Any tips for siatica?

Question

My dad has severe siatica and has had it for about 8 weeks. Its really painful at times in his left leg. Sometimes he has good days and sometimes bad days. Hes taking co - codamol and the odd diazipan (have I spelt that correctly?!!) when its at its most painful.

Answer 1

I sympathise with him,my GP gave me co-codamol and Ibroprofen to be taken every 4 hours alternatively but if its thats bad tell him to ask his GP for tramadol.

Answer 2

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Normally, I would not answer a question like this as my expertise is generally in medication but I had severe sciatica while I was pregnant with my 3rd child (after having had twins) and I had sciatica so bad that I was finding it difficult to walk. I tried massage therapy and physical therapy and could not take medication
I went to the chiropractor and the pain was instantly relieved. My hips and lower back were out of alignment because I had carried twins the year before. On occasion a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) can also work but they usually only work on one joint at a time - the chiropractor will do your whole back which works faster. Anyone who does not believe in chiropractors will tell you they are quacks - don't listen.
I don't necessarily believe that chiropractors can cure things like diabetes but they can definitely relieve some types of back pain especially if a pinched nerve is involved which is usually the cause of sciatica.

Answer 3

I know what he is going through. I had severe back pain and sciatica for years.

I assume he will be set up for further tests.

In the meantime...I must share the miracle that worked for me. I was facing surgery...but was able to heal my back except for occasional flare-ups.

2 books changed my life:

Healing Back Pain...The Mind/Body Prescription by Dr. John Sarno.

Healing Back Pain Naturally by Dr. Art Brownstein

These 2 books take a completely different take on how to heal from this disabling pain.

Walking is vital. Even though it feels impossible....it is extremely important...but must start in small increments like a few minutes at a time.

Please...I speak from experience and read a ton of books, spent years off/on Morphine and Demerol...and when I found those books...I got better. I have had a few flare-ups which required short term Demerol...or 800mgs.Advil...this to me...is a miracle.

Also alternate between heat and ice but for short periods.

Acupuncture is awesome too.

The medication he is on is good. Really...anything to alleviate the pain. Pain pill addiction is very scary...so I am sure he will be monitored for that.

Good luck to him!!!

Answer 4

i have very severe siatica and have to have 2 discs removed shortly due to it at the mo ment i am on a new tablet called gobapentilin 300mg witch is a nerve relasent in sted of the diazipam witch is a muscle relacent then just to top that off im or mophine 4 times a day the best way of dealing with the pain i have found because its still bad even with all these things is to try and stay as active as i can because if you stay still then if the bones are putting pressure on the nerve due to the way yopu are sitting it can take twice as long for the pain to subdue i hope this is some help and tell him to ask for the gobopentilin asap

Answer 5

really hot shower as hot as he can stand it on the lower back and just gently wiggle your hips whilst under the heat (don't bath) there are back exercises too where you lay on your back raise right knee up towards left shoulder and repeat on other side. This may help to loosen the nerve. Another good thing is a hot water bottle on the area. It should make him more comfy. I don't recommend bed rest cos that'll just seize the back up. Gentle walking around is the best thing I've found. I had the same pain and I sympathise alot. The only pain killer which worked for me was called tylex.

Answer 6

It's a tough problem! Has he tried topical pain creams? Capzacin-HP is the best, I've found. I know because I have chronic sciatic nerve pain from a sports injury. Rather than narcotic drugs, have him ask his doctor about Neurontin or tricyclic medications for chronic pain. They aren't addicting, have less side effects, and work quite well. I've had good luck with Neurontin. The pain never totally goes away, but it makes it manageable and I can go about my life pretty normally.
Tell you dad good luck! I know where he's coming from.

Answer 7

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RE:
Any tips for siatica?
My dad has severe siatica and has had it for about 8 weeks. Its really painful at times in his left leg. Sometimes he has good days and sometimes bad days. Hes taking co - codamol and the odd diazipan (have I spelt that correctly?!!) when its at its most painful.

Answer 8

Got sciatica myself, had it now for 7mnths or so, very painful,spent fortunes on treatment to no avail, on a painkiller called voltorol which helps to a certain degree, now considering acupuncture cos I am that desperate, also fed up with people telling me "it will go as quick as it came" been fit all my life (49) and its making my life a misery, will let you know if any joy with acupuncture, in pain now, I really know wheres hes comin from, not nice, regards;

Answer 9

To help ease the pain, ice pack or frozen vegetable pack helps. Your doc should now be making arrangements or scheduling appointments for a cortisone injection for you. With the kind of problem you describe, it will get worse if it is not taken care of. You will end up with back surgery which is not a pleasant option.

Answer 10

I use a heat pad when my sciatica is bad .It does help me .And i have two epidural injection 's a year to help me cope Beside taking co-codamol .You do get good days it depends on what you do .some times you have to try to get past the worst pain Which is hard to cope with .My right leg some times goes numb to.The orthopaedic surgeon says nothing can be done for me