How Do You Cope?

[lynbrown]

Im an elderly lady with painful sciatica.  I've tried various painkillers but I get too many side effects. I wear support stockings, use a TENS machine and try to walk every day. How do others cope with the pain? I'd love some helpful thoughts,or tips to keep my spirits up?  TIA

[bookbinder]

You have my sympathy, lynbrown. I do not suffer from sciatica, but I searched online, and I found this. I do hope that it helps.

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/muscle-bone-and-joints/neck-and-back-problems-and-conditions/sciatica/

[curlyfries81]

Ibuprofen / Diclofenac Gel - ask your GP to prescribe. 

Hot water bottles are very helpful. 

 

[curlyfries81]

I do believe in the power of reflexology.  Try to find a Practitioner who will come to your home.

[Karamia]

I would recommend asking GP for a few acupuncture sessions. I was so sceptical at first but my pain relief was so dramatic after only one or two needles. Completely painless. Needles were put into lower leg and elbow to relieve pain in neck and shoulders. If you get someone who is good at this job they can work wonders. 

Nothing to lose. My pain relief lasted for years. 

[PsalmEquipt]

I recently endured and am now relieved from a lot of physical pain that was upon me. As many believers have experienced, I was encouraged by a specific Bible verse that seemed to be the theme for my healing. For me, it was Isaiah 58:6 "...to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free..."
The words of Yogi Berra also helped in keeping my spirits up. One of the things he said was, "The future ain't what it used to be."
As you continue to search for what will work for you, think in terms of your diet, exercise, and sleep. Chicken soup is a favorite for me, as I've found a variety I now order by the case.
You may also be encouraged by these victory sharings in health and healing. https://godswordworks.org/category/health-and-healing

[davebro3]

It's bloody hard to cope. I sometimes think that people who don't have chronic pain just don't realise what it's like.

Painkillers that aren't addictive and/or difficult to get a prescription for are largely ineffective. I've also tried a number of alternative therapies.

It wears you down and makes it difficult not to become depressed. I don't have an answer. I know that on my deathbed I won't be sorry to be going.

[Omg21]

Acupuncture didn't work for me but did for the friend who recommended it so it's not guaranteed to help but is worth a try.

[ubasses]

Have you tried physio, I remember being in such excruicuating  pain that I could not put the back of my thigh down on a soft chair.  A Physio found out where the problem was, and after treatment I am left with what is called liveable pain.  He also devised a rehab plan of of gentle exercises designed for for my 'genetically inflexible' body which I still do fairly regularly.

Not perfect but so much better. 

[Old_Geezer]

Would a weight loss programme help relieve the pain ?

Perhaps improving posture ?

 

I found I had fewer issues when I lost weight.

[gingejbee]

I was prescribed maximum dose diclofenac for several months while waiting for back surgery at my local orthopaedic hospital (several years ago). Had surgery.

Result...no more sciatic pain!

[jourdain2]

I had a back injury in 2002 which shifted a couple of lumbar vertebrae, since then my back pain is chronic and sciatica is just one of the problems. (I'm 75.) Not helped by a hip repair this year leaving my r. leg an inch longer than the left.  I do sympathise. I walk every day - have to, for the dog's sake and it keeps me mobile - tonight was painful at every step though, with pain shooting down the front of my thighs.

My GP has prescribed 30/500 codeine/paracetamol for when it gets bad.  I use a TENS machine, which helps.  Warmth and lying down also helps.  An osteopath straightening me out every so often helps, as does a sports massage if I can find a new physio (old one moved house). Also a 'sound bath' is very relaxing and helps physically as well as mentally.

Currently saving up quite a lot of money to buy a microcirculation stimulator mat.  I have had some good trials and it worked.  Sessions cost a fair bit so it will be worth owning my own - but don't take my word for it, find a practitioner and try it out.  It is called Physical Vascular Therapy and offers electrical stimulation of the sub-capillary network - i.e. geting the blood system really freed up and working and carrying muck away etc..

I sound like a salesman, I'm not.  I crawled into a treatment centre (my daughter found it) and an hour later I not only walked out, but I was walking freely up and down steps.  That's all I can tell you.  I'm saving up.

[Nemix]

Having had terrible episodes sveral years ago myself and having meds, physio, exercising - the thing that was the final answer for me was seeing a podiatrist. I now have insoles in my shoes and honestly within a day or so of having them I felt renewed and touch wood - no probs since. Best wishes. 

[JinnyJoan]

Yesterday  I decided to get a once all over at my osteopath.  I decided on acupuncture on the broken toes and both feet were done.  

She asked me whether I wanted the acupuncture for the shoulders which were really weak but I went for the heavy massage and found the massage has helped me.

I will be going back and will get the feet massaged again. 

 

Good luck lyn  xx 

[ladybirder]

Nice to hear from you JJ.  xx

[chelle7272]

I have had acupuncture for sciatica and found it really helpful, despite my doubts at first.

There are some good stretching exercises if you are mobile enough,  a physio could help if not.

 

[Clementino]

A few years ago I had awful sciatica and the only treatment that cured it was NHS physio who gave me exercises to do at home using the stairs. These exercises helped to 'untrap' whatever was causing the pain.

Beware of being on Diclofenac for too long. My late husband was prescribed it and it affected his kidneys severely. Two consultants agreed that diclofenac used incorrectly was a major cause of renal failure.

[Rosie29]

Some medicines are incompatible with others so do check. 

For example take advice before taking  Ibuprofen if you are on blood thinners.

[lynbrown]

Thanks to all the kind people who replied. I'm very grateful.