OK, I’ve put this entry in to an extended entry (so it didn’t take up so much dang room on my page). Click on the “Read More” link below to read the full post.
Over the last week or so, I slept a bit funny, and woke up with an excruciating pain in my lower back and left leg. The general consensus is that I pinched my sciatic nerve in my left leg. And man, it hurts like a sonofabitch.
The treatment? Well, since I can’t afford a chiropractor (I don’t have health insurance, and my wife and baby are on the Oregon Health Plan), I’ve just been compressing it, taking a bunch of vitamin B12 (which my mother-in-law swears works for her), taking a bunch of Advil, and just keeping off of it as much as possible. Long term, I’m going to need to have my back looked at. So feel free to send some cash this way or e-mail me with tips on chiropractors who need some computer/web work done in exchange. I’ll drive anywhere in Oregon, if I have to.
(On a side note, you know how long it took me to figure out how to spell “sciatic”? Thank god for Google.)
Update on 7/7: I woke up this morning, and I could barely walk. I used a coupon I got in the mail to go see a chiropractor. Took some x-rays of my back, and it’s royally messed up. He popped me a few times, but said it’s going to take a while to really fix everything, if he can.
And I don’t have insurance. Wonderful.
Basically, what it comes down to is this: My back may have been futzed up this bad for quite a while. The thing was that I was running and working out pretty much full time, competing on a regular basis, etc…, and while I was doing that, I had enough strength to compensate for the crookedness in my back. Now that I’m not working out as much (mostly because of the pain in my back) I’m having the back pain, but I can’t get rid of the back pain unless I get my work outs in.
So I’m in a Catch-22, here. So I’m going to need to get some serious pain meds so I can work out and get my strength back.
Update on 7/10: OK, I sat down with the doctor today, and looked over the x-rays a bit more. I skipped work yesterday because I had a bit of a stomach bug, and going in this morning to talk about my messed up back didn’t make my already sick stomach feel any better.
Here’s the situation: My lower back creates a nice little “S”-curve, and my last vertebrae (is that how you spell that?) is munched down pretty good, and is getting mildly arthritic — meaning it’s only going to get worse. The chiropractor says that he may be able to correct it and straighten things out, but looking at it, he can’t guarantee anything. He expects me to come in every other day to get adjusted, at thirty-five bucks a whack, for about a month. So let’s do the math: $35 * 3-Days-a-Week * 4-weeks-a-month = $420/month. My wife is due with a baby on the 30th of this month, so most of what money I have will be going to that (thank God my wife is on state-subsidized health care).
He said that, at some point, if this doesn’t work, I’ll probably need an MRI. What fun… .
So where does that leave me? Screwed. I have a feeling that the chiropractor is not going to be able to get at the root of the problem. They may be able to gradually eliminate the pain, but my back will still be messed up. The doc has said that if after a couple weeks he sees there is nothing he can do, he’ll be the first to admit it. The fact that he even said that tells me that there is more to this than either him or I know.
I’m 25 years old, and in the last 3 months, I’ve had back problems and had to pay nearly $300 bucks for a urologist to stick his finger up my ass to tell me my prostate was a bit infected (something I didn’t blog about for very obvious reasons, but there you go). This is all stuff that’s supposed to be happening when I’m 50, not two months past my 25th. Christ…
But thanks everyone for the supportive e-mails. I’ve been a bit under the weather and a bit depressed about all this, so my blogging level has been going down. I apologize for that, and I’ll get back on top of things a bit more once I get my strength back — mentally and physically.
Comments
So how are you doing now?
Forget the Chiropracter.
Take a muscle relaxer and stay in bed
in the fetal position. When the pain subsides, start walking and it will recover quickly. Then get your stomach muscles in shape because they support your back. Been there. An MRI will show if you have a problem!!!!!!
wow jake i am sorry to hear about all this! hope u get better.
Hmmm… I have s similar thing going on. Sucks doesn’t it? Try anti-inflammatories like Naprsyn? or Naxen (Aleve type stuff) if you can. Mostly, stay away from the computer – too much sitting and driving (even if you’ll drive anywhere to see the chiropractor) will just irritate the nerve. that’s my situation, 8-10 hr. days plus 2 hrs. driving on a regular day. OH! ICE IT!
An MRI will likey cost $1500-$2000. Don’t do it unless you don’t respond to care after 2 weeks – 3 weeks…. that’s what my chiro told me.
Nasty neck II
Remind me not to move my left arm for a while. Every time I do I get a very sharp pain in the neck area and my initial reaction is to waggle my right foot uncontrollably.
Nasty neck II
Remind me not to move my left arm for a while. Every time I do I get a very sharp pain in the neck area and my initial reaction is to waggle my right foot uncontrollably.
Nasty neck II
Remind me not to move my left arm for a while. Every time I do I get a very sharp pain in the neck area and my initial reaction is to waggle my right foot uncontrollably.
Basic Yoga moves helped my pain a LOT until I was able to get to a chiropractor. My doc told me there was nothing he could do but give me some hydrocodone and some muscle relaxers (work even better if chased w/a beer!)…but they are only temporary and I have opted to save those for my next migraine! 6 trips to my chiropractor and I am much better…pain is just in lower back now…no more pain in the legs.
I just got diagnosed with a sciatic nerve injury.
It’s hard to type standing up.
The mention of an MRI scares me to death. What are he implications of this condition?
Brian
My back from the top to the bottom hurts like hell and my doctor says all that can be done is to get injections every 6 months. I feel that it is just he can make money while I suffer the pain .Is he telling me the truth .
Hi, I have a pinched nerve also i went to the hospital twice with severe pain, they took x-rays and sent me home one hour later with pain pills. I didnt want to get addickted to them A friend told me about acupuncture(sorry for the spelling) It helps with the pain but my muscles in my legs and feet are swollen and ache still, but my back is find.
ok I went looking for info on chiropratic care for sciatic nurve HELP ! I am in pain on right side from butt down to toe;s the pain med and other stuff they gave me takes some of the pain away but i still cant walk more then down the hall with out feeling my leg tighten up and spasm I havent been crying in pain so I guess I can say that is a improvemnet ,Im scared I have kids that need me and I feel so hel;pless,I went to my doc last fri he says ok you need more pills ? I said NO I just got them yesterday he says then take them and go home Jerk ,so made another apt for tuesday 18 th to see the other doctor that normal y see;s me hope he will help me Im on medical and hate it but should be thankfull i have something ,If any of you come up with any idea;s or hope please let me know and I do hope you all are doing better and healing , lauri
ok i have sciactica nerve damage started from my lower right back and down my hip into my thigh to my knee and then to my shin i have tried acupuncture didnt help pain meds didn’t help my pain is no longer in my back mainly my thigh the knee and shin hurt the worste can barely even walk anyone figures out a fix please let me know they say botox is the best way to go but im new to this and have no clue what that even does
Hello, I’m 13 and I got a nerve pinch! At least thats what i think it was. I was watching tv and moved my right leg a cm. or so. The next thing, I felt horrible pain that I have never experienced before. Also, I had no problem with my back and the area with the pinch kinda formed a bubble and I felt the blood trying to pump through. After the pain disapeared, the bubble disappeared. I also found out I have no back problems. Is this a nerve pinch or what?
Love this blog!!!
It helps to hear I’m not the only tough person to be able to handle sciatic nerve pain.
I slept the wrong way one night and so the agony began next morning. Also have went out and gotten readjusted a few times since age 23. I am sportive and a hard worker in the gym and hockey, bowling, moving around, etc. and my mattress is over 5 years old to boot and I was too cheap to get a new one. Well, My left leg is hanging longer than the right leg when I’m postured or laying straight. Making the left leg straight with the other causes pinching. I find lifting my left leg higher and keeping it up while on my stomach at night is the only way to feel pinch free and to be able to get to my feet the nexy day!
Getting up the past few morning’s was brutal and I had to walk to the bathroom, then kitchen, then to stretch my legs, like a crab on the beach!
After stretching it’s been easier to get around but it’s only getting worse. I scheduled an urgent appt with Chiro. today.
I also noticed trying my own traction helps , hanging the lower body and relaxing the muscles while holding a pull up bar (downstairs) or going to our kitchen counters that have a corner and holding the two counter-tops while letting my lower part hang relaxed helps to loosen up big time. One other thing I noticd when i lean forward a little bit I can move my upper spine over something and lean my weight on the other side of the BOITTOM OF THE BACK.Wierd right , I doubt it’s a disc because when you can stopthepain by moving a certain way that can rule out disc problems can’t it? I HOPE One last fact I seem to “go out” on my left alot,. Does this mean I need to work my muscles for that area more? Sit ups are out of question right now , yikes!
Let me know anyone. Thanks.
I got the same thing going. I think a too soft mattress started it and now when I want to lay down I have to be real careful how I move the left leg. Yeh. The left! What’s up with that? It takes about an hour of serious walking and moving to get the leg AND foot working without pain. If I lay on my back and bring the left knee up and move it over the right knee laying flat, that’s not painful. But if I bring the right knee up and move it over the left knee laying flat, it hurts like hell! Something out of whack in the area right above the left butt cheek. Pressing there can stimulate the pain associated with sciatica. Did all the stretching and that stuff. Haven’t tried the tennis ball yet! The need to experience pain using that ball for an effective healing message slowed down the trip to buy a ball. This is a vicious condition! I might go to a DO for some vicoprofen to get me up and moving instead of hiding from the pain. The sciatic thing goes away after some serious walking and moving. It’s getting up to get moving that’s painful. And asprin or ibupofen by themselves don’t have the get up and go of vicoprofen. One of those pills a day is all it takes to get moving. You don’t need to take one every hour!
Hi! I found this blog thru google and I just want to share my current experience with my sciatic nerve. I am a 40 yr old female, married, and have just recently retired from driving my 2004 Peterbilt with my husband. I drove for 11 years and this is what I get; a right leg sciatic that is not only painful but so damn annoying!! I am on one pain killer and two anti-inflammatory meds and I am hating it. I hate taking rx drugs, the side affects suck! And today I am so damn mad that this situation is not getting better, I can barely take a shower, barely get dressed much less barely walk! I have resorted to sleeping in my recliner every night with my right leg propped up with a pillow my husband gave to me for xmas. This problem has been going on for almost a year now. I just recently went to the doctor to get pain meds only because I just couldn’t take it anymore. My husband and I have literally gotten into fights about this whole situation. He tells me, “All you need to do is walk”! So what did I do? I walked around the house in a quick motion trying to prove to him that I cannot do it. So what did that accomplish? I proved to him that I CANNOT walk normal, and I strained it even more. I was just so ANGRY at him for not shutting up about it, nagging me about it and telling me that he has lived with it for 20 years himself. Well, when he gets it, it is for just a few days. Mine has been ongoing for almost a year. Every morning I struggle to move, I walk bent over like I have early osteoporosis (it’s spelled right, I looked it up) and I just turned 40! I was hired at a local business to do receptionist work and after the third day, I had to quit. I couldn’t take the pain anymore! Every night on the way home I was in tears because I could barely press the accelerator without a shot of pain going up the back of my right leg and back down to my ankle.
I have been going to a chiropractor that does not pop my back, she uses a technique called Reiki and it does work. I feel the pain is working it’s way out, especially yesterday it was getting better, but then this morning, I had it stronger than yesterday. You know what the worst part of it all is? I can barely do laundry, much less clean my house and vacuum. I am lucky to be able to take out the trash. Then I am pursuing an at home business and trying to keep a strong determination to do it, but then I get knocked down on days like today.
I have been praying to God everyday to help me get thru all of this. That there has to be a reason why I am dealing with this. I just wish I knew the answer! Sorry about this being so long, but I just had to vent a little. Can I ask all of you kind people out there a favor? Could you say a little prayer for me and ask God to please help me get thru this and to show me a lite at the end of the tunnel? That I will be free of this agonizing pain and I won’t lose everything due to not being able to hold a regular job and that my new business will flourish? I am so…..frustrated! I just want my life back! I feel like such a slave to the pain!
You know what the worst part is? The meds make me sleepy, bloated and constipated. Just couldn’t ask for more on top of what I am going thru as it is, but nope, it has to happen to me. I hate drugs!
Thanks all, and I will say a prayer for all of you suffering the same thing! Love ya’ll!
Yes, life sucks. I am lucky I am in the UAE and I can get almost any drug. I have the same pain. They say I need vitamin b12 shots. But with some medication everyday I get a bit better. No doctor though. I have a hard time believing most doctors. If they gave the advice free and real advice without charging a arm and leg I might believe them. I had a car accident and the doctor took so much money for nothing. I will go only if I have to just thank god so far I haven’t had to.
Hi Beth, I have to say that I sympathize with you about docs taking you for everything you have thru insurance due to a car accident. I highly suggest that you get an MRI done. Since my last blog, I had it done, am now on my second epidural steroid shot and my pain has subsided tremendously! I don’t see where b12 shots would work, maybe they know something I don’t or maybe your situation isn’t as bad as mine.
I don’t blame you for not believing docs either. But if your pain is not going away anytime soon, or you have to depend on pain meds everyday all the time to function, I recommend going to a doc that won’t take your money for nothing, ask around for recommendations, I did and I have no insurance and mine charges less that $100 bucks a visit, so that works out very well. Plus I worked out a payment plan for my MRI, which was $1,500. They would rather do that than fight you for anything at all. I wish you the best!
I had a relapse when I tried to load a ladder into a pickup truck bed and bam just like that I got pinched nerve thing that almost drove me to my knees. The thing that helped most was a cold pack like the dentist give you that has some kind of squishy stuff in a plastic bag that you can microwave for a heat pack or put in the freezer for a cold pack. The cold pack did more for me than the tennis ball did when I covered the “trigger points” with the cold pack. I’m not saying recovered but I am saying mucho relief and much better the next day.
I am 25 years and two months old also and I have had severe sciatic nerve too! I work out 6 days a week with heavy weights and I want to stop lifting but the pain is worse when I don’t lift. I have been taking 15-20 pain pills a day and they don’t even work anymore. I sleep in the fetal position for about 2 months but that no longer works. I usually drink enough beers to get through the night! Anyway, I have been to the doctor and to therapy but nothing works and I have insurance! I hope everyone feels better soon. Oh yea, I bought some sort of pain cream for my back and when I put it on I almost cried it burned so back. Stay away from those pain relief creams!
I am a 28 year old female with ms. i started having extreme pain in my right leg and lumbar . I started having pain after a lumbar puncture i was told I had to get to diagnose me with MS. My lumbar uncture took 2 hours …. I had it done in Aug of 2005 .
I am on tramadol and percocets .. I also go to a pain therapist who is doing a EMG in the next couple of weeks.
They also talked about back surgey , a morphine drip and some kind of implant that will send shocks to a compressed fracture .
