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Posted 1/29/2015 5:53 AM (GMT 0)
I spent an hour with my doctor yesterday, trying to figure out how to get my Sciatic pain under control. 

I've been trying to get off narcotics for several months, and thought it was going well for awhile.  I hardly noticed anything when I transitioned from Hydrocodone to Tramadol - maybe a little more energy.  I believe that was a couple of months ago.  He also had me taking 4 aspirin a day (I don't think they did anything.)

But when I went from 3 to 2 Tramadol a day, I started taking longer to fall asleep and waking up earlier than I should, and my Sciatic pain gradually became sharper and sharper.  I kept busy, but I now realize I was trying to distract myself from the pain....my mind certainly wasn't any more focused, maybe less - I've never left so many tea kettles and pans to burn up in my life as during that period!

So I broke down and took about 5 Hydrocodones over the past week, and had the first really good sleep in months.  I really think it works better for me (for this.)  I can be more productive when I'm not constantly thinking about my pain. 

So, my doc is upping my Nortriptyline and adding Effexor to my daily cocktail, which makes me nervous, but I trust him...and I'll take as few narcotics as I can....and reevaluate in 5 weeks.

One good thing is that he doesn't think my lumbar x-ray looks that bad.  He said his is actually bone-on-bone in a lot of places, yet he doesn't have pain and is extremely active.  Go figure!  Anyway, that made me feel better, after having my spine surgeon tell me the week before that my back is "like road kill." !! eyes

So on we march.  Suddenly, tonight when I lie on my right side (the way I've been sleeping for decades, because I can't begin to sleep on the left) it becomes excruciating!  Whaa??

Have a good sleep everyone ~ cool

Debbie    

Posted 1/29/2015 10:09 AM (GMT 0)
That is so frustrating! I am sorry you are in such pain.

I have back pain and sleep problems.........I recently tried putting a drop of Turmeric oil on the sciatic area and it helped me. Sunday my mid back woke me up it was hurting so badly that I was losing my breath. I put a drop and rubbed in on the disc and within 10 min I found myself taking a deep breath.

I can't say it will work for everyone, but I try to not take pain pills because they slow my intestines down so much. For now it is working and I will keep putting it on my 'hot spots'.
Posted 1/29/2015 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
I've been looking into the essential oils myself. I'm also trying to stay away from narcotics as long as possible. I have severe OA in my neck, and I've always been a right side sleeper, but it's getting painful to do so.

I woke up last night with horrible leg cramps again. It's really hard to know how to stretch when your calf muscle and your muscle along your shin bone are both cramping at the same time. So painful and debilitating.

I hope you can find some help with your pain.
Posted 1/29/2015 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi debbie,

Glad you are working with your dr. To get some relief. It would be great to not need any meds, but that is not our reality...

We all want to take as little as possible, but we do need help... Hope you find a good combination that really helps!

Lj
Posted 1/29/2015 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
You'll get back on tack, I just know it.😃 There is no shame in taking what helps you. Tea pots and pans can be replaced but Debbie's can not!!😕 Hoping you get more good sleep😴and start feeling better soon.💪

Take care my friend
Michael
Posted 1/29/2015 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
I've gotten hit and had to tweak what I was doing but then I got back on track again. You will too. This is just a little bump in the road. Besides, you are finding what really helps you and how much you need for comfort. Five Hydrocordone over a week's time is not a lot.

It's a quality of life issue, Debbie. I've had ulcers twice but yet still take ibuprofen under my doctor's care. Narcotics didn't touch my pain nor did Tramadol. But ibuprofen is a wonder drug for me. It was either that or Remicade infusions. NOPE!

Hydrocordone isn't as strong as other drugs but do watch your acetaminophen consumption. And, above all, feel better.

Sherrine
Posted 1/29/2015 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Debbie:

I am sorry for us all, having to deal with chronic pain.

