Any of you suffer from sciatica?

[Joe Chartreuse]

That is better?

Yes, only because the side effects- which would be about the same description- are weaker and less consistent than those of ibuprofen. The choices for any pain management are extremely limited these days, as doctors are terrified prescribe even some of the weakest painkillers. What is available ALL have side effects. Naproxen sodium, Acetemophen, even aspirin. He still hasn't found out for sure what it is. Can't treat it until he knows what it is.

 

[SBHRSSSSS]

For me, I've found arching my back; Method 1- Standing with hands on hips and leaning back as far as possible, and holding that for a 7 or 8 count, repeated several times, and repeated several times a day. Method 2- Laying on your stomach on the floor and arching your back by raising your shoulders and chest off the floor with your arms, holding that for a 7 or 8 count, repeated several times, and repeated several times a day. These really help me, and are easy. If I do core exercises like leg lifts or sit ups, I always end with arching my back. Most core exercises compress the spine/discs. Arching your back decompresses the spine/discs. Hope this is helpful.

 

[wproct]

My wife had surgery in 2000 for, I can never think of the word, but it's where arthritis etc. is causing the spine to put pressure on the nerves. That one was successful for a little over 10 years. Then around 2020 she had surgery and fusion including rods and screws for herniated and slipped discs. That surgery has not provided significant relief and now she is just getting injections about every 3 months. She has back pain and leg pain. She doesn't use a walker but she should. It's rough.

 

[warren5421]

I have suffered from back pain from 1961, went to hospital for 3 days, to today.

MRI
Just my Lumbar section 2022:

L1-L2: Disc bulge and degenerative facet disease. Mild spinal canal stenosis. Mild bilateral foraminal stenosis.
L2-L3: Disc bulge and degenerative facet disease. Mild spinal canal stenosis. Moderate to severe right and mild-to-moderate left foraminal stenosis.
L3-L4: Disc bulge and degenerative facet disease. Mild spinal canal stenosis. Narrowing of the lateral recesses bilaterally right greater than left. Moderate to severe bilateral foraminal stenosis.
L4-L5

isc bulge and degenerative facet disease. Minimal spinal canal stenosis. Asymmetric narrowing of the left lateral recess. Severe right and moderate to severe left foraminal stenosis.
L5-S1

isc bulge and degenerative facet disease. Asymmetric narrowing of the left lateral recess with contact of the descending left S1 nerve root. No significant spinal canal stenosis. Moderate to severe right and severe left foraminal stenosis.

IMPRESSION:
Multilevel changes of the lumbar spine

xRay T-SPINE 2019:
Minimal scollotic curvature of the thoracic spine. No acute vertebral body height loss. Mild multilevel disc height loss. Multilevel osteophytic change.

IMPRESSION:
Multilevel degenerative changes of thoracic spine.


xRay C-spine 2009:
No acute osseous abnormality. C5-C7 moderate to severe spondylosis.

I had and have Sciiatica, used the shots for a few times then thought how they hurt race horses bones and refused any more.

I lived on Codine and Flexerel then the ones on high decided that drug use for the back was bad. They were cut off so pain went up, the only withdraw I had.
Every time a Doctor looks at my xRays they tell me no operation!
Anyone that knows how to read xRays/MRI knows that there is pain.
You can learn to live with the pain, it just is out there in you mind. This started in 1961 and goes on today. When government gets into medicine you normally pay the price.

 

[Watertender]

I've had sciatic pain for many years. I went to an orthopedic doctor and he put a shot of cortisone in it. The results from his injection would circulate and give me some relief from the pain.
I had my regular doctor give me a shot and the one he gave me lasted longer and better than the orthopedic doctor

 

[crstrode]

An inversion table has done wonders for me. 5-minutes once or twice a day does a lot to relieve the sciatica and radiculopathy.

10-325 hydrocodone/acetaminophen and methocarbomol is also part of my daily regimen.

 

[Watertender]

An inversion table has done wonders for me. 5-minutes once or twice a day does a lot to relieve the sciatica and radiculopathy.

10-325 hydrocodone/acetaminophen and methocarbomol is also part of my daily regimen.

My doctor prescribed 10-325 hydrocodone for me as well. I take just enough to bring the pain down to a tolerable level.
I also have an inversion table to relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerve. It helps immensely.

 

[Don Lovel]

If your sciatica involves the pearformis muscle inside your body running from sacral to hip joint the only treatment I was told is long needle botox injections deep inside your pelvic structure
Aaaaargh

 

[XUSNORDIE]

If your sciatica involves the pearformis muscle inside your body running from sacral to hip joint the only treatment I was told is long needle botox injections deep inside your pelvic structure
Aaaaargh

I did several rounds of the long needle into my SI joint prior to my last surgery. They go in high at a downward angle. They weren't too bad....there was one injection though where my left leg turned into a out of control jack hammer for a couple seconds.....that was slightly alarming....