So, I went for a walk, just a quick jaunt mind you, and I came home feeling like my leg had been thwacked with a samarai sword. I’ve been looking for information online, and it seems to be the consensus that the only thing to do is wait and be irratble. Why do hospitals sound like a complicated drug ring when a bunch of people gripe about them on the internet? I want the doctor to say, “Do this and it will feel better!” and I will say, “Golly, jee wiz, thanks! That insurance money was well spent!” We could even high five afterwards and my leg, knowing that the end of pain is near, will allow me to walk around without limping… Look, is there any stretchy yoga pose that I can do in the morning? or some vitamins that I could take? Maybe someone can come to my house and we can hug and cry about our lousy sciatic nerves?
I went to the Dr. and he said I was to fat. If I lost weight the nerve pain would go away. I trade stocks and sit in a chair all day. It has been hurting for a year now. I can’t take pills and trade.
So glad I found this. I am apolgizing upfront for the length of this entry, but I have 23 years’ experience suffering sciatic nerve damage and 23 years’ experience trying to heal that damage.
The only entry that was new to me was the B12 one. I get B12 shots every two weeks and I have not noticed it helping my condition. I get the shots to replace the B12 in my system that one of the pills [that I must take for life] sucks out of my body and B12 gives you energy; otherwise I am completely exhausted and can’t even get out of bed.
I saw one entry that mentioned the word “Reiki”, which is a Japanese form of energy healing. It is an important entry as Reiki has made all the difference in my life and in four short months did more to heal my sciatic nerve damage than any drug or any other treatment I have received over the past almost-quarter century.
I have peripheral neuropathy, which is the end result of sciatic nerve damage, so reader beware!
Twenty-three years ago I lifted a heavy mixing bowl [60 lb] during an experiment at work. I shouldn’t have done it, but I was alone and I didn’t want the experiment to fail. Stupid me. I herniated two discs in my lower back, lost my job within the year as many people do who suffer work related injuries [company didn’t want to risk its Workers Compensation rates, which were already high].
Six years and several spontaneous herniations later, I pinched the sciatic nerve – simply from the stress in my life at that time [woke up in incredible pain] and it remained in spasm for 8 days. That is when peripheral neuropathy began, although no one knew what to call it.
In 1997 a friend’s father was told by his doctor he had this chronic pain condition and as my symtoms were exactly the same, I finally had a handle for my condition that I could tell my doctor about.
I used to wish my back would bleed so that people could see how much pain I was in, because with sciatic nerve pain you don’t get a lot of sympathy. So, I sympathize with the woman whose husband didn’t exhibit much sympathy. If you feel pins and needles along the sciatic canal or in your hands or feet you can bet that you are becoming one of the victims of peripheral neuropathy or PN, as we call it – those of us who are beleagured by this horrible condition.
Eventually my feet became numb and in a sense it was a relief as the pain was gone – except that I lost my balance and needed a cane to walk. My circulation was fine but I began to gain weight as many PN’ers do, partly because I opened my own consulting business and ran it from home so didn’t get the exercise I did when I was a corporate citizen. As well, periperal neuropathy can produce edema and my doctor told me I was probably carrying 10 to 15 lb of water in each leg. Yecch! Thus began a load of different medications to control the differents aspects of PN.
I think I have tried practically every drug available for people with sciatic nerve damage. In the end I was and am taking three different medications to control the chronic pain of PN, although my goal now that I am receiving Reiki treatments is to reduce or eliminate them.
In time the condition became so bad that I could no longer run my business; in fact, I could not even look after my home. I lived on savings, then cashed in my registered retirement savings. I’d had a wonderful housekeeper who became a friend and still is, but I couldn’t afford her or the luxury home I had leased. I went to live with kind friends, then my sister and finally found an inexpensive apartment as I needed to be alone with my pain.
That was two years ago and I have been on a government pension of sorts. I have developed a new business plan, a web-based business, which will require far fewer hours. As fate would have it, I herniated the same discs in June of this year that I herniated 23 years ago – ironically, almost to the day.
Rather than go to the excellent chiropractor who had me back to work quickly in 1983, I chose to go to a chiropractor I went to a few times before I stopped consulting. Since I’d moved, she was closer and I knew she used Reiki on her patients and I had found it a relaxing, pleasant experience in 2000.
Chiropractic is not an expensive treatment here in Canada [I am in Toronto]. My chiropractor charges Cdn$35 per visit [it is not supplemented by our Medicare program]. For two months I went to her three times a week. I couldn’t afford $105 a week, so I went back to Workers Comp and they reopened my file, paying her costs.
In Canada they have created a new policy for people whose original injury led to a different and more serious condition and I knew I fit that description exactly.
I am entitled to a one-time cash settlement [which is quite substantial] from Workers Comp, and wait hopefully for it. It will help me with my new web business and get me off the provincial government pension. I am sure if we have it in Canada, then it is probably in place in the US.
I now go twice a week.
I cannot say enough good things about Reiki. I am used to living with a great deal of pain and none of the medications I take combined, completely remove the pain. There hasn’t been a drug designed specifically for peripheral neuropathy, so we have to borrow meds meant for other conditions. The most effective one I found initially is Topamax, which is meant for epileptics. I was on 800 mg a day, which is 200 mg higher than recommended, but I needed that much to find any relief. Since I began Reiki I have been able to reduce it to 400 mg a day. I also needed another aid [depression is a common side effect for PN sufferers], so was prescribed 150 mg Effexor XR, an anti-depressant, again a very high dosage, but at that high dose, it becomes an analgesic effective for PN sufferers. Tylenol 3 no longer worked, so I was given a script for Endocet [Oxycodon in the US] at a strength of 5/325mg and I took 5 a day. I now take 2 or 3 – usually during the night when PN pain is greatest.
My colleagues south of the border can get a diurgesic [sp?] patch, which was designed for cancer patients who often suffer great pain, and which lasts 2 or 3 days. We cannot get it easily in Canada, but that would have been the next step for me.
Just think, I’ve been dealing with this pain for 23 years and it was all because of sciatic nerve damage.
I believe the last writer mentioned that his doctor told him to lose weight and the pain will go away. That doctor is a jerk. Lousy bedside manner and he is probably a skinny little turd. I had a doctor – a neurologist – tell me the same thing five or six years ago [that is who looks after PN patients]. I didn’t go back. Who needs that shit?
What I want to stress is that stretching is important. It is easy to get caught up on the web. It is fascinating and fun, but stretching is one of the easiest things to do and will spare you grief years down the road. Stand up, stretch like your trainer showed you at the gym or walk down the hall several times and ignore your co-workers’ wierd looks. It’s your back and your future.
I went to a gym that advertised itself as being fully qualified and it specialized in working with “big people”. The trainer there even called his business “Big Moves”. He partnered with an expensive shop that sold clothes for larger-sized women and when I was in business I used to buy my clothes there. I attended a special meeting and the owner had lost 150 lb simply through exercise. Her staff – all big women, had as well. I signed up for this very expensive series of gym classes and told my trainer about my sciatic nerve damage, and he seemed to listen. “Seemed” is the operative word here.
I really enjoyed going to the gym and as a consultant I could work my hours around the three visits a week to lose weight. As you can guess, eventually he got too enthusiastic and forgot about my nerve injury, pushing me to do things with my legs before my body was ready and I ended up with bursitus and more sciatic nerve problems. I couldn’t work for a while and I could see “law suit” in his eyes when I reminded him that I had told him of my sciatic nerve damage.
So you guys who are used to doing great things with your strong backs and your muscular bodies, get used to taking it easy until you are completely healed – or you never will be healed. It takes a long time to heal a “bad back”. You have it now and it is no sense denying or ignoring it. I did when I first hurt my back and I would give anything to have been sensible then and let my back fully heal.
In regards to Reiki, I have sensation back in my feet and my balance is far better than it has been since 1989. Reiki is a surprising treatment as it heals other things as well. I found that I am far more limber than I have been in years. I can easily touch my toes and in all my life I never could although I was an althlete and avid dancer throughout my younger years. The biggest surprise was that my eyesight improved. My optomestrist confirmed it [to her surprise] and my chiropractor told me there is a connection from the nerves in the lower back to the neck and the optic nerves. Strange but wonderful.
If you are interested in pursuing this drug free, non-invasive form of therapy, check the following web site: wiseworldseminars.com and look for an NSA Practioner in your area. It’s worth a try and it’s not expensive. The man who developed it is an American chiropractor, he is a trusted man who has found a better way to help the likes of us.
Lynne
I too have sciatic nerve damage, affecting my right buttock down to my right leg and foot. I was prescribed therapy by my Doc. The stretching and pool excersises didn’t help, but the traction table that I was laid on did. Several of these sessions helped relieve my pain greatly, that I was able to live a normal life. Sadden to say my pain is back, caused by coughing bent forward. If you have the need to cough or sneeze, please lean your body back, I wish I had ( I learned this too late). If there are money problems, I suggest a medical fund raiser. I’m visiting my Doc. real soon. I wish us all to be pain free!
Margie’s comments on stretching & warm water exercises hit home. I went to a pool for people with spinal cord injuries – the warm water felt wonderful. Again tho’ minimal help. I would benefit more than I did 10 years ago as I’m more patient now.
I had traction therapy [twice] which helped for a while. Best thing for me has been reiki therapy which heals underlying problem. In ’06 I got good orthotics, wear only “sensible shoes” which is correcting my uneven gait.
I’ll try leaning back when I cough. I usually go into a prenatal position which often hurts my stomach.
I learned through a trainer that when a leg, buttock or thigh spasms, straighten leg and turn your heel forward of your toes as you stretch [toes toward body]. Do not attempt to curl your toes or you will only make things worse.
A pillow between your knees when you sleep on your side takes the strain off your lower back. Provides immediate relief. I also rest affected leg on a pillow when I sleep on my back. I used a ‘leg pillow’ for years after 1989 spasm which led to nerves dying in feet and hanss. They are thicker at one end than the other [available at Back Stores]. I slept with my legs over it when on my back & between my knees when on my side. I’ve graduated to pillow-between-knees as I unerstand my pain more now [& because I gave my leg pillow to a friend with herniated lower discs who moved away with the leg pillow!].
I have reduced the number of meds I take from 3 to 2 different types and am slowly reducing the strength of them.
I have been suffering with sciatic pain for about 2 years now. I worked with a PT for a few weeks…now going to the chiro 2x’s a week, (of coarse he wants me there 3x’s) with absolutly no relief. My doc suggested cortisone shots, but chiro says no. Who the hell am I suppose to listen to???
All I know is that I’m in pain 24-7!!! any suggestions?
I am going through the same pains. I trust it will all just disappear. I will pray for all of you. Keep a positive mind and don’t let the pain overtake you. I have a 2 year old son and I need to maintain a positive attitude and not bombard myself with the pain FOR HIM. Especially when he wants to climb on my back and play “choo choo train”! GOD WILL HELP US ALL!!! TRUST IN HIM!
This is my update since Jan. 6, 2007. Well, I had four weeks of physical therapy three times a week.
On every visit they massaged my lower back , to work off my many knots, next I was put on the traction table to relieve the pinch, which did help some. Afterward I was taken to the gym to do specific exercises for my legs and spine. These exercises are to be done daily at home they are (BALLERINA – HAMSTING – STETCH, KNEE TO CHEST, TOE TOUCH, and the PELVIC TILT).
I practice these in the morning before going to work, and when in pain during the day I stop and do the toe touch (slowly bending over to touch my toes legs straight as possible and counting to ten, then stand repeating this exercise till my pain has subsided.
I was given a book called Treat Your Own Back by Robin McKenzie, this book is very informative about our backs.
My next step is to see an Orthopedic Specialist, and to find out who takes my insurace. I was also told by a staff member of my primary doctor, that some Orthopedic Specialists won’t take on a patient with a back problem. I guess she means in the area where we live.
I will keep you all posted about any updates I may have.
Again, I wish us all to be pain free!
My sciatic nerver pain flairs up only at night – starts about 7pm. I take Ibuprofin before bed and sleep in the fetal position. I am stiff when first getting out of bed but it loosens up quickly. Although before going to bed the pain is so bad I am barely walking and my leg will give out in the pain. This goes on for 4-5 days and then will not occur again for 5-6 MONTHS!!! Why is this? Does anyone else have their sciatic this random?
Most pains and conditions are worse at night. It is a fact of life and there are so many things that can trigger a spasm, a bad spell, etc. I ‘googled’ your comment and found the following web site, which may be helpful to all. I certainly intend to give it a good read. It lists over 100 reasons for back pain. Perhaps it may help you. I sincerely hope so.
My best treatments over the past 24 years came from two chiropractors. The angel chiropractor I now see uses Reiki Massage, which is also used in hospitals to ease the pain of cancer patients [I’ve battled that succesfully too]. I can’t encourage any of you enough to look into it. These specialists treat a patient holistically, that is, they treat the entire person. Don’t expect physicians to know a whole lot about backs or teeth. My family doc told me that during the many years of training, physicians are given 2 – 3 hours lecture on teeth. They know there are good dentists who handle that area. The same goes for chiropractors, who weren’t accepted for a number of years by the traditional medical professionals. After 80 years of success, chiropractors have earned their place in the sun. Tip: Did you know that in New Zealand migraine sufferes go to chiropractors for cures?
Another Tip: If your chiropractor cannot determine the cause of your back or sciatic nerve problems, I’d say you’ve got the wrong person.
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/back_pain.htm
Ihave been hanging from a chining bar, streching, and moist heat. Helps.
Pete, good for you for trying different things. You might want to try alternating warm and cold [ice pack] where it hurts. Heat can cause swelling & tho’ it feels good, my chiropractor warned me that it can fool you into feeling better than you actually are and you might strain your back. Cold packs also help but no swelling. Notwithstanding this advice, I don’t know where I would be without my heating pad sometimes [grin].
Backs are real problems and you don’t get a lot of sympathy as people can’t see it. Good luck with yours.
Hi..I just “found” these comments after desperately looking for help with my sciatica that has returned for the third time in 2 years. No one..including the “specialists” have been much help and during the past 6 months, I have been very depressed. Reading these experiences from all who have posted..as given me so much hope. I don’t want to be a drama queen here but tears are running down my face now..just knowing I am not alone. I want to look into the Reiki method as I just cannot continue taking the pain meds my Dr. has had me try. ( Darvocet and then Tramadol and neither worked.) The first bout that I had sent me to the Dr. in a borrowed wheelchair. Thats when I was diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis… a form of sciatica. I was given an epidural..it helped a little but not enough for me to get another one! The second “attack” lasted 3 months and thats when I was really depressed. Couldn’t even get out of the house as I couldn’t drive. Every day when I woke up..I kept thinking this “thing” was going to get better. Months later, it just left..as quickly as it arrived. Now..here I am again having another bout that started this week and the thoughts of putting up with this for another 3 months..or longer, is frightening. The one thing that I noticed is that no one mentioned pain in the groin area. I have the sciatica on my right side. my right buttuck, to my groin, down the leg to my calf but no further. I can get some relief by lying half way across my bed and stretching my lower back. I have a high bed so it takes the weight/pressure off of the lower back. I feel like I need to have my back STRETCHED to relieve the pain. ??When I am sleeping ( on my side) I sometimes wake up with the pain being the strongest in my groin..again, right side. I am very limited as to exercises because I have severe Osteoarthritis in both knees. Fortunately, I have a very understanding husband who always tries to help in any way. He sometimes has attacks of Gout so he can sympathize. I feel sorry for those of you who aren’t as fortunate. Our children are grown but..we have 3 “furry” children that rely on me and sometimes, I just can barely take care of them. Thanks to all of you for making my day with your suggestions as well as making me feel that I’m not alone. Judi
Hey there..i was just reading all these different stories and comments..i was curious on what anyone thought about my situation..
