Sciatica Pain Relief

[djtdjt]

Sciatica severe pain! The doctor prescribed some pain killers but they don't work very well. The pain in the mornings when i get up is excruiating. Would a chiropractor or osteopath help ? Any advice please, thanks.

[Sqad]

What tablets has your Dr prescribed and could you describe the distribution of the pain and for how long have you been suffering?
Any other medical history?

[jennyjoan]

It is extremely painful (very) - when I took it - it sorta just went away after 6 weeks unfortunately but Sqad could help you more.

[djtdjt]

The tablets are Gabapentin Tillomed 300mg, says take one three a day. Pain is lower back/buttock/leg/foot in the mornings could barely move the leg, pain is just crazy?

[wolf63]

I have the same problem and I have found that sleeping on my side with a pillow behind me stops me from rolling onto my back and this really, really helps.

[Patsy33]

You probably need a higher dose of gabapentin. Speak to your GP. Best wishes.

[jennyjoan]

I got gabapentin for horrific pain in my shoulder about 3 or 4 years ago and I couldn't believe the relief I got for it. To me the best painkiller.

[Sqad]

That sounds like sciatica.
That is a piddling little dose of Gabapentin, in my opinion I agree with patsy in that you need 600mgms three times a day.
Gabapentin may take 2 weeks to work.
Whatever you take, sciatica will be with you for at least 6 weeks.
I am not a fan of chiropractice or osteopathy...but try it if you would prefer.

[chelle7272]

I suffer from bouts of sciatica. I agree you need more painkillers.

I have visited a chiropractor for sciatica before (it was free at work so might as well). They gave me some good stretching exercises which do help relieve the pain.
The standing or sitting here ones here are similar.
https://www.rocketcitychiropractic.com/10-piriformis-stretches-to-get-rid-of-sciatica-hip-and-lower-back-pain/

[Patsy33]

Thanks for that, chelle.
I suffer from piriformis syndrome.

[whistonian]

I have suffered from sciatica for years, when I feel it starting I do 5 minutes of sciatica exercises at least twice a week, it relieves it and keeps it away.

[jourdain2]

I unfortunately get sciatica fairly regularly (old injury to spine). In France my G.P. recommended an osteo/physio as well as painkillers and he worked wonders whenever it struck (and in helping to keep it at bay).

On return to UK it has taken ages to find a similarly qualified chap (and I have to pay), but he also helps hugely. If I have to wait for an appointment I ask my beautician/masseuse for a back massage and that can stop the worst of the pain, combined with 1gm paracetamol at regular intervals.

Hope that helps. Sciatica is horrible. :(

[gingejbee]

Whether any sort of manipulative therapy works depends on the cause of the problem...in my case, only surgery (twice!) improved the situation.
And there have been cases (one last week in the press) where chiropractic has caused permanent damage.

[margarettom]

When I had sciatica the doctor sent me to the physiotherapy department at the local hospital. I had a one-to-one appointment and then was given exercises appropriate to where my pain was. I was cured within 3 weeks and I had had it for months.

[djtdjt]

Thank you Chelle, that's a lot of good info.

[chelle7272]

Hope it helps djdjt & patsy :)

[Khandro]

I have done 10 minutes yoga, EVERY morning for over 30 years & I still had an attack a couple of years ago, it is horrible & there is no position you can take up for release, I described it at the time like having "bad toothache in the the back".
My doctor gave me an injection which helped. It does finally go away itself though, my sympathy.

[Bazile]

//I have suffered from sciatica for years, when I feel it starting I do 5 minutes of sciatica exercises at least twice a week, it relieves it and keeps it away.//

Whitstonian

What exercise are they ?