Syatic nerve

I have severe pain from a pinched syatic (sciatic) nerve. My doctor has advised me to stay off my back for a few days and lay on a heating pad( its been 5 days). Yesterday I spoke with a nurse , she couldn't believe the Dr. told me to lay still on my back. She said I was making it worse!She said, " everyone knows you have to work a syatic (sciatic) nerve out"....She thinks I should get up and move around, stretch and bend !..... I can barely sit!!!! Who is correct?             Thanks,Dana

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

This is actually controversial.  There have been several research studies that tried to determine which treatment advice is better. The most recent is a Norwegian article that looked at 5 different research studies comparing bedrest vs. activity in over 1400 patients with back pain including sciatica. After 3 weeks, there was no difference in the amount of pain in either group and their overall conclusion was that there no difference in the outcome.

However, realistically the treatment plan should be individualized for each patient. For my patients, I determine how far I go diagnostically depending on the patient's clinical history and examination. The next steps would be an MRI and then EMG as necessary. If the MRI does not show anything that needs emergent surigical or medical intervention, then I usually recommend stretching exercises, common sense in your daily activities (like not overdoing it at the gym or lifting things that are too heavy), but usually not bedrest. I'm not sure there's a right or wrong answer to this, but hope those suggestions help.

[Nickmbb]

Hi, I am not a MD but I got to tell you, I had MAJOR problems with my lower back 4 years ago, were I couldn't even get out of bed for a few days from a spasm that happen out of the clear blue while I was working at my desk. I had a MRI done and showed that my last 2 disc were herniated and causing pinching of the sciatic nerve. For months, I was having severe pain in my butt, and left leg....I couldn't sit in a chair for more than a few minutes....it was hellish. Are you having pain in your leg(s)? Or did you experience a severe lower back spasm.

If you had a spasm, there isn't much you can do until the pain subsides and you regain some ability to move around. Your nurse may not understand just how painfull you back is feeling. I was put on naproxen and told to stay in bed for no more than two days. I was also told to be careful with heating the area too much as it could cause the spasm to get worst. After 2 days, I started do simple leg stretches (laying on my back, bring one knee very slowly to my chest and vis-a-vera).  

What your MD said and what your nurse stated are subject to what is brother your back. You should get a MRI done ASAP, to see if it actually is a disc problem, where PT and drugs would help you.

One last thought, I never thought my back would feel better after all the pain I had...but 4 years later, I learned how to sit correctly, changed my posture, learned how to even walk correctly, I do back stretches every morning, and because of this, I avoided surgry and my back is controllable. (But now I'm dealing with whiplash...LOL). Good luck, and have faith...it will get better.

[etmercado]

I  too had this problem but it was 5 yrs. ago. it was in my left side going through butt into leg. i was put on bed rest for a couple of days then physical therapy for 5 months, WHICH MADE IT WAY WORSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. my L5-S1 disc ended up herinating. had a MICRODISCECTOMY surgery. this helped, greatly to releave pain. but 2 months later lower back started hurting again without leg pain. had another surgery in oct. of 2000, "ANTERIOR LUMBAR FUSION w/ SCREW CAGES and BONE GRAFT."  had this for degenerative disc at same spot.  now doc. wants to put in PEDICLE SCREWS , which means #3 surgery.  i am in constant pain everyday. i live on the heating pad all day and soak in hot tub for an hour. the tub is the only thing that helps , that is until i get out, then it comes back.i've heard alot of bad things about the PEDICLE SCREWS, SO I DON'T THINK I'LL GET THEM. in my case phyiscal therapy made it worse after 5 months of it. I was 25 at the time , now I'm 30.i would get an MRI .everyone is different!!!!!   I DID MINE PICKING UP 1 GALLON OF PAINT,   GO FIGURE.    GOOD LUCK.

[eloridas]

I was very interested in seeing what the doc said: CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT .  I have had a compressed S1, ever since I could remember--some docs say I was born with it--needless to say, sitting is the worst.  I had been always told both ways, but with my PT--she had another suggestion--AND for me has worked the best.  My Physical therapist explained that if you reverse the position, as much as possible from what causes you pain--in my case sitting and reverse that position (don't get scared--not that far--but if you place pillows under the lower part of your legs with you laying face down.  (I've had alot of PT--this actually was very relaxing)  If you get in the hadit of maybe watching TV this way, and periodically raise your upper body by pushing up with you arms.  I've always found this to the only way I get relief now.  Hope this helps!

[eloridas]

OH and what etmercado said about heat--you may not want ot lay on a heating pad, but hot shows are great for loosening up tight muscles.

[Bilbo Baggins]

I am looking for advice on how to reduce the pain in my right hip/leg area. I think its the nerves are pinching and it does not go away for long periods of time.  I assume its the sciatic nerve.  Is exercise better or just relaxation(not bedrest)?