Just last week I was working out at the gym..doing back extensions..using heavier weights than i am used to…getting stronger..and a few days later i had this shooting pain in my lower back that ran pretty much all the way down to my toes..now 7 days later..it feels better..but my leg falls asleep every so often…i havent gone to the doc..any advice??
Hi Jenn,
I’m certainly no expert but it sounds to me like a pinched nerve. The fact that your pain went away fairly quick is good..and the leg falling asleep could be the nerve. It could also be a calcium deposit..pressing on a nerve. At one time..whenever I rested my arm on the back of the couch, it would get numb. I finally went to a neurologist and after some testing, his diagnosis was a calcium deposit on my neck that would press on the nerve when I raised my arm. It went away after taking muscle relaxers and that might be someting you would want to look into if it becomes worrisome to you. Good luck.
I just came across this info after being “diagnosed” with Peripheral Neropathy. Im kinda tight with the budget im on as my wife recently passed away, and im in the midst of moving back to Illinois from Utah. Its gonna suck driving the whole way, more so now im in agony. But what else can i do?, other than just get on with life the best i can. My wife was in tremendos pain throughout our short marriage, and yet she never really complained. She is such an inspiration to me now im in pain, and i just wish i had the chance let her know how proud i am of her. Im on some tablets (im sure you guys know what kind) and they do seem to help a little. Ive been told that i need an MRI done as well as maybe getting some shots in my back, but i may pass on those. I will probaly get the MRI done when im settled in Illinois, but other than that i will keep suffering in silence until i can get some help that will finally relieve the pain im in. Thankyou for reading this and i hope you all are pain free soon. This post is dedicated to my beloved wife who passed away in my arms on November 27th 2006. I love you always baby.
Hello to all my siatic pals, I am sorry and sadened to hear of your gref, I fell over in a hole and landed on concret on my right side. I polverised my siatic nerve, dislodged my thigh and damaged my pelvis and last but not least I damaged my ankle.I am 55 years old and bugger me it was some landing This happened october 206. After a few visits to the doctors and hospital I stayed in hospital for one week at one time I was so bad I was doped up with morphine and I could not walk without help, but alas I was sent home to recover it is now May 207 and as I type this to you my pals. I am having trouble sitting, but I will finish this letter. I have lost my job and I need help to shower dress etc, I am unable to bend or reach for anything I sometimes find myself crying in a corner or in bed like a little girl because of the pain, but every day I thank God I didnt break anything or sevier the nerve. I only polverised it and now I am on the mend slowly but surely, I refuse to let it get the better of me I am going to take plenty of meds and pray very hard for good health and my husband and I are off to New Zealand to visit our friends there, I already missed out once, not again, off I go so my pals please pray for me and think of me in good faith and I will take your thoughts to New Zealand with me and with that I know I will have a good holiday the first one in almost 16 years. Good health stay strong one and all God Bless You are in my heart love Caroline your siatic pal
Hello everyone,
Chronie, I’m sorry about your love one.
I pray all of us can beat this thing (sciatic nerve).
My last entry was on February 6, 2007. I had an MRI done, next step was to get a spinal injection, which I did.
My surgery was done on April 19, 2007.
Well, my spine does’nt hurt anymore and I can be sitting without much pain , but the pain on my right leg has been transfered to my left leg. The Doctor informed me that three injections is the most I can get.
The cost of the first shot was over $1500.00 ( this is the doctors fee and surgery center). My insurance is paying about half of that.
My bills for the therapy, MRI and now this shot have’nt come in yet. My finances will be tight.
I have decided for now, that I will not go in for more shots.
The presciption drug Tramadol, does help relieve some of my pain. I normally take them on my work days (Monday through Friday), two each morning and thats it. I still do my leg stretches in the morning before going in to work, which seems to help quite a bit. The therapist wants me to do these excersises every morning, but not to over do them.
Good luck to you all.
God bless each one of us and our families.
Hello everyone,
Chronie, I am very sorry about your love one.
My last update was on February 6, 2007.
I had an MRI done on March 1, 2007 and got scheduled to have a shot to my spine on April 19, 2007.
The ending results were a combination of good and bad.
The good (no pain in my spine and no pain while sitting down).
The bad (my pain went from my right leg to my left leg) go figure.
I’m taking the prescription drug Tramadol, and it helps ease my pain.
I still do my stretch excercises in the morning before going to work, which also helps.
I will not be going for more shots at this time, they are very expensive.
My home and car need repair. Don’t know when they’ll get fixed.
I wish us all to be pain free. God bless us all and our families.
Hello fellow sciatic “fans.” Two years ago I indured my lower back playing a golf course that was at 6000 ft. I called it “extreme golf.” I really thought it was going to kill me to finish. Fatigue caused me to swing the club out of position and, you guessed it, pain was quick to apppear.
I finished the game (or it finished me) and from there it’s history: x-rays, ct scans, steroid injections, surgery (L-5, S-1), Vivodin, oxycodon, morphine. TNS unit…..bottom line is I still hurt all the time. It’s just a question of how bad.
I’m kind of a shut in. My wife wants me to travel and go places with her. I guess I am really managed by pain…from the right cheek down to my ankle.
My Kaiser physician has been pretty useless. All of the treatments have been my suggestion. I had to even push for an MRI. His position is that he prescribes the proper amounts and types of medication and that I need to play within the boundries………..bullshit!!
I have and artificial heart valve, so acupuncture is not an option. At this point in my 59 years on this earth, I am ready to say “beam me up Scotty!!) My kids are grown, I’m a frustration to my wife. Can’t do any of the fun thiings I was so passionate about.
Sorry for the “poor me” tone. 🙁
Hello all my siatic pals its caroline again well I went off on my trip across the seas to New Zealand with my so wonderful husband les, what a gem. I was treated very well by air flight staff and everyone invloed in my journey to and from Australia. I was in constant pain all the time but I wasn`t going to let this painful way of life stop me, so as I said in my last letter, nothing will stop me and I had a great time I saw a lot of New Zealand around the north side what a beautiful place, my friends were very kind,and my friend Jo Anne even had to dress me at times, and believe me at my age being embarrased was not an option. I had to except her help.After breakfast we went out. I even peeped into 2nd hand shops and found lots of squares of material about 20 in a bundle at 1 foot by one foot each piece for 50cents a bundle, now I have a new hobby yes you guessed it patchwork quilting I have enough to make four quilts and With the prices as they are here at $34 for a few little squares I gota be happy with that. What I am saying is I will not let this rotten pain and this kind of life as I know it now, still crying in corners like a little girl, having days in bed where I stay because of the pain that immobleises me weeping in pain day after day begging for an end to all this missery.I walk with a walking frame or a walking stick. I can not dress myself yet, when no one is home I shower but I drip dry and dress the best way I can, I still have sleepless nights and the next day the same on strong meds. Buuutttt alas I am making a life for myself sewing hand towels selling them at $4 and knitting mobile phone covers and sell them at $10 each so I am still in life and living the best way I know how and a few dollars in my pocket still on strong meds to function as a normal person I put my pain into gain but I WILL NOT GIVE IN OR GIVE UP I am sorry for my pals. Please dont be sad, take heart and give another day a chance I am going to the local hospital to visit some kids there and or old people this makes them feel better and this makes me want to wake for enother day so dont dispare siatic pals hold on to life no matter what some one is out there who needs that one smile you have in you go on do it smile go on go on see I new you can do it. Heres smiling at you kids. I am sending my prayers to you all and God Bless be strong your siatia pal carolinexx
My dayghter is 22. I took her to the hospital on a Sunday. She had an abcess tooth. They lanced a boil under her arm, and gave her an antibiotic shot. Right in her scatic nerve. The pain gets worse every day. Her foot is swollen, and a redish color. She has no insurance. I have an appointment with a lawyer. I am so upset, my daughter has been through so much in her life. If you are a praying person, please pray.
I thoroughly recommend you see an acupuncturist regarding your sciatica. I’m 35 and suffered with pain down my leg especially the calf and foot. Medication may help only temporarily, you need treatment! In my case the sciatica won’t go away but I can ‘keep a lid on it’ by having acupuncture and massage every 5-6 weeks. I’m Australia, treatment cost around $80US for 1-1.5 hours. Wish you and your fam all the best. Cheers.
Hello Lisa I am sorry to hear of your daughters pain, I do know what it is like to have a crippling sciatic pain, as I am the Caroline on this page. I am a praying person and I believe God will heal your darling little girl, as our children are so precious to us and I have and will continue to pray until your daughter is healed of her pain, at this you have my word as a mother and a new friend in Gods name. Is is not Gods will for her to suffer. I send my prayers, love and Gods Blessings to you both. love and kind wishes to you both always love Carolinexx bye for now Lisa
Hello and Blessings to All,
I am 28 and newly diagnosed with a pinched sciatic nerve on my left side. The funny thing is most of my pain is in my left foot. I was doing laundry one day and instead of waiting on someone to help out I lifted the huge bags myself. Around the next day or so I noticed a soreness in my back and leg..what did I do? I kept it moving. The next day I noticed the soreness moved from slight to serious so I still kept it moving but in a relaxed sort of way. Needless to say, that Monday at work the pain became an issue and I was in bed directly after getting home from work. Around midnight my loving boyfriend rushed me to the hospital because the soreness violently graduated to pain. My entire leg felt dislocated from my body and I had to keep supressing the urge to vomit. We finally were seen and they took blood, poked around, and called it a pinched nerve and started asking me if I felt safe going home. (Smh) I was then given an IV, volume (which was great), and sent home with vicos, motrin, and flexerals and ordered on bedrest. Within days the pain was gone and I assumed I could return to work….my left foot was swollen so I assumed tennis shoes were my only option. DISASTER!!!! By noon that day I noticed my left foot was numb inside the shoe aside from these shooting feelings that seemed to be nerve related. It felt like my foot was stuck in the shoe. Needless to say, I get home and pry the shoe off my foot and it’s a catastrophe!!! Pain beyond pain…my foot felt like it had locked up and was one big ball. I could not wiggle my toes or even move my foot….and the pain felt like the tendons on the top of my foot were pulling inward, and the skin on the top of my foot was on fire. It’s been 3 weeks since “The Shoe” and I am going on Short term disability, online education, and just starting to wiggle my toes and walk with my trusty cane. I have seen a specialist and to be honest, he’s not much help. He was more concerned with why there was no pain in my back as to why my foot was incapacitated. He gave me some steroids and I can say that they did assist in taking the swelling out of my foot, but I still have muscle spasms in my toes, shooting pains in my foot, and weakness on the left side of my ankle/foot. Has anyone experienced this before? Is it something seperate from the pinched nerve?
I am really lost because although I do feel the nerve when I ride in low sitting cars, or lay in certain positions…it’s not really bothering me. But my foot is going crazy and I’m wondering is all the shooting pains, pulls, pinches, and pins and needles a sign of healing?
Also, if anyone knows…does being overweight increase the chances of future nerve problems? Will dropping the weight give one a better chance at being pinch free?
Any comments or feedback is definitely appreciated. I know everyone is experiencing their own levels of pain and side effects. I have read ever entry on this page and I feel so sorry for those that have suffered for so long. It’s only been a little under a month for me and already I am ready to jump on a table and let the cards fall where they may. I have never had injuries as a child, teen, or up until now. I don’t know HOW TO DEAL with pain…it’s impossible!! I think between praying, reading, and massaging…I have broken into tears over 30 times. It’s just not an easy thing to go from being on the go to being bed/house ridden and having to depend on family and friends for what you could usually do yourself. I miss driving, working, being on campus, walking through the mall, just living…what’s a life for if you can’t live it??
Sorry to end in such anger but that’s the stage I’m on at this point.
I wish everyone well and hope that we all can find some peace in this life. Prayers and Love 2 all.
Hi Tae,
Sounds to me that you have more than a pinched nerve, although pinched nerves are bad enough on their own. You have the pain in your foot as it has travelled down the sciatic canal. If you feel it in your foot that is a sign that you may also have a herniated disc in your lower back. I have 5 of them and know the pain and edema well. You may have the beginnings of peripehral neuropathy, which is a chronic pain condition. You should be seeing a chiropractor to determine whether you have a herniated disc and a neurologist to see if the peripheral nerves are involved. I hope you have insurance as you will need it. Keep that foot well elevated to reduce the edema. Mopst of us don’t believe we can have damaged our backs when it doesn’t hurt there, but believe me I was athletic when I herniated 2 discs 24 years ago and am on a disability pension now. Good luck Tae and Oh, yes, extra weight only worsens things.
Wow, talk about opening a can of worms!!
Well first thanks for responding to my rant Lynne. It’s always nice to know someone will take the time to listen or read about my problems.
I had an MRI and will be viewing them with my specialist on Thursday. I have insurance and a decent job so I feel blessed in that department. Other good news is that as of today I completed the steroids I was given by my specialist and with some serious prayer I am now experiencing more movement, balance, and less pain in my foot. I think I damaged the nerves in my foot myself by stuffing it in a tight tennis shoe while it was swollen. I am feeling all types of crawling, pinching, and burning in my foot now but it seems to have left the top of my foot and is mainly in the big toe.
I am feeling very positive now with my current condition. I feel like this is a warning of what could be my future if I don’t take better care of ME. I just feel sooo blessed that my condition seems to be getting better.
Well, I am going to elevate my foot and pray for full recovery. I do appreciate your feedback though and will be sure to ask my specialist about PN and it’s causes.
Thanks again and God Bless
I beleive I have a scatica involved. Doctor are telling me that nothiang more can be done I unable to wear socks and shoes. I have scolosis and spinal stenosis I already on 60 mg of Avinza. I unable to sit and can only lay unable to put shoe and sock on for for than 1 hour and my doctors says that I need to see a pain Management therapy that it in my head. I sweat if I up for very long
Hello all, my last update was 05-05-07, my pain is in my lower spine and both my legs. I have to sit up very straight to eliviate some of the pain. Sitting down I am at a 1 or 2 pain level. Walking around is much of the same. It’s when I carry something heavy that my pain level shoots up, the back of my legs start to burn. It feels like a 7. I have a 7 month old granddaughter and I can’t carry her for very long while standing up. I’m greatful that I can hold her while sitting down. I only take my presciption Tramadol when I know I will have to do a lot of walking and not be able to sit down for a long time.
