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AKA sciatic nerve pain. I have found the true reason for heated car seats in the middle of summer. I never was a hot tub person until this year. I have a real fear of any surgery of the spine. I've found surgeons to be the most arrogant group of doctors, with ortho being the worst of the bunch. The most relief I have had since May is when I was put on the Medrol Dosepak, I was wired, but pain-free.
Before I go beg for a cortisone shot, what has worked for those that have dealt with this? I am fairly new to this pain - I've been using heat (a lot) and trying to keep moving. I'm not obese, but in acknowledging I can stand to lose a few pounds, I've lost about 10 - 10 more and I will be at my ideal weight.
Any ideas for me to try (or buy) - I'm close to desperate?
AKA sciatic nerve pain. I have found the true reason for heated car seats in the middle of summer. I never was a hot tub person until this year. I have a real fear of any surgery of the spine. I've found surgeons to be the most arrogant group of doctors, with ortho being the worst of the bunch. The most relief I have had since May is when I was put on the Medrol Dosepak, I was wired, but pain-free.
Before I go beg for a cortisone shot, what has worked for those that have dealt with this? I am fairly new to this pain - I've been using heat (a lot) and trying to keep moving. I'm not obese, but in acknowledging I can stand to lose a few pounds, I've lost about 10 - 10 more and I will be at my ideal weight.
Any ideas for me to try (or buy) - I'm close to desperate?
There are many non-narcotic pain medications. NSAIDs may be what you need.
Stretching is my go-to when sciatica starts in my hip area. My DO showed me the right stretch for where I have the problem.
When it starts I try to sit "better", so my alignment is correct, both feet on floor, not leaning to either side, and do lots of stretches.
If you have insurance, I would ask for physical therapy.
NSAIDs do nothing for me and the nerve pain, but I think it depends on where your problem is, and what is causing it.
My BIL went through all the physical therapy, was taking gabapentin and it was doing little for him. He just had surgery where they drilled out the hole the nerves come through (not technical explanation) and he feels tons better.
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I live on NSAIDs, rotate the ones I take. I think they are taking off the edge. I have a call into the doctor for PT orders. I was contemplating one of those inversion stands, where you hang upside down, which pulls the spine up.
I know what set this off - I've had 3 surgeries this year where I was knocked out. The first surgery I was in stirrups, no issues what-so-ever. However, the next two surgeries (breast), 3 weeks apart, both times I came out with back pain. I mentioned it to the OR nurse that my back hurt the last time and was told "we take great care to position you." The surgery after that comment was the worst. I feel like they took my right leg and hooked it around the back of my neck. Great care, my a$$. Think I'll start asking for stirrups, regardless of surgical location.
Although I did end up having surgery for my back pain, I have since discovered that stretching (Yoga) is a great way to alleviate some of the pain. I still have pain every now and again, and discovered that some of the stretches my physical therapist had given me, were very similar to some yoga poses. Additionally, some of the other yoga poses help to tone other muscle groups that help relieve back pain.
I have sciatic pain, especially in the ass. I received two cortisone shots on each side of the nerve and was prescribed Cymbalta (anti-anxiety meds have been found to work on nerve pain). Most of the time I am pain free. I also went for PT and do stretching exercise.
Also, a TENS unit is often helpful in reducing pain.
Yes!
About 30 years ago, my SIL was prescribed a TENS device by her doctor, and it gave her fairly good relief from pain prior to having Spinal Fusion surgery. IIRC, it cost a few hundred $$ back in those days. Nowadays, one can easily obtain a very effective TENS device w/o the need for an Rx, and many of them cost only $60... or less.
I used to suffer from similar pain and nothing worked. (chiropractors, MDs, drugs, etc).
All my pain ended with lifestyle changes: dropped weight, cut carbs, increased activity, etc. If I was going to do it all over, I would have cut carbs first, because that automatically drops the weight and increases activity.
I remember my first back pain visit with an MD and he told me about a study where 1/3 of the patients went chiropractic, 1/3 went to a medical doctor (usually drugs), and 1/3 did nothing. The outcomes were statistically insignificant, so he told me to "do whatever feels right".
Unfortunately, he didn't recommend to cut carbs, because that would have done it.
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