topic Re: sciatica in Among Friends

sciatica

mollymaggie — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 19:53:39 GMT

My sister is 65 and has had parkinsons for over 25 years I have watched her suffer for years but now she has been in pain for 24 hours a day She cant sleep or sit She has been going to a chiropractor but nothing I just thought maybe one of you had something that you did to help with this She takes pills just not to shake etc so medications react with them I feel helpless so Im coming to the smartest people I know

Re: sciatica

ECBG — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 20:14:49 GMT

I have sciatica pain and use a gel freeze belt from amazon. Hot water builds inflammation which equals pain. If she is using a heating pad or soaking in warm water for comfort, she is increasing the inflammation, therefore, the pain.

There are stretching exercises, if you think she can handle that, they're on youtube.

I take meloxicam to help keep the inflammation down, but I doubt her dr will put her on that with her other meds.

Best of luck.

Re: sciatica

Misplaced Parisian — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 20:15:10 GMT

@mollymaggie I feel for both of you. What helps me is warming the sciatica with a heating pad and using Lo-Bak TRAX Portable Spinal Traction Device by Lori Greiner. I know it sounds kooky, but the Lo-Bak thing really helps me. Q used to sell it, I don't know if they still do.

Re: sciatica

Still Raining — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 20:18:58 GMT

So sorry for your sister, I hope for comfort for her.

My grandma also suffered and it was sweet to see how my big ole grandpa could pick her up.

Can you see if her doctor will do a phone visit? This is beyond most anyone's pay grade here.

Re: sciatica

meem120 — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 20:19:50 GMT

Its so painful. I get it a few times a year. You really cant sit and even rolling over is very painful. Ive tried several diffrent things. Acupincture worked on my mild case. Physical therapy worked on my severe case. I was using a walker because the pain was so bad. I was skeptical about PT, but it worked wonders. There are stretches you can google and they work if she can do that. I also use over the counter pain patches and roll ons, like Icy Hot or one of the other ones. A cream would work too. I hope she finds some relief. Its sort of like a toothache..its just always there. Oh, also a pillow to sit on for sciatica might help, I got mine on the big A store online.

Re: sciatica

Kachina624 — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 20:25:35 GMT

She need to see a MD, an orthopedic specialist, who can recommend suitable medication and possibly PT.

Re: sciatica

mom2four0418 — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 20:44:21 GMT

Has your sister seen a physician for the sciatica pain?

Re: sciatica

hckynut — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 21:26:09 GMT

@mollymaggie

I understand the pain related to Sciatica. It is the biggest nerve in the body, and when it is compromised(pinched) in some way?

I went through this many years ago and spent 3 weeks in the hospital while they sent me to PT twice a day/was getting Demerol shots every 6 hours/was in traction, and on Valium(2mg-5mg) twice a day.

My doctor finally decided I needed back surgery. In that surgery my L-5/S-1 Lumbar Discs were removed. My Sciatic nerve was so damaged my right foot, sometimes my whole leg goes numb. This surgery was I 1974.

A person really needs an MRI to find the exact source of the pain. I could type all kinds of exercises that work for many, but sounds like your sister has other problems, so I will pass on that.

ICE is what should be used with any kind of inflammation, not heat. Heat might temporarily make one feel better, but it exasperated the problem. It does not make it better.

I had another back surgery in about 2007. This did not effect my Sciatic Nerve, but surfaced mostly in my left leg around the knee, not the hamstring or calf muscles. My friend, who is a Micro Back Surgeon, removed my L-3 Lumbar disc.

I have done stretching exercises since after my 1974 surgery, only stopping while recovering from my heart attacks and other health issues. At 80+ my spine is still very flexible. While I do have a occasional flare up it does not effect any of my physical activities.

Wish I could give you more specific info that would help your sister, but with her underlying issues, she best see her doctor or a Orthopedic Surgeon or Neurologist with this issue.

hckynut(john)

Re: sciatica

Whosits — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 22:02:06 GMT

I just learned lately that physical therapists can specialize in areas just as MD's do. I had a hip replacement and then immediatly bad sciatica and was finally referred to a PT that just worked with the lower spine. I had also gotten so out of condition from not being able to move much, that I could hardly walk. I wish your sister the best.

Re: sciatica

on the bay — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 22:34:03 GMT

@mollymaggie -

I'm so sorry about the pain your sister is in.

