totally of the topic of horses but has any of you had sciatica?

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Yes, three years ago - so badly I was at the point of being unable to drive. One visit to a chiropractor sorted it, and I still go every 5-6 weeks just to keep on top of it and other back problems. Well worth the expense, in my view.
 
First time I had it i was shopping in the co-op, i felt like some one had stabbed me in the bum. Went to the physio gave me fab exercise as long as i do it every day dont get any pain. Tip is: every night when in bed spend 10 mins lying on tummy. in the morning do same thing. helps to relax the spine. if i get any pain from too much driving etc. do a press up, but dont take hips off floor. curl backwards keeping hips pressed to floor. stretch chin upwards as doing it.it really does work. ps good exercise for getting rid of double chin!!!
 
Had surgery for it in july, it started in january, couldn't walk or stand for longer than 5 - 10 mins, really rubbish. Turned out i had a badly prolapsed disc and severe narrowing of the spinal canal on L4 & 5. Ask your doctor for a referral to a neurosurgeon and an mri so it can be diagnosed properly.
 
Yup, had it for about 20 years now, it takes many different forms, pain all the way down the leg, can cause spasms in the back muscles, numbness in various places - from the butt down to the foot, a sensation of standing on broken glass ...

cold/damp weather aggravates it, and most of the time painkillers don't do anything for it...
 
A few years back I had sciatica in BOTH legs (I thought.) In fact I did, but worse on the right side - most of the pain in my left leg when walking was due to a blocked artery.)

The sciatica was due to a prolapsed disc in the lower back (a common problem for those of us who have done too much mucking out and bale lifting!!) I went private for MRI scan and had a steroid injection to the spine, followed by Physio. Physio taught me several simple exercises to help when I had tweaks.

So:

start with anti-inflammatories (Ibuprofen) to help reduce the inflammation (I was prescribed 2 x 600gm 4-5 times in 24 hours - so you're likely to need at least 4 of the over the counter stuff every 4 hours to make a difference.).

Then at LEAST 6 times a day, work on the following exercises - to the point of pain only!!

1. Lie on the floor and do phoney push-ups (keeping hips on floor) - at least 10

2. Stand straight, with legs slightly apart and reach down the back of your legs with your hands until you get to the knee - at least 10 times.

If you curl up in bed, try not to! FAR better to lie flat on your back - ideally with a VERY flat soft pillow in the small of your back.

When sitting/driving, look to your posture. Put bum RIGHT back into seat and bring shoulders back. My Physio gave me a 'roll' that I wore in the small of my back when driving - stopped me slumping and allowing my back to bend the wrong way.

Provided your sciatica is not BAD, this regime will show a real improvement in under a week.
 
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wow . alot of people who suffer or who have suffered ,
im not sure as to what they are going to do next .,
they have put me on diclofenic 3 times a day . with paracetamol in between.
and 2 muscle relaxants at night.
i dont really get the lower back pain or buttock ache.
its the awful pain down my left leg . awful as it sounds it feels like someone is tugging at my veins.. yukk ,
its very very painful ,
i asked the doctor if it was DVT . they said no .
that was my fear as im at that age all of 38 and not really supposed to be on the girly pill .
im waiting for a physio appointment and another one but im not sure as to what that one will be .
i hope that it doesnt go as far as surgery as many of the posts have written , sounds awfully scary ..
if the riding will help ease or maybe cure it then thats certainly worth a try . /. when this dreadful snow goes away .
i cant believe its fallen again in the night.
i remember how ever last year i did go back to the doctors with a lower back pain but i never followed it up due to it feeling much better.
i wonder if that was the start of it and ive not noticed as much .

well i would like to thank you all for the posts its helped me alot reading peoples different stories .
i will keep you updated with my progress
thanks once again
dona xx

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Hi Dezzie,

Janet's advice is good. (But i sometimes wonder if GPs are governed by drug companies + physios?!!! (I'm personally terrified of every physio i've met - + that's just socially!!)
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(+ please forget all scare stories from non-qualified!!)
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If it helps, friend, i had acute back strain for 3 years on run, while at uni (very mature student!!), all in Januaries, when carrying heavy bag on one shoulder (which i do all year round, but cold + stress caused problem)

And Dezzie, i firmly advise you get a 2nd opinion. You're worried enough to say to this forum, so please, please get a 2nd medical opinion, to put your mind at rest, as you're worried about DVT.

If it's confirmed simple sciatica (as i'm sure it will be), then please try
a) acupuncture (not from GP or physio, as they only do a few days' training), but from acupuncturist with BSc in subject
b) osteopath, with 5 yrs training, specialist in area

I'd also stop worrying that you need surgery! Keep an open mind, explore more, ask more, Google everything. You're in charge! And keep riding, + enjoy, if you're comfy + happy!

Hope i've helped, in realistic way. All bests, BS x
 
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