sciatica question

[defoliate_bush]

Has anyone ever had the lower back condition called sciatica? Judging by my symptoms, which include pain down my leg during driving, sitting for long pds of time, i think i have it. I'm only 18 though so it's weird. My doctor gave me a steroid pack, which helps some. Geez, how long does it take for this to go away???

[flamingyouth]

1. You probably need some physical therapy of some kind

Massage or PT. You can't take steriods forever. Ask your doctor for some therapy like this, and good luck. That hurts like hell.:hi:

[latebloomer]

2. I had this when I was pregnant

and could hardly walk due to the pain. ONE session with an extremely expert Shiatsu therapist cured it!!

[defoliate_bush]

3. Thanks guys

I'm sure I won't have much luck finding shiatsu therapists in mississippi, but I'll try the physical therapy thing.

[Richard D]

4. Acupuncture!

Can work wonders. But then I'm a bit prejudiced towards it.

[The Traveler]

5. Do not pass go

Do not collect $200. Go immediate to your doc. This could be sciatica or symptomatic or of a herniated disk. I know 'cause my wife is going thru this right now. Getting proper diagnosis and treatment early is critical in any case. BTW do NOT let them cut on your back without first a) discussing with a really knowledgable chiropractor and b) insisting on a procedure called endoscopic diskectomy. BTW at this point an MRI is probably required to properly diagnose the condition in any event.

As I write this, I am sincerely hoping that you are not one of the millions of Americans denied adequate medical care because of for profit medicine, a topic which is likely to ignite my inner redneck and cause me to go all Georgian on the next available freeper jackass.

** edited 'cause I should really proof read before I hit "submit" **

[Poiuyt]

6. I vote for physical therapy also

You need the right blend of strengthening and stretching.

[CO Liberal]

7. My Wife and I Both Have It

The result of separate car accidents. I've been in three accidents in the past four years and have four herniated discs - one of them presses on the sciatic nerve going down my right leg.

It can stay aroung for years - sometimes, it never goes away. My wife has had it on and off for 15 years now.

Sciatica is the most common back pain there is. If you haven't yet, you should see a doctor who specializes in the spine, or a pain management specialist. They've done wonders for me - I still have pain, but it's not as bad as it was after my accident last February.

[Nevernose]

8. I tried Vicodin

Vicodin almost eilminated the pain in my back, but it just switched to EXTREME discomfort in my legs, especially when sitting for more than 15 minutes or so.

If you figure out how to get rid of it without medical insurance, please let me know.

[OneBlueSky]

9. this is your "better safe than sorry" post . . .

I don't want to be an alarmist, but I feel obligated to inform you that this kind of problem, if not properly diagnosed and treated, can lead to permanent nerve damage and a life-long disability . . . I know, because it happened to me . . .

there is a condition known as cauda equina syndrome (CES) that can develop if you have a herniated disc which impinges a bundle of nerves called (not surprisingly) the cauda equina (Latin for "horse's tail," which the nerve bundle apparently resembles) which extends off the spinal cord . . . the nerves in the cauda equina control virtually all functions below the waist, including sensation, muscularity, bowel and bladder function, even sexual function . . .

although the condition is fairly uncommon, it's a lot more prevalent than most doctors will admit . . . whenever you have sciatica, it is absolutely essential that you have an MRI to find out if you indeed have a herniated disc . . . and if you do, it is also essential that you find out if it is compressing the cauda equina nerves . . . if it is, and if it's left untreated, the nerves can be permanently damaged, with devastating results . . .

again, I feel obligated to provide you with this information only because no one ever told me what the consequences could be, and I'm now permanently disabled because of this neglect by the medical establishment . . . you can learn more about CES at this website:

http://www.caudaequina.org/

pay particular attention to the definition section so you'll know what symptoms to look out for . . . if the sciatica become bilateral, or if you experience any bowel or bladder problems, the situation is emergent and requires immediate treatment . . .

please understand that this is not meant to scare you, only to inform you . . . chances are you won't ever have cauda equina problems, but you should know that the possibility exists and what the consequences can be . . .

[kat21]

10. A friend of mine -

Had the pain you are describing for a long time. Her problem turned out to be the result of a cyst pressing against her spine (which she finally had removed). She had to have an MRI in order for the doctor to find out what was causing the pain. Whatever it turns out to be, I hope you get it taken care of as soon as possible and are on the mend soon.

