am so sorry for you. Had it two years ago, lasted at least six weeks and ended up having to have an epidural because the pain just was the worst! I think it mostly is a matter of time healing, but taking it easy is the only thing that really sort of works. Honestly, it was the worst six weeks of my life. thank heaven I don't work, because it would have been impossible to. It would take 15 minutes trying to get jeans on in the morning. Hope you get well soon. Best of luck. Mary

Phoggie, remember that thread back in September? You and I are in the same boat, and since then, my boat seems to be slowly sinking. I have posted since then about my problems; don't know if you have seen them or not. I don't know what the answer is for either of us.

I wish you the best possible outcome. Keep us posted.

P.S. I can't drive now either.

Sue

I've had it off and on for many years, and feel strongly that time is the answer, without re-injury. I go to pilates which helps a little, but when it's kicked in, from either standing, or sitting on cement generally, it just takes time to feel better--stretching is good for me.

My dd hurt her back for the first time at the gym, then re-injured when she tried to get back to running and dancing way too soon. The impatient girl paid dearly for that mistake. She insisted on going to a chiro, and thinks it's helping. It's been 5 months or so, and she's not crying anymore.... It's very hard to be laid up with this and I sure feel for you! I hope you can have an mri soon so you know exactly what you're dealing with. Pelvis always in, (don't arch your back in any way,) and keep at least one leg bent when sitting/lying down. Some people say keeping a pillow between your legs helps when sleeping.

Find a chiropractic clinic or physical therapy facility that has a spinal decompression table, go as soon as possible to prevent further damage, it's completely painless. It's a traction table that pulls and releases which allows the spaces between the discs to repair. You will probably have to go 2-3 days in a row before you are back to normal. It is the best non invasive procedure to do first. The results are amazing. I go back for maintenance treatment every few months or when my back tells me to.
You will probably have to call around to find a facility with a table, just do it.

This link to a physical therapy facility explains it, in fact that is the exact same table I have been treated with. The Triton Dts.

Here is a link that might be useful: Decompression

I am like Sjerin, I have had it off and on for several years~~~my doctor offered no help. When I started yoga, several years ago, all of the stretching we did worked. My 2 teachers taught me the best stretches for me. So when ever I feel it coming on I do my stretches 2x's a day, instead of just a couple of times a week~~really has worked for me;)

My DH had it earlier in the fall and after about 8 weeks of PT and doing the exercises, it was much improved. He's pain-free now.

My husband had it, but went to physical therapy for a few weeks and it helped a lot. He hasn't complained of pain in his back or leg in years.

The rest of his body is a whole 'nuther story.....

To the suggestion above about finding a physical therapy facility...

Maybe it varies from place to place, but where I live a patient can't decide on their own to be treated by a physical therapist.

It takes a prescription from a physician. Also, unless the directions are generic (try to improve this, eliminate that, improve mobility, etc.) a physical therapist is limited to what the doc specifies. When the therapist believes something more or different might be indicated, they'll typically call the physician to get it cleared.

Yuppers, you are right about having to be referred by a doctor to physical therapy. He was. It was a work related accident that caused his sciatica. A doctor referred him to a PT therapist and WCB covered it. Had it not been a work related incident, a doctor would have written a prescription for it and our medical benefits would have covered it.

This post was edited by debby_ab on Sun, Jan 12, 14 at 11:00

YUP Snidely you are right, my Dr would do nothing, he said I did not have it~~~Oh he let me have an Xray. The teck said sometimes having the xray tweeks it enough that it goes away

That is why I love my yoga and my teachers, they helped where modern medicine told me I had nothing~~could liimp into the office, but I had nothing;(

Thanks for your replies. I had a terrible night...my leg was hurting so badly that I could not sleep. Anyone had this pain in the top of your thigh? When I had it before, the pain went down the back of my leg.

No, the chiropractor did not take x-ray...he looked at my MRI report I had from 2011. My insurance also needs a referral from a doctor to go PT. I tried to do the stretches this morning, but it hurt terribly.

After my treatment Friday, I felt pretty well, but everything went south since then. I do not know if I should keep going to the chiropractor or try to get my main management doctor for an injection...he also does it under a x-ray.

I am *not* recommending this for sciatica, but when my lower back bothers me, which is often, I do this before I go to sleep and again first thing in the morning. The second one down works best for me. I can fell the stretch in my lower back and the relief is unreal. I wish I could remember just to do it daily and never have lower back pain.... that would just be too easy. ;)

Here is a link that might be useful: Stretches to relieve lower back pain

I am very confident that my fellow KTers, who are highly educated and extremely intelligent, know certain things with out having to be TOLD.

Debby we do those poses in yoga classes, esp the 'Deep Slow Stretch' classes. The one you like is called Happy Baby pose and we gently move side to side while holding our feet.

Thanks, Debbie....I don't think on a "good day" I could do these, but maybe partially.....the look wonderful though.

Sue, I hope you can find relief soon....I know what it feels like when the "boat is sinking"...hugs~

Phoggie I get it every once in awhile very bad but have been able to recognize early signs and take it easy until it subsides. I also go to the chiropractor as soon as I feel the "twinge". Here is what helps. Take a zip lock full of ice and if you can stand it, put it between your lower back and your butt cheek without a towel barrier. Leave it there as long as you can stand it. Take it off for a few minutes and do it again. The pain is from swelling. If you can get the swelling down ,the pain subsides. Everyone wants to use heat, this actually feels good temporarily and then much worse!!! Do this a few times a day. If you have a large massager, sit on it right in the center of that butt cheek. (You will feel when you are on the spot). I am usually good to go in a day or two. Good luck with the drive. That's the worst! A little pillow under your leg may help.

I would be rather careful with any exercises while you're in that much pain. Can you have another mri? I sounds like you or the chiropractor did something to make things worse--please be careful.