mvavw
Full Member
Posts: 344
Jun 25, 2014 20:21:43 GMT
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Post by mvavw on Jul 24, 2019 15:16:59 GMT
I hope you're doing MUCH better by now, but wanted to make the suggestion of buying a new pair of supportive sneakers. I find that when my sneakers get worn down, or when I wear dressier/non-supportive shoes, my sciatica flares up. Usually after a few days in supportive sneakers (along with stretching, anti-inflammatory meds, and heating pads) I'm feeling much better. If I stay in the same shoes, the sciatica sticks around.
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Post by Patter on Jul 24, 2019 17:04:56 GMT
Unfortunately the same. I had my MRI on Monday so waiting for those results. scorpeao , my daughter got injections twice for her issues. Didn't help. She ended up with a spinal fusion. My dad gets injections too. They have never helped him either. I do not want that to be a treatment suggestion at this point as it seems we are batting 0 for 2 people in my family with them. LOL! Glad they help your partner and for such a long time. That's awesome. And mvavw, thanks for the new tennis shoe suggestion. I do replace my tennis shoes every 3 months because I walk/jog 2-3 miles every day. They get worn out fast. I also have orthotics in my shoes from my podiatrist. I also change my house shoes just as often. As I told my aunt on the phone yesterday, I have always done everything right for my back. Why is this happening? Her response "It's genetics." Seems everyone in my family has back issues and ends up with back surgeries.
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Post by workingclassdog on Jul 24, 2019 19:45:36 GMT
I know this won't change your mind (and I don't intend to change it.. lol).. I refused to go to the chiropractor for years, my parents never went to them.. but finally after a car accident and back injury I had enough pain that I caved and went to a highly recommended one (he went to a specialized school that had different techniques). Two visits and no pain and have only had to go back for maybe two times in over 20 years. Maybe down the line if nothing works give it a try... Just hate to hear that your in such pain!! That is supposed to be a sad face.. not crazy eyed face.. hahaha
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Post by sunshine on Jul 24, 2019 19:52:40 GMT
I haven't read all of the responses, but have you tried acupuncture? I was never a believer, and have been hesitant, but I started going to a chiropractor and having acupuncture. I haven't had true adjustments yet (I have problems with my neck), but I can say this: I've had a migraine for 3 days with nausea. Today was my scheduled appointment that I struggled about going and thought about cancelling because I felt so sick. I told him what was going on, he put the needles on different points today, and I'll be, the migraine is GONE, and so is the nausea. I barely made it there, and it was all gone before I got home.
Maybe consider it because it doesn't hurt.
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
Jul 7, 2014 19:36:30 GMT
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Post by zella on Jul 24, 2019 23:32:07 GMT
Patter, I don't know why you're so anti-chiropractic, but please believe me that in this one case you need to just bite the bullet and GO!
I've dealt with sciatica off and on for 30 years. It's excruciating. I can't take any painkillers other than tylenol. I use icy hot or similar. I use heating pads. Ice packs. I have my husband put intense pressure right in the center of my butt.
But nothing works for more than a few minutes other than chiropractic. My worst episodes have responded after TWO visits (yes, you read that right), lesser ones usually only take one.
If you're afraid of manual manipulation, find a chiro who uses a precision adjuster. It's just a small tool that vibrates along your spine. They can also give you traction, which can be helpful, and the rolling table.
Please. Just do it. Allopathic medicine is useless with sciatica. I know. And I say that as an RN.
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Post by Marina on Jul 25, 2019 2:06:27 GMT
Sciatica is the bane of my existence. When it's severe it can take a few months to subside. The piriformis stretch is basically like here: www.spine-health.com/conditions/sciatica/piriformis-muscle-stretch-and-physical-therapyPosture is everything. Sit up straight so you aren't pressing on those areas. I did physical therapy for months for sciatica. I recommend getting a therapist. I have to go back as I think it's impacting my knee and foot.
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Post by alexa11 on Jul 25, 2019 2:10:01 GMT
Unfortunately the same. I had my MRI on Monday so waiting for those results. I hope your MRI shows something "fixable" without surgery. Keep us updated, please.
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peaname
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,389
Aug 16, 2014 23:15:53 GMT
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Post by peaname on Jul 25, 2019 2:18:58 GMT
I hope you get some relief. I am not at all a believer in chiropractic care but with the pain you’re in it certainly can’t hurt to try it. And if they cure you you could keep it to yourself
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Post by dewryce on Jul 25, 2019 7:51:19 GMT
I have to respectfully disagree with those saying to just go to a chiropractor, and my SIL is one and has helped me out many times so I definitely believe they can help. But since this can be caused by disc issues, not just Piriformis Syndrome, they really need the results of the imaging before deciding on what treatment would be appropriate from a chiropractic viewpoint.
Modifications of the stretches linked, taught to me by my PT and assisted by my Occupation Therapist husband, have been life changing for me.
