Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: honeybun on December 11, 2013, 01:37:37 PM
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I had an episode of this earlier this year. The GP referred me to a physiotherapist but by the time the appointment came through (14weeks ) it was better so there was no point in going. Recently the pain has come back but last night I twisted awkwardly and the pain is terrible. I don't know whether to stand up, lie down or chuck myself under a bus. It's agony. I have a heat pad on and am rattling with paracetamol. No point in going to the GP as all he will give is stronger pain killers or anti inflammatory pills which I can't take.
I hope it starts to ease off soon as the pain is making me feel sick.
Any advice about what to do.
Honeyb
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I sympathise. Sciatica is very painful. A pillow under your knees in bed or between if you lie on your side. Solpadeine maybe as you can dissolve it. Osteopath recommends cold packs as heat only helps short term. Could you use antiinflammatory gel/cream on the area?
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hi honey bun
so sorry you got this horrible pain !
I find rubbing bit bruefen gel into lower back and feet up an yr hot bag, keep wriggling toes !!
seems to work for me as I can't take ibruefen tablets either !
lots love Lindyloo
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It's awful when it hits. I forget to bend properly and can feel the nerve being to pull. I find Nurofen followed by a brisk walk eases the nerve, it stretches it somehow.
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So sorry HB and I know how you feel, I have my, appointment at the Pain Clinic tomorrow,
A hot bath, and a cream that is warming instead of freezing, in Winter plus ibuprofen eases it for me at at least on the days I take it, but really felt it yesterday and today.
Have you tried Deep Heat Muscle Rescue Rosemary and Vanilla Fragrance, or ibuprofen gel?
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Hubby has rubbed on ibuprofen gel but it's not made any difference. I will have a hot bath later I think. It starts at my bum and now ends at my ankle. It's just miserable and there are so many things on my to do list that I just can't. Bathing the dog was one, cleaning a carpet was another and I wanted to blitz my daughter's room so it's looks nice for her coming home for Xmas.
Frustrated to say the least.
Honeyb
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Mine has been made worse by pulling suitcases from under bed filled with books I wanted to get rid off, then reaching under the stairs for the Christmas decorations ::)
There is stacks I wanted to do, but all I have done is Christmas cards, don't feel Christmasy at the moment.
HB you need to relax the muscles so that the nerves can free up and settle.
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Relax and me in the same sentence :o
Doesn't normally happen but this has slowed me down for sure. So annoying though as its a busy time of year and I still have mother to do for.
Honeyb
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I remember one Christmas when my back went completely leaning over the freezer at the supermarket for brussel sprouts, normal one minute in agony the next.
I had to climb up the stairs to bed on my hands and knees, Christmas was cancelled that year.
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I know how you feel honeybun.
I have a bit of that at the moment brought on by carrying a heavy shopping bag.
It's awful :'(
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Osteopath did this, didn't improve, in fact I think my visits may have made things worse, she kept trying to manipulate my sacro joint and couldn't because of tightness.
Now I have pain down the side of left calf too.
I think massage may help HB someone like a sports physiotherapist, I am thinking of this.
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DO NOT ALLOW anyone to perform manipulation unless you are under GA! as people have been paralysed by the patient being too tense!!!!! Osteopaths should not perform manipulations ………. without seeing a recent X-ray of the area that is symptomatic.
Years ago traction was used, the patient in hospital with weights pulling the affected leg/s. Now that is thought to be old hat. I remember my Dad hanging on the door with his fingertips and the GP stretching Dad's body outwards to stretch the legs and ease the lower spine. Dad was never X-rayed, it was known as lumbago ::).
Sometimes the nerve nips so suddenly that I yell out! Diazepam is a relaxant and maybe taken at night would ease symptoms Morwenna?
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I did do some gentle stretching exercises that I found on You tube. I am far too sore at the moment to even consider it but when it eases off I will do them again as I found it helpful in the past.
Sitting with a hot water bottle at my back which eases things a bit.
Honeyb
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Oh I hope you get some sleep tonight HB. Will be thinking about you.
