Sciatica - any sufferers here?

[tourerfogey]

My other half is in a great deal of pain at the moment with Sciatica. She has been given pain killers and muscle relaxants which help to some extent. However, opinions seem divided as to whether it is best to rest the painful leg or use it - anyone got any experience of this / advice?

Ta

TF

[stevemac]

Originally Posted by tourerfogey

My other half is in a great deal of pain at the moment with Sciatica. She has been given pain killers and muscle relaxants which help to some extent. However, opinions seem divided as to whether it is best to rest the painful leg or use it - anyone got any experience of this / advice?

Ta

TF

As I understand it Sciatica is a symptom and not a condition. Its usually assiociated with a slipped disc which has touched the nerve that runs down the back into the leg. Pain killers should work but I can't see how muscle relaxants can make any difference as the cause is not with the leg. I slipped a disc a few years ago and suffered with Sciatica, but a regime of sleeping on a very hard bed for a few weeks seemed to sort it. I would say excercise the leg to stop the muscle weakening but get the root cause sorted which will be in the back somewhere.

[tourerfogey]

Hi Steve

The sciatic nerve as you say starts in the back and runs down the leg to the foot. In this case it is suspected that the sciatic nerve has been damaged by twisting. The muscle relaxants have been prescribed to relax the muscles in the back of the leg which tend to go into spasm due to the damaged nerve.

[stevemac]

Originally Posted by tourerfogey

Hi Steve

The sciatic nerve as you say starts in the back and runs down the leg to the foot. In this case it is suspected that the sciatic nerve has been damaged by twisting. The muscle relaxants have been prescribed to relax the muscles in the back of the leg which tend to go into spasm due to the damaged nerve.

Ahh, if thats the case then I have no experience of that. Sorry

[afcbadam]

i know the sort of pain shes in i slipped a disc which tore a nerve. pain for 6 weeks and still get a bit of 'jip' when ever i have been lifting heavy things for to long. (impossible to avoid in my job) i hope she gets better asap.

[cjmillsnun]

I suffer from Sciatica, and the pain can be excruciating at times. As has been said although the pain feels like it's in your leg (can be upper or lower) it is in the back.

It is caused by pressure on the Sciatic nerve, normally by either a slipped disc or by the nerve becoming trapped between vertibrae.

The best advice I can give is rest the leg for now, as if it is in spasm, then walking can be an issue, but as soon as she feels able she should use the leg as much as possible.

The main reason for people advising use of the leg is too try and prevent muscle wastage. However I have learnt from experience to trust the messages that my body is telling me and I believe that it would be best for your wife to do the same.

[BigRuss]

TF, you other half has my sympathy I suffer with severe bouts on a regular basis due to severe disc degeneration in my lower back. I get it in both legs but not normally at the same time.
Most likely cause is disc problem or inflammation between or around the fifth lumbur vertibrae and the first sacral vertibrae which causes pressure on the nerve.
Best treatment is painkillers, anti-inflammatorys, and the muscle relaxants, staying flat on you back is not recommended these days as it causes stiffness which can create more problems and pain. Best advice is to not stay in one position very long. Don't stand sit or lie in one position too long, rest when you need to but again not for too long.

Your G.P. may organise some physio once things settle down a bit which may help strenghten the muscles around the spine which may prevent further occurences.

Hope she's feeling better soon, sounds like she has a quite severe episode.


Russ

[tourerfogey]

Thanks for your posts guys