Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Sciatica - A Real Pain in the Bum

This past week I've been laid up with sciatica pain all the way down my left leg. I don't even know what I did, probably just slept wrong or something. The sciatic nerve runs from the buttocks all the way down the leg and if you've ever had it you'd know it's about the worst thing to incapacitate a person.

Luckily I had some pain pills and muscle relaxers left over from previous injuries otherwise I would have been in world of even worse pain. These things always seem to happen on a weekend; I've avoided the cost of a visit to the ER or a doctor's office. Today is the first day I've been able to sit or move my left leg or get slightly comfortable. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

27 comments:

  1. Hope your pain disappears. But sounds like a back or spine problem. I would have an MRI of your back done.

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    1. Hi Gigi, thanks, I know that my discs in L4 and L5 are compressed but my back doesn't hurt with this and I am still paying off the last time I went to the ER and can't even get any local doctors to see me. ER bill would be well over $1000 dollars which I hope to avoid.

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  2. So sorry about your weekend enduring that pain. No fun. Sending some virtual relief...ahhh (did you get any?)Well, the internet's version of virtual reality does leave a lot lacking.

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    1. Hi Barbara, thanks, I am doing so much better today than Sunday that's for sure., thanks.

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  3. Sigh. Not fun. And your description reminded me of the bursitis of the hip I gave myself. Sitting, lying, standing or walking were ALL unpleasant.
    I hope it eases off quickly for you.

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    1. Hi Elephant's Child, thanks, I just couldn't lie in any position without pain or even lift my leg and it hurt all the way from the top of my leg to the bottom, couldn't even touch my leg, so much better now though. have to sit on the edge of a chair though so not too long of a time before back to bed. ugh.

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  4. I had that some years ago and finally had to go to an orthopedist and have a spinal epidural. Sleeping was the worst because any way I moved was agony.

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    1. Hi Ms. Sparrow, thanks, oh you know if you had it how excruciating it was, I would have gone to ER for a shot but the cost barely kept me from going and then I remembered I had those pain pills thank goodness.

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  5. ice ice ice; lidoderm patches

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    1. Hi Joan, thanks, but where to put the ice, it hurt all the way from the buttocks down to my ankle, never heard of lidoderm patches, must check into them, they sound like a god send.

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    2. ice right in S1/L5..the core of the pain

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    3. ice right in S1/L5..the core of the pain

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  6. Ouch! I hope you get over this bout quickly. Many years ago I had sporadic sciatica pain... It seemed to strike at night and hurt so much that I would almost pass out.
    I wish you a fast recovery!

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    1. Hi Michele, thanks, oh if you have had this pain you know what it is, I was in excruciating pain and just couldn't get comfortable and then when you tense up I am sure it gets worse rather than better, finally found the right pills and they helped every so much but still sitting and lying in weird positions to make it through the day and night.

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  7. Good luck. Mine turned out to be a sacroiliar sprain where there is a joint in the pelvis near the spine. Still hurts but not as much. Hoping it gets better before my next show.

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    1. Hi Dennis, thanks, I am hoping the same thing as the farmer's market starts next week. It now only hurts at the base of my buttock so getting much better I just wish I knew how I caused it to avoid it for the future.

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  8. If you're inclined this video outlines some poses that have been beneficial to me for sciatica.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f1Y4OV3QlA
    Good luck...

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    1. Hi Unknown, thanks, dh was reading up on exercises but I am sure your video will be much more beneficial to show the poses, thanks for letting me know I'll check it out.

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  9. Linda, First let me say that I know Sciatica is very painful, so I feel for you. But I also am familiar with some Yoga poses that are good for relieving sciatica pain. However, it does involve some stretching... and you may not be up to that right now. But you might google this idea online and at least check it out?

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    1. Hi Rian, thanks, dh was reading up on exercises last night and strange as it may seem it said sometimes yoga can cause the pain by not doing stretches before doing the yoga, so I think the stretching is the key, I must develop a habit of doing that and take a hint from cats who always stretch upon rising.

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  10. I have this and my chiropractor really helps. The one stretch he does with me, I do by myself and they help. Lie on your back and bend your knee, then bring your knee into your chest and hold it for 10-15 second. Push your knee (without straining your knee, hold it below your knee) and push. Do both legs. And repeat every once and a while. It helps me a lot. Best of luck. I feel your pain. (Advil works in a pinch too!)

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    1. Hi Ronna, thanks, strange as it may seem holding my leg up while lying on my back did help and I have been doing that I will try the stretching too, thanks for the details.

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  11. Oh Linda, I feel for you, I really do. Last year I had sciatica and bursitis both so bad, I was in misery a lot of the time. I could barely go up and down the stairs. I would have to crawl, until my knees got so bad I couldn't even do that. For over a year now, I have done aqua yoga and tai chi and my life has improved a lot. Not that I don't still have flare-ups, I do. But not nearly as bad or lasting nearly as long. I agree with Rian, when you get better, check out some of the yoga poses. I couldn't do them regularly, but in water I can. Oh, I do use ice, along with a wonderful topical product called BioFreeze. It can be found on Amazon for much cheaper than at the Chiropractors. Feel better soon!

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    1. Hi Barbara, thanks, oh aqua yoga would be a god send, if only we still lived in Florida with our pool, I will look into that biofreeze sounds like a dream topical.

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  12. I don't envy you, Linda....so very painful. I hope it's now left you in peace. Take care.

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    1. Hi Lee, thanks, so much better know still stiff but getting better every day; I see I must start up a regular exercise regime to keep myself limber.

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  13. I think sciatic pain is one of the worst things I have ever felt. I had it really bad with one of my pregnancies and I was sure my body was trying to destroy me. I hope the muscle relaxers and pain pills are able to provide you some relief and you can still enjoy some of your weekend!

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