At work I am able to sit down when I feel the pain in my spine and legs. But working with preschool children is physically demanding. After work, I rush home and lay in bed for about 15 to 30 minutes, this seems to help. I still have to excersise my legs by stretching every morning. I can feel the difference in doing this because my spine is hurting as soon as I rise from bed, but after the stretching I feel relief. I’ve been through therapy twice, had an MRI done. Had a shot to my spine. I have insurance, but it is still very costly. My car gave out, so we had to get another vehicle and the payments are higher.
I will pray for you all. I wish us all to be pain free. God bless.
My Darling Sister Margie,
I have just finished reading your letter, I had a little cry for you
and a chat to God and prayed for you to be healed. I am so sorry to hear of
your sadness and the pain you are in.I hope you will be back to normal soon
as possible.I think it is wonderful that you can hold your granddaughter
even if it is sitting down how lovely it must be for you darling.( my
little grand daughter is with Jesus) enjoy your little one and write and
tell me all about your granddaughter so I can enjoy your happiness also. I
cant wait to hear all about herxxxx. It is also great you can still go to
work so take it easy and look after yourself. I have to go for my little
walk now with( lucy my walking frame) I love to walk I get to see all the
lovely flowers and nice gardens and meet different people as I can not go
out much and I am not able to work anymore so I will take some pain killers
and toddle off, wish me luck it is a little dark out side and there are some
lovely pretty flowers, one mite just happen to fall into my hand
ooops.mmmmmmm My husband takes me out so I hope he does not notice what Im
up to.I am sending you a BIG BIG Huuuugggg and God Bless You always. Good
Night Darling Friend Margie. And God Bless all my Sciatic Pals I have not
forgotten you I still pray for you all and I send HUUUGGGGS to you all
every one of you so hold still here I come feel this HHHHUUUUUGGGGG.
yours in faith Carolinexxxx
P>S> I sent this message last night but realised I sent it to the wrong place so I will try again.
Caroline,
It was very sweet of you to respond to my letter. I too started to cry after reading yours. I pray that God hears all of our prayers. I went to Church today and I asked him to please heal me and others who are suffering from pain. As for my Granddaughter, she is adorable, and I am always praying for her well being and safety. Luckily for my husband and I, she ony lives about 4 blocks from us. She just turned 8 months on October 2nd. She is our only grandbaby so far. Caroline, I will pray for you and your little angel. May God grant you and your family much joy, health and happiness.
I wanted to ask any sciatic friends about accidental insurance policies. My condition was caused by me lifting very heavy boxes and carrying them down some flights of stairs. That happened on April 2, 2006. I was helping my daughter move out of her apartment. I would have to fill out an accident report, as would my doctor, to my Accident Insurance Company. I have until April 2008 to file a claim. Can anyone tell me if this is worth going through? Does anyone think that what I did about carrying the heavy boxes, be cosidered an injury? Please tell me what you think. Time is running out, and I still don’t know whether to claim or not. If I did, I would have to travel 50 miles, because that is where my Doctor is located. I would also have to pay a fee for the Doctor to fill out the claim. I almost fell on Friday(10-6-07), while locking the door to leave for the day. I took I backward step and twisted my foot, If I had’nt grabbed on to the door that has burglar bars, Iwould have fallen on my backside. MY foot was hurting and I was on my way to a meeting, which I could not get out of. I was praying all the way to the staff meeting. Once there I took my shoe off and started massaging my foot. God heard my prayers and I didn’t get a sprained foot.
I will pray for all of us my friends.
God bless you all. Let us all be pain free.
Hi, all My comment just came out as the nameless one. That was me Margie. Sorry
sorry to hear about everyones siatic problems.for 3 years i have been suffering with siatic pain i have had surgery two months ago for a bulging disc .surgeon says the siatic nerve was badly damaged still sufering severe pain
surgeon says i will be in this pain forever
the pain is in my left leg going to the tips
of my toes i also had knee surgery done a year ago got cartilage and cyst removed from my left knee and to round
everything of i had my gallbladder removed 7 months ago all this at 35 i have 3 small children and a loving wife
the pain just rules your life i spend my time screaming with pain tramadol morphine liryrica is what i take everyday
thats me finished moaning on
god and my wife help me through it all hope to read more about everybodys siatic problems god bless
Hello Margie, Hope to find you and your little one in the very best of health I am sorry I have not been able to write to you before this as I have been in Sydney N.S.W. visiting my Dad he was not very well he had enother stroke and I had to go to his home to do my best to take care of him, as there isnt any one else to do so. I love my dad and he needs me, I did what I could we were a couple of swells, there we were the both of us, me with my walking frame, and dad with his walking stick but none the less we did o.k. I only droped a plate and ran into the wall twice and it was day light as well.but alass all is well with my daddy, and I am home now with Les my wonderful husband and our two boys I am so blessed to have such awonderful family. I count my blessings often this keeps me cheerful and my mind off my pain. I am starting to work a little now as I have started to take up my Conuselling again as I am a counsellor and there is a great need out in the world for counsellors today I am starting next Tuesday night wish me all the best.I pray that God will bless you and your family and thank you Margie for your kind words and for sharing your family love and prayers with me this has made me a very happy person I send a special HUG to you. A hug and kisses to you and your little girl. . I am sitting here at my desk typing this letter to you but I have to stand up for a few minutes as it hurts to stay seated for long Ill go for a little walk and make a cupper.xxxxxx Well hello darling I am back to finish my letter to you.I pray God will Bless you all. I send you great big HUGS and all my love also Margie GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYSxxxxxx your friend Caroline xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello Caroline , and all my sciatc friends. Caroline, I’m happy to hear that your Dad is better. God bless you for your caring heart. I’ll pray that you do well with your job as a counsellor. Hugs to you and your family. Sometimes I feel like I’m going to beat this pinch nerve and other times I feel like it”s beating me. I have to keep telling myself that someday, I will be healed. I can’t give up hope. My husband became diaabled 11 years ago. He has post polio syndrome. He tries very hard to help me around the house. I know that he can’t stand on his feet for very long. He is my rock and my best friend. Our anniversary is coming up on November 16, 2007. We will be celebrating 28 years of marriage. We’ve had our ups and downs but thankfully our Love is strong. I work full time at a Pre school. The teacher that I work with is very understanding about my condition. She knows my limits and does’nt let me do any heavy lifting. Whenever I feel great pain later at night, or early in the morning, I try to recall what I did at work and try to avoid doing it again. The company that I work for moves it’s empolyees every year to diffrent locations. Teachers and teacher aids are switched as well. In August of 2008, I may be working at a different school and work with another teacher. If at anytime , I feel a great relief, I will share it with you all.
Geoff, If you are reading this entry, I want you to know that the prescription Tramadol works very well for me and personally, I only take it when I am in great pain. Lyrica on the other hand would make me very sleepy while driving and it would also make me very forgetful. It didn’t help with the pain either. I hope the meds works for you. Well, I will close for now. I hope I didn’t bore anyone. God bless and Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Hello Geoff, welcome to our site Woooooowwwoooooo!!! Boy what a time you
have had of it. You go straight on my prayer list, I will pray and ask God
the healer of all healers to take time to touch you with great blessings and
help you with this pain and trouble. I believe with all my heart God will do
something for you. I believe I believe I believe,I believe I believe,I thank
God for your wonderful wife, what a women she is one in a million I send her
a special BIG HHHHUUUUUGGGGG for loving you enough to stay with you through
all this grief. You are not moaning, you are allowed to have an opinion.You
are suffering a lot so let yourself be free to say what you feel and I am
with you in this life of pain and sorrow don’t let this take away the good
and great Husband, Daddy and MAN that you were before and still are today.
He still lives within your very soul, nothing can take away who you are in
side. You are made by God and God doesn’t make mistakes He makes REAL MEN.
Kind regards sciatic pal Caroline
Hello all,
Caroline, welcome back. I’m happy to hear that your Dad is better and that you are home with your family. I wish you great success in working as a counselor. Your entries are wonderful, no wonder you are a counselor. God bless you and
your family.
I am always looking for advice on how to relieve my pinch nerve. If anyone of you have any suggestions, please post them. I have found out that by laying on my side when sleeping, I’m aggravating the nerve. So now I try to sleep on my stomach and keep one leg up , bringing my knee up parallel to my waist. When I get out of bed, I scoot over to the edge of the bed. Then I let my legs hang down, then using my hands and arms, I push myself up till I am at a sitting position. This technique works very well for me. I have also learned that I shouldn’t let my body get too cold. I had to use my heating pad this morning to relieve my pain. When in a seating position like now, I have to remember to sit straight, and now hunched over.
Geoff,
Please be careful when taking your meds. I was first put on Lyrica and it didn’t help me at all. What it did do for me was made me sleepy and very forgetful. I quit taking them. I was later put on Tramadol and this pain reliever helped very much. I only take it when I’m in bad shape or when I knpw I will do a lot of walking.
I thank God for a loving husband. He is very supportive. He became disabled due to post polio syndrome in 1995. You could say that we help each other as best we can.
I trully believe that one day, I will be healed. God has the power to do so and I have to keep praying for me and for all my sciatic friends. God bless us all, let us be pain free.
Hello My Darling Margie,Thank you for your returned letter today. I am very
grateful for it. Margie I am relating to what you are saying as I am also
doing what you are doing for the better of my health and safety in the
movements of my body, that I don’t hurt and have any more pain than I have
too,( what we have is some what enough.) You know Margie if I didnt have the
accedent and hurt myself and have this pain we would not have met and I
would have missed out on having some one special in my life, my new
friend( you Margie,) and all my other sciatis pals. Then I would have lost a
lot more. Margie I am now starting to go to a massage theropist once a week
and this has helped me and I am now caperable to move more freely and to do
things a little longer than before, maybe this could help you, we can only
try and my prayers go with you. Margie Say hello to your husband for me
please HUUUUGGGGs for you both You will always stay in my heart.and
prayers. xxx Good.Morning All My sciatic Pals. I am about to go into my
prayer time and pray for everyone and expect some miracles for you all,
healing, healing,. healingI belive ,God can do these things. I don’t know
your names but God does and we are all joined in one accord at this time in
our beautiful lives yes! yes! yes that is what I said. In this time of our
lives Just think we are better today than yesterday as we are getting better
every day.Do you know we could be worse How????? you ask well we could be
dying or dead. No we don’t wish we were at all. I count my Blessings, just
like this Thank You God for my beautiful sons , my wonderful husband and my
Dad my Sisters my Brothers and my old friends and new friends at this site.
.Margie, Geoff and you and everybody are all in my heart and prayers. so I
thank God for my life. I thank God for my eyes to see, my sons faces and
their smile, all the beautiful joy on the faces of the children,and the
world in all its beautiy as it was ment to be.My ears to hear My family say
I love you Caroline,and I love you Caroline from my husband, I love you
baby from my Daddy, I love you mumzie from my boys and their girlfriends,and
the special laughter of people and the little children as I was once deaf
and could not hear these things,after an operation and new hearing
mecemnisiums being rebuilt into my ears about eighteen years ago.I can
enjoy all the things I was ment to hear.before. what a wonderful life I have
I am looking forward to every sound of the day and all the sounds yet to
come..So DONT BE TO SAD. I LOVE YOU ALL AND SO DOESE GOD YES HE DOESE HE
DIDNT DO THIS TO ME I FELL OVER ALL BY MYSELF. You see that made you grin
didnt it??? Huuuuurrr come on smile you look lovely when you do Smile Smile
Smile thats it yeerrrrrr.Well my Darlings I am of to pray so I would be very
greatful if you join me all you have to do is ask God to help thats all,
with all your heart. Leaving Gods Blessings and my love and prayers with you
to day bye for now love Caroline xxxxxxxxx
—– Original Message —–
From:
To:
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 7:57 AM
Subject: [UtterlyBoring.com] New Comment from Margie on Sciatic nerve
pinches hurt like hell – Update: It's more than just a nerve
oooooooaaaaarrrrrrr!!!! P.S. Thank God I dont cook as bad as I spell when I am medicated We would all be dead Ha! Ha! ha! Kind regards Caroline xx
Hello all,
Caroline, I am trying so hard to smile. My husband had outpatient surgery on 11-16-07, it was our 28th wedding anniversary. Thank God everything went well. I am very grateful for that. I was sitting for so very long at the hospital that day. The following day, I could hardly walk. The pain in my spine was horrific. I had to take my meds agagin. I was able to go to work on Monday, because I have to keep moving. The mornings are very hard. I have to make myself get up and do my streches. Here in South Texas the weather is usually warm, so I am not hurting as bad. But I have come to realize that the cold weather messes up my spine. Tommorrow will be cold here on Thanksgiving day. I love the cold weather, but my spine doesn’t. I would like to extend a Happy Thanksgiving to all my sciatic friends and your families. I will continue to pray for all of us. Listen don’t worry about my sadness, it comes and goes. I have my wonderful husband, our daughters and granddaughter. We have a great relationship with both our families. May God bless you all. Let us all be pain free.
Hello Margie
Greetings to you darling I hope you are feeling better today my friend.I
hope and pray that your wonderful husband is feeling better I am sending you
both a warn fuzzy hug and a big sloppy kiss, Huuuuggggg Huuuuggggg. This
will make you smile Jesus LOVES YOU and so do I.Margie tonight when you go
to bed and you are just laying there thinking why all this is happening to
you. Stop for a moment and take a deep breath and some time and feel the
arms of God around you and feel the warmth of His Love, the touch of His
kindness, the whisper of His gentle voice speaking into your spirit. Now
wait in the silence of the night. and hear Him say.. I LOVE YOU MARGIE
I LOVE YOU MARGIE.and feel the soft heart beat of Your Father from
Heaven.in the mist of the night.Know you are not alone. Prayers being
answered with His LOVE and His great sacrifice to give you life and my
sister I now know a great and wonderful woman named Margie my friend,if we
did not have our suffering we never would have met.Are you smiling yet my
DARLING MARGIE PLEASE SMILE THATS THE WAY. I send ou one of my smiles so
you can always have one spare, put it in your pocket and when you are down
take it out and place it on and wa la you have a smile right there anytime
you ned it .
God Bless you both always my friend
Love from Carolinexxxxxxxxx—–
Good Morning to all my sciatic pals I am sitting here wondering how you and your families are. I myself I am able to walk and take showers now without much help I still have my bad days when I am found sitting in a corner crying and screaming in such horrible pain that not even morphine can help and I realise I am unable to get up on my feet to the toilet I have wet myslef I sit here or in lay my bed all day broken hearted not knowing what the comming days hold or what is my life to be and now I have to wait until Les my wonderful husband comes home from work and gives me something to help deaden the pain so I can at least have as normal a life as possible.Les cleans me up helps me, he gives me a gentle kiss, holds me in his arms close to his heart and dryes my tears away and says I love you my princess.We hold each other for a while and I stop sobbing and I look up at his face into his eyes and thank God that I have Les in my life(you see I am BLESSED) Well that is enough about me . I am writing this letter to all of you to tell you that you are not alone I stand with you all the time in prayers I am praying for you and all your families I call each of you by your names(each name on this page) when I talk to God in my prayer and I ask God to help you and heal you and keep you strong and brave and dont let this pain get the better of you and dont let it get you down I know it is not easy as I am going through it also but I refuse to give in to this painful way of life I wont let it consume me or my loved ones all because of a fall 14 months ago I am standing with you all in prayers, hope, and faith that we all will be healed one day .I want to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS may God bless you and your families with Joy peace Happiness and health I am sending My prayers and a BBBIGG HHUUUGGG TO YOU ALL.I am wishing you all a safe warm wonderful CHRISTMAS sending a CHRISTMAS WISH TO YOU our friend update 7/7and wife and daughter,Pieter,Dave,Ken Edwards,Ribin,Neils world Ruth,BrianLewis,Juinta,Susan,Lauri,Will Adams, Addu,Don,JoeBloc,Beth, September, Keith HeatherFranko.Lynne,Margie,Tina,Rosie,Angie,Judi,Jenn,Chronie,Sydney,Lisa.Tae, Catherine,Geoff.May God truley Bless you all for Christmas and always.My heart is with youxxxxxxxxxxxxLove and best wishes from Caroline.
