Sciatica

Unfortunately, I don't have any info on sciatica to offer, but I wanted to pop in to say that I'm sorry you're going through all of this!

That really sucks. I'm sorry you have so much on your plate. I have had issues with my neck causing pain intermittently for the last several years (multiple minor whiplash injuries, compounded with weight gain and long hours reading with my head down for both work and school. Physio and chiro were essential in getting me back on track a couple years ago when I experienced a flare up that lasted 6 months. Now, I find that I need to stay active to help reduce the impact of it. Weight loss certainly helps take the pressure of your joints, including the spine. There are some great threads here to help support you through weight loss. What has physio said regarding activity? I have found swimming to be a game changer for both pain and weight loss.

californiansun wrote: »

The PT hasn't been that helpful. He gave me some stretches to do everyday at home.

The chiro said swimming would be helpful, but I don't have a pool or have access to one. I am moving out of state soon, so I'll look for a gym with a pool there.

Have you been doing the stretches? My initial progress was frustratingly slow and started by making the whole thing worse. Stretches in combination with some very controlled strength training, which built up over time. I just knew that I didn't want to keep going through life that way. It sucks so much to wake up in pain every single morning.

On the plus side, weight loss doesn't require physical activity. Stick with walking and focus on your calorie deficit. As the weight decreases, you should find that the pain improves. I hope you are able to find a pool where you are moving, assuming it is something you enjoy.

Here's a great place to get started with reading:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10300331/most-helpful-posts-getting-started-must-reads#latest

Sorry that you are dealing with all that. Always clear stuff with dr first, but for me (all sorts of spine and nerve damage ) reformer (that's the table with pullies and springs ) pilates works wonders! You don't necessarily need to have a gym membership, check area for pilates studios. I went from only being able to walk 2 miles to over 8 mile hikes, weight loss has taken the pressure off the nerve. I take NO prescription meds for pain. I do take valerian (at night ) and bromelain (enzyme found in pineapple, good for inflammation and digestion )
Good luck!

I have sciatica. I don't know if losing 43 lbs helped or not, but that's only because I have aggravated it with lifting recently. I can say it doesn't bother me nearly as often as it did when I was heavier.

californiansun wrote: »

Hey y'all!

I was diagnosed with sciatica. I was ran over by a car 3 years ago, and now I have 6 bulged discs, scoliosis, a hip that is completely out of alignment... blaaaah blaaaah blah.

I have a disc that is lovingly nudging my sciatica nerve. I don't have a lot of pain (thank god), but I had some burning, tingling, cramps and my feet feel swollen from time to time.

Does weight loss "cure" sciatica? I walk A LOT everyday. It's helped tremendously. Is there any supplements anyone recommends? I was told turmeric helps a lot.

I go to PT, chiropractic care, etc. I just want to hear a few success stories, I get discouraged a lot. I'm young and I wish I didn't have to deal with this.

Thanks!

Hello my name is Amanda. When I was 16 I had an accident that changed my life. I was thrown from a horse. I had back pain from that day forward. It didn't stop me until I was about 25 years old. I fought hard with the numbness, burning, aches, throwing my back out. I tried everything. Therapy, medicine, shots, weight loss.... the list goes on. and it didn't change a thing. Nerve blocks worked the best for about 3 to 4 years. I did loose 60lbs on this website 6years ago and it still never changed my sciatica. I was pretty much falling bc I couldn't feel my right leg very well. I had a laminectomy for my L3-4 and L3-5 at age 29 and I've been pretty good since. No meds not much pain and feeling young but....I am now going to be 33 almost 3 years later and recently started having small issues again and had an ablation which has also helped me a great deal! I'm sorry to say weight did not change it for me. I went from 250lbs to 185lbs and maintained for almost 2 to 3 years with pain. The nerve is considered damaged. It's a minimal struggle for me now. I am managing it. It I used to have days I just wanted to give up! The supplement that helps the most is vitamin B9 or folate though I believe that helps best after the nerve is released from being played like a fiddle.

Are you cleared from your doctor to do yoga? I've had sciatica on and off for about 14 years. Most of my pain was due to a couple herniated discs at L4 & L5. Over the years, I've learned that stretching and staying limber really helps me. At first, walking was the only exercise I could tolerate. It's taken time but now I do spin classes, yoga, weight training, and the elliptical. Yoga has made a huge difference to me. Everyone is different and you really have to figure out what works best for you. Just don't get discouraged and don't give up. You may not think you're making progress but one day you'll realize that you're able to do things which used to cause you pain. Little by little, you'll get there!

I dont think there is a cure, you can treat it many many ways. my dad had it and he did better when he went to a chiropractor,when he couldnt there were days he could barely move.hubby has it too.I would do some research on it so you can get a better understanding of it.I have all kinds of health issues too and it started when I was a kid so dont feel bad. Im 42 now.it sucks having problems like that though.you could ask the dr and see if they can give you a TENS unit. my son just developed sciatica and he is 23,he uses that and its a big help for him. his gfs mom is a RN which helps too to get advice from.

RaeBeeBaby wrote: »

californiansun wrote: »

I absolutely hate yoga. My husband hates it too, but it's been helping him with his issues... so I'm sure we will do it together lol. I'll ask my doctor about the things some of ya have mentions. I don't know what a TENS unit is. The doctors said without a doubt losing weight would help it. I'm not expecting to be back to normal, but I don't want it to be debilitating.

A TENS unit is a device that will stimulate the nerves and muscles with small electrical pulses. TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. If you've been to chiropractic they likely put the electrical stimulus pads on you. I have a portable TENS unit and it helps a lot with back pain and sciatica. I put it on and sometimes I will walk around with it on a low setting all day. It doesn't hurt you. You can even buy little ones at the pharmacy, but I recommend a larger unit that you can probably buy from a chiropractor. I got mine for $80. The ones at the pharmacy are about $30.

I have been in several serious car accidents (none of them my fault BTW) and have some permanent back injury and degenerative discs. You say you hate yoga, but doing yoga has helped me tremendously. I have gone to yoga classes, but mostly I follow along YouTube videos that are specifically for back pain. I go to the chiropractor every few months and I also get regular acupuncture treatments (which are wonderful) and massage (also wonderful)! So, even with back issues and sciatica, I am very active and have it under control. I am 56 years old and the really bad accident was when I was about 30, so you can live an active life even after back injury.

thank you for letting her know what a TENS unit was. I didnt get back here in time.

californiansun wrote: »

My husband is active (he's military) and we lead an active life. He and I will probably do yoga together when he comes home. I'll try it again at home, too. I'm really enjoying walking at the moment.

My first yoga class was a DVD 12 years ago, I still use and I recommend. It is mild and she is a great instructor. Candlelight Yoga by Sarah Ivanhoe. The key to not hating yoga is to remember

If it hurts...stop...back out...your body will let you know when it is ready...just listen...the only requirement is that you breath
It will take your body time to heal and open up
If you are breathing heavy...you need to take a break and regain your breath
You don't have to do all the postures...do what you can....I still have trouble holding a downward dog and I don't even attempt inversions
You can take a break at anytime during the exercise.

I go to hot yoga daily...I remind myself...if I get tired, I can take a break at any time. I take several breaks during class. My body has seriously changed in the last 7 months. I am surprised. I am most glad most of my back pain is gone, but I still baby my back. I no longer lift, I bend my knees and sleep with a pillow under my knees.

For me, half pigeon pose and working my abs helped a lot with my sciatica