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Sciatica
I'm still fighting Sciatica. I had my last spinal injection 3/11. This one did not work well as the two before did. I developed a steroid headache and my blood pressure went dangerously high. I spent two different nights in the ER. I still have the pain as well as weakness in my leg. I have fallen a number of times and now using a walker. I plan to call for an appointment with a neurosurgeon this morning. I'm hoping there is an answer other than surgery because I am 87 years old and do not want to face surgery. A physical therapist is coming to my home today and I am looking forward to whatever he has to suggest. I can find no medication to stop this pain. Any suggestions?
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Check with your Dr to see if an inversion table would be appropriate for your condition. The pain in your leg comes from the sciatic nerve making contact with disc between the lumbar vertebrae. The disc makes contact with the nerve and the brain interprets it as pain. Using the inversion table creates traction that separates the vertebrae enough for the disc to pull back from contacting the nerve. This works for many sciatic pain sufferers. But you need to check with your doctor first.
If he says you can try it go on fb marketplace. People are selling them cheap once they’re finished with them.
I’ve used it for years to deal with occasional recurring pain.
Thanks I will ask but this pian is killing me. I find it hard to even walk. and Now with drugs it will calm down enough for me to sleep.
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1 ReactionHey if you end up getting one message me before you use it. I can show you how it works because it can be confusing on the very first time.
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I would be cautious of any traction devices.
My issues started in 2012 before my first back surgery. A Orthopedic doctor sent me for traction and my symptoms became worse after one of the sessions. I felt a pain while being stretched and think the nerve at my L3 in the foramen may have become pinched when traction was stopped at end of session. I went to a neurosurgeon after that for a new opinion of my issues. Get the MRI and get opinions before you do anything to make things worse or create another issue.
Traction may work for some but it depends on their lumbar pathology.
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1 ReactionThanks for that. It’s the first time I’ve heard that. It seems to be the first course of action treating disc issues contacting the spinal cord.
But that is of course following diagnostic imaging.
So sorry to hear this. When my sciatic issues started, my trip to the hospital triggered pain meds annd immediate CAT scanning and X-rays. With the resulting information they got me into traction. I’ve used traction to manage any recurring sciatica
Just got back from the Mayo in Jacksonville Florida. I am going to have the TILF procedure done. Setting up the schedule now. I guess it was worst than I thought. I guess I need to start a new conversation. They gave me a pretty good explanation of how i was going to be performed.
Sorry to hear you’re going through this. I have chronic pain down my leg also. I have to slow down and pace my activity or severe flares occur. For instance, even at the grocery store, I have to walk slowly and not let the hustle of other shoppers hurry me. I bought a grabber to help me do laundry to avoid bending too much. Some complete relief for me recently from sleeping with a pillow that is shaped like a “J” (intended to support the neck) under my waist. I am a side sleeper and had intense pain that woke me up at night. Once I started supporting my midsection the pain is practically gone for almost a week now. My waist is smaller than my hips so I’m assuming I was stretching/straining my lower back sleeping on my side. After three nights, I seem accustom to it. My pain is on the right side and I’m a left side sleeper for whatever that is worth. I hope my experience helps someone else too!
I have been experiencing thigh pain on the right side. It has gotten better but I still have a constant reminder that it is a problem. I walk 3 plus miles every morning and it does not seem too bad while walking. Hiked in Utah for a week and used a ski pole for assistance. I still get a twinge every now and then when putting pressure or turning a certain way which I cannot tell exactly what that is. Not sure if this is a form of sciatica or something related to a disc. Have not been to a dr yet. The thigh tells me it is not sciatica as I thought that would be the back of the legs. Any helpful hints would be appreciated.