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paigepea
Drama Llama
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Posts: 5,609
Location: BC, Canada
Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on Jul 25, 2019 14:46:02 GMT
I haven’t read the replies. I would say, based on my mom’s experience with pain that wouldn’t go away, to try physiatry.
I haven’t been but I’d go if I had pain. A physiatrist is an MD.
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Post by Patter on Jul 25, 2019 22:57:12 GMT
I have to respectfully disagree with those saying to just go to a chiropractor, and my SIL is one and has helped me out many times so I definitely believe they can help. But since this can be caused by disc issues, not just Piriformis Syndrome, they really need the results of the imaging before deciding on what treatment would be appropriate from a chiropractic viewpoint. Modifications of the stretches linked, taught to me by my PT and assisted by my Occupation Therapist husband, have been life changing for me. Yes, I just update the OP. Definitely not piriformis, and I will not be seeing a chiropractor. And how awesome to have your hubby help you! zella, I am not seeing an allopathic physician; I am going to an osteopathic physician. My daughter is in osteopathic medical school. I like their training and how they treat the whole body.
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Post by mikklynn on Jul 25, 2019 23:37:00 GMT
I am so glad you got the MRI so quickly.
I hope the expert can find relief for you.
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Post by dewryce on Jul 26, 2019 0:04:08 GMT
I’m sorry your family’s back issues have been passed down to you as well and hope that you’re able to find relief soon now that you have a diagnosis. I have 2 of the 3 (not the stenosis) but I’m fortunate in that mine are only moderate. As far as I can recall, none of the specific exercises or stretches are for these conditions.
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Post by scrapmaven on Jul 26, 2019 0:08:40 GMT
Acupuncture won't cure you, but it sure can help relieve the pain. I would run to my nearest acupuncturist.
Also, please look and see if you have a Feldenkrais practitioner in your area. A true Feldenkrais practitioner will only do Feldenkrais and is a physical therapist. It's a natural, gentle, pain free, sort of holistic way of healing the body. I swear by it for back pain.
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Post by tentoes on Jul 26, 2019 0:16:38 GMT
I hope that now that you have the results of the MRI, that your caregivers can give you some relief!! Back pain is the worst. Sending prayers your way!
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Post by Merge on Jul 26, 2019 0:24:32 GMT
UPDATE 7/25: The MRI results for my sciatica showed that I have: *Spinal stenosis *significant degenerative disc disease *arthritis I am being referred to a pain specialist but I also have asked for a referral to a neurologist that teaches at my daughter's medical school. He is a spinal stenosis expert, and she says he is amazing! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well my goodness. That is a bit more than just sciatica! I hope you are able to get some relief soon.
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Post by MichyM on Jul 26, 2019 0:35:43 GMT
I’m so sorry, that sounds miserable. I too have degenerative disc disease. My understanding (from the various Drs I’ve seen over the past 30 years) is that it is the same thing as osteoarthritis. Is your Dr saying that they’re two different things? I never knew.
I really hope you’re able to find things to help relieve the pain.
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Post by jjpeapea on Jul 26, 2019 0:38:47 GMT
So sorry to hear about your discs and arthritis but so glad you have a definitive diagnosis and a doctor you trust.
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Jul 26, 2019 1:05:07 GMT
Crud, not the update I was hoping to see. I hope that the new doctors you are trying to see are able to help. Gentle hugs to you.
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,769
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Jul 26, 2019 8:16:21 GMT
Read your update, that is a lot to deal with (hugsl. At least now you can make decisions from a place of knowledge and not waste time trying things that had no chance of helping you.
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Post by mrst on Jul 26, 2019 8:40:39 GMT
I had the same diagnosis nearly 20 years ago. Ignore all the chiro, acupunchirp, new shoe stuff. It will not free the bone growth on your spine that is pressing on your nerves. I had 2 de compression surgeries. Worked fine . Not perfect be no where near the pain.
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Post by lisae on Jul 26, 2019 11:37:08 GMT
Knowledge is power so I'm glad you have information you can act on. I hope you get your appointment soon. Take care.
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Post by Patter on Jul 26, 2019 12:47:17 GMT
I’m sorry your family’s back issues have been passed down to you as well and hope that you’re able to find relief soon now that you have a diagnosis. I have 2 of the 3 (not the stenosis) but I’m fortunate in that mine are only moderate. As far as I can recall, none of the specific exercises or stretches are for these conditions. Yes, I am glad to have a diagnosis for sure but so sad it was all of this! And now all of the stretches I was doing were wrong! No wonder nothing was helping. So important to know what you are dealing with before running to chiropractors, acupuncturists, etc. This is a non-curable disease that now I just have to manage pain and progression. I am too young for this. And @merge, exactly. Definitely more than I was certainly anticipating. I have a very high tolerance for pain so I am assuming this has been going on for a long time, and it took a LOT for me to finally notice. And thank you all for your sweet words and prayers. I appreciate you!