 

[jkingrph]

Not me, but a family member. First and foremost, do not get into the habit of taking Motrin (Ibuprofen) as consistent use can wreck your liver, stomach lining and a bunch of other problems. See a doctor to be sure that's what it is. If so, the doctor may be able to prescribe something like Meloxicam which would do a better job anyway. It may not be sciatica. Might be nerve compression or irritation. Best to find out.

Motrin can affect the kidneys adversely, not the liver. It can cause stomach problems, bleeding, Meloxicam is in the same general class of drugs and can cause the same problems. Studied all of that as a pharmacist.

Sciatica hit me hard Christmas Eve requiring my first ever at 80 years old a trip to the er about 22 am. I am scheduled for the first of a series of steroid injections next week. MRI also shows a to quote my family practice doctor, a severely ruptured disc.

 

[Don Lovel]

I did several rounds of the long needle into my SI joint prior to my last surgery. They go in high at a downward angle. They weren't too bad....there was one injection though where my left leg turned into a out of control jack hammer for a couple seconds.....that was slightly alarming....

Gnarly ugh

 

[Watertender]

There was one injection though where my left leg turned into a out of control jack hammer for a couple seconds.....

As long as you didn't start panting and lick the doctor and sit up and beg for a dog biscuit!! (couldn't resist)!!

 

[XUSNORDIE]

As long as you didn't start panting and lick the doctor and sit up and beg for a dog biscuit!! (couldn't resist)!!

Well Carl now that I recall, that visit the Doc was scratching me behind the ear telling me I was a good boy.....could just be a coincidence though.....I did turn down the treat though......

 

[eveled]

Stretching helps my sciatica.

 

[Rustynuts]

Have had a bad lower back for years due to an injury in 1977.
Have had physical therapy off & on for years , done at home exercises, and also tried 'dry needle " sessions as well. Have been taking Aleve almost daily for the pain.
Finally at almost 76 yrs. old I saw a doctor and had an MRI 2 weeks ago. Follow up appointment with the same doctor and he said...your lower back is a mess, and I am referring you to a neurosurgeon for an evaluation and see what the next move, if any, might be. At my age, i'm not sure i want to endure any major back surgery at this stage. I'll know more on Feb. 4th. after the evaluation :(.

 

[Trackdog]

An inversion table has done wonders for me. 5-minutes once or twice a day does a lot to relieve the sciatica and radiculopathy.

10-325 hydrocodone/acetaminophen and methocarbomol is also part of my daily regimen.

Which inversion table?
I hate taking any type of pain meds, but Sometimes I give in to get some sleep.

 

[crstrode]

Which inversion table?
I hate taking any type of pain meds, but Sometimes I give in to get some sleep.

I bought this one online from Walmart. At the time it was about $150. Any and all of the Innova inversion tables are highly rated, and will do the job for you. Get one with the memory foam lumbar support.

Innova 9700 Inversion table

 

[Trackdog]

I feel bad for those of you that have been suffering from backpain for such a long time.
Injured my back while working out in April 2025.
I wanted and MRI, but insurance denied my request.
Sent me for X-rays and PT. 19 sessions of PT that cost me $500. Did it help? A little.
Finally convinced PCP and Insurance Co for an MRI
Diagnosed with bulging disk. L5-S1
This sucks! I have these sciatica flare ups that are painful and interfere with sleep and make everyday tasks difficult.
I am a young 60 looking forward to early retirement.
I am scheduled to see a neurosurgeon in two weeks, which I had to DEMAND to see. My PCP said all I need is a cortisone shot!
I am not digging the idea of a shot that does nothing to fix the problem, and only provides temporary relief.
This surgeon is one the best in the area and he is also a fellow member at the local skeet club.
Has has helped two guys at our club with similar back issues with day surgery. In and out, both with good results.

Being active helps. Driving long distances, which I do a lot of is bad. My right foot goes numb.
Resting is just not good. The best thing for my back pain has been riding my dirt bike!
I am fortunate to have trails behind my house. We built a track under the power lines in the early 80's.
While riding my mountain bike on the trails a couple years ago I bumped into a guy I went to school with.
I showed him the old track that was overgrown but still visible.
He restored the track with his mini excavator and after letting him ride my bike he bought the same thing for himself.
Now we both ride the track as much as possible and my back likes me for it.
On a sadder note, I went fishing Christmas morning and after only two hours and walking the shore casting for salmon/trout, my back pain end my day early.
So I now I am just waiting to see what the Doc says, but I am leaning towards surgery if he give me the option.

Microdiskectomy​

 

[Jeepnik]

Like everything you get what you pay for. I went with the company that pretty much started it, Teeter.
Now folks might think the name is a derivative of teeter totter. But amazingly the fellow who started it is named Teeter.
Unlike cheap models you can get attachments to help with specific needs. But don't buy them until you have used it a bit. You may find you don't need them.
Here's a fun fact. After using it for a while you might "grow". I felt taller after using it for a bit so I had the doc measure my height. I was 5'9" in my youth. I had shrunk to just over 5'7". I'm now back to 5'9". Go figure.

