Sciatic Nerve
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wrote on 25 Dec 2022, 14:28 last edited by
Update?
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wrote on 26 Dec 2022, 04:52 last edited by
Very sorry to hear this Mark. I used to suffer sciatica from auto injuries and lower back problems. I did a course of rolfing and other structural adjustments (myofascial release and chiro) which have helped immensely. Still a bit stiff and occasional flair ups, but not the debilitating sciatica I once regularly had. I hope your treatments fix you soon.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
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Very sorry to hear this Mark. I used to suffer sciatica from auto injuries and lower back problems. I did a course of rolfing and other structural adjustments (myofascial release and chiro) which have helped immensely. Still a bit stiff and occasional flair ups, but not the debilitating sciatica I once regularly had. I hope your treatments fix you soon.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
wrote on 26 Dec 2022, 19:27 last edited by mark@Ivorythumper Thank you. Merry Christmas!
It's been a week now. Still in pain and unable to walk more than few steps without damn near collapsing from the pain.
However I think it's getting a little better. Last night was the first time since this started that I was able to sleep. A good 6 hours then I got up off the couch (only place where I could find comfort) and got into bed (Tempurpedic Memory Foam) around 6am and actually got 2.5 more hours of sleep.
So that is encouraging.
9 days until PT starts.
I am seriously considering an inversion table.
This one.
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wrote on 28 Dec 2022, 19:37 last edited by mark
The TENS device arrived today. After a consultation with Dr. George, I have the first effective pain relief since this hit me.
Can't thank you enough for the for letting me know about this device and for the instructions on its use.
It's not 100% but it is enough that I can actually walk from room to room without the walker.
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The TENS device arrived today. After a consultation with Dr. George, I have the first effective pain relief since this hit me.
Can't thank you enough for the for letting me know about this device and for the instructions on its use.
It's not 100% but it is enough that I can actually walk from room to room without the walker.
wrote on 28 Dec 2022, 19:59 last edited byI am so sorry you are still suffering from this. In the early 90s I had repeated back problems and went to many chiro visits. The stimulators were the only thing that gave me much relief. Had no idea they were available for the home.
Hoping it helps you heal.
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I am so sorry you are still suffering from this. In the early 90s I had repeated back problems and went to many chiro visits. The stimulators were the only thing that gave me much relief. Had no idea they were available for the home.
Hoping it helps you heal.
wrote on 28 Dec 2022, 20:11 last edited by@Mik said in Sciatic Nerve:
Had no idea they were available for the home.
The home units are nowhere as sophisticated as the ones that chiropractors have.
The other problem with home units is that they're pretty much "hit and miss," as far as the type of stimulation, electrode placement, etc. My experience has been pretty good - I actually fell asleep (for a nap) during stimulation.
But, it's better than nothing, right?
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@Mik said in Sciatic Nerve:
Had no idea they were available for the home.
The home units are nowhere as sophisticated as the ones that chiropractors have.
The other problem with home units is that they're pretty much "hit and miss," as far as the type of stimulation, electrode placement, etc. My experience has been pretty good - I actually fell asleep (for a nap) during stimulation.
But, it's better than nothing, right?
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@Ivorythumper Thank you. Merry Christmas!
It's been a week now. Still in pain and unable to walk more than few steps without damn near collapsing from the pain.
However I think it's getting a little better. Last night was the first time since this started that I was able to sleep. A good 6 hours then I got up off the couch (only place where I could find comfort) and got into bed (Tempurpedic Memory Foam) around 6am and actually got 2.5 more hours of sleep.
So that is encouraging.
9 days until PT starts.
I am seriously considering an inversion table.
This one.
wrote on 28 Dec 2022, 20:59 last edited by@mark said in Sciatic Nerve:
@Ivorythumper Thank you. Merry Christmas!
It's been a week now. Still in pain and unable to walk more than few steps without damn near collapsing from the pain.
However I think it's getting a little better. Last night was the first time since this started that I was able to sleep. A good 6 hours then I got up off the couch (only place where I could find comfort) and got into bed (Tempurpedic Memory Foam) around 6am and actually got 2.5 more hours of sleep.
So that is encouraging.
9 days until PT starts.
I am seriously considering an inversion table.
This one.
I don't know a good one from a bad one, but I have a friend that swears by inversion therapy for his back.
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wrote on 28 Dec 2022, 21:19 last edited by
It makes perfect sense. Diva Deb used to use it. May still for all I know. You might message her on FB.
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It makes perfect sense. Diva Deb used to use it. May still for all I know. You might message her on FB.
wrote on 28 Dec 2022, 21:24 last edited by@Mik said in Sciatic Nerve:
It makes perfect sense.
When my cervical spine was acting up and causing pressure on my C8 nerve root, in addition to physical therapy, I was told to get into some cervical traction. Whole idea is to open up the intervertebral foramen (the hole that the nerve passes through) and take pressure off the nerve.
I can see how this idea would/could work on lumbar spine as well, but afaik, there's no real data to show that it works. At least not in a double-blind controlled study. I'd be happy to be educated otherwise, of course.