I have had prescribed hydrocodone 3 times to help stop coughing with a virus. It didn't stop pain but I only took it at bedtime. The last dose prompted a sleep walking excursion. I got up because I was coughing and I head downstairs to make tea. I did all this and on the 3rd stair from the bottom I lost my balance or just missed a step. I fell onto the hard wooden floor and injured my elbow. It was quite weird as I had this feeling that I was on the floor feeling my body arrive after. So, this med is out for me.

I am sleeping somewhat better. I take 10 mg of Baclofen and 50 mg of Nortriptyline an hour before bed. I also use Magnesium Calm before bedtime. It takes awhile to fall asleep. If I can't fall asleep I go down to the kitchen and have a glass of almond milk and honey and then I fall asleep after. I do sometimes wake up in the night and I head to the washroom. I have had other sleep walking episodes. Once I walked into the corner of a wall. I woke up. Another time I went to the washroom, took off my wrist braces, must have washed them, put them in my soap basket on a towel and had no idea I did all this. In the morning I had no idea where my wrist braces were till I went to the washroom.

My head gets relief when I go to bed but additional pain is so very problematic. I do hope you manage to find something that helps you. My Sister so believes in her Chiropractor. He does work when her Sciatica causes problems. I have never been to a Chiropractor. It all depends on the practitioner I guess.

Take care.

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...
Posted 1/30/2015 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Debbie,

Sorry to hear you are having so much issue with the sciatic pain. I did the chiropractic route for one I had in my right leg. It was accompanied by a baseball size lump in my leg just under my butt area. Made it excruciating to hit. The chiropractor was able to get this straightened out in a couple of visits. I saw a good one for a long time, but had to give it up. I was feeling in more and more pain from it as I went (afterwards). They did, however, recommend a massage therapist as they could tell I had a lot of soft tissue area pain. Currently, the massages keep me going.

So, just a few basic ideas in case you haven't already tried them:
1. A chiropractor if you can handle it
2. A good massage therapist if you can find one
3. If your S.O. can, they can take a base ball or something that size and roll it firmly on the leg starting at the outermost areas. I did this for my husband last year after his hip replacement. he couldn't move and kept getting sciatica attacks. It helped him.
4. At Walgreens for $20, there is a Dr Scholl's cushion that does vibration and heat. It's not perfect, but if you put it on an easy chair, it can help the Sciatica
5. Arnica cream - my massage therapist swears by it and its the only thing working on my hands right now.
6. Tens Machine - can be brutal if you don't place it right, but can really help.
7. Ultrasound therapy - my chiropractor used to offer this. It works great, but often isn't covered by insurance. It's the one thing I go back for now and then if I can't get one of the options I already have to work. it helps my SI joint tremendously. I'm triaging my medical spending these days tho and have been holding off until something big comes up.
8. Gentle stretches/myofascial release - Sherrine might be able to tell you where to work to release it - I'm having a hard time getting the basics down. But when I do, it's great help.

I really hope you find something that works. I have been there and I know it is a frustrating pain. Let us know what you find that works.
Posted 2/13/2015 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
Aaah, I'm a mess!!

Now there's NO position I can lie in to have the pain go away. I'm falling asleep only by leaving an ice pack on my backside, and last night even that only worked for a few hours. Right now I'm waiting for my doctor's nurse to call and tell me I can pick up my Hydrocodone prescription...otherwise, I won't have enough to get me through the weekend.

I'm back to 3 a day, and all it does is fuzz the pain a little, but it's sure beats nothing. (Tramadol doesn't help anymore, maybe because I'm now on Effexor, too. It just makes me speedy and lightheaded.)

I still have a feeling this all started when I lay on my left side a few times, for about a minute. Strange, but I can't think of anything else.

Thank you so much for your camaraderie. I know you all understand!!

Debbie
Posted 2/14/2015 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
Do they have any idea why you cannot lay on that side?

Sciatic pain can get so bad, hope you have a better weekend
Posted 2/14/2015 6:23 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know, Lj. It came on gradually, in the middle of my child-rearing years, and it was always last in line of things to worry about, since I could always lie on the other side.

Thanks, I am trying to stay relaxed and not worry about it.

Hope you have a good one too.

Debbie
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