 

[Watertender]

For 23 years I serviced chiropractic, dental and medical equipment. There were several chiropractic and physical therapy tables that were used for sciatic pain. They would stretch and flex the spine to relieve the pressure on the spinal discs.
Some had cuffs for the ankles while others had rollers and one kind had cuffs for the ankles and a sling for the head with rollers in between.
I had to give the business up in 2007 when my son was hit by a texting driver and I couldn't keep all the balls in the air. Something had to go and I had good benefits from my job as Chief Engineer.
I used to enjoy working on that kind of equipment but it's been almost 20 years and a lot of the technology has changed. I will stick with boilers now.

 

[Jeepnik]

For 23 years I serviced chiropractic, dental and medical equipment. There were several chiropractic and physical therapy tables that were used for sciatic pain. They would stretch and flex the spine to relieve the pressure on the spinal discs.
Some had cuffs for the ankles while others had rollers and one kind had cuffs for the ankles and a sling for the head with rollers in between.
I had to give the business up in 2007 when my son was hit by a texting driver and I couldn't keep all the balls in the air. Something had to go and I had good benefits from my job as Chief Engineer.
I used to enjoy working on that kind of equipment but it's been almost 20 years and a lot of the technology has changed. I will stick with boilers now.

Yea, at least boilers haven't changed. Oh wait, the first boiler I fired was a Bros. The only thing automatic on it was the water level. Everything, and I mean everything else was manual. Today it's pretty much push button (well until it isn't and then it's fun to watch the kids heads explode).

 

[XUSNORDIE]

I fly out to California this week and I'm dreading the flights......Prednisone will be my flying partner. It's bad enough driving a couple hours straight every day. Being 6'5 and 285lbs with body parts bolted together by titanium isn't fun. I won't be one of the folks shooting up from their seats after landing and the "Ding" sounds only to stand in place "nuts to butts" for a half hour as everyone cattle shuffles off the plane. I'm in no hurry and couldn't be if I wanted to these days.

The surgeries, specifically my most recent several months ago, were more for stability....the opportunity for sciatica pain is still there...and being locked into a tiny seat for an extended time is definitely a trigger for it to flare up....."Prednisone...take me away". Once to destination bourbon and Tramadol will be in order.

 

[Watertender]

^^^ You are 5'17"! That's what my friend Roy used to tell people. His son is 6'9 and he tells people that he is 5'21"... That makes people do a double take....

 

[sceva]

Figured I would come back to this thread. As I said earlier the injections did not help. MRI showed severe stenosis at L4 and L5 and I was referred to a surgeon. Last October I received surgery to clean out the disks, put spacers in and fuse L4 / L5; 3 incisions - I expected the two in the lower back but there was a 3rd in my side. Evidently they go in from the side to put the spacers in the front of the spine. Back brace for 6 weeks and I am still wearing a bone growth stimulator for a few hours a day. Relief was almost immediate. As far as pain I had opiates and only needed 3 or 4. I have a nice Titanium cage and tI spacers but no restrictions. I still get a lower backache but it is fairly mild and is a good tradeoff to the sciatica that was severely restricting me.

Would I do it again, yes, in a New York minute.

 

[Rustynuts]

Would I do it again, yes, in a New York minute.

I have a doctor evaluation this coming Wednesday, the 4th and am dreading what he's going to tell me. A long time buddy has back issues { birth defect } and told me about a newer type injection called a " platelet rich plasma injection " that he is looking into. I'm going to ask the doc. about it on Wednesday.
I'll soon be 76 and would rather not have another major surgery at this stage of the game. But the constant lower back pain is getting VERY old ! :cry:

 

[neilin]

I have a doctor evaluation this coming Wednesday, the 4th and am dreading what he's going to tell me. A long time buddy has back issues { birth defect } and told me about a newer type injection called a " platelet rich plasma injection " that he is looking into. I'm going to ask the doc. about it on Wednesday.
I'll soon be 76 and would rather not have another major surgery at this stage of the game. But the constant lower back pain is getting VERY old ! :cry:

Try physical therapy. Especially, aquatic physical therapy. Avoid any kind of surgery. Avoid injections. Pain management, instead of surgeries or injections.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Try physical therapy. Especially, aquatic physical therapy. Avoid any kind of surgery. Avoid injections. Pain management, instead of surgeries or injections.

Until the point you have tried it all over and over and it's time for surgery....or just live with the disabilities and rot away....

 

[ProfessorWes]

I've had intermittent bouts of it for years. Stretching helps some. Mostly I just have to wait it out.

 

[neilin]

Until the point you have tried it all over and over and it's time for surgery....or just live with the disabilities and rot away....

I know a man who is getting ready for his third back surgery, hoping it will succeed where the first two failed and made him worse with even more pain, and more physical limitations.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

I know a man who is getting ready for his third back surgery, hoping it will succeed where the first two failed and made him worse with even more pain, and more physical limitations.

Completely irrelevant....one man? I have had several surgeries and know many men and women that PT, injections, drugs, stretching, pivoting ironing boards, gravity boots and funny herbal teas that didn't work.

One man that you know is not convincing. Myself, and the many I know are.

Take a seat.