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
Jul 7, 2014 19:36:30 GMT
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Post by zella on Jul 28, 2019 3:19:11 GMT
I have to respectfully disagree with those saying to just go to a chiropractor, and my SIL is one and has helped me out many times so I definitely believe they can help. But since this can be caused by disc issues, not just Piriformis Syndrome, they really need the results of the imaging before deciding on what treatment would be appropriate from a chiropractic viewpoint. Modifications of the stretches linked, taught to me by my PT and assisted by my Occupation Therapist husband, have been life changing for me. Yes, I just update the OP. Definitely not piriformis, and I will not be seeing a chiropractor. And how awesome to have your hubby help you! zella , I am not seeing an allopathic physician; I am going to an osteopathic physician. My daughter is in osteopathic medical school. I like their training and how they treat the whole body. So cool that your daughter's going to be a DO! I like them too, though it's not always easy to find them. I agree, I prefer how they work.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 0:25:14 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2019 3:32:03 GMT
So sorry for all the pain you are going through. Hope you find an effective way to manage the pain.
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Post by Lexica on Jul 28, 2019 6:23:11 GMT
I am not sure if this would help in your situation, but it gave me blessed relief while I was waiting for my surgery date to arrive. My doctor was away on a month’s honeymoon and then had two weeks of procedures scheduled prior to mine. With the pain I was in, I was ready to beg him to do mine on his lunch hour.
They gave me a steroid injection into the spinal stenosis degenerated area that was to shrink the tissue, thereby giving me relief from the pressure on the discs and nerves. It hurt like hell going in because the area was so sensitive and the additional fluid created even more pressure until it started to move into the tissues. They warned me it would feel like a heart attack was happening, and boy did it. I just have to warn you about the extreme pain but within a couple of days, the pain started to dissipate to a very tolerable level. I would have done the procedure over and over now that I know the outcome of the pain level was so much better than I had hoped for.
I was feeling so much relief that I even went on a driving trip from California to Colorado for a couple of weeks and handled all the mountain curves and getting in and out of the car like a champ. The relief was fantastic right up to the surgery date. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it if your doctors feel you are a candidate for it.
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Post by Patter on Jul 28, 2019 10:31:25 GMT
Thanks zella, we are very, very proud of her. She was just asked to be a tutor for the 1st years. She is really, really doing well and LOVES medical school. She came with me to my first appointment in June when we were trying to figure this out. My DO gave her all sorts of things that she could copy and maybe use in her future practice. It was really fun to watch them talk and see my DO so excited to help my daughter in her journey. And surprisingly, they are much easier to find. I am thankful. We have many DOs in our family. In fact, one of my relatives was one of the first female DOs that went to the original DO school back in the 1800s. My daughter loves that story. And Lexica, thank you for sharing. I have heard horror stories about the injections. My dad even had another one two weeks ago, and he said it was awful, and it has not worked. My daughter had two, and they never worked for her so I am skeptical that it would work for me. Can't wait to see what my new pain doc says on Wednesday. Man, that appointment can't get here soon enough!
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ddly
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,947
Jul 10, 2014 19:36:28 GMT
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Post by ddly on Jul 28, 2019 12:45:53 GMT
While those were probably not the answers you wanted, I'm glad you got some and are moving forward. Good luck at your appointment on Wed! I hope you can find some relief!
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Post by kokomo on Jul 28, 2019 15:19:48 GMT
Whatever you do, please do not start taking Lyrica or gabapaten medication. They are prescribe for nerve pain , sciatic etc. Horror stories about getting off this medication
I see a pain specialist weekly for lidocaine injection into my lower back and left thigh because of sciatic. It helps a little but not great. My nerve is compressed by L5 disc but they tell me the scar tissue from surgery would cause the same problems
i am about to try a tens machine . My life feels like it’s on hold a I hate it. It has been 18 months with little improvement. I have osteoarthritis in the lower discs of my spine,
I need to loose weight so I am hoping once I am down 50lbs it will also help. Tried CBD oil also with little effect.
If I know I am going to have a somewhat active day , I do carry Percocet with me in case I need it to take it to get through a couple hours where I know can’t lay down.
I too too am at my whits end and have so much compassion for people who have had chronic pain for years
i am always open to suggestions, have tried so many but maybe there is still something out there which will help eventually
Lias
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Post by Patter on Jul 28, 2019 16:15:11 GMT
Oh kokomo, I am so sorry! You sound a lot like me and my pain. It truly is horrific. My daughter was on gabopentin, and she did great with it and came off of it fine. She had a tens unit, and I tried it. Maybe I needed bigger patches than she had but I did not like it. I too am trying to lose a bit of weight to hopefully help. I want to lose 30 lbs. but it's SO slow after menopause! Hope we both are able to get some relief soon. Hugs!
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