[Gemme]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Sorry to hear about your back, nycfem. I am glad to hear it is getting better!

I got sciatica for the first time in my life 16 days ago. I have been messed up since, not able to drive or anything. It is horrid for the first 4-5 hours every morning and then it gets better.

I am finally going to the doc tomorrow.

Oh wait, this isn't a complaining thread.....true though, the poor mutt (and me), are not happy with missing his walks! He's had like 2 in the last 16 days. Poor guy! I miss being active, too!

I'm so sorry, Dapper! I was pretty vocal about my struggle with it so I, literally, can feel your pain. You should have gone to the doc asap! Between here and the pain sufferers thread, I complained a lot. It's okay. It hurts. A LOT.

1. Go to the doctor and get a referral (if your insurance requires it) for physical therapy. PT is the only 'cure' for sciatica.

2. They can give you pain killers but you won't be able to function properly with them (ie no driving vehicles, no formulating difficult calculations, no doing anything but laying/lying in the best position you can find).

3. Pillow buffers. Use them to keep you in place during the night if you typically move around a lot. I used to just get to sleep and then BAM! a sharp stab of pain from me rolling over on a tender spot would jar me away and that would be the end of any peace for me that night.

4. Working out helped me but it's going to hurt getting in there and then when you start to do it and then through a lot of workout and then, sometimes, right afterwards too. But it will gradually get better.

5. STAY AWAY FROM THE TREADMILL. Even though it initially helped the sciatica, it created a hip problem with me. My PT said treadmills should be outlawed. The elliptical is much better.

I hope you feel better!