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wrote on 30 Dec 2022, 17:06 last edited by
So.....?
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wrote on 30 Dec 2022, 17:59 last edited by
@George-K said in Sciatic Nerve:
So.....?
Still unable to walk more than a few steps without the aid of the walker.
is it any better? Maybe, marginally.
PT next Wednesday. That can't happen fast enough.
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Race Across America
https://www.raamrace.org/about
I will be the cheerleader and good mental support person. LOL
wrote on 30 Dec 2022, 18:07 last edited bySo will I -- as long as I can watch it from a luxe hotel with good air and mai tais and whatnot.
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@George-K said in Sciatic Nerve:
So.....?
Still unable to walk more than a few steps without the aid of the walker.
is it any better? Maybe, marginally.
PT next Wednesday. That can't happen fast enough.
wrote on 30 Dec 2022, 18:08 last edited by@mark said in Sciatic Nerve:
PT next Wednesday. That can't happen fast enough.
Sorry to hear it's not better, Mark. Good luck with Wednesday.
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wrote on 30 Dec 2022, 21:05 last edited by
Sorry the pain doesn't seem to be improving, Mark.
I f'd up a disc pretty bad about a year ago. I toggled between terrible pain down the right leg, to complete numbness.. (that got me scared enough to get seen) Chiro suspected L5/S1, but pushed me to get an MRI to confirm I wasn't dealing with broken disc fragments, or something else her treatments might make worse.
In any case, the imaging confirmed the diagnosis, and allowed her to treat and make home-traction exercise recommendations with a lot more confidence.
I'd ask the folks at the PT office if they think an MRI could help them dial in your treatment plan.
Good luck!
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wrote on 31 Dec 2022, 21:37 last edited by
I was experiencing severe muscle weakness and felt like I was just wasting away. I have stopped all meds now for over 36 hours.
Starting to gain a little strength but still weak.
As you know, Dr. prescribed Muscle relaxer cyclobenzaprine, anti-inflammatory Meloxicam, and he upped my Pravastatin dose from 40mg to 80mg. All at the same time. It did not go well. I sent doc a message through MyChart and told him about it and stated that I was ceasing all meds until my strength is restored. He agreed. Now I just have a higher level of pain but still making progress. Doing recommended stretching and other techniques, ice, heat, TENS, etc.
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I was experiencing severe muscle weakness and felt like I was just wasting away. I have stopped all meds now for over 36 hours.
Starting to gain a little strength but still weak.
As you know, Dr. prescribed Muscle relaxer cyclobenzaprine, anti-inflammatory Meloxicam, and he upped my Pravastatin dose from 40mg to 80mg. All at the same time. It did not go well. I sent doc a message through MyChart and told him about it and stated that I was ceasing all meds until my strength is restored. He agreed. Now I just have a higher level of pain but still making progress. Doing recommended stretching and other techniques, ice, heat, TENS, etc.
wrote on 31 Dec 2022, 23:52 last edited by@mark said in Sciatic Nerve:
I was experiencing severe muscle weakness and felt like I was just wasting away. I have stopped all meds now for over 36 hours.
Starting to gain a little strength but still weak.
As you know, Dr. prescribed Muscle relaxer cyclobenzaprine, anti-inflammatory Meloxicam, and he upped my Pravastatin dose from 40mg to 80mg. All at the same time. It did not go well. I sent doc a message through MyChart and told him about it and stated that I was ceasing all meds until my strength is restored. He agreed. Now I just have a higher level of pain but still making progress. Doing recommended stretching and other techniques, ice, heat, TENS, etc.
So glad you have a good relationship with your doc, Mark. That's really important and can make a real difference in your experience and outcome.
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The TENS device arrived today. After a consultation with Dr. George, I have the first effective pain relief since this hit me.
Can't thank you enough for the for letting me know about this device and for the instructions on its use.
It's not 100% but it is enough that I can actually walk from room to room without the walker.
wrote on 1 Jan 2023, 19:49 last edited by@mark said in Sciatic Nerve:
The TENS device arrived today. After a consultation with Dr. George, I have the first effective pain relief since this hit me.
Can't thank you enough for the for letting me know about this device and for the instructions on its use.
It's not 100% but it is enough that I can actually walk from room to room without the walker.
I'm happy to here this. Best of the New Year to you, Mark.
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wrote on 3 Jan 2023, 19:03 last edited by mark 1 Mar 2023, 19:05
Went to see a new chiropractor yesterday. He was recommended by my sister. Very gentle, interesting techniques. He spent a full 30 minutes on my back. Actually provided some relief. Bought a back brace (Copper Fit) on his recommendation and it is a mixed bag of providing less pain but then it actually hurts more to wear it.
Going again at 2:00 today and then PT tomorrow. He told me to keep the PT as he likes to have many people on the "team" to figure it all out.
Actually wants to work with my physician and specialists. He says, if he cannot help, he will do nothing. I like the attitude. He read the results/impressions of my last set of xrays. He does a lot of sports injury work in the area and also works closely with the orthopedic surgeons in the area.
He says I should definitely be golfing thus year. This put an early end to my golf season in 2022. I was not happy.