I have realised I did not write in DROOPY. Here is a special MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU DROOPY AND GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS Kind regards Carolinexxxx
Hello everyone and hello Caroline,
I feel very much for you Caroline. I thank God that you have your husband Les to look after you. God bless both of you. I thank God for my husband Larry because I don’t know what I will ever do without him. He says the same thing about me. My friends , I beleive your prayers are working for me. I am feeling pretty good, my pain level only goes up to a 2 these days. But you know what? I am very scared that my pain can worsen at any time. I have to watch how I sneeze, cough, lift objects, sit and not to stand on my feet too long. Caroline, you have a great idea on praying for all of us, by naming all our names in your prayers. I would usually pray to God by asking him to heal all my sciatic friends. From now on here at my home, I will be mentioning all your names when praying to God. At church, I will mention you as my friends to God. Caroline you inspired me to be more personal in my prayers and for that I thank you. My friends Chistmas is almost upon us, let us pray our hardest for all who need our prayers. I wish everyone a very Merry Chistmas. A time to celebrate Jesus ‘ birthday. God bless you all and let us be pain free.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR
He Restores My Soul
When the wounds of my heart need healing,
and my broken dreames need mending..the Lords tenderly mets me.
lifting my cares,
erasing my fears restoring my hopes.
like a fresh breath from heaven,
God touches me .. and I am whole again
I wish all my sciatic friends a very joyful peaceful merry Christmas.
Lots of merry cheers from Caroline
Give a hug to some one and the love will take away some of the pain go on give a HHHUUUUGGG and see if I am not right It works for me and I am on morphine and love is great I am sending you one in case you dont have anyone to share with HHHHUUUUUGGGGG HHHHHUUUUUGGGGG
Margie My Love
I send you and your huaband a very special MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a special HHHHUUUUGGGGGGGGGGod Bless you both I would like for you both to come to Australia and visit my wonderful Husband and stay with us here in our humble home here in Canberra I would love to meet you I love you my very special friend MERRY CHRISTMAS LOVE FROM CAROLINE xxxxxxxx P.S. my prayers are with this messagexxxx
That is my wonderful husband and meeeee xxxxx I would forget my head if it was not stuck on my shoulders Ha Ha!
Hello all,
Caroline and Les,
Are you from Australia? I used to watch the Crocodile hunter. My husband and I felt very sadden about his death. My oldest daughter cried for days. We miss seeing him on television. God bless his wife Terri and family. They have so much energy. Is it because you live in Australia?
Everyone, we had a great Christmas with our families. I sure hope you all had the same. I took lots of pictures, I love taking pictures, we have tons of photo albums. Caroline and our sciatic friends, I want to know how everyone is. Give us tips on what you do to avoid pain. During the night I have to remember not to bounce on the bed to get comfortable. I try to shift slowly or else I’ll feel the tenderness in my spine. I usually slouch when sitting down, then I remember to sit up straight. I am on a Christmas break from work till the 2nd of January. So today, my husband and I were cleaning out a work shed that we have and I had to carry old printers and computer towers to our van for disposal. I prayed that I would not hurt myself. My husbands condition prevents him from carrying anything from place to place. I have to set limits on myself and try not to over do it. Tomorrow, we will tackle the shed again and dispose more junk. I wish everyone to have a very Happy and healthy New Year. God bless and let us all be pain free.
Good Morning to all sciatic pals I hope and pray you all had a wonderful
Christmas and you are all safe and well. God Bless each and every one of you
and your famies, right down to your puppy dogs and kittens and all your pets
Hugs to all.xxxxx
Good Morning Margie
I am happy to hear you and your family had such a great Christmas. We had
a wonderful Christmas also,our friend went to pick up my daddy and bring him
to our home to stay with us for the Christmas break our two sons were here
also it was great to spend such a wonderful time with all the family
together we were so blessed , we had lots of good food , lots of gifts,but
most of all we were together and healthy and lots and lots LOVE, HUGS,KISSES
for each other,That kind of LOVE and support of my family and a pain killer
two helped me enjoy life to its fullest I have nothing, nor any rights to
complain about.,(no not a thing. )I am so very BLESSED. I could have been
worse off, but God has been with me all the time and will never leave me or
my family never.Yes Margie we do live in Australia. would you and your
wonderful husband like to come to Australia and visit Les and me I would
surely love for you both to come to stay with us.I will ask God in my next
prayer time and He will surely bless what ever is to be so I will leave
everything up to Him. Margie I to love to take photos so (GOD WILLING)when
you come over here to visit us you can bring as many photos as you like and
while we are having a cup of tea or coffee we can look at photos, Margie if
you can or you can get someone to help you, try to massage the painful area
or around that part very gently to start off with, and press more firmly as
you progress week after week,this has helped me, at first it hurts but
knowing it Helps in the long run you keep doing it every five days at least
give it a go,or go to a sports therapist and they will be able to help you
with massage and soft tissue therapy and this will help you and give you
some relief.as this has helped me a lot. Margie I would like to correspond
to you on my private email if you like, so how will we do this I don’t
know.Margie. I am sending you both Prayers,Hugs, strength, and know that I
am with you in spirit and I am there supporting you when you are in so much
pain I will be there to hold your hand, and holding you so very tight with
strong arms, warm loving heart, and all the kindness you need, and just
holding you and being there for you until you are at ease again. I am
holding your pain up to God for Him to take away and make life that bit
easier for you.. when we can together we can take a deep breath and smile
and rejoice and go on with our day, so dont feel alone Margie I am holding
your hand my friend.so until we email again may God Bless you and your
husband and your family and keep you all safe.lots of love Carolinexxx
Good Morning scistic pals I hope you all had a Merry Christmas? I will tell you I did because I refuse to let this pain I am suffering get the best of me (my walking frame and walking stick got a real working over the Christmas break especialy with the dancing I did)I will not let this pain interfear with me to rob me of a happy day or bring me to the point where I become angury or misserable to my loved ones or even to myself for that matter I had lots to eat and lots of great prezzies I even got a little meeeerrrry yep I did mmmmeeeerrrryyy ho!ho!ho! I even left the beer and fruit cake that I made for Santa and the carrots for the raine deers on Christmas night so if that aint in the spirit of things I dont know what is I thank God I still have the little kid inside me and for that matter I always will. so come on pals join me in living the best way we can,with hope in our prayers, dreams in our sleep, and love in our hearts,and joy in our steps most of all lets be strong enough to take control of our pain and enjoy our life better than we ever thought was possiable.so stand up and be counted take charge of your day and get dressed and lets do some thing we could not do before and say no to crying and yes to LIVING for me my eyes have seen enough tears,and I am going to turn my pain into gain my tears into cheers and my strife into a life.I dont want to go it alone so join with me one step at a time and go go go sing a happy song or ring a person you have not spoken to in a while tell some one you love them,DONT GIVE UP I dont want to break down either so I have to live for the happiness that I can steal from each day as it comes my way. So I will hide it in my heart so nothing can rob me of it again because to rob me of my happiness is to rob my family of their joy. and that wont do so I will say to you today live a little just live.God Bless you all and HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR kind regards and love from Caroline xxx
Hey I stumbled on this site and i thought bloody hell how many people have a smilar thing to me!
Well to start I was trainning to get in to the british military and I could not get in cause had an old injury on my ankle that did not heal correct and they told me to get it fixed and come back again so!
I was 15 yrs old when it happen’d and was very active kid but the time came that I wanted to sign up to military so my training got harder and realy hard prepparing my self for 30mile runs with 50pounds in a bergaun on my back.
any way military said no cause ankle,
“said come back when fixed”
so can u imagin my determination. Well went to see my doctor and sent me to the hospital for checks and MRI scans and X-Rays so then never got any info back and I started nagging the NHS well to cut it short the NHS took from the age of 17yrs old to the age of 23yrs old to finaly say the NHS whats wrong then opperated on me and didn’t fix the problem and then opperate the second time and get it wrong again dont forget 2yrs in between the surgery now just before the second surgery I had a fall and triggerd slight pain in my right hip any way they had done the sugery and could not feel the pain in my ankle so I thought I was cured but little did i know it was because of the pain in my hip was covering the pain in my ankle
and then just because I was stubben I went for a run to see if my ankle was ok so I got back from my run and got shooting pain down my right leg but the front of it going down to my sheen forgot to mention
I had bought a house in the mean time and it need’d work done to it so now I thought my ankle was fixed and now I have sciatica and right hip pain and lower back pain so that was the beginning.
So then I went to my consultant at the NHS and said cant feel my ankle its like U cured it but! I’ve got bad pain in my right hip and right leg whats happend.
So U can imagin how frustrated I was cause of going through this all over again but with a differant problem now,
Any way the NHS done the propper scans like MRI,CT,X-rays and after said that I have Spondylolisthesis and thats when I found out that it was a sciatic nerve and they said to put a facet joint injection in my spine and if it fail’d to work the first time they will put it 3 times in total and then they will consider surgery (spinal fusion):(
Any way from then I started hearing things like dont have the injections its bad and then question’d everything the NHS advised me and started literally
throwing money at osteopahs,chiropractors,harley st specialists and that was not just 1 it was loads of these specialists, dont forget in the mean time I’m getting worse with pain and I’m still trying to fix this house pay the mortgage and pay for specialists to fix me OH! and suppose’d to work and I had a manual job wich was very bad for me cause i couldn’t stand,walk,bend,sit,lay down,sleep,or pick up a two stone child and not be in pain,OH! also throwing money at internet gimicks that was suppose to help you in a week a day all those sort of lie’s to get your money and cause I was deperate to be OUT of PAIN I fell for it alot.
But then I found 1 chiropractor and actualy started helping but just to explain it was not the chiropactor that got me slightly out pain each time I had paid for visit it was the chiropractors massage therapist that was giving me deep tissue massage and it work’d and was painful but beatyful relief:):)ahhh
any way had lots of deep tissue massage sessions lots,……………………of them.
any way the massage therapist started saying its not getting rid of your problem then I went to the chiropractor and he sent me to see a sports personal trainer,and he helped me alot as well,but before he did I had the facet joint injection,wich made the pain milder,”
“I think cause at the same sort of time the PT instructor got me useing this foam roller and had to roll it up and down on the side of my leg lieing on the floor every day 7 days a week,
(hard to explain) but any way that took the pain to a minimum Oh! and I had to stretch twice a day 7 days a week and
deep tissue massage,oh I thought Im nearly on the mend but I was wrong again my ankle pain started coming back again and now im angry cause now I’ve had it,they couldn’t help me with my sciactic pain so I realise’d I was doing all these treatmants but all it took is a hard days work and was feeling the simpterms again went to my chiropractor and he said you will never get rid until you fix your posture and to do that you have to fix your ankle.
So i ask’d him if he knew any 1 that can help cause the NHS has made me worse not better with my ankle and he located a private hospital that was specialists in foot and ankle problems and I had seen a consultant their and he said to have an MRI scan, to look at my ankle again because I had taken copies of the NHS scans but could not see my problem on those scans because the NHS could not put me a simple injection that helps highlight my insides to find the problem in my MRI ankle scans.
so any way the private consultant used that injection and could see a problem in my ankle that the NHS could not see and the consultant offered to put an Injection in that area and I think
“MY GOD THEY MIGHT HAVE DONE IT”
I havent had the pains and have’nt got the swelling in my ankle still:):) but going back to let the consultant know and still not sure 100% but out of pain with my ankle but not yet better with sciatica cause I still get muscle stiffness when i use my right leg and nerve hits off if i try any heavy lifting and use my hips,I suppose I just feel the triggers of it coming on with mild stiffness and pain not the actual pain still waiting to deal with this problem cause trying get my posture correct again,
Now that I can mildly tain my cor muscle’s and re train my left leg and have the same energy levels that I had when it first started.
1-fractured at =15yrs
2-hard military training =17/23yrs
3-NHS surgery no.1-23yrs
4-training again but ankle same
begining of sciatica =23/25yrs
5-NHS surgery no.2=25/26yrs
6-loads of osteopaths, accupuncture,chiropractors+
many others + facet joint injection
=26/27yrs
7-Private hospital and payment of �2000 + sciatica still 27/28yrs
8-28/?yrs still waiting to see
Hey Mal
Welcome to sciatic Pals site.
Wooow have you had a time of it as well. All those years of suffering and for one so young, you are an insperation you have not given up, nor are you angry inside because of the pain you are a young man with much to teach others how to be strong and fight on.GOOD ON YOU MAL. I do send you kind regards and prayers and a BIIIIIIIGGG HUUUUUUUGGG today and let you know you are not alone, as to feel our own pain is to feel yours, because we are all living each day in such torment and suffering in some way with the pain and discomfort but the secreat is not to let this painful way of life get us down,or give up and to live life to its fullest and reap what we can from the pain free moments that come our way in the day and steal thoes times and turn them into the joy and happiness that comes from our strength within our very soul. I will also pray for you on my prayer list and ask God to help you as I ask Him to help us all each day in my prayer time as this is all I have left in life I can trust to guide and help me with the way where I need to go for help. As a man who has suffered so much pain in his short life I hope you will find some freedom in your body to be able to do more for yourself and do the fun things you want to I hope you find lots to do and have friends to go out withto enjoy and live life with them or your family . Mal do you have any family have you been able to keep your home? I do hope so is, it a big house or small where is it? do you have any children? I am married and I have two wonderful sons one is 30 and one is 24.I dont want to complain I feel that others are worse off than me.I am very blessed to have such a wonderful husband as he takes care of me since my accedent 15 months ago I am not able to do very much I could not walk or dress myself sit up or sit down or shower by myself I had to lay in bed all the time my story is on this page as I am Caroline. So I dont have much to complain about because I am getting better slowly one day at a time I am going to a Sports Therapist who does soft tissue massage therapy and I find this has helped me a lot and I am now able to move around a lot more than before.I have this treatment once a week at $70 an hour and my top specialist cost $180 an hour he wants to give me a quaterzone injection into my bone near my thigh and this should help me to be able to do more for myself I pray so. and the cost for this is between $500 $700 so I am praying this will help me have some freedom from pain and more movement in my body I leave it all up to God and the doctors. Well my new sciatic pal I am sending you the kindest regards and enother BIIIIGGGG HUUUUUUGGG all the best God Bless You and your family. HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR friendly regards Caroline from Australia xxx
It is disheartening to see so many of my friends crippled with sciatica, herniated discs, pinched nerves and pain, pain, pain. I’m an old girl now but I was 36 when I first herniated a disc at work. My mother died the week after and my children were 13 and 8 at the time. Single mum, as many of us are, but I was able to find joy in the moment with my two kids. It must have been so frightening for them to see me twisted into a frozen freak, unable to move until the chiro came on his lunch break to adjust my back. I remember it well as it was March break and they were home.
