On vacation in Hawaii--bulging L-5 disk turned in to sciatica any advice?

Squirrel Lover · ‎03-10-2010

I am on a vacation with my husband, who is on a business trip, on Hawaii for 20 days. Just before I got here I was in the Grand Canyon for 10 days. This was supposed to be the best vacation of my life, but my L-5 disk, which has been bulging for 10 years, but quiet, is not causing painful sciatica across my left buttock and down to my knee. I am having trouble walking properly. I have a strange walking gate that caused my achilles heal in my left leg to strain at the Grand Canyon. The strain is better, but the sciatica is still bad. The disk started bothering me 3 months ago, but it did not cause pain and walking difficulties until now. I am 49 and in excellent health and condition. I usually power walk and do yoga five days a week. I am continuing trying to walk on this vacation, but I can barely walk at all and not without pain. I will not be able to get to a doctor until I get back home January 19th.

I am looking for advice to help my pain and allow more movement in the leg and lower back. If anyone of you beauty friends have any advice please advise. Thank you.

PS--Hawaii is very pretty, but the water is coldish.

grams2 · ‎03-14-2010

Put ice on it for about 15-20 min and alternate with heat. Keep moving because lying in bed just makes it worse. My husband and 2 sons all have back trouble.

lizzief · ‎09-27-2011

You must have aggravated it somehow, lifting luggage or just zigging when you should have zagged. If it's that painful you might consider going to a walkin clinic. Not how you want to spend your time on vacation, but they might be able to prescribe something until you see your doctor, so you can enjoy what's left of your vacation. I also agree, try cold for the inflammation.

wvumountiefan · ‎09-12-2013

One thing that has helped me before with my sciatica is to lay on my back and pull your knee(one at a time, then both) up to your chest and keep it there for a few minutes. Oh, I hate to hear you're in pain. Good luck!

conlt · ‎03-16-2010

I suffer from the very same thing, except my pain goes into my lower leg. The first thing I would do is go to a walk in clinic, A Medrol Dose Pack might help quickly reduce some of the inflammation and you probably need a muscle relaxer such as Flexeril too and some pain medication if you can get it. Rest on your side laying down with a pillow between your knees. My PT taught me how to do heel slides to stretch the area in addition, the PT's don't recommend Yoga for me because some of the moves can do more damage to my Spine. Heel Slides: Lay on the bed on your back, take a long towel or a sheet and roll it so you can hold onto both ends, place the middle of the rolled towel or sheet over the bottom of your foot and extend the leg up so it is almost at a 90 degree angle to the bed. Use the ends of the towel or the sheet to help pull the front of the foot down (while keeping leg up) This move stretches the back of your leg (calf area). I know it is painful but this can help. Also Ice at the L5 region may help reduce inflammation. Heat does not reduce the inflammation but may help you be more comfortable. The only exercise I would do right now is walking but maybe not so much until you feel better.

Sunshine Kate · ‎03-10-2010

I would go to a walk-in clinic. Surely they could give you something to help so you can enjoy your 9 days left of vacation.

Do you have a hot tub in your hotel room? Maybe that would help.

Hope you feel better real soon.

PINKdogWOOD · ‎05-13-2010

I'm amazed your DR actually allowed you to fly but then again perhaps he doesn't know. I remember exactly how this pain feels suffering from exactly the same except L4-5. In 1990 hubby & I were to fly in Feb to Barbados. I HAD to cancel about 2wks prior b/c there was NO WAY I could even think of getting on a plane, being away from home for 2-3 weeks, attempting to lie in a lounge chair on the beach for 6-8 hours every day trying to have a good time. The day after we were scheduled to fly out I was having surgery to rid the bulge and horrendous sciatic pain. My surgeon did a fabulous job b/c when I came to in recovery, I darn near jumped off the gurney to do a jig!!!! I felt THAT GREAT!!!

You NEED to get yourself looked at and get a good surgeon to rid you of your problem and pain. Good luck on that flight back home.

azqfan · ‎03-10-2010

You can now buy a T. E. N. S. unit at Walgreens or CVS. They are usually less than $50 and my daughter with similar issues loves hers. Only way she can stand on her feet for long periods of time. Hope you feel better soon and can enjoy your vacation.

Nuttmeg · ‎03-09-2010

On 1/10/2015 Sunshine Kate said:
I would go to a walk-in clinic. Surely they could give you something to help so you can enjoy your 9 days left of vacation.

Do you have a hot tub in your hotel room? Maybe that would help.

Hope you feel better real soon.

I would do the same thing. No one knows the level of pain you are having.

Scooby Doo · ‎03-14-2010

I would go to a clinic and get some meds. Sitting in a tight airplane seat for that long trip home is going to be difficult at best. And ask the doctor for a note saying you need to sit in disability seating giving you more leg room. The airline should upgrade your seat w/o charge.