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Sciatica, it's crippling me: Who to turn to?
I have just recently been hit with sided sciatica. The pain down my butt and leg are making it impossible to sit, stand or walk. It's come on quite suddenly. Normally my sciatica is on my side - that has calmed down. What can I do at home to relieve the horrible symptoms?
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@jenniferhunter or anyone else that has a comment. I just discovered I have this pain. I do have a magnesium deficiency but have been on it for sometime now twice. Last time I went to the doctor, they always ask if there is any pain. Normally I say no and most of the aches and pains are age related. This time I said that I have a pain in my ass and it’s not you. Nothing more was said about it probably because of how I said it. At that point it was just a pain in the ass and it was manageable. Lately the pain goes down the leg and the foot is numb. It comes on so fast and I can not walk. I actually started crying today due to the pain. I have been exercising to no avail. I see a Doc tomorrow. Any suggestions on what to do? Does a cane help? I cannot get on my knees anymore. Is this the golden years? Hurt the person who came up with that saying
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1 ReactionDear Fellow Sufferer. ... I don't believe anyone can understand the unrelenting pain
of sciatica unless they have been troubled by it The pain from the buttocks down
the leg is unforgiving. The electric shock that you feel in the heel of the foot when
you 'try' to stand is a 'gevalt'. That's a Yiddish word that describes it well. When
pain is really intolerable ... I put an 'oy' in front of it. Of course, ice pack when
sitting 'can' help and afterwards try a heating pad. Eventually, hopefully, the
pain will subside. Try to be patient with yourself. I pray your/my pain will
disappear one day. Till then, I'll keep saying ..."Oy gevalt". It's better than crying.
Good wishes to all in the Chronic Pain Sufferers Club.
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1 ReactionTry looking up the Department of Defense pain scale. It's from 0 - 10, but it gives it in terms that any human can understand. I've always rated my pain as around a 3, but on this pain scale, I learned that it's actually a 7.5-8 most days, sometimes reaching 9.
I just had surgery a few weeks ago, so the pain level isn't near that most days anymore.
@darn32859
something is compressing the sciatic nerve. You may need imaging to find what the trouble is.
It could be piriformis syndrome, where the muscle is pinching the nerve, then you could stretch the piriformis muscle. A lumbar MRI might reveal disc or ligament problems. You might call the doctor and ask for an MRI as the pain has become more intense.
I think a chiropractor would be helpful. They would have a good idea where the pain is coming from, and you usually don't have to wait for long to see them. I'd still want the MRI.
I have a heating pad in my car, at my kitchen table and when I eat. It’s either on my but or back. I only take 100 mg of neurontin and 100 mg of Celebrex every am. I stretch and keep going. I think the heat has helped me. You can also throw in a little covered soft ice packs to the back, but etc on and off for a few minutes. I have severe lumbar arthropathy, arthritis and some nerve compression. I also take magnesium, fish oils and osteo biflex. The heat has helped me the most.
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2 Reactions@darn32859 Are you having muscle cramps due to a magnesium deficiency? Cramps can also happen with dehydration I have heard. Have you discussed muscle cramps as a possibility? Sure, there can be other factors too, but I know muscle cramps are extremely painful and come on very suddenly as you described.