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Dealing with Sciatica pain

Posted by junebug15 @junebug15, May 1, 2017

Am dealing with pain on my left side radiating down my leg with numbness and tingling, diagnosed as sciatica. MRI showed two bulging discs and spinal stenosis. Ironically, I question whether the sciatica is from the above, but may involve my piriformis muscle. I had this problem in 2009 and my neurologist injected a steroid into the prirformis and I had relief for all of this time. After taking steroids with no relief I asked for a shot in the piriformis (rather than an epidural) and this has helped a little. Am due for another shot soon. I am now also having severe muscle cramping in my groin and thigh upon standing and walking, which is very painful. Would appreciate anyone's input. I am going to look into PT and ART (active release technique). Thanks for your input.

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bernese53 | @bernese53 | Jan 17, 2018

Just a note of caution. A pinched nerve could be the result of a herniated disc....an adjustment could make it worse not better.

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Jan 18, 2018
In reply to @bernese53 "Just a note of caution. A pinched nerve could be the result of a herniated disc....an..." + (show)
@bernese53

Just a note of caution. A pinched nerve could be the result of a herniated disc....an adjustment could make it worse not better.

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Yes I understand ,that's why a good chiropractor takes an xray first .I have got relief from mine. as bag a high defect that only a chiropractor can treat so I,g gone all my life .

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liz223 | @liz223 | Apr 22, 2018

I have sciatica due to a bulging disc. I do stretching exercises which I learned in physical therapy. I had a spinal injection 1/15/18 which relieved pain for about a month then slowly the pain started returning. I have an appointment for another injection this Tuesday. I hate taking so much pain medication. Does anyone have other things that may help? I have other problems as well, but I won't go into them here. I am 86 and am grateful that I can still do as much as I do. 🙂

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1 reply
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Apr 22, 2018
In reply to @liz223 "I have sciatica due to a bulging disc. I do stretching exercises which I learned in..." + (show)
@liz223

I have sciatica due to a bulging disc. I do stretching exercises which I learned in physical therapy. I had a spinal injection 1/15/18 which relieved pain for about a month then slowly the pain started returning. I have an appointment for another injection this Tuesday. I hate taking so much pain medication. Does anyone have other things that may help? I have other problems as well, but I won't go into them here. I am 86 and am grateful that I can still do as much as I do. 🙂

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Hello @liz223, I combined your discussion with an existing discussion called, "Sciatica Pain." I did this because there are some members already discussing your situation and pain management with sciatica. If you are replying by email, I suggest clicking on VIEW & REPLY so you can see where your discussion is now and so you can read through some of the posts members have shared regarding his or her sciatica pain. By combining your discussion, it will also alert the many members discussing this topic to your post as well.

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liz223 | @liz223 | Apr 22, 2018
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @junebug15, I am sorry to hear of your recent diagnoses. I would like to invite..." + (show)
@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @junebug15, I am sorry to hear of your recent diagnoses.

I would like to invite @blindeyepug, @goodtime376, @pat3316, @jeriliz, and @jjwest to this discussion as they have all discussed having spinal stenosis as well and may be able to offer some insight regarding your concerns with treatment options and epidurals.

@junebug15, did your physician(s) mention or talk about how long the shots would take to start having an affect?

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My injection started helping the next day. However did not help as long as I had hoped. I did not want another for at least three months and am happy I have an appointment for another this next week. 🙂

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liz223 | @liz223 | Apr 22, 2018
In reply to @junebug15 "Hi Justin: My dr. said it would take 24-48 h. before I would feel any difference...." + (show)
@junebug15

Hi Justin: My dr. said it would take 24-48 h. before I would feel any difference. I haven't felt much better. I am scheduled for another shot next week. Since I had problems with the piriformis muscle before I wanted to have a shot in that area before I had an epidural. That would be my last resort. I also want to start PT. Am interested in ART (active release therapy) which I heard can be very beneficial. I have absolutely no pain upon sitting but feel severe muscle cramping in my groin and lateral thigh upon standing. Was wondering if anyone else had the same problems. Am just not sure if this is from bulging discs or spinal stenosis.

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I had the MRI before injection and I do have a bulging disc plus stenosis and Scoliosis. . I have pain when I sit, lie or walk for any distance. I am taking two extra strength Tylenol every 8 hours. The pain is in my lower back, right buttocks, right leg, ankle and foot. Floor stretches sometimes help. I really don't want surgery at my age (86).

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lioness | @lioness | Apr 22, 2018
In reply to @junebug15 "Hi Justin: My dr. said it would take 24-48 h. before I would feel any difference...." + (show)
@junebug15

Hi Justin: My dr. said it would take 24-48 h. before I would feel any difference. I haven't felt much better. I am scheduled for another shot next week. Since I had problems with the piriformis muscle before I wanted to have a shot in that area before I had an epidural. That would be my last resort. I also want to start PT. Am interested in ART (active release therapy) which I heard can be very beneficial. I have absolutely no pain upon sitting but feel severe muscle cramping in my groin and lateral thigh upon standing. Was wondering if anyone else had the same problems. Am just not sure if this is from bulging discs or spinal stenosis.

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I also have sciatica my chiropractor helps me alot I'm 75 and with a defect in my power back have gone to On all my life Have you tried one for sciatica?

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liz223 | @liz223 | Apr 22, 2018
In reply to @GeorgeII "I have had very good success with PT( when I do the exercises) & Shiatsu massage..." + (show)
@GeorgeII

I have had very good success with PT( when I do the exercises) & Shiatsu massage working on the piriformis muscle . I have also found that a 3-4 mi walk also helps. I just need to start slow & pick up my speed. At about the half way mark my sciatica has improved.

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I am so excited to hear that walking actually helps your sciatica. It hurts badly when I try walking, but maybe I just need to push on. 🙂

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lioness | @lioness | Apr 22, 2018
In reply to @GeorgeII "I have had very good success with PT( when I do the exercises) & Shiatsu massage..." + (show)
@GeorgeII

I have had very good success with PT( when I do the exercises) & Shiatsu massage working on the piriformis muscle . I have also found that a 3-4 mi walk also helps. I just need to start slow & pick up my speed. At about the half way mark my sciatica has improved.

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Yes that's what I did push myself to do it but gradually

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George II | @GeorgeII | Apr 23, 2018
In reply to @GeorgeII "I have had very good success with PT( when I do the exercises) & Shiatsu massage..." + (show)
@GeorgeII

I have had very good success with PT( when I do the exercises) & Shiatsu massage working on the piriformis muscle . I have also found that a 3-4 mi walk also helps. I just need to start slow & pick up my speed. At about the half way mark my sciatica has improved.

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What I found was if I sat down for 5 min or so then I could walk some more. Stopped as often as needed but could get up to a 3 mi walk in.

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