Hmmmm not sure about that. First time I had sciatica (12 years ago) I had slipped a disc on both sides and both legs hurt. Never heard of them switching. What kind of pain are you having? Does it go down to your foot?

I can't seem to find anything on it either :-/ Well right now, the pain is mainly centered in my left buttock and upper thigh. I will occasionally have numbness and tightness in my calf and foot but no pain- I think this is because I have been icing my back & taking anti-inflammatories and stretching.

Before I realized I had sciatica (in my right leg) my entire leg burned & my foot was numb. I started icing my back, exercising, taking supplements, etc., and I had no pain in either leg for a little over a month. The pain has started back up (in the other leg) and has increasingly been getting worse.

HI Belle

It is nice to see you again.
Sorry you are in pain again.

hugs, Raoul

Cool hair Belle by the way. Have you been to a Dr.? Sounds like you are doing all the right things.

*hugs for Raoul* Well I am in significantly less pain than I was before thanks to your (and other's) advice :) I was just a bit upset when I started feeling pain in the other leg.

Shera, thank you :) I haven't been to a doctor because I don't have insurance.. I really can't afford it right now unfortunately.

That really bites. :( Well take care of yourself sweetheart you look awful young to be having this kind of issue already.

Hey Bell,
I have sciatica in both legs, which is not as common. It started in only my left leg, and soon after my right, but it was always more intense in he left. I had burning and the sensation of ice water trickling down from my low back down my butt on the left side. Eventually, the pain in my back was barely felt because the leg pain got so much worse. At the end of the day my legs felt like they were on fire.

Interestingly, the pain would switch legs- or rather, one leg was always worse than te other, but sometimes it would change. This was when I was still working and being active. I didn't realize that I had a bulging disc in my l5-s1. I would suspect this is what you have.

As far as the switching legs goes- it is my understanding that due to inflammation, the bulging disc places pressure on areas of the sciatic nerve. This can change if you aggravate the injury through exercise or exertion. Your bulge can shift and place pressure on different areas of the nerve and inflammation is huge in this.
I would go see your dr. Because you need treatment and you need to find out why you are having this pain. Don't ignore it, it can become chronic. I have had it now for almost 2 years. Please see your dr. Take care,
Laura

Last time I slipped a disc (10 years ago) I had pain down both legs. It had slipped on two sides. It was an L5 disc. *hugs*

I also have in in both legs constantly..my MRI showed a `bone spur`` pushing on the nerve.

HI Belle

The reason the paoin has jumped from one leg to the other is that you have central canal stenosis.

The position of the pressure on the spine has shifted so that the pain has moved to the other leg.

You need to do the Mckenzie slide / glide to center the spinal cord in the canal to stop the pain.

I probably posted the slide glide for you lasty time you dropped in to the group. check it out.

--

I would like to point out that this is a support group where people come for help. And then they should be sticking around to help others. This is not a place to just come when you need help. And then just leave and have the attitude that everyone else can just piss off.

hugs, Raoul

Whoa whoa Raoul, calm down. I have a very busy life. I go to school full-time, try to work around 8 hours a day, cook and clean around the house, and try to exercise 1-2 hours a day. I don't have a lot of time to go online & talk. I was on DS for ages ago before I had sciatica and I had the time back then to dedicate to the site.

I really appreciate everyone's advice, but I cannot be on every day to respond. If this is how you feel, then I will just join another site. I do care about all of you, but I just have a very busy life & a full schedule.

No, I do not want you or anyone else to leave - just because they are not regular. All I want from anyone is to just come on once in a while and try to be there for others.

And if i had given up on you or others - i would not have even bothered to mention it.

I certainly do not want you to leave. I kinda like your purple hair.

Besides who am I to ever even attempt to judge you or anyone else.

Here is a big gentle hug to tell you that I really do care and do not want you to leave, Raoul

I agree I want you to stay and LOVE the purple hair. :)

Raoul,
despite your apology, saying things like that are simply NOT acceptable. If someone wants support and comes here to get it, and then leaves, thats their own business, and it will never stop me from helping them.
Also, generally speaking, (not re you, bell), not everyone can help, or knows how to, or what to say. I feel as though your anger may have stemmed from a deeper resentment, one that likely had nothing at all to do with Belligerent, however it ended up that you took it out on her.
I understand it can be frustrating to dedicate a lot of time and care into a group or whatever it is, and to have others seem* ungrateful and not respond. On a forum such as this, we are not privy to the lives of others on here - what they do, how busy their lives are, the challenges they face daily. I come and go on this site, as do others, because I have a busy schedule. Sometimes I don't feel like being on the computer. I am not compelled to come on here and help others (even though I do care for those here), I have my own struggles, and they come first.
I think you need to step back, and look at why you lashed out. Perhaps in other relationships in your life you have given a lot and never felt as though the other ever reciprocated. And that is unfortunate, but please don't take it out on someone else. Its not their fault.

Oncewas -

To suggest that someone making a small misstep is unacceptable is to deny the utility of erasers for pencils.

Your suppositions are completely over done and rediculous.

When someone apolozes for a foo-pah/mistake/misstep it is important to try to allow that they had some bad judgement and move on.

To go back and beat the crap out of them - does not compute.

You comments are a far bigger foo-pah than my original misstep ever was.

And - if Belle is not willing to accept my appology then that is terribly sad. Because I am more than willing to help her when-ever she needs help.

And let us say amen.

Raoul