Sleeping Positions/sciatica

[Eve]

Is it right that it isn't good for you to sleep on your front?

I have what my GP reckons is sciatica and it's the only way I've been able to get to sleep the last few nights. I don't tend to sleep on my front anyway (too "generous" in the cleavage dept!) as I trained myself to be able to sleep on my back a while back for better sleep posture but do tend to prop myself up to help with acid issues.

In googling, it seems to suggest that isn't good for your spine to sleep on your front and, from what I've googled about sciatica, it suggests it's a symptom rather than a cause so don't want to risk damaging my back any further, wondering if it's better to painkiller up more to minimise the pain to sleep in a better position or if something really hard and flat might help or something.

[gingejbee]

When I had sciatic pain (put right with surgery, I'm afraid), I also found that sleeping on my front was the most comfortable. If it is less painful....then do it.

[Sqad]

I agree with gingejbee.

[Eve]

Looks like that's the plan then, thanks both. surgery, ouch! Glad it helped though. Pfft, it'd have to get in line with my shoulders, knees etc... ! ;)

I've managed to get moving a bit more as my GP recommended which has helped and sitting is easier if I lean forward. Was going to go for another walk about later but crazy busy round here with Eid celebrations and Caribbean Carnival going on, cars and people and police everywhere so safer indoors! Going to try and get out for another wander tomorrow. Today's was actually good fun, roped in my best mate and did potter to bus, coffee, potter, coffee and cake, potter, coffee :) I'm a bit bouncy now!

[DaisyNonna]

Lovely image of pottering Eve.
Keep doing it!
Best of luck.

[gingejbee]

Eve: you have my sympathy, believe me! And...you're quite right that keeping mobile is important.
About medication...I know we are all different- but you may like to know that the only prescription drug that worked for me was diclofenac (Voltarol) at maximum dose. Without it I would have been immobile. Best wishes.

[Eve]

I will :) Been pottering about the house a bit tidying and making some tea to the boom boom boom of the carnival in the park and people with whistles and such.

I feel a strong conversation coming on with rheumatology who have told me I'm not allowed to take anti-inflammatories while on methotrexate for RA, even while I'm off until my liver results go back to normal as bit raised at the mo. May get my GP involved as she is fab. Anti-inflammatories would seem wiser than upping my codeine to 4 a time with paracetamol (I don't want to max main pain meds to give me room for manoeuvre for if things get worse).

[Eve]

Still suffering (eased a little though and been getting massages and trying to keep moving) and booked a few days leave. Rang rheumatology and double-checked the anti-inflammatory thing but was told still no :(

They suggested valium or amitriptyline but said they weren't sure if it would be sciatica as the pain is worse when lying down.

My GP asked me if I had an abscess on my back when I first spoke to her. I didn't though since I have come up with what looks and feel a bit like a boil/abscess on my back but it's more over my hip way about an inch and a half below my waistline. Could something like that cause all the pain round my lower back, hips, bum though?

[woofgang]

the thing with sleeping positions is that you won't go to sleep if the position you are in is painful, and once you are asleep, you have no control over the positions that your body adopts. Advice about achieving a painfree position has value, advice about maintaining a position during sleep or getting to sleep when in a painful position less so (understatement) If there is a real medical need to maintain a particular position while asleep then the answer is to be blocked into the position with pillows or wedges. and yes, if an abcess or boil is pressing on a nerve, it will cause radiating pain. there will also usually be redness, heat and maybe a feeling of general malaise.

[Eve]

Thanks Woofgang :) I've had a little more success sleeping as I think I just got so tired and tried to wedge myself up with a V pillow round my lower back and hips and other pillows. I ended up falling asleep on the sofa after my tea last night I was so tired. It's still taking a while to get to sleep despite mirtazapine, pregabalin, paracetamol, codeine and even sometime piriton. I need to see if I can get back to my OT, see if night splints will help my hands too when I can get back to sleeping on my back.

I'm hoping it will relax as the abscess sorts itself out. I'm on a wait a see for a few days approach after seeing a GP. It seems to have got a bit more angry and has a red area surrounding it and is warm and I feel rubbish like oncoming fluey feeling and had a niggly headache since Wednesday but I'm hopeful it will just go down on its own as many of the groin ones do.

I could really do with getting my sleep pattern sorted, I've wacked the weight on with the mirtazapine and pregabalin and as well as the impact on my joints it makes me feel down too. Trying to stay positive though - had a day with my mum today, got myself some new books with some vouchers and my hair done today as it had become a dry frizzy mess, trying to grow it as doesn't suit short when I've got weight on my face - she worked absolute wonders! She was even taking photos of it after saying she wished she'd taken before shot too haha!

[woofgang]

I am glad you feel better with your hair done, it works wonders doesn't it?

[Eve]

It certainly does! The main hairdresser booted the one I had initially off to someone else when she was trying to convince me about an inverted bob (had ones before, too short while I've weight on my face and a bitch to grow out) etc... and she intervened and said she would keep it longer and tidy it up for me and try a product on me and it made a big difference, so soft and silky! No sell for it either, only a little recommended oil from the range which cost £2.95! I've not seen it look that normal for ages. I love getting my hair done too, find it lovely and relaxing.