freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
Jun 25, 2014 20:06:48 GMT
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Post by freebird on Jul 8, 2019 14:23:58 GMT
I would go to the chiropractor and... I know it's controversial... but I'd give up carbs. They are inflammatory and you'd be amazed how different you feel. Sometimes I even eat full carnivore.
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Post by lgr4 on Jul 8, 2019 14:50:05 GMT
I take turmeric and joint collagen. I also replaced the pad on my bed with a 4 in body contour pad. It was like $120 at Walmart. That did wonders! Well, and keep stretching.
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Post by peano on Jul 8, 2019 14:55:48 GMT
I would go to the chiropractor and... I know it's controversial... but I'd give up carbs. They are inflammatory and you'd be amazed how different you feel. Sometimes I even eat full carnivore. Yes. Sugar and wheat flour products make my pain worse.
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Post by gotranch on Jul 8, 2019 14:58:23 GMT
I'm honestly shocked that your doctor didn't prescribe physical therapy. You need to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist who specializes in issues with the spine. Yes, this! I have dealt with this over the years and went to the chiropractor and would get temporary relief, but it was the PT that made the lasting difference and quickly. A chiropractor will adjust you, but the PT will get to the issue for lasting relief.
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Post by alexa11 on Jul 8, 2019 15:04:27 GMT
I suffered with it about 10 years ago and it was terrible, so I understand. I did the chiropractor for a long time but never got any relief. I wouldn't go until you know what your MRI shows- if then. You probably have a herniated disc and a chiro is bad news. You'll probably be referred to pain management.
The only way I could stay on my feet and walk until my drs appt. was by using the TENS unit- on bi-pulse every time I was up. My sciatica did eventually go away, but I still have annoying back pain. I was diagnosed with herniated L5-6 and S1. Dr put me on Gapabentin and Mobic- which I'll be honest with you wasn't a miracle combo by any means with my back pain. However, when I tried to stop taking them I knew they were working. He also tried several antidepressants-SSRIs-for pain and I couldn't function- even at half dose. Pain meds don't work on nerve pain, either. So now I take my 2 meds and get ESI's when it gets too unbearable. Hope you get relief soon!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 1:00:01 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2019 15:15:21 GMT
How long until you get MRI?
I dont do chiropractors either but the rest of my family does. I understand your reluctantance.
Dd in hickory has a chiropractor she likes and a massage therapist who works with him. I dont know if they do accupuncture but I will ask her.
Acupressure has also helped one of my dd with pain. Prayers for you.
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Post by Restless Spirit on Jul 8, 2019 15:39:33 GMT
I could have written Patter post almost word for word. I've had 3 major bouts of sciatic pain over the years. (With lots of minor times inbetween). The first time, my doctor gave me a series of exercises to do, no drugs. It was terrible. I was literally crawling on my hands and knees trying to take care of my toddler. It took months, but with exercises my back gradually improved. The second time, years later when I was in my 40's (and living in Texas), a new doctor had me do physical therapy 3 times a week for about 3 months, no drugs. I was still in major pain. They finally did an MRI and found I had a small bone chip in my back near my spine and several bulging disks in my lower back. I had 3 spinal injections and finally got relief. Round 3 - I've had since last fall. It's been bad. My current doctor is an OD. Her approach is significantly different from my pervious MD's. She feels my back pain is a direct result of my being significantly overweight and that major weight loss will be the only thing that will give me pain relief. (I already take medicine for arthritis and it doesn't help this back pain at all.) I see a Registered Dietician this week for weightloss and my diabetes which is no longer under control. In the meantime, I had a friend recommend the book "Treat Your Own Back" by Robin McKenzie. The exercises in the book are actually pretty much the same exercises my original doctor prescribed for me years and years ago. Some of them are the same as the PT therapy I had in Texas. Other books with good information and things to try: 7 Steps to a Pain-free Life - Robin McKenzie with Craig Kubey End Back Pain Forever - Norman J Marcus, MD I found all of the books at my library before purchasing. I really need to go back to using my Night Roll around my waist at night. I know that my mattress and sleeping position are a contributing factor to my continued pain, but I getting a new mattress right now is not feasible, but the night roll really does help. As for going to a Chiro, I have talked to several people who regularly go to Chiro's for migraines, neck and shoulder issues. Every single one of them told me NO NO NO do NOT go to a Chiro for back treatment. They all ended up in much worse pain than when they started. That scares me!
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Post by Basket1lady on Jul 8, 2019 16:04:41 GMT
I’ve had problems off and on for years. Fingers crossed, but I may have found some relief.
I went to a PT who stretched my spine by pressing down (hard) along my spine, up and down. It hurt for a day or so, but the stretching gave a lot of immediate relief. Then I was given some exercises. I do them daily now and can tell if I slack off. And the biggest thing, IMO, is that I sit properly. I’m short and my feet would never touch the floor. Now I make sure it does anytime I’m relaxing or sitting for a long time. I use pillows, a foot rest, and small pillow for back support. I also sit straight in the chair and don’t have a leg curled under me.
