Wellness

[Love my grandkids]

@fortune I don't know where you are located but here in WA state and in CA lots of people are keeping doctor appointments!

Unless your doctor isn't taking appointments, there's no reason you can't see a doctor.

The medical places I go to are all following STRICT COVID guidelines. You might call your doctor unless he/she is not seeing patients.

The pandemic has not caused a moratorium on medical appointments.

[furbabylover]

@fortune  Having endured sciatica for 30 years, I can tell you that I have learned to take a 3 pronged approach: I take Advil for several days (not Tylenol) , I apply numerous Salonpas Pain Patches to the area, and then I hold gel ice packs to the area for about 20 minutes. I then take a break from the ice, but apply it again in about another 20 minutes and do it throughout the day. This has worked the best for me. And Salonpas are at most pharmacies and they work better than most. Physical therapy did nothing for me, so I ended up finding my own way. Good Luck!!!

[Love my grandkids]

@furbabylover @fortune ITA about Salon Pas patches. they work wonders.

Years ago when I was diagnosed with sciatica (I was in my 30's) my doctor put me on a course of walking and home exercises.

Whatever helps, I hope you get some relief. 

[sann]

When I had sciatica my Doctor sent me to physical therapy. That resolved the problem.

[hckynut]

@fortune 

Haven't had Sciatica since my 1st back surgery in 1974. Had my completely ruptured L-5/S-1 spinal discs removed. Did need my L-3 surgically removed in the late '90's, no Sciatica.

Pretty bad lower spine pain, which also effected my left leg strength, and flexibility. Had it done after hockey season, still skated as a Ref, but had my players pick up the puck. Lost my some skating speed because of the weakness in my leg.

Any body pain for me I always go with ice. Might look online as some stretches always helped with my back pain. Now for me if ,y back is stiff, I spend more time on my Teeter Inversion Table.

Hope you find the right think to at least reduce your sciatic pain.

hckynut 

[Shelbelle]

Myt DH went ot PT for a few weeks, then did the exercises at home that they taught him. 

[ALRATIBA]

I went through that during this past Nov/Dec/Jan/Feb.

My pain mgmt doc's advice ..... 

Lidocaine patches 

Alternate hot and/or cold compresses - see which works best for you. Cold worked best for me - 30 minutes twice a day.  I got one of those large pads that you can freeze.  Heat didn't work too well for me.

Physical therapy twice a week.  (ETA - that lasted from Dec.-March)

Remain active - painful but you have to keep moving.   A walker is more efficient than a cane. 

Tylenol / ibuprophen

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Worst was remaining active - walking was really, really painful but I forced myself to walk everyday (using a walker).   

[Growing]

Look up piriformis muscle injuries. We have a nerve that runs through our hip area that can cause sciatica like problems. A good chiropractor can help. I used this to sit or lay on to reduce the nerve pain from my piriformis deep around my pelvis and this device eliminated the nerve pain. It's called the "sacro wedgy". If you need treatment, get treatment. Your doctor will possibly send you to physical therapy or put you on pain meds or muscle relaxers, neither of which may cure this. You may have a spinal issue, so imaging will show these problems. Edited to say the medication may not cure it. PT can be helpful.

[Mellyg]

I had an ongoing issue with sciatica and went through constant and extreme discomfort with my pirformis muscle. Mine was caused from running, but I occasionally have an issue with it (stress can be a common trigger).  I went to several Dr's, chiropractor and massage therapy. I didn't go to PT, though.

The things that helped......

stretching. There's a few stretches that are great for it. When you find the stretch that helps, it will feel very relieving. Also, try not to sit for too long without moving. Try to walk as much as you can. 

Lidocane (icy hot) helped get me through the day. Tylenol helped, too.

Alternating ice and heat can be very helpful. The ice will act as an anti inflammatory and the heat increases the blood flow to help heal.

I was having a difficult time sleeping.  Before bed, a bath with Epsom salts helped. And in some cases, a muscle relaxer.

I went to a chiropractor. I can't say it helped tremendously. But it didn't hurt. Massage therapy helped a lot (but I would get a massage that incorporated stretching).

[Foxxee]

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@fortune wrote:

I have severe pain from sciatica and need help to treat it on my own.  I can't go to a doctor right now because of the pandemic.  Thanks for any info!!

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@fortune 

Sometimes a sedentary lifestyle, too much sitting is the cause.  I found walking the best treatment.  Until it's resolved, pain meds, and a heating pad.