Sciatic nerve problems?

Question

I'm having really bad back problems at the minute and have been since 8 weeks pregnant (now 11 weeks), its the sciatic nerve, not just normal back pain. I know I havent done any lifting or straining to cause a back injury leading to sciatica. I read somewhere that it is possible for women to experience this as the uterus expands, if it puts pressure in the wrong area. But can it really be this at such an early stage?
Has anyone else had this, how did you deal with it?
I asked my doctor and all he could suggest was to find a chiropractor (sp?) but what will they be able to do if it is the uterus putting pressure on the nerve?

Any advice is welcome as I'm, in a lot of pain and still have to struggle on with work etc etc
FYI... I've tried using heat to ease it and the only pain killer I can have (paracetamol) doesnt do anything to help!!!

Thanks

Answer 1

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Yes, you can really be having back pain now because of your uterus expanding. The baby growing in there is completely throwing your body out of whack. I also had back pain early on in my pregnancy and, I hate to tell you this, but it only got worse as time went on. My problem was my sacral nerve and sacroiliac joint.

I agree with your doctor - try a chiropractor. I went to a chiropractor and a massage therapist while I was pregnant. The chiropractor helped much more and for a longer period of time. The massage therapist helped some, but I only felt better for a day or so before the pain was back. Also, a massage takes much longer than a chiropractic manipulation. I was able to run to my chiropractor's office during my lunch break to get adjusted. With a massage, I was only able to schedule that in the evenings or on the weekends.

Just be prepared to have to go in for several manipulations at first if you choose to go to a chiropractor. I think I had to go at least 6 or 7 times at first over the course of 2 weeks, and then I just went as needed after that. It made a HUGE difference. Before I went, I was having severe pain even walking because it hurt my back so bad with every step I took During pregnancy, your body produces relaxin to loosen your joints to prepare your body for child birth. During labor and after pregnancy, your body produces oxytocin, which causes you to have contractions and does the opposite of relaxin and helps tighten everything back up. Both of these hormones can cause you to have problems in your joints, especially your back. It may be helpful to go back to the chiropractor 6-8 weeks after your baby is born to have some more adjustments as your body is - I did.

At least give the chiropractor a try – just make sure that the one you go to knows you are pregnant and is familiar with working on pregnant women. At first, it may not seem like it is helping much, but after a few adjustments you should really start to feel better. I think after my first two appointments I was actually in a little more pain, which my chiropractor said was normal because he was just starting to loosen things up because my back was "really jammed up." By my 3rd or 4th appointment I was really starting to feel some relief though.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

How sure are you that it is your sciatic? Most sciatic pain starts in your bum and then shoots down your leg. Even then if you are having pain in your bum it still may not be your sciatic. It may be the softening of your pelvis, which is really quite painful and will only get worse. If it is softening of your pelvis you can also sometimes feel a grinding of the bones. You seem a bit early for it being your pelvis, and the baby is not yet big enough to be pushing on any nerves.
As for pain relief try to keep yourself as quiet as possible, sit when you can, and take Tylenol for the pain, but it may just be something that you have to live with for the duration of your pregnancy.

Answer 4

I feel your pain. I had sciatica before I got pregnant & now its a trillion times worse. My right goes numb so I usually lay on my left to get him to move over. But, I know you can't lay all the time & I have yet to find something I can do. If you lean forward and place your hands on the wall & stick your butt straight out then kinda walk down the wall with your hands it makes my baby move and he seems to stay off it for a little while but my OB says there really isn't anything they can do . I bought some BioFreeze Muscle Rub & it gets warm and it like confuses the nerves and I get a little relief, my Ob Says it is safe. & you should be able to find it at your local pharmacies. Walmart & them don't carry it. However, I would def. give them a call & see what yours say because I know how hard it is to take care of other people with this problem. I hope they can help you!

Answer 5

It happened to me but later in pregnancy. The only thing that worked for me was going to the chiropractor. I could barely walk and after a few times I was so much better.

Answer 6

Try the chiropractor or a massage therapist (especially a MT who does cranial sacral therapy).

Keep in mind that when the chiro adjust you, he is getting your nervous system in order when he aligns your spine. Subluxations of the spine can effect your nervous system.

You can also try doing pelvic rocking or sitting on a birth ball/exercise ball.

Answer 7

MANY pregnant women get that but I think it usually happens later when the baby gets bigger.