[munster]

I have some questions for you.  my symptoms sound so similar to the ones that you were describing and more.  Could you please email me so I can ask you some questions without taking up a bunch of space? I will wait for your response and if there is none then I will go ahead and post in this forum for you.
Thanks in advance--Maggie       ***@****

[Gimpy]

I have had Syatic (sciatic) pain for over a year. Mainly down the left side but sometimes down both sides. My left foot has also been known to go to sleep.  I have had two rounds of physical therapy and 3 cortizone shots between L4 & L5.  The doctors now want to do surgery.  Anyone out there had this?  What can I expect?  Has anyone tried laser therapy?

[Cornbread]

To Gimpy,

Hi.  I just had surgery on 2/12/02.  I herniated l4 & l5.  Apparently one disc in l4 or l5 was completely removed and the other partially removed.  I was in pain since the first week in January 02.  The neurosurgeon I consulted with recommend surgery.  I was in alot of pain, couldn't sit, stand or walk without pain.  The recommendation he gave for surgery was that 1)  mine was a significant amount of herniation to the discs.  2)  waiting could pose problems with reflexes (my right leg was bearing the brunt of the pain) 3)  I could develop lifelong numbness in some areas. 4)  this procedure, IN ACUTE CASES (ie where an injury has occurred)has been done for 20 years and the success rate is up around 85-90% according to some circles.  I feel pretty good 10 days after surgery.  I supposed to take it easy for the next 3 weeks still, but I am progressing well and am happier now.  Life was pretty bleak in late Jan and early Feb for me.  I'm 31 and am married with a 6 month old.  I'm looking forward to being with them, pain-free, that's why I decided quickly on surgery.

Let me know if you have more questions.

[kimie]

I have had sciatica no and of for 21 years.
I have never before had the pins and neddles in my left foot,
pleas can anyone advise?

[rawry]

HELLO EVERYONE I HAVE HAD L5 S1 FUSION AND LAMONECTOMY THEY TOOK FIVE BONE GRAFTS OF HIP FOR FUSION ,ALSO HAVE TITANIUM BOLTS INSERTED.THIS TOOK PLACE BACK IN FEB-2000,SINCE THEN I AM STILL IN CRONIC (chronic) PAIN ,LEGS, FEET BURNIN 24/7 .AND STILL LOWER BACK PAIN NOTHIN I DO HELPS EVERY TIME I STAND,WALK LIE DOWN AGRAVATES IT ,ONLY POSITION HELPS AT MOMENT IS FEATAL POSITION SORRY FOR SPELLING MISTAKES , ON MY SIDE WITH LEGS RAISED A BIT ,I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING KNOWN TO US IN AUSTRALIA ,PILLS ARE DESTROYIN MY LIVER ,I HAVE BEEN TO MANY SURGEONS ,FOR ADVICE HAD MRI SCAN DONE LAST MONTH .NOW THEY HAVE FOUND THAT THE FUSION ON THE INSIDE NEAR SPINE HASNT TAKEN, THEY ARE NOW WANTIN TO GO BACK IN AND TAKE SCREWS OUT AND REDO FUSION AND SEARCH FOR PROBLEM OF PAIN AS NOTHIN HELPED AFTER ORIGINAL SURGERY.THIS WORRY'S ME SO MUCH AS THEY ARE MESSIN IN DANGEROUS AREA,BUT I HAVE KNOW MORE OPTIONS AS GETTIN VERY DEPRESSED AND CANT STAND MUCH MORE ,HAS ANYONE OUT THERE GOT ANY NEW DRUG THAT STOPS PAIN IN THESE SITUATIONS THANKS   RAWRY

[mank]

I am a Female and I have had pain and discomfort for a month now.  I have had lowere back problems since I was 16 and I am now 34.  
Recently my back was bothering me and my left leg.  At work I was lifting 24 packs of 20oz. Gatorade drinks, when I lefted one to many I felt a sharp pain in my left buttock goign down my leg.
Later I felt numbness in my foot after I discovered it was not from the shoes being tied to tight.  I called my doctor and was
seen that afternoon with x-rays taken that eveing.  
The results of the x-rays showed my disk were narrowing.  So my doctor scheduled an MRI.  The results of this proved that I had a herniated disk in my L4-5.  
I saw a neurologist on Monday and was told that I had a ruptured disk, which is all the same (herniated, slipped disk).
I need surgery done and am schedulted to make a date to have it done.  
My question is can the pain not always be there constant for a raptured disk?  It comes and goes and I don't feel numbness in my foot like I did for the past 3 weeks.  Is this only a temporary thing and do you think surgery is still necessary?  I am really confused.
If I move certain ways and such I still feel severe pain.  
Any suggestions?
Should I still have the surgery anywasy.  i saw the MRI results and where my disk was ruptured.
??????????????Help??????????????