I guess I have tried everything there is to try but surgery [it’s so permanent] and if you’ve ever seen anyone who’s had back surgery [back stff, fixed in position, but no pain. They are laughing, good-natured folks UNTIL you see them just one time that their back is out [it happens from time to time], walking like a crab and unable to move their heads. Then, it is much easier to rethink surgery and decide against it.
I am free of pain after 24 years, thanks to a dose of Gabapentin with Oxycontone [both time released] every 12 hours. I have cancer as well and that is why I was lucky enough to get a pain management specialist, who said, “Oh, let’s at least get rid of the pain,” and did it! Just like that! I was astounded to suddenly find myself without pain [well, there is always a little nag playing somewhere to remind me it is still here, but really not very much].
In two weeks time, I am seeing another pain specialist [they seemed to pop up after I met just one] and he will be putting me on the “patch” and reduce the Oxycontone and Gabapentin. He will be working closely with my pain management doctor in the Oncology hospital.
Interestingly, the Patch is only the third most effective painkiller if you have back cancer [I had two tumors pressing against five discs and it cut off my bladder control, too, which is slowly coming back after 6 months] .That is why i received Gabapentin and Oxycontone from the pain management specialist in the Oncology department. The tumors are gone, the radiation was successful, so now I can be treated by the pain management specialist who works with back injuries at my daughter’s hospital. In his area of speciality [back injuries], the patch is the most effective means of pain control and I won’t have the side effects I have now from the meds [give me the side effects anytime, as they sure beat pain].
Don’t be afraid of medication, my friends, unless you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse. Don’t make decisions on your own about taking yourself off them as soon as you feel relief. It is no mean to work that way. It is an important thing to remember and if you do mess around with your prescriptions, you may do yourself more harm than good Follow your doctor’s orders but make sure your doctors are all communicating with each other. That is key.
Sciatic nerve pain has to be one of the worst pains we suffer. I’ve had a pinched sciatic nerve since 1989 and it made impossible all forms of exercise except walking, some dancing and swimming [no breast stroke]; walking [on flat surfaces only] helped a lot. So did the orthotics my foot specialist built for me. You won’t see me in the sexiest shoes in town, but my feet don’t hurt as much, either.
I developed peripheral neuropathy from the back injury and that is no fun, either. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of you have that burning, tingling shooting pain in your hands and feet that preclude PN [as we sufferers call it]. Once again, my time released medication dealt with that. I don’t overdose, I just follow my doctors orders.
Finally, don’t be afraid of an MRI. It’s only a piece of equipment, mind you, a very effective one — looks like a giant donut — and you are on a bed that slides under it. There is no pain involved — It doesn’t even touch you. It’s more like a 360 degree X-Ray machine. You will be given earplugs to reduce the loud clicking noise emanating from the Magnetic Resonance Imaging [don’t know what comes after the “i” ] but the words are the beginning letters of MRI.
Take heart, have a good 2008 and know that if you squeak enough, you will get oiled.
Oh, yes, I am a huge fan of Reiki, usually performed by chiropractors, but it does not involve the cracks and twists of chiro. I first saw it in hospital being given to patients when they were going through chemo. It helped me tremendously until Workers Comp cut me off. Grr.
Lynne at 62
The pain just started in my hip area and it hasn’t went farther, but it hurts super bad like it needs to we popped. Is it mabey a pinched nerve?
Thx caroline and lyne for the sadness for me but my heart goes out to u both and I hpe things turn arround for u in 2008. in my message I didn’t put down what I was feeling!
I am very angry cause my problem would not be there if it was’nt for the b**** NHS I would have a strong ankle I would have done my time by now in the military
and I would be a fit and healthy 28yr old male not a b**** cripple with sciatica with locked leg muscles from sciatica!
if any 1 takes offence by my message sorry! Im just angry cause the NHS is the worst medical system in britain for the people who dont live in britain NHS stands for National Health Service e.g. its like preppaid medical care that you pay through your govermant bills,but the govermant dont give enough money to or some 1 else use’s for a new sports car or something. any way Im still waiting to see if it’s 100% there fault still wait for private hospital to guarantee the repair on my ankle.
this is to john hanger this a tip do not do anything else that would make it worse then u will get pain down the leg and that will make it painful john and I dont Know how old you are and dont know if your very active or not but if or any 1 who just reads this message make sure you question why,how,what,and,do, any doctor or consultant,or osteopath on what they are going to do why,how & when and with the osteopaths, chiropractors,accupuncturists + any doctor that does not do treatment through surgery & use’s another form of treatmant you should feel a or some sort of relief from your pain with in the 1st 1/3 sessions if you dont get relief look for some 1 else to help.
Plus some more advise is question the consultants as they will be cutting you open so make sure you pay for the best of the best to do it. + seek some 1 who can give a good deep tissue massage or another name is sports massage and search for some 1 who can show u some good profesional stretchs and make sure u do them mornning and night like its your religion oh there is a American company that I found helpful it was called(LOSE THE BACK PAIN) just type that in the web and it should come up they will show u very basic stretch’s but the other products they offer try to stay away cause there a bit of a waist. This is my advice so none of it might work or it might work I hope it helps any 1 that has these pains cause I feel for you cause of my own experience.
but still seak profesional advise cause you will have had differant symptoms from me.
thx Mal
Good Morning Everyone
You are so right Lynne it is disheartening to see people suffer.and Mal to be angury is right also and I get angury too as I can not be a wife and mother as good as I want to be I can not do many things yet but I am so blessedeveryone is so understanding.It hurts to be suffering one self. I am still suffering with my sciatic nerve pain and will probberly do so for a long time to come.I have had enother set hack this week I fell and hurt myself again setting me back at least two months and boy do I feel it especialy at night and when I am trying to sleep.but as I said before I WILL NOT LET THIS HICUP IN MY LIFE AT THIS MOMENT SPOIL OR HOLD ME BACK from doing anything or going any where I want to do and I will not weaken my stengh and let it get the best of me if I do there no I just wont go there. so my PALS chin up do what we can when we can and LIVE the best we can as happy as we can be I will tell you all this I went to the hospital Sunday to visit my friend she is only 52 and she wont be comming home to her family or her grandson nor will she ever see her new grand child who is due with in a month or two because she has cancer again and weighs 45 kilos and she is 5ft 7ins tall and she still beliving that she will be healed and all will be well but that is not so for her, so lets all have the same faith and hope & hold together and pray for each other and be the best person we can be to our family friends and our selves PLEASE dont be angury or sad we cant change what has happened to us but we can change what we do from now on and how we relate and behave so take heart help me also and join together as pals and try to live happy as we can I feel what you feel but I wont give in and get mad I will get even I will live my LIFE as normal as I can we all have a life still and lets live it.God Bless you LYNNE,MAL,& JOHN HANGER
To all sciatic pals I need you to help me I am begging you please pray for me I am in so much pain all I can do is sit here for now and let this pain do its course I cant even get up from the computer chair to get my meds as they are in the other room I think I sat to long in the one spot and I am on my own and I dont have anyone to help me. Bugger me wouldnt this ruin you day.Well if I stop crying enough I might be able to do something as typing kinda helps me keep my mind off a the pain ooooo God
I wrote a long email and the darned thing came back. I am copying it below as I think you may find some things in there which could be helpful. Mal, did you say your injury was the result of a work accident [business]. Do you have Workers Comp? I am still fighting mine after 19 years but I think this year I will get my pension and/or settlement. I’ve been on a government pension since 2003 and it is a pittance. But that isn’t why I am writing.
Carolyn, don’t sit there in pain. Create an ice pack of some kind and put it where it hurts. It will relieve the pain. Now, I’m going to copy the huge missive I wrote the other day.
Godbless you all during our new year.
Dear John,
It could be a pinched nerve. I had two pinched nerves in my neck at different times [both from stress at work]. The first time I was out of town visiting friends and had to lay on their living room floor for three days until I could move my head well enough to drive 125 miles to my chiropractor, who “popped” as you say, the pinched nerve in my neck. The next time I was at work and went directly to my chiropractor who fixed the pinched nerve immediately. I was sore for a couple of days but nothing like before he treated it or the first time I pinched it.
I have a chronic pinched nerve in my right hip. I generally have pains that go over my hip, into my butt, then down the outside of my leg to my knee, then down the outside of my calf and under my heel to my foot. I feel pain in different parts of the nerve at different times. I’ve had the pinched nerve since 1989 and it lead to peripheral neuropathy, which is a chronic pain condition.
I would advise you to lay on a carpet, so that both legs are elevated and on the couch or your bed, if you are taller than me [5’8″] the bed will work and there is more room for your calves and feet. The trick here is to remove all weight from your spine to allow the nerve to heal. You will be able to feel the relief when you have the right position. If you have an ice pack, frozen peas or anything like that, put it on the part of your hip that hurts. Lay there for 20 minutes with the cold pack. To get up, roll to one side [the side that doesn’t hurt] and keep yourself in the prenatal position to slowly get up. If you are alone you should make a hot pack [even a damp hand towel that you have heated with hot water, put in a plastic bag] and lay down in the same position and put the hot pack on your hip. Make sure you have a flat pillow or rolled up towel under your neck so that you don’t have any pressure on the nerves there. Lay there for another 20 minutes. You should feel some relief. If not, go with the ice pack again and leave it there a bit longer. Don’t leave the hot pack on your hip for too long as it will numb your hip and maybe take away some pain, but you might feel you can do more physically than you actually should. Treat yourself like a baby with the hot and cold packs and take Tylenol to help relieve the pain. The cold is the part that heals, but the heal is the part that relieves.
I remember the feeling of needing to have my hip popped and that is what my chiropractor would do when I went to see him. He also massaged the area in my hip and leg where the sciatic nerve is, which helped relieve the pain as well.
Good luck
Happy New Year everyone. I am holding back tears because of the pain you guys are suffering. For me, April 2nd would mark 2 years with Sciatica. But you know what, I have to keep praying for you all and myself that we will be healed one day, hopefully soon. Caroline, thank you for inviting us over to Australia to visit with you, but there are lots of reasons we cannot go. I really appreciate your offer. You are very kind and bless you and your family.
Mal, you are in right track with the stretches, posture and deep massages. Keep doing that and don’t give up. Just like Caroline said, you too are in my prayer list, as well as Jonn.
Lynne, I am so happy to hear that you have beat Cancer. More power to you Lynne and God bless you and your family.
I return to work on the 3rd, for I have been on break since 12-22-07. I work with preschoolers and I have to keep up with them. I am 50 years young(I have to keep telling myself that). I still have a ways to go to retire. God willing, I will be able to retire at the correct age and give me and my husband Larry many more years together. My husband has a TENS unit and I use it whenever I feel strong pains and I also use a heating pad for about 20 minutes. My husband uses an over the counter vitamin called Omega-3 Glucosamine. It is Advanced Joint Care. His Doctor recommended it for him. He has pain in his joints and this vitamin really helps him quite a bit.
Well, I have to go now, going to the dentist. All of you are in my prayers. Gob bless us all. Let us all be pain free.
Hello Everyone
Thank you all so very much for the wonderful advice you are giving Lynne I am so glad you said that about the ice pack as soon as I was able to move I thought and wondered it that is what I should do so I did it but I thought it mite be a silly idea it helped and it gave me something else to do and I also feel better about taking my meds and they help so very much Lynne you are an encouragement. I put a bi-carb soda pack on my hematonea every day for one hour .all I have to do is mix bi-carb together with water as a past and wrap it in a thin ar tail of an old shirt and tie it on or around the area where it is swollen for an hour and wa! la! That is the spot on my thigh when I fell on the concret I landed on my thigh and my bottom and damaged my pelvise and polverised my sciatic nerve and besides the meds this helps a bit and takes the swelling down the massarge doctor told me about it,.Margie it is great to hear from you again yes you are right darling prayers are what we have left to do for each other iI wish you well when you goback to work Margie,it is ao good to have you all to talk to each day I come on to see if there is enother friend on the site to prayer for and what prayers I have to say for my friends I have already. my friends I need you all in my life more than you will ever know as besides my beloved family I dont have anyone else so I have adopped you sciatic lovelys for my very own and thank you all for writing I feel this site is just for us there is a part of us all here, this site is where we share with one an other and pour our hearts out and we are free to do so when I read your letters it helps me not to cry every day all day as now my husband Les is back at work I am on my own so I will have an ice pack with me Lynne and prayers Margie and friendship from others and together we are a family as often as i can because the pain has no manners and lots of furery. I am going to my massage doctor on Tuesday night this always hurts first off but within a day or two it feels better and helps a lot this is the only thing that does help as well as the meds I still take morphine every day I dont know if I would even have any kind of life if it was not for the morphine.Thank God for it.I use the walking frame when I need it or walking stick but I keep myself busy enough to keep my mind busy from thinking of pain all day so my friends I bid you all a good day God Bless you all and your families love Caroline P>S> Where is Jeoff how are you Jeoff we have not forgotten you please writ to us and let as know how you are going bye now
Hi every 1 I cant not be angry cause I cant play with my 5yr old daugther cause she tends to get carried away and then cause me to be in pain again + she 2 stone and cant pick her up theres things that I cant do with my wife if you know what I mean,+ Im a hot blooded male that use to take his energy and
tention out on training and cant do that now where do I take it out on now how can I not be angry you say’ others have been through worse and you say look at that should make you think, it does not make you feel better cause there is people that are worse makes me feel worse not better and the pain is not so much cause I’ve learnt to deal with pain since I was A kid I have A very high pain threshold is having to fight with it every day for yrs it starts to drain you cause you can’t lead a normal life when you have it your ether short fused or fedup no energy + other things. and from how I was to now is a big differnce I’ve learn’t the tricks to calm it down or coverit up or just cool it,if there is any more please let me know would be handy but I dout it so if any 1 has some more tips and trisks please let us know and every 1 who has had it for many yrs share some other tips tricks sciatic friends ha ha ha ha dont forget the others who r still Suffering:) now looking for a cure there must be 1 cause if I was a 1/2million pound footballer they would have found the problem by now.