I thought traction was only used for a slipped disc. I know someone who put their back out & ended up sleeping on stomach for several months. Swimming helped them a lot.
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Often a 'slipped disc' causes acute sciatica ;) which requires emergency admission.
I woke this morning with numbness down the whole of my left leg on which I had been laying, even my knee felt 'odd' ::)
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It's a bit improved today. I have been putting a hot bag on it and using ibuprofen gel. Need to be be better again tomorrow as its my day at mother's ::)
Honeyb
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Glad it's a bit better today HB, but do take it easy at your mum's. You don't want to be in pain over the festive period.
CLKD that doesn't sound good. Is it better now?
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The injections will be a steroid? and placed where?
Once I was up and about the 'numbness' - which isn't true numbness as I can feel the leg - went
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Worse today and its my own fault. I was down at mother's this morning and did far too much and now I am suffering. I should have stayed at home but the earache I get when I don't turn up and do all the work was not worth it.
Resting up again and hopefully it will improve.
Honeyb
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Aw HB :bighug:
Sometimes it's easier to suffer the pain, than to say it can't be done. Take care of yourself & get rubbing with the gel. Have you tried tiger balm at all? I've used it for muscular pain and it makes a difference.
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Where would I get it CG ?
I have heard of it but not a clue where to look.
Honeyb
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I've seen it in Boots Honeybun or I think on Amazon if you fancied ordering online.
Taz x
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I've seen it in Tesco & Boots. Health shops often have it too. Two different strengths red or white. It feels very hot immediately afterwards, but it does subside. Its a bit like having a hot water bottle in the area.
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Make up your mind NOW that if you are still in pain you will not be going to your Mum's next visit ......... let your sister know in good time ;)
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I just feel guilty if I don't go.
This thing called a conscience is a terrible thing.
Honeyb
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Consciounce can be a huge input into how we interact with others but take care of YOU ;) - you won't be any help at all if the pain worsens!
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Have you tried a Belladonna plaster?. I have one at the moment my sciatica is very painful at the moment. It is like a big plaster that you put on where ever it hurts the most you need to leave on for at least 3 days it helps to support your back too. It really helps me. You can get them from most chemists. Or they can order them in for you.
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I haven't had any pain since Sat., we are sleeping away from home and walking up and down slopes a LOT ::)
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Exercise does help if you can. I think the worse thing is to rest it too much as it gets worse.
I am a bit improved but I have to be very careful which way I turn or bend.
Honeyb
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Spoke too soon, woke in the night with intense burning down left thigh >:(
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Paresthesia, maybe CLKD.
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Nope ;) - thinking about this in the early hours during the week, I tend to agree ..........
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That is what the Consultant said to me when I described the burning, stinging, numbing sensation down my right thigh.
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I think you have this CLKD
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/meralgia-paraesthetica-leaflet - haven't I posted that link before? :-\
Taz x
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That's it Taz :)
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Hubby has had Meralgia Paraesthetica for over 18 months. Initially he was given Amitryptiline for it, but they gave him nightmares. So basically he has learned to live with it. Not much else they can do for it.
How's the sciatica HB?
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Not too bad thanks as long as I am very careful. Just feel it is lurking waiting to return.
Hope it waits until after Xmas.
Honeyb
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Thanks for the Link ;)
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Please Google Richard Dontigny SI Joint dysfunction. He gives various ways to shift the sacro iliac joint back into place. Can be instant relief and also he teaches you how to avoid the moves, bending and twisting, that often cause this debilitating pain. Much is written about this condition which is often mistaken for disk disease and this is why so many back surgeries fail.
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Well I leaned forwards this morning with knees bent and had excruciating pain across my lower belly, too painful even to shout out! Left lower side below belly button, thought I had ruptured something :o ......... probably muscular as it's eased now but I was scared for a moment or several :-\
Woke with pain in the thigh again and numbness so have to agree ............
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Probably muscular right enough.
Look after yourself CLKD.
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Thanks - am doing. Been sitting in front of the TV ::) listening to the wind howling round the house.