Here's what I do for years of back/ hip pain-

biofreeze-love this stuff! (walmart)

salon pas pads (not the heat or lidocaine ones just original)

heating pads a lot

a tens unit(this will either help so much or she won't like it-can buy online now)

And aleve or ibuprofin or excedrin when needed.

sometimes ice pack.

Once I had a miracle physical therapist but those are few and far between, a rare breed.

Stretches, some gentle exercises for what the problem is for her (you can find online if she doesn't have any),

and never should be painful!

And beyond that, sometimes we just have to live with it as best we can.

Though some opt for more invasive procedures andI don't want those because I don't trust them.

Oh and yes, I would get an MRI if she hasnt already so they really know whats going on before suggesting any treatment!

Re: sciatica

mollymaggie — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 22:50:44 GMT

I want to thank everyone that helped me I read all of your posts to my sister Thank you so much for taking the time to help me

Re: sciatica

vsm — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 01:50:21 GMT

My heart goes out to your sister, @mollymaggie , and to you. I had epidurals for sciatica four years ago on my right side, and they hurt a lot but eventually helped. Don't know if your sister could tolerate them, in her condition. Now I've got it on my left side, but can't have an MRI until the virus subsides. To tide me over until then, ortho surgeon put me on prednisone first, and now meloxicam. Your sister needs to have her Parkinson's doctor/neurologist coordinate with an ortho surgeon. Hopefully, medication will reduce the inflammation and give her some relief.

Re: sciatica

kiskitty — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 02:09:47 GMT

My mom has had Parkinson's for over 15 years. She can't take any pain pills because of all the meds she's on and her age. She's had sciatica and the best thing that worked for her was physical therapy and the continued exercises they gave her. Please get her to a physical therapist ASAP . They will help her

Re: sciatica

likeitis — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 02:20:31 GMT

This would be the easiest and fastest treatment. I highly recommend Bio-Freeze, as another poster has already posted, but I want to second the motion.

That stuff is "great".

Most stores have it now a days. You used to only be able to get it at a Chiropractor's office.

You can order it from Amazon, also.

I went to PT three times a week, for Three months. Didn't help me a bit. But we are all different, could work for your Sister. I do know her pain, that's for sure. I also take an aspirin or other anti inflammatory with it...which ever kind she is allowed to take.

The Biofreeze can be bought in A gel or cream. I prefer the roll on.

Read the directions...best of luck 🌺

Re: sciatica

Silver Lining — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 11:52:39 GMT

@likeitis wrote:
This would be the easiest and fastest treatment. I highly recommend Bio-Freeze, as another poster has already posted, but I want to second the motion.
That stuff is "great".
Most stores have it now a days. You used to only be able to get it at a Chiropractor's office.
You can order it from Amazon, also.
I went to PT three times a week, for Three months. Didn't help me a bit. But we are all different, could work for your Sister. I do know her pain, that's for sure. I also take an aspirin or other anti inflammatory with it...which ever kind she is allowed to take.
The Biofreeze can be bought in A gel or cream. I prefer the roll on.
Read the directions...best of luck 🌺

I like the roll on Biofreeze, too. It's especially effective if you take a hot shower. Thoroughly dry the painful area and lightly massage the Biofreeze into the part that hurts. I take two ibuprofen gel capsules with a full glass of water and the combination works at least for a few hours

Re: sciatica

silkyk — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 16:08:59 GMT

Get your Sis a padded toilet seat. It fixed my Mom in just a week or so. As women get older we tend to plop down on that hard seat, right where that nerve is on the booty pads, because of the way toilet seats are made.....not like a chair at all. A comfy padded seat stops the damage. It works. Good luck.

Re: sciatica

Lindsays Grandma — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 05:52:11 GMT

@mollymaggie ...I feel for your mother. I have been living with sciatic pain for more years than I can count. My first back surgery was May 8 2,000, failed, new doctor end of year another surgery. The 3rd was done in 2,001 and I have suffered ever since. Sadly instead of doing away with my back pain and the sciatic pain, the surgeries made it worse.

Due to a broken hip in 2015, plus the 3 back surgeries I am now on pain medication. Does it take away the pain? No, but it does relieve it. For the past six months the sciatica pain has increased to the point that I don't know how much more I can stand it. It radiates from the buttock down the right leg through the big toe. I wish your mother all the luck in the world. God Bless her.