Severe sciatica

[Loulie12]

In the past I have had to very mild sciatic episodes that only caused lower back pain and took 1 week of rest along with Anaprox. Last year I decided to start exercising again and began to run and twist. While doing so I felt something pop so I stopped. The next morning I felt bad lower back pain. By the morning after that it had travelled all the way down my right leg and I was in extreme pain. I took anti inflamatory and strong pain medication and with as much rest as possibly in 6 weeks the pain was almost gone. About a month or so after I became pregnant. At the end of my 7th month the baby was pressing down very hard in my pelvis and I was travelling, walking and getting hardly enough rest. My back began hurting me again although I hadn't gained any weight but had lost a lot due to nausea and the baby was very small. I couldn't take any anti inflamatory medication because of the pregnancy so it was only complete bed rest and Tylenol for 7 weeks till I gave birth at 37 weeks via c-section to relieve the pain. Since the birth it's been 6 weeks and my case is the same even though I've been taking Lyrica, various anti inflamatories and oxycodine. This morning I took a cortisone injection and starting feeling a little relief but as soon as I took a shower and walked around a bit all the pain came back. Will the cortisone work eventually? What else should I do? I want to get out of bed already!

[misscheri]

I am suffering from Sciatica as well. Mine is pretty severe, when it is inflamed it causes me to be temporarily paralyzed. My first pregnancy kick started this condition. The second pregnancy made it worse. One piece of advice that I can give you about Sciatica...NEVER go to a Chiropractor to relieve it. I left there feeling 10 times worse than when I went in. I have permanent sciatic nerve damage and according to the doctors my only option would be surgery to repair the nerve, but it's a 50% chance that it would successfully repair the damage and a 50% chance that I could end up permanently paralyzed. Needless to say, I don't like those odds so I will just keep doing what I can to alleviate the pain. My legs completely give out on me, so when I am food shopping I ride one of those carts...it makes me feel old and broke down and I'm only 31! But I do what is necessary to not make it any worse. Sometimes the pain is so unbearable it brings me to tears. Good luck and if you find any other solutions, I'd love to hear it!

[Loulie12]

Thanks for your advise!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Apply a local analgesic and apply a heating pad and see if it helps. If this does not help, consult a neurologist. A MRI of the spine will be definitely required to know the cause. The treatment is to remove the compression. You have to discuss the best treatment option with a neurologist, which can range from medication to physiotherapy to traction, lumbar belts, lumbar corsets or even surgery.
Hope this helps. Take care!