Sciatica Support Group
Sciatica is a term meaning pain that originates from compression of the sciatic nerve, the longest and largest nerve in the body. If the sciatic nerve is pinched or compressed (perhaps by a bulging disc in the low back) a patient may experience leg pain--the classic symptom of sciatica.
Hi all,
I am a Flight attendant who has been on Medical Leave since June 24, first with a skin condition, then while I was off for that, the SCIATICA started! I felt a "twinge" of it, when I was flying on the plane, but strangely it went away until a couple of months later. Then it came back with a vengence and it stayed!!
I went to my long-time Chiropractor and it didn't help. So I went to an Orthopedic Surgeon and he ordered an MRI. The MRI shows 3 herniated discs and stenosis at L4, L5 and S1. He wanted me to try PT, well I tried it, and after 4-5 sessions, the Sciatica was ten times worse!! He said to stop PT - for now.
On October 8, 2007 I had a Lumbar Epidural injection which took a couple of days to really kick in, but then I had TOTAL pain relief for the first time in months! I could go, and do things that I hadn't done for such a long time. (But I didn't OVERDO it.) It was just a great feeling to get out of bed.
Now, the pain is coming back almsot full-force. Yesterday I went to the grocery store and I was pushing a heavy cart, and I was there for about an hour, and the sciatica pain was so bad that I had to take a pain pill in the store! The pain went down into my left foot, and it was numb! (Have felt that only a few times.) It really scared me, because I have heard that the injections can last for a few weeks to a few months, or not at all. At least I know it helped some - but I guess it's stopped working.
I go back to get another injection Wednesday, so of course I'll tell my story to the Orthopedic guy then and see what he says.
Can SOMEBODY related to what I'm saying? Have you had this? Have you had any success in having it go away? Please post or write to me!
Many Hugs and Thanks,
Jan
I am a Flight attendant who has been on Medical Leave since June 24, first with a skin condition, then while I was off for that, the SCIATICA started! I felt a "twinge" of it, when I was flying on the plane, but strangely it went away until a couple of months later. Then it came back with a vengence and it stayed!!
I went to my long-time Chiropractor and it didn't help. So I went to an Orthopedic Surgeon and he ordered an MRI. The MRI shows 3 herniated discs and stenosis at L4, L5 and S1. He wanted me to try PT, well I tried it, and after 4-5 sessions, the Sciatica was ten times worse!! He said to stop PT - for now.
On October 8, 2007 I had a Lumbar Epidural injection which took a couple of days to really kick in, but then I had TOTAL pain relief for the first time in months! I could go, and do things that I hadn't done for such a long time. (But I didn't OVERDO it.) It was just a great feeling to get out of bed.
Now, the pain is coming back almsot full-force. Yesterday I went to the grocery store and I was pushing a heavy cart, and I was there for about an hour, and the sciatica pain was so bad that I had to take a pain pill in the store! The pain went down into my left foot, and it was numb! (Have felt that only a few times.) It really scared me, because I have heard that the injections can last for a few weeks to a few months, or not at all. At least I know it helped some - but I guess it's stopped working.
I go back to get another injection Wednesday, so of course I'll tell my story to the Orthopedic guy then and see what he says.
Can SOMEBODY related to what I'm saying? Have you had this? Have you had any success in having it go away? Please post or write to me!
Many Hugs and Thanks,
Jan
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
do you live in england? i can give you her number, its in bedfordshire, just send me a private message if you want it. Good luck, funkymonk.
I can completely relate to and understand how you feel. It is just plain miserable and a lot of the time, very debilatating. I have gone through one neck surgery and three major back surgeries and then about three years started having the problems with sciatica.
I went to see my surgeon an he sent me to a specialist to have a set of three injections, one a month. I can't remember exactly what was in the injection, but I do know they were partly steroids. The injections were quite painful but I was mostly pain free for a year. But now it is back with a vengence and I'm not sure what I am going to do .Getting up in the morning is pure hell.
I have found one thing that can give some temporary relief and that is to use ice. It really does help some.
I don't know if the injection you got was the same as what I had so you might want to ask your dr. about it.
I wish you good luck in getting the help you need.
JoanEE