[mykpart]

11. I had this when I was in the hospital for bypass surgery.

I swear it hurt worse than my chest! I recommend hot baths and 800 mg of ibuprofen every 4 to 6 hours. I think mine lasted about 6 weeks. But it's OK to go about your ordinary activities - I did cardiac rehab and it didn't hurt my back any worse. Good luck.

[TrogL]

12. Have you been checked for spondiolosis?

[TahitiNut]

13. Yes. I have sciatica. 20 years now.

About 10 years ago (when I was 50) I went to a new doctor (osteopath) who, unlike the others, did a complete workup including many X-rays and other test. He found I had congenital scoliosis of the lower lumbar area - a condition that led to sciatica (a pinched sciatic nerve).

Well, that explained my 'natural' ability to do the breaststroke at the varsity level in college. Too bad I didn't know when I was drafted and sent to Vietnam. I also explained why I was never able to ski very well (feet point out) or run long distances without a great deal of pain.

The ways I need to manage the condition include:
(1) Keep my weight down. (I'm not very successful at this.)
(2) Do the back exercises, which include abdominal strengthening and flexibility. Swim.
(3) Use a stool when I do "counter work". At 6'2" counters are just too low for me and the slight bend-over aggravates my back.
(4) Do edge of chair "crunches" and flexibility exercises.
(5) Walk. Sit. Walk. Walk. Sit. (I do lots of walking.) When I sit, I use lumbar support and do very mild leg and stomach exercise.
(6) Ibuprofen. (I also find B-Complex helps.)

Some days (about 20%) are relatively pain-free. Most days (about 70%) are uncomfortable. About 10% require me to take pain-killers and floor exercises.

About 90-95% of sciatica sufferers manage the condition with the above approaches. About 5% go surgical. Only about 70% of the surgical cases are wholly successful, I'm told. Then there's always a risk when one has surgery.

[3trievers]

14. 5yrs

I have felt your pain.I take celebrex as needed for the sciatica and it relieves all of my pain.I would rather have a natural remedy but the pain was so intense I had to relent.

[AngryAmish]

15. Do not go to a chiropractor

First of all, I am not a doctor. I am some guy on an internet chat-board giving you advice. I have certain experience with this sort of thing from my profession, but I am not a doctor. Please take everything you hear on this board with HUGE blocks of salt.

That said, the sciatica is caused by a pinched nerve in a lower back. This could be caused by many things but the most common is a herniated disc in your lower back. These may or may not require surgery. Many times a steroid injection or two will help it. Physical therapy also helps as it strengthens the supporting muscles. Some mild herniations will also get better (shrink a little) over time. It may get better on its own, it may not. Everyone is different.

By all means get checked out by an orthopedist. Not a chiropractor. Not an osteopath. A Board Certified Orthopedist. In my experience they tend to have the best feel for these things. Orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons tend to be too quick to go to surgery, for a number of reasons.

Surgery may be necessary. Think hard about it. In many ways disc surgery has been described as a lifestyle surgery - is the pain causing such a disruption in your life that the risks are outweighed by the reward? You will have to decide that.

What that guy said about clauda equina above is true also. Rare but must be eliminated.

A word about chiropractors. Never trust a chiropractor. In my experience they will treat you and treat you until your insurance will not pay or you will not pay. Then - Boom - they declare you better. Not every chiro is like that, but I have seen too many like that. It may not be intentional either. Also, manipulating a back that has a herniated disc is so dangerous - I have seen people paralyzed. I could go on and on about them, about how the chiropractic theory of disease has no scientific basis, how most chiropractors are deeply strange people, etc.

[GCP]

16. Everything everybody's already said - plus

after you get properly diagnosed and treated, and you're recovered, consider taking up yoga. It's supposed to be the best thing out there for keeping your spine strong and straight.
And good luck :hi:

[Gildor Inglorion]

17. Hi, fellow Mississippian - a belated welcome to DU!

Also, you might try reiki for your sciatica. I have no idea HOW it works, I only know that it does, and there's no medication or physical manipulation involved, so it can't possibly do any harm. :-)

[onebigbadwulf]

18. An orthopedist is gonna refer you to a chiropractor

one painful cracking visit and your pain will go away.

[Mr.Green93]

19. could be a tumor on the spine

[The Flaming Red Head]

20. All the F*ckin time

take anything you can get your hands on and don't lift stuff and if you drive use cruise control and if you have access to a hot tub sit in it frequently. Other than that, I don't know.