And when I’m in the kitchen, I bought different glasses (cheaters) to give a longer focal length. I was leaning over too much to put my head the right distance from the cutting board. So now I can stand up straighter.
Finally, I vary my tasks all day. I’ll cook some, sit at the computer some, work in my studio some, sit and read some... I vary what I’m doing every 30 minutes or so—standing, sitting, relaxing in, and repeat again. If I’m a task a while, even a 5 minute break matters.
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Belle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,309
Jun 28, 2014 4:39:12 GMT
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Post by Belle on Jul 8, 2019 16:05:45 GMT
Have you been to a physical therapist yet? I had sciatica pain when I was pregnant and I saw a PT for help. He was wonderful and the pain eventually went away.
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Post by mellyw on Jul 8, 2019 16:47:31 GMT
I would go to the chiropractor and... I know it's controversial... but I'd give up carbs. They are inflammatory and you'd be amazed how different you feel. Sometimes I even eat full carnivore. I have several inflammatory medical conditions, and the best thing I’ve done for myself is change my eating habits. May be controversial but it’s working for me, and that’s all I care about! I have chronic bursitis in my right hip that can hobble me with pain circling the top of my thigh, down my butt, thru my knee. I stretch for nearly an hour a day, sometimes longer like Elaine suggested, holding stretches for long periods of time. But, I did do physical therapy to learn the stretches. That’s where my next step would be if I were you. I hope you get relief soon,patter. Chronic pain does absolutely suck.
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NoWomanNoCry
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,856
Jun 25, 2014 21:53:42 GMT
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Post by NoWomanNoCry on Jul 8, 2019 17:00:11 GMT
I’ve suffered with it for years and when it’s really bad I’ve been stuck in bed for 2 months then it eases a little so I can move but I’m still in pain. I suggest going to a PT first..it helped my MIL but she still gets issues with it off and on. I’ve came to the realization this is just something I’ll live with forever.
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Post by dewryce on Jul 8, 2019 19:08:06 GMT
Yes, this is so bad for your back! Something simple that will help is foot rests around your house in the places you sit most frequently and supportive pillows for your back. Mckenzie has some on Amazon, the blow up lumbar support used to live in my purse and in my car (until I bought a new car with built in adjustable support). I actually did buy a small chair for our living room. It’s not only height of the chairs but also the depth, new furniture is so deep! Before my back problems started we actually purposefully purchased deep living room furniture because DH is so tall. It ended up being bad for me. What I was looking for was a low chair with a non-deep seat, no cushiony back that was almost straight up and down, and high arm rests to help me sit up straighter, very hard to come by. Eta: I added a photo in my next post.
In public like doctor’s waiting rooms, hotel lobbies, etc. I always choose the chairs that look more like kitchen chairs because they help me sit up straight and have the least deep seats. Though I found the type of chair that works for me in an imaging center waiting area.
Also other long term help would be to make your issues a priority when you buy a vehicle. Consider an 8-way adjustable driver’s seat. That was actually our very first consideration in our last vehicle purchase...how did it help my back? The 8-way allows you to adjust the seat lower to the floor, not just closer to the steering wheel, you can only get so close! It also has adjustable back support and heated seats. Both have been super helpful with my driving. If I am in there for more than 30 minutes I will keep the heat on, even in 100 plus degree Texas summers. It keeps the muscles from tightening up to much.
My PTs also used part of the Mckenzie Method mentioned above. And the PT stretches that help me the most my DH helps me with. We do them religiously right before bed every night and it has literally been life changing for me. Not just with the sciatica, which I almost never have issues anymore, but also my other back problems. I really can’t recommend seeing a physical therapist enough once you get your diagnosis from the doctor. And ask the therapist if your DH can go with you so they can teach him how to aid you in your stretches.
Good luck, I hope you find relief soon.
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Post by peano on Jul 8, 2019 19:13:31 GMT
I would go to the chiropractor and... I know it's controversial... but I'd give up carbs. They are inflammatory and you'd be amazed how different you feel. Sometimes I even eat full carnivore. I have several inflammatory medical conditions, and the best thing I’ve done for myself is change my eating habits. May be controversial but it’s working for me, and that’s all I care about! I have chronic bursitis in my right hip that can hobble me with pain circling the top of my thigh, down my butt, thru my knee. I stretch for nearly an hour a day, sometimes longer like Elaine suggested, holding stretches for long periods of time. But, I did do physical therapy to learn the stretches. That’s where my next step would be if I were you. I hope you get relief soon,patter. Chronic pain does absolutely suck. I could have written your sentence I bolded word for word. The maddening thing for me is, I can't identify anything I do or don't do (beyond watching my diet) that makes the pain worse, and what makes it better. I've had 3-4 relatively pain-free days recently, but earlier in the week, walking around NYC's High Line, I had to constantly sit down to relieve the pain. Literally walk 10 steps, sit, walk 10 steps, sit... I've started doing some stretches before I walk daily but don't them for long periods of time. Maybe extending the stretch will be my next step.