Hi MAL YES YES YES YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE ANGURY and every right to be fed up and sad you have had enough and that is how you feel.I tottaly agree with you Mal as I also cant be or do things with my husband either (you know what I mean) I cant walk some times I cant sleep some times and all I can do is lay in my bed and scream in pain pain pain and sometims all on my own, and I mess the bed and cant move so I stay in it all day until my husband come home from work and cleans me up .and feeds me a feed and gives me a drink and more meds as what he had left on the dresser as I reached over to grab it I knocked it over on the floor and I lay there with nothing to eat or eat all day but thats alright to as to loose my double chin and a kilo or two means I get to be better looking I am 55 years young and far beyound shame now so its just enother day now . yes yes yes yes I am mad also very very mad angury as HELL you said dont forget the others who are still suffering we have not forgotten them as we are them also I WE are all hurting. I would like to get the doctor who said there is nothing we can do for you Caroline almost two years ago and sent me to suffer for the rest of my life, but I tricked the bloody lot of them I started to train in counselling and became a counsellor and I am training to be a N.L.P. Practitioner and I only did 3rd class at school as I am from the country where things were tough and an auphonage was the best and safest place to be as a child with my back ground.and I have tought myslef to sew hand towles and knit phonr caddies and some times I sell them and get a few quid for my trouble we are looking for treatment from every where and every one for a cure but nothing no not a thing that we can say I AM CURED NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING YET..and my husband has to get another job just to pay for everything Drs and meds etc. he gets up at 4.a.m. in the morning he goes to one job and comes home at 8.a.m. and showers and off to the other job by 8.30 to 9. a.m. and comes home at 6.30.p.m.PLEASE PLEASE MAL try not be so angury you still have your daughter with you to hug and hold and LOVE and mine is with Jesus.your wife she must be wonderful for her to love you and as you are still the man she married YES YOU ARE MAL only things are a little slower today than before (there is more than one way to skin a cat)Mal I feel like you do but I have to survive and cope with what I have I was thinking maybe you can start to train in something you are able and you like to do,or learn something new something differant. what ever you like to do any thing in sports or do a computer course and be a trainer of some kind of teaching others where the can come to your home and learn what you have to teach something even after school studies to teach kids that are a little slow at school in class you would be helping lots of people and making a differents to many and make some money.There must be something for you maths spelling english anything wont you try it makes me very sad for you as you are so much in pain I am trying to stop crying as I type this letter to you please dont be sad Mal I will worrie for you . Mal I have to take my meds now sitting here so long hurts like hell so I will be going to rest as I am not able to walk to far today so dont give up or give in. I send a Biiiggg Huuuuggg to you your little daughter and your wonderful wife God Bless you all love Caroline I am in so much pain I stayed to long on here Lynne I have my ice pack and Margie I have your prayers bye bye
If you knew me you would not be telling me to learn something at home and accept it what you are telling me is to lay down and die in my eye’s never I say never.
sorry caroline to me im such an out going and mobile person I would never do that I would rather………………………………………………. put 1 in my head before I say die by accepting it like the way u described it to me and you cant do any counseling to me so please dont try I’m happy to just talk to u or people that have gone down the same pain threshold as me cause it means u can understand better than any 1 else thats got a pair of ears. Every day I I’m constantly looking for a knew way if i have to I will visit the most deiscrete doctors in china japan and any other country that has accient history of healing just because we haven’t found them doesn’t mean they are’nt out there the chinese and a few others have medicin that has alonger history than western medicine where the westernised way has more closed doors but the old indian or chinese,japanese + others have more optional doors for medicine its just finding them caroline
Like today for instance I was told if you have goswellia plant,tumeric,ginger + devils claw that it would cure me I still dont believe it but I got them any way to try you see im the cat looking for the cure?
ha ha…………………
any way I had pain in the morning and then I bought them and I took them and couple of hrs later noticed i did not have any pain I thought strange and then I went home trying the things that normaly make the nerve inflame and pinches and my hated friend turns up he is called pain any way after taking those items it did not come back again so still not sure it feels tender but not sure I’ve probably stubled on something that is going to give me faulse hope again but try an error is the only way you stumble on your cure remember what might work for me might not work for you. Any way if it does cure me I will defantly let you guys and girls know. dont forget “what dont kill you, will make you stronger”, “Oh “pain is only weakness leaving your body” ha..ha..ha………………………………..
I belive very strongly with those two sayings.:) So caroline you have learnt knew ways to adapt that way but I’m not ready yet for that but you sound bad and realy my heart goes out to you caroline Im strong while I can still walk but once i cant thats where I weaken caroline.hope u dont go any where your good to talk to it helps any 1 who has or had sciatica for a long time cause its a change from talking to people that has not had it or have it they dont understand do they caroline. Hope god bless you with a miracle!
Hello Mal
Nice to hear from you again I am glad you are here. Sorry you miss understand what I said I am not counselling you nor have I ever said LAY down and die because that is not who you are.I was just trying to give a pal a kind hand, and a kind word,or somethind to go on. let you know I was worried for you and my heart goes out to you and I know what you are suffering to a point.and just answering your letter as I read it.OOOO bugger me I bunged up I opened my mouth to change feet yaaakk please Mal read my last letter again and when you do you will find it is mostly about how I cope.what ever you do never except life as it is, to me Mal you are strong in many different way I think you are a soft and gentle man and I bet you are a big kid at heart and I like to talk to you also you are good value you sound hash at times but maybe that is good for you to servive you should hear me sometimes I sound like a fog horn. wooow So be gentle with me darling I mean well. God Bless bye foe now xx
Mal sorry for my spelling I ment to say God Bless bye for nowxx
hey caroline I’ve been like this cause this is my character from young age and it just got worse as I got older as in more militant.”what to do what to do!
caroline it seem’d you was in your message but if you was’nt sorry but thats how it was put out never mind.
How was your day today caroline
mine not so good cause in morning had shower and a leak in my kitchen came out of know where so whent out come home having to rip the kitchen cealing down to get to the problem.
guess what my friend came to help but made things harder for me his name was pain hahaha……………………………..
pain wanted to realy make me notice that he was there the little devil doesn’t
want to be forgot’n wants to be around for ever ever & ever R Men hahaha…………….
the devil will always hang on r back,hips and legs hey caroline its a pain but we got to live with it as god has not found us a ever lasting pain relief.
just helps us bare with it so its apart of us for god ooops for good.
Mal, I personally believe in herbs and roots. I appreciate you keeping us up to date on your progress . I come from a Catholic background and I believe in blessed oils. I have been using olive oil that has been blessed. I was using it when my pain was terrible. I was also using a TENS unit, then a heating pad for about 20 minutes. I am hoping that all of the above has been working for me. my pain is very low right now. I have to be careful on how I shift in bed or get myself out of bed. I need to lose about 20 pounds, but it is hard. I will try with this new year to eat less (wish me luck). I am very scared of exercising for the reason of injuring myself again. What messed up my spine was that I was helping my daughter move out of her apartment by carryng heavy boxes down a flight of stairs.
Caroline, we are here for you. You are not alone. We all know our problems and I think we need to make some changes for our well being. I will pray for everyone. God bless us all and let us be pain free.
Hi Mal
what a bummer of a day you are having
yes my friend life is here to test us and put us is a place we dont always want to be in but we will make it through I pray we wil God Bless you and your family Mal. Hi Margie thank you my darling for being there for me I love you I have to go away for a little time and I will be back in a few days pray for me my friends I will see you all soon love Caroline
Try: http://www.egoscue.com for the fix.
Tom, it works.
Hi Tom,
Welcome to this sight. I am going to try out this method of exercise. Hopefully others will try it out as well. I will use the back pain exercise. Wish me luck.
Take care everyone and God bless.
Hello hello My Darlings
Hello Margie,and your husband. Hello Mal,and your wife and beautiful daughter, I hope you are all well I have missed you all my pals. Well have I got some news for you all. Well Its like this you see. I have had a set back I fell down stairs and landed on my butt (just as well I have lots of fat to cousin the landing) I wasnt able to do much so Les went to Sydney to pick up my Father so that he could come to my house to be with me for a week or so, he was with me for two days as we were sitting talking to eachother in the lounge room he felt a pain in his temple on the left side of his head and pain down his arm I could see dad going white and grabbing his arm as he was having a stroke just like that, and he has been in hospital for seven days now and I go to visit him every day and stay for a few hours and talk to him and let him know he is not alone and I love to visit him.Please pray for him my friends Thank you He is getting better as he is starting to complain about the food and boy is it bad YAK! This is good news He said he would like some home cooked food so I cook and take him his food and this little thing makes him happier this gives me something to do also. Dad is getting better and he has the best doctors taking care of him.Dad wants to go home I dont blame him theres no place like home. I keep praying for him and he is doing o.k. I have had one of my sisters visit me after twenty years of not seeing each other we had a wonderful time together while she stayed at my place for a week we were like little girls again catching up on all the news we missed out on for so long.Guess what I am going to have a course of quaterzone patches five in all within five weeks and this should help take alot of the pain away,so I can do more,but now I am able to walk more each day and I CAN DRESS MYSELF and I dont have to take so many tablets (pain killers)all the time as I am only taking half of the jolly things OOOOOOOI feel good all is going well for me at this time in my life sometimes I can walk to the toilet and back without any help and I go with les shopping with the walking frame and I can go alone to the conter and pay for my goodies as long as I have my walking frame I am becoming super woman yeeeerrr but Les puts the things into the trolly as I cant do that yet but I am so happy I can do a lot more things by myself now GUESS what I sweept the floor and I ironed five shirts all by myself Les puts the ironing board up and down for me isnt this wonderful I can do a lot more look out world here I come.Well this is enough of my nattering I am sending my love to you all God Bless you Love from Carolinexxx Happy Days to you every bodyxx
Hello Everyone
I hope you are all well and life is good to you and all your family
I am sending a BIG HUUUUGGGG to one and all I do hope every one is in good spirits and life is not to big a struggle. My father has had enother stroke he was in hospital for two and a half weeks he had the stroke while he was down visiting me to take care of me for a few days but we got him to the hospital on time thank God and now he is home in Sydney with hospital staff taking care of his every need as he does not want to be here in Canberra it is to cold for him.I ring him every day to make sure he is alright and if he does not answer the phone than I ring the police to go over to his house to check up on him and make sure alls well. I am still the same but I am starting to go to another doctor as well as the one I am with for physiotheropy on the Hematoma (that is a big hard lump that has formed because of the damage to the bones in the thigh it is the size of a cricket ball on my thigh from the fall I had one year and a seven months ago )and another doctor workes on my soft tissue around that part of the body. In the hope it will help me walk longer than ten minutes at a time, so heres hoping well God Bless you all bye for now Love Caroline xxx
Hello everyone, I hope you all are doing well. I have been working and going to a class about child development. I am hoping to get a certificate by May of this year. It is required for my line of work. My homework has to be typed, so I have been avoiding typing anymore than I have to. Caroline, I am sorry about your Father. I pray that he will be well. I’ll be praying for you as well and all our sciatic friends. My pain is minimal as long as I don’t sit too long, stand or walk too long. If I happen to overdo any of these activities the back of my legs will start to burn. Working with preschool children is physically demanding. I am able to lean against something when we are at outdoor play. Inside the classroom, I get to sit at a table and stand for short periods of time. Only God knows why some of us have minimal pain while others have excruciating pain. I have had both. The last time I was in such excruciating pain was on November 16, 2007. That lasted about a month. I was very frightened. Prayer, a heating pad, using a TENS unit and a blessed oil helped me tremendously. I will always be in fear of having the horric pain come back. I try to avoid a set back. Only God knows when he will want me healed, but in the mean time, I think I will try to help him along for me to get better.
I hope it’s not too late to wish everyone a Happy Valentines Day.
God bless us all.
Hello Margie
I am praying for you and your husband, for God to Bless you both, and may he keep you as well as he can for you both to stay well enough to have some kind of life for now and a long time to come. my love to you both. keep on holding onto the faith you have as there is not much else for us, but God is the answer to all our troubles and our pain in todays life. I can tell you this Margie without Him we are nothing and have nothing but we are alive with Him, we still have hope so together we are strong for one enother we are here to carry on in hope and faith so we try to be what we can be to stay in one peice mind body and soul,to make sure we dont fall down to emptyness.Hopefully we come to understand what is our strongest points to keep us free of sorrow and well enough to push forward in every day life with our pain at the back of us and not in the front of all our thoughts so we will and can be strong today and all the tomorrows yet to come. God Bless you always Margie and God Bless all our sciatic Pals Love Caroline. xxxxx
Hello everyone,
I am doing okay. No major complaints on my sciatica. I just have to be careful and not overdo any strenuos activities. I am lucky in the fact that my co-workers know about my condition and they won’t let me pick up anything heavy. My grandbaby is in the hospital with a staff infection, hopefully she will be out soon. I feel badly for her, she had surgery this afternoon. I felt helpless seeing her at the hospital. I love her so very much.
My husband had an MRI done on his hip a few days ago. We are waiting for his results, he may need a hip replacement. I pray that all goes well for him, because he has been through so much. He contacted Polio at infancy and has had many surgeries.
Caroline, I believe in prayer very much, even when things start going wrong. I feel great when everything is going smoothly, but when things start to go wrong I feel a little depressed. My husband is my rock. I don’t know what I would do without him. He is my best friend and better half.
Caroline, God bless you and Les. May you have many wonderful years together. You had mentioned getting treatments, I hope they were very helpful to you.
May God hear all of my sciatic friends prayers.
Hello Margie
Good to hear from you again,hopping to find you and your husband are both well and safe in Gods wonderful hands.we have been praying for your grandchild may God keep her safe and healthy.We are also praying for you and your husband for a full recovery.I am sending you a BBIIIIIGGGG HUUUUUGGGG GOD BLESS YOU BOTHXXXXX
I am not long home from my sciatic nerve specialist,who has been treating the right side of my body (the sciatic nerve and hemeatoma area), I have had the last of five guaterzone patch treatments and in around ten days things should start becoming less painful and be much better for me to live a somewhat normal life..As for now I am off to rest as I am tired and not able to walk any more so bye for now Sending my love to all God Bless Take care Margie hugs and kisses to you my friend xx
Hi there I sent the last letter from Caroline
I thank my lucky stars I live in Australia when it comes to ones, health.Mind you the doctors dont always get it right.
Seven and half years ago I started to get a terrible pain in my lower back.Then my left leg went ,I could not walk on it had to drag it,went to doctors he passed me on to 2 different speclist.I had 2 MRI 1st one out of my own pocket $500.00 7years ago lot of money.Lots of doctors visits over the years Physio,acqupuncher and so onco st? plenty at least I was in a medical insurance fund this helped plus the govenment contribution.
2 and 6 months ago I was in Hawaii god my back finaly went I was inscreaming pain,to go to a us doctor was money scary.I had made friends with a local what he told me scared me if you had no money for medical treatment.
Well cut a long story short I flew home in agony,went straight into hospital they could not find anything just gave me strong pain killers for 24 hours,went back to my local clinic,the regular doctor was not there saw an older indian doctor who was semi retired,god bless him he sent me to see a vasscular surgeon,the head man no less of a big hospital in western Sydney.He knew i was sick and rushed me through the test,then told me I would not see christmas,he had 1 bed before christmas did I want it.Didnt have to think took my chances.
