hello peeps....

[lcg]

does anyone have experience of sciatica here? does it come on gradually, hit you like a train full on, or is it different for everyone? i have chronic arthritis and take shedfuls of medication for that anyway (meloxicam, co-codamol and fentanyl)....but lately i have woken through the night with searing pain in my butt that feels suspiciously like the sciatic nerve pinging away (and occasionally in the day too). what is the treatment for sciatica and how is it managed long-term?

also, is there anything more i can do about the pain i experience when i wake up and the more general, painful aching after being relaxed in my sleep? i am fed up of waking 4-5 times a night, sometimes having to wander around and shovel more medication down my throat before going back to sleep? or do i have to wait until i see the rheumatologist next week (instead of gp) for advice/meds change/increase or else?

mtia....lisa x

[lcg]

ta muchly for your advice and sympathy, guys. i think all the painkillers are finally kicking in now and the pain is less....and i think when i go to bed that will help the sciatica-like pain, but i'll have to put up with the other. i'm definately going to try some of your suggestions and let you know how i get on. ta! x

[mouhoub]

thanks for your answer regarding PPI I will start rolling

As for the sciatica best remedy on long term will be every day stretching exercises 10mn in morning and 10mn before sleeping ,also do some abdominal exercise -my experience I could not walk or sleep I started bit by bit and never looked back ...after 3 week syou will see the difference good luck

[nungate]

I was plagued with it for years until a friend of my husband suggested I see his wife, who was an A&E nurse but who had taken up reflexology. Since the usual stuff hadn't worked I had nothing to lose and gave it a go. She checked my medical history and so forth, and began treatment - it was nice but I had my doubts, anyway she warned me that I should need to drink a lot and would be at the loo almost constantly for the next 24 hours or so, (she was right I was!) but I had no more pain or discomfort for a whole year afterwards. So I saw her again and I've never had a twinge of it since!
Been years too. I still take meds for arthritis and gout but the sciatica hasn't bothered me at all.

[stanfan]

my nerve was severed during an operation, constant pain for years. I found ice packs better than all the drugs and now have a spinal cord simulator. Best of all but it means an operation to have it fitted.