[jojoinpain]

Wow, reading these posts were the first time I actually felt someone understood exactly what kind of pain I am in. Even talking to the Dr. and Chiropractor, I felt like. I don't know if they understand what I'm talking about. They kept refering to lower back pain, but my back doesn't hurt. Maybe a little in my extreme lower back and hips but..My behind hurts!! the back of my left thigh hurts and is numb! I don't know exactly when or how this happened but at first it wasnt' numb (about 2 or 3 wks ago, but I had discomfort sitting in the back of my thighs, both of them, but I could walk it out. As long as I was standing or walking I was fine, but sitting (OH LORD!!) laying wasn't all that great either but not real bad. Then one day, I layed down on my back and fell asleep, when I woke up, I couldnt even move or lift my head. I ended up in the emergency room and they gave me shots and I've been going to the Dr & Chiropractor every since, I was layed up for about a week and went back to work last week. It's better in that I can sit down now and I use ice and take relafen and soma. the Chiropractor uses something like and tins unit(sp) and that helps.  What I'd like to know is, is the numbness a part of it? How long does this last and what can I do to get over it. Am I messed up for life?  jojo

[jojoinpain]

Wow, reading these posts were the first time I actually felt someone understood exactly what kind of pain I am in. Even talking to the Dr. and Chiropractor, I felt like. I don't know if they understand what I'm talking about. They kept refering to lower back pain, but my back doesn't hurt. Maybe a little in my extreme lower back and hips but..My behind hurts!! the back of my left thigh hurts and is numb! I don't know exactly when or how this happened but at first it wasnt' numb (about 2 or 3 wks ago, but I had discomfort sitting in the back of my thighs, both of them, but I could walk it out. As long as I was standing or walking I was fine, but sitting (OH LORD!!) laying wasn't all that great either but not real bad. Then one day, I layed down on my back and fell asleep, when I woke up, I couldnt even move or lift my head. I ended up in the emergency room and they gave me shots and I've been going to the Dr & Chiropractor every since, I was layed up for about a week and went back to work last week. It's better in that I can sit down now and I use ice and take relafen and soma. the Chiropractor uses something like and tins unit(sp) and that helps.  What I'd like to know is, is the numbness a part of it? How long does this last and what can I do to get over it. Am I messed up for life?  jojo

[jojoinpain]

Wow, reading these posts were the first time I actually felt someone understood exactly what kind of pain I am in. Even talking to the Dr. and Chiropractor, I felt like. I don't know if they understand what I'm talking about. They kept refering to lower back pain, but my back doesn't hurt. Maybe a little in my extreme lower back and hips but..My behind hurts!! the back of my left thigh hurts and is numb! I don't know exactly when or how this happened but at first it wasnt' numb (about 2 or 3 wks ago, but I had discomfort sitting in the back of my thighs, both of them, but I could walk it out. As long as I was standing or walking I was fine, but sitting (OH LORD!!) laying wasn't all that great either but not real bad. Then one day, I layed down on my back and fell asleep, when I woke up, I couldnt even move or lift my head. I ended up in the emergency room and they gave me shots and I've been going to the Dr & Chiropractor every since, I was layed up for about a week and went back to work last week. It's better in that I can sit down now and I use ice and take relafen and soma. the Chiropractor uses something like and tins unit(sp) and that helps.  What I'd like to know is, is the numbness a part of it? How long does this last and what can I do to get over it. Am I messed up for life?  jojo

[RoseB3K]

Hello, I am 20yr dental assistant. About a year ago while in class I got a sharp pain from my right hip down to my leg. For the past few weeks I had been practicing yoga. Now I have to admit on the morning I got the pain I felt great. The nerve pain literally came out of no where. For my treatment my doctor rx some anti inflammatories. The pain did go away after a week or so. Now, a yr later I often feel a strang tiggling pain in that leg and I am scared to death that I will get that paralyzing pain back again. My questions are; what is it exactly that causes a syatic (sciatic) nerve and what can I do to avoid a major attack when I am in fear during those little pain sessions. Should I take an over the counter anti inflammatory or should I stretch?

Please help,
Worried!

[nacl]

I didnt realize that so many others are getting the same sensations Im feeling in my right hip and leg down to my knee.I can pretty much take It If Im standing or sitting, its getting from one position to the other that kills me.At first, I tried to figure out what I had done recently to cause this.All the new habbits I had started before this happend I stopped them to see If that would help, and it didnt. Ive taken anti-anflamitory, and muscle relaxers.Ive tried stretching, heating pad, massage, and bed rest.All of these things havent seemed to do anything for me. If anybody has any suggestions or ideas please let me know.

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