10 hours on the table brand new main archery from the heart to both legs.Its called an triple AAA.
It saved my life gave me back the joy of walking running,swimming at the age of 60.
Now why I thank god it happend in Australia.The whole operation plus hospital cost me nothing.My $100 a month and the Australian welfare covered the cost.I do just a regular job but our system allows us to help our selfs if we have that little extra money,if not the welfare will.
If Iwas not Insured I would have to have taken my chances by going public and would share a ward with plenty of others and not have any choice in what doctor I would have.O yea I had my own room like a motel little bath room and toilet.The nursing staff where the best I cant priase them enough,they came from all corners of the globe to live and learn they deserve every penny they are paid.
My feelings go towards though the people who suffer pain and can not get professinal help.
Hello all,
Hi there Caroline, thank you for your prayers, they are very much appreciated. My grandbaby is doing very well, thank God. She is very beautiful and very much loved. I too pray for you, Caroline and your husband Les. May God grant him the power to take care of you. I wish for the treatments that you are recieving work for you. We need all the help we can get. I am doing okay, my sciatica is still with me, I know this because my left leg will burn when I am standing or walking too much.
My husband on the other hand broke his right ankle on March 10, 2008. I was at work and he was outside trying to clean our bar-b-que pit. Due to his Polio he can lose his balance very easily. We were having a northern coming in that afternoon with very high gusty winds. He loves weather like that, so where was he? Outside! Still upsets me. Luckily the neighbor across the street was able to see him and drag him into our home. I was called at work and I went home. He was looking sheepishly because he knew I would be upset. I called an ambulance and he was taken to the E.R. and they put a temporary cast on his foot. Because of his changes in his insurance (Medicaide) the doctors office is still looking for provider that will take his insurance. He is being a trooper, but he can only take so much pain. He tries not to take too many pain pills, ’cause he doesn’t want to become dependent on them.
Luckily, I will off on spring break all this coming week. March 17 thru March 24. We are hoping to have an appointment set up for him early this week. We still don’t know if he will need surgery or have a cast on his foot.
Michael, I am very happy for you. Your right about the U.S.A., here you can die without insurance. Our goverment is money hungry, they are only looking out for themselves. We are praying for a president that will make changes for the better. I hear Australia, England and Canada are countries that have National Health care. I only wish we had the same. God bless you Michael and keep writing, we would love to hear from you.
Caroline and our sciatic friends, may you all have a Happy Easter Sunday. God bless us all. My husband and I are going to be okay. I can feel it.
Hello Margie God Bless you darling and may God keep you both safe and well for allways wwwooooowww are you both ever having a time of it this year so far but darling I am praying for you both and you are also on our prayer list at church.Darling I am so so sorry to hear of the bad news in your lives. My friend knowing you and believing in you margie you WILL find the strength to go on together, and you will always be there for each other, and hold true to your love and survive to the point where you will be a testimony not only to yourselves but to those who know you and to those who hear about you so you will touch the lives of so many people because of who you are and what you do in the hard times you are a powerful person because of the love and your grace within your very soul you have learnt to turn scars into stars and you are a Blessing To Les and me, Margie God Bless you both and have a Happy Easter and May every one HAVE A HAPPY EASTER.My friend you will both be O.K. sending many prayers and blessings Love from Caroline xxxx
Hello Michael Thank God you live here in good ol Australia you are so right the doctors dont always get it right but alas we are so blessed here in our beautiful country Michael you sound like a very greatful and warm loving person I am glad you are here with us. I wish you all the best and be safe and take care of yourself Michael God Bless you and have a Happy Easter kind regards Carolinexxxx
Hello all,
Caroline, thank you very much for your thoughts and prayers. My husband is now sporting a cast on his foot. He will be taken to the doctor by our daughter next week. The doctor he is seeing is an hour away. I go back to work on the 25th of March. The doctor will open the cast to see if the swelling has gone down. I surely hope so. If his break does not shift, Larry will be avoiding surgery.
Our other daughter is coming for a visit during Easter weekend. She lives three hours away. If Larry is able to lower his foot down without any pain, than he is good to go on an outing this Saturday. We are all praying he will be able to go. He will be on his wheelchair of course. Well, God bless you all. Have a great Easter everyone.
Hello Margie and Larry,& all your family,
I am praying for your Larry to be blessed with healing and all will go well with you both.I hope you all have a great time with your family together on the weekend I wish you all a VERY HAPPY EASTER AND ALL BE SAFE.I pray God gives you all a heathly appetite and good health to enjoy the Easter feast as you all dine together with love peace and joy in your hearts.God Bless all Love from Les and Carolinexxx
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL MY SCIATIC PALS GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND YOUR FAMILY.LOVE AND KIND REGARDS CAROLINEXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
gO TO pETE eGOSCUE (pAIN fREE) FOR ALL YOUR AILMENTS.
guys, I have a quetion. My friends daughter was doing some pranayam and has thereby hurt her left temple nerves, as the doctors now say. Does any one of you know some one else whom also happend so? It might be helpful for the girl to know what to do and whom to consult in this regard. Thanks in advance for your time and efforts…
best, rp
Hello all,
Nameless one, I looked up the word Pranayama and it is a yoga technique used for breathing. It can be helpful for chronic pain. My understanding is that pranayama should be done with slow breathing exercises and not done forcefully. Your friend’s daughter may have unintentially hurt herself. I hope by now she is doing better. If I were to do an exercise that I wasn’t familiar with, I would seek a trained professional to help me get started. I think it would be the safest way start.
I personally have to be careful in how I exercise because I don’t want to bring back the pain in my spine. The burning in the back of my left leg reminds me if I am standing too long, sitting too long or walking too long. Here in my home town, I can’t even go the the track to walk, so I walk in place here in my room, that way I can stop before the burning on my leg starts to hurt.
Sciatic pals, I hope you all are doing well.
Caroline, I hope you and Les are okay. You and the rest of our sciatic pals are in my prayers. My husband is doing much better with his broken ankle. We are hoping his cast will be taken off next week.
Sending good thoughts to all of you. God bless you all.
Hello Margie nice to hear from you again I have been praying for you and Larry I thank God for what He does in our lives. I have some good news and bad news I am going much better I can walk on my own I can do almost anything I want to I can not go out to work at this point in time the bad news is that some of the meds I was taking has dried my mouth out so much that in my sleep my toung has stuck to my gums and pulled them away from my teeth and rotted unerneath my crowns at the back I didnot even know that this could even happen let alone that it had happen to me. well I will say this I so happy I am able to walk on my own I still take my pain killers buy not as much … Dear nameless one Margie is right I wish you and your friends daughter all the very best and God Bless you Kind regards Caroline My Margie Hugs and Kisses God Bless You and your family love Caroline xxxxooooxoxoxoxoxoxoo
Hi everyone,
Caroline, I am very happy to hear about you being able to walk better. Keep up the good work. I am rooting for you.
Caroline, do you suppose your Dentist could provide you with a mouth guard?
My husband uses one at night so he doesn’t grind his teeth. Maybe this will help your tongue from getting stuck on your teeth. I hope you are able to find a solution that works for you.
I can’t wait for my husband’s cast to come off. Larry having polio does not prevent him from doing the things he wants to do. He usually helps me lift his wheelchiar in or out of our van, but with his cast on his foot, I’m having to do it by myself. I think God is helping me lift his wheelchair cause my spine is okay.
Well, good luck to all and God bless.
Caroline, keep me informed on your progress. I pray it is all good. God bless you and Les. Bye for now my friend.
Hi everyone,
Well, Larry’s foot cast is off. Thank God. He still has to take it easy for a while. He still has another appointment on the 20th, of May with the Orthopedic Specialist.
I am doing fine, just taking care not to over do on heavy lifting. It sometimes is a little impossible not to.
My eye sight has changed. I know I need a new presciption for eye glasses. I already made an apppointment for the middle of July. Thats when my insurance will cover the expence.
You all are in my prayers.
Take care and God bless.
For all you women who are moms, Happy Mother’s Day!
Hello Margie It is good to hear Larry is doing so well and the cask is off at last.it seems one thing at a time these days and slowly does it You will be a new women when you get your new reading glasses.Did you have a GOOD Mothers Day Margie? I had a wonderful Day our two boys came over for lunch and they gave me lots of lovely gifts and stayed all day it was very nice, as I dont get to see the m very much they are so busy with their jobs and their lives so I am very happy when they do come to visit.Les and i are off to a little country town called Bathurst for a famile reunion on the week end Saturday so I hope it will be good weather on that day.Margie I went to my specialist today and he is very happy about how I am healing and getting better but it may take about another year or so until all is compleatly well but for now I am doing fine I can walk about 15 minutes on my own without my frame or stick and I am dressing showering without any help as well so I am very proud I can do all these things on my own I have come a long way from two years ago, my gums are getting better also it is that all is going well with Les and me I am so happy thank you for your prayers as they realy do work please dont ever stop Margie no never thank you again
God Bless you and your family my prayers go with you all Kinds regards love from Les and Carolineoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Hello Caroline,
It’s been a while since I wrote. I am happy to hear that you are progessing in your healing. I pray that you continue to to get well. I wish for you and Les to have many wonderful years together. Thats what I’m hoping for Larry and I. I know that you and I are blessed in having a loving family.
On May 28, 2008, my mother gave my family a big scare, I had to leave work to take her to the emergency hospital. After having some tests done on her, the results was that she had gall stones. The surgery to remove the gall bladder was done on the 29th. She was able to come home on June 4. I have been busy looking after her, after work and also looking after my husband. Luckily she has a home health provider that takes care of her in the mornings.
I thank God that even though she is 83 years young, she is a strong lady. She has always been independent.
Caroline, I will not be able to write for a good while, due to the fact that my time is limited.
I will be doing extra chores for my Mom.
I am really scared of having pain back on my spine. I had to sleep on a recliner at the hospital and it was very uncomfortable. I have been getting Charlie horse on both my calves since since sleeping on that recliner. Luckily I know how to relax my legs to get the tension out.
I will be praying for you Caroline as well as our sciatic friends.
God bless you all. Till next time.
Bye.
Good Morning My Darling Margie thank you for writing. You made my day, a very very happy one. I have had a set back due to a fall,because a woman pushed me over trying to get past in a hurry to get to her home. I damaged the nerve in my bottom and down my leg again this has put me back to about 6to8 months but never mind I`ll be alright again soon, I am so sorry to hear of the sadness in your life I pray all things will come good for the better soon I wish you God`sBlessings
Margie I will wait for a friendship letter when you are free and settled again to write one until then My Dear Friend God Blessy you Larry Your Mum and Your wonderful Family. Margie you are right we are very blessed to have our Husbands and they are also Blessed to have us, no matter what is going on with us in our lives and most of all we all belive in and we all have God. Until we speak again Darling sending many Hugs and kisses and many many Blessing to you all Love from Les and carolineoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoo—–
Always remember each other in our prayers NEVER FORGET NEVER EVER
Well I have had the prob for 2 yrs now… Its better then the first time it started to hurt, but the pain is still there… Im a Dental assistant and it hurts so much at the end of the day which makes me too tired to do anything after work…. So I have gained lot of waight which sucks… Any ways I went back to a different Dr. Where I work and he stated that I should go get a massage, so it can loosen up my hamstrings since its tight and do some streches so it can get loose… So I went and got a good massage, which is kinda better but i have to go a few more times … My practice manager stated that she had teh same prob when she was preg. and she got a massage which worked… Also try anti inflamitory pills which works gr8 and some yoga for the strech…
Hello Fabie
Hello Darling Nice to hear from you. Sorry to hear that you have not been well.Wow what a wonderful job you have. It sounds like you are on the right track, it is so true about the massages and anti inflammatory pills I have been on them for a while now and they have made a different s to my damaged joints.I am not able to do stretches or exercise as this irritates the nerve and tissues around that area so I to have put on a few kilos about 10, and this hurts me more so I am on a diet now I started one myself so wish me luck. I also go to a Sports Physician who is also a specialist in the field of sciatic nerves. I have cuter zone treatments in the form of patches and injections it all helps. I go to a soft tissues therapist every week for a massage on the Hematoma and damaged sciatic nerve and muscles tissues and what ever else I damaged in the fall it has helped me to walk again and to be able to be more self independent NOT COMPLETELY but we are all working together for the day of the mi racial when I will be 100% but it all takes time after all I did a lot of damage when I fell over. (I wish I was drunk as it would not have hurt so much I would of just rolled over hahahahah) Well anyway Darling I will pray for you and sending you Hugs God Bless You Love from Caroline P.S. I was not able to go on this site for so long as I have not been well, I have had a little surgery and now I am on the mend bye for now
P.S. Fabie where are you from
I feel for you because I had battled having the same nerve damaged except the right leg. You know sciatic (??) for five years I had no insurance and tried to grin and bear it. Well unfortanetly nerves can not be repaired it to bad. A pinch will go away. So if it is still there it is worse than you think. I have to go to a pain clinic and yes get hydrocodone. Although this is what will help with out dulling it. Get one of those little machines that have the sticky things that you put on the back it sends electrical waves to the nerve. It will exercise the nerve without you doing the work and hurting it worse. I had this machine and it took batteries. I used this a couple times a day for a few weeks and then would feel better. I also had a cough that was caused from the damaged nerve and this machine stopped that also. Even if you feel better know I would look into it because you never know if it will come back. Also this machine is good for exerciseing the nerves to prevent this from reoccurring. Good luck to you and believe me I feel your pain.
Shannon
Hello it is 2010 I am still undergoing treatment for my injured body but I am getting better I could not walk,bath,stand,dress,get in or out of bed with out help every where I wanted to go I crawled,& draged my body along the floor,I could do nothing on my own,,I walked with walking frame,or walking stick.I was on very high doeses on medication,now I can walk everywhere by myself.I can do most everything by myself now sometimes I I need help but I am having treatment every two weeks,at times I have 26 injections,all down my right side they help a lot I take alot of meds for the nerve & a few other things but I am comming along nicely I thank God for my recovery i have a long way to go so every day is a day closer for my compleat recovery I have started to laugh a lot moore except my fait,dea; with it,(not easy) I pray & hope everyone gets better God Bless all kind regards Caroline 🙂
I’ve had sciatica and lower back pain over the years. While in an episode, ice the back 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
Find a comfortable position, preferably lying back (don’t sit up). Use extra strength Tylenol or ibuprofen or use them both, staggering the time. Get a muscle relaxer from your doc.
Get up and walk around every 20 minutes. Do some light stretching. Google stretches for sciatica and lower back. Do these gently.
Try to pinpoint where the pain is originating from and apply (or have someone else) acu-pressure.
When the episode is over, work on strengthening your back and abs. Google exercises for both. You can even go to youtube and find videos of exercises and stretches.
I don’t believe in chiropractics unless you truly have a spinal alignment problem and even then, know that chiropractics won’t help if your muscles can’t hold the adjustment.
Better to invest your money in acupuncture or massage. Everyone over 40 needs to work on their strength and flexibility.
Good luck!