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Post by chlerbie on Jul 8, 2019 19:20:34 GMT
I totally understand. For me, most of the things that people mentioned here made me worse--PT, chiropractor, stretches, etc. I was unable to sit at all and could only lie down for short periods before it became unbearable.
Some of the things that DID help were a round of prednisone. It helped so much while on it and when I was done, my pain never went back to the same level. I then had three epidural/caudal shots with the same sort of reaction. Marginally better after each time.
Magnesium helped a lot. However, the best thing I took was CBD oil. It didn't take away the pain totally but once I started taking it, I was able to lie down longer and actually sleep.
I ended up with surgery, but still have some lingering sensations.
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Post by dewryce on Jul 8, 2019 19:21:00 GMT
This is the closest example of my chair I can find online, I don’t think the style has a particular name so it’s hard to search for. It looks comparatively low to the ground. This one looks too deep, and the back/arms not quite tall enough, but it looks like the right style. But you see how the back looks pretty straight, and it doesn’t have a thick, cushy back that you’d sink into? With the arm rests that comes down from the back for a comfortable arm position. With mine, even though it is not deep, on bad days I have a thin, firm decorative pillow I put behind my back. But most of the time it works very well as is. Easy to get in and out of on even my worst pain days because I sit with my legs at a 90 degree angle and the high arm rests.
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Post by chlerbie on Jul 8, 2019 19:22:55 GMT
Oh--and once you get your MRI, you'll have a better idea of what exactly is causing it. Doing some of the things mentioned here before actually knowing what's going on could backfire. For example, before my MRI, I had to do six weeks of physical therapy. My PT was just sort of guessing at what was going on and giving me exercises that made me worse. There is sciatica that is irritating, sciatica that is really painful and sciatica that is debilitating. They should all be dealt with differently.
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Post by dewryce on Jul 8, 2019 19:26:37 GMT
I have several inflammatory medical conditions, and the best thing I’ve done for myself is change my eating habits. May be controversial but it’s working for me, and that’s all I care about! I have chronic bursitis in my right hip that can hobble me with pain circling the top of my thigh, down my butt, thru my knee. I stretch for nearly an hour a day, sometimes longer like Elaine suggested, holding stretches for long periods of time. But, I did do physical therapy to learn the stretches. That’s where my next step would be if I were you. I hope you get relief soon,patter. Chronic pain does absolutely suck. I could have written your sentence I bolded word for word. The maddening thing for me is, I can't identify anything I do or don't do (beyond watching my diet) that makes the pain worse, and what makes it better. I've had 3-4 relatively pain-free days recently, but earlier in the week, walking around NYC's High Line, I had to constantly sit down to relieve the pain. Literally walk 10 steps, sit, walk 10 steps, sit... I've started doing some stretches before I walk daily but don't them for long periods of time. Maybe extending the stretch will be my next step.My stretches take us 20-30 minutes every night. Each stretch is held for 30 seconds (and we use a timer), repeated 3 times in a row with a very brief respite in between. On days where I am particular tight or in pain, or I know I will be the next day, we double up on a couple of specific stretches. And, if in the middle of the stretch I feel like the muscle is particularly tight and not ‘releasing’ I will have him hold it for longer. We’ve been doing it for a while so I’ve learned to listen to my body. You might consider adding a session right before bed to undo what you do to your body during the day and so that it doesn’t tighten further over night.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Jul 8, 2019 19:29:03 GMT
When I feel sciatic pain coming on, my chiropractor nips it in the bud. I would try that or acupuncture. Good luck!
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The Birdhouse Lady
Drama Llama
Moose. It's what's for dinner.
Posts: 7,175
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on Jul 8, 2019 19:52:15 GMT
I too suffer from Sciatica. I have had pain everyday (not all day) for over 2 years now. I feel a lot of muscle spasms and that is when I get the intense pain in my butt and down my legs.
I went to the chiropractor 12 times and it didn't do a thing for me.
I have found a massage therapist that specializes in Sciatica that has helped me some. It hurts so much to the point of tears rolling down my face while she is doing the massage but the next day I don't have butt or leg pain and my feet stop tingling. It is short lived though, maybe I get relief for a few days.
Daily I use the foam roller, do the piriformis stretch, and a few others.
I also feel a bit better when I go gluten free as gluten does cause inflammation. But it doesn't really help with the pain.
When are you getting an MRI?
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Jul 8, 2019 19:59:05 GMT
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Post by Patter on Jul 9, 2019 12:48:26 GMT
lgr4, I have been taking tumeric and a joint medication for a long time. Nothing yet that helps. freebird, I also have been eating low carb for a while since I have other inflammation problems. gotranch, I think the doctor wants to know what is causing the problem thus the MRI before a PT or treatment plan. I don't have it scheduled yet because they are still going through insurance. Sucks having to wait! alexa11, we have a really great TENS unit that my daughter got from PT years ago. All of the new pads we have are expired, and I read that they can cause burns if you use expired pads. So new pads are being delivered today. I pray the TENS unit will be just what I need! basket1lady, I do vary my activities all day long. I have never been one to sit. And this is what gets me--I am very health/medical savvy. I eat right, walk/power walk 2.5-3 miles a day, don't sit for long periods of time, have slept with appropriate support for years, etc., and I still suffer. I really think it's the car thing making it worse BUT I have the best car--12 way adjustable seats, adjustable lumbar support, heated seats, cooled seats, you name it. Chairs in the house also are the problem. We are going to have to get a chair/couch just for me. dewryce, I will have to try the heated seat thing in the car when I drive for 3 hours one say next week. With hot flashes, I hope I can stand it. LOL! And I have used a foot stool for at least 10 years. I have one that fits in my purse and goes with me everywhere. Then in the house, I have two. But like you said, seating today is SO deep that even with a stool, my feet won't touch. I love being short except for these issues. I found a PERFECT chair at Restore the other day for $30!!! It fit me like a glove, I could touch the ground, and it swiveled/rocked. I may have to go back and get it. I can clean it and put a cover on it for now to see how it works. For $30, why not? And thank you all for the book recommendations, videos, etc. I will look into them. Makes me sad that so many of us suffer as we do. Really stinks! And I am glad a chiropractor has worked for many of you. I know from what my daughter has learned in medical school (D.O.) and things that I know from being in the fields I have worked in in the past, that some of the things chiropractors do go beyond what should be done. My neighbor is really sweet and a chiropractor but I won't go. It's not something I am willing to try. So, I have used the foam roller twice this morning, and I will try the TENS this afternoon after the pads arrive. Here's hoping to a pain "lighter" day for all of us!
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Post by Katie on Jul 9, 2019 12:54:21 GMT
PT for sure, and if that does not help you can get an injection into the SI joint. Swimming and/or warm pool therapy, and acupuncture.
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Post by stampinchick on Jul 10, 2019 1:00:24 GMT
Been there. PT, Advil and surgery are what helped. I'm surprised your doctor did not prescribe PT before the MRI. They can do an evaluation without an MRI to at least get you started on some exercises to help. Check out Bob and Brad on Facebook. These PTs are great. Look thru their videos because they have more than just this one to deal with sciatica. I hope you soon get relief because the pain is unbearable! ETA: Here is another video that might be better for your situation.
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daisy123
New Member
Posts: 3
Nov 4, 2014 15:20:33 GMT
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Post by daisy123 on Jul 10, 2019 3:04:38 GMT
Inversion table is the only thing that worked during my last back pain stint. I did chiro, acupuncture, everything. Chiro mentioned the inversion table in passing and I went that night and bought one at a sporting goods store. I was so desperate I would try anything to fix my pain. Within a few days of using the table (10 min at a time) I went from having to lay on the floor 24/7 to walking within a few days. Highly recommend.
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Post by cindyupnorth on Jul 10, 2019 3:21:28 GMT
I could be wrong, but weren’t you the pea that had a major back problem before?! Or something? I’m just trying to remember what happened. It could make a difference now
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Post by rune2484 on Jul 10, 2019 3:27:16 GMT
My suggestion is a chiropractor who uses the Gonstead Method.
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Post by Patter on Jul 10, 2019 10:10:49 GMT
Thank you stampinchick for the video. Will look into all you suggested. daisy123 , I have heard of people using an inversion table before. Will wait until my MRI to look into that but I appreciate it! cindyupnorth , no that was not me. I have never had back pain. Still don't. I have been blessed will feeling good and never having any medical issues really. I have arthritis in my knees and hips and have had bursitis in my right hip but that's it. Not sure where this craziness has come from. dewryce , I had to drive 45 min. one way yesterday, and I tried your heated seat method. It felt good while I drove. Truly like a heating pad. Thank you! I also adjusted my seat a bit and increased the lumbar support. I had a major hot flash once I got out of the car but that is better than driving in complete misery. I will certainly use the heated seat method each time I drive. Thank you again!
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Post by dewryce on Jul 10, 2019 13:01:20 GMT
I’m glad it helped!
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Post by alexa11 on Jul 24, 2019 14:38:05 GMT
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Jul 24, 2019 15:03:10 GMT
My partner gets epidurals for his. He gets them yearly. They give him relief for about 8 months.
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