Sciatic pain and Disney in 3 weeks! Help....

[Dsnygirl]

So, a few months ago I did something that created sciatic pain that radiated down into my L hip off & on for a few months. As I changed how I excercised and tried to rest it, it got better.

Now, somehow I have done something similar, although the pain isn't strongly radiating down my leg, it's more localized in the very lower part of my back, just a few inches above my tailbone.

I am guessing it's the result of the CD-ROM I've been doing, which has a lot of lunges and squats... but I've been doing it for over a month, and this just really kicked in over the last week.

Motrin helps a bit, but not much -- and I can't really stretch the area b/c of how low in my back it is. Sitting makes it worse, although sometimes standing/walking irritates it, as well.

Normally, I'd just live with it and try to rest it, ignore it and hope it goes away.

But, with a Disney trip in 3 weeks, and all the potential walking/riding/innertubing, I'm a little concerned.

I'm seeing a PT person on Friday for a completely different issue, and will ask her about it, maybe get a recommendation for a chiropractor -- but just thought I'd ask on here if anyone else has dealt with this, and if anyone has any good tips for me re: healing it up and if it's still nagging at me, any good ways for dealing with it on vacation.

for any help, tips or pointers!

[badkitty]

I totally understand this pain. There are stretches you can do for the lower back and hips but I wouldn't try anything without talking to your doctor or therapist first. Ask your PT or MD about a stretching exercise that involves putting one leg on the bed or counter (bent as if you would be sitting cross-legged if both legs were on the bed) and slowly lending forward stretching the back and hip. I also sit on the floor with the soles of my feet touching then slowing bend forward as I push down on my knees (as if you want to touch your knees to the ground).

When the pain is bad, I take two Aleve. That seems to work the best. Again, you should check with your doctor first.

I hope you feel better soon and enjoy your trip!

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

My mom has similar issues...she has to go every year and get a shot in the spine which helps...the doctor may be able to prescribe muscle relaxers which might also help...if you try to treat on your own...ibuprofen helps the pain and helps with inflamation.....

[Mfarquar]

Definitely see a doctor about this if you can before you leave. My husband had the same exact problem, and it eventually developed into a ruptured disc.

Chiropractors can be great and have helped people like my sister, but this sort of problem, in my experience, is best dealt with by an orthopedic doctor.

My husband went to a chiropractor first because we were away visiting family for the holidays. This chiropractor is great at what he does and has been in business in my town for over 35 years. He was very gentle, but did some ultrasound therapy (also very gentle). We later learned this probably contributed to the further tearing of the disc.

The good news? My husband was all better before our Disney trip, and his pain was INTOLERABLE (he actually passed out from it) and stemming from a ruptured disc.

You do not seem ANYWHERE near this, so that's fantastic!

A doctor will be able to make sure nothing larger is at play. Like previous posters mentioned, the doctor and/or a PT can show you exercises and prescribe medication.

In addition to other treatments for the ruptured disc, my husband's doctor had him take prescription meds for 1 week and then take 4 Advil every 6 hours to help deal with the sciatic nerve issues. The Advil helped reduce swelling, but it took a larger dose to do the trick.

Lying on your back with your knees up (a pillow underneath helps keep them up) is the best way to take pressure of the sciatic nerve. If you must lie on your side, put a pillow in-between your knees.

One stretch in particular helps my husband a lot. When he wakes up, he rolls on his back if he's not already in that position. You simply put your knees to your chest as far as you can without it hurting. This stretches the area without putting pressure on the nerve. He also does this when he gets into bed at night. I've had a pinched sciatic nerve (from a muscle knot) and this helped me a lot too. Please note, in no way am I a doctor or dispensing medical advice, but this is what has helped me/my husband. I would stay away from stretching until you speak to a professional. Perhaps your doctor will suggest the same steps.

I hope you feel better before your trip! I'm sure there's something the doctors can do to help ease the pain/discomfort!

[MNNHFLTX]

Definitely see a doctor about this if you can before you leave. My husband had the same exact problem, and it eventually developed into a ruptured disc.

I second the suggestion to see a doctor before you do anything else. My husband had intermittent sciatic pain for a couple of years, then it became more persistent. Turns out that he had a herniated lumbar disc, in an area that could have led to major complications as it put more pressure on the nerves coming out of the spinal cord. He ended up having to have surgery (and did very well after that). I might also suggest that you see a neurosurgeon--in my experience they may be more qualified to deal with these types of problems.

In the meantime you might want to try a different type of NSAID to help reduce inflammation and decrease pain. Naprosyn was more effective for my husband than ibuprofen products.

[rpeoples]

You might also want to consider acupuncture.

I had horrible tendonitis in my ankle and would hobble around after the first few days at Disney. Ate ibuprofen like candy. Orthapedist and podiatrist didn't really help either. Night braces, custom orthotics...nothing helped.

Finally, visited my local acupunturist and I am SO much better now. It only took a couple of treatments. Walked all over the parks in October/December and all over Europe (11 day cruise on the Disney Magic) and was amazed at the improvment!

[Mickey'sGirl]

In the meantime you might want to try a different type of NSAID to help reduce inflammation and decrease pain. Naprosyn was more effective for my husband than ibuprofen products.

I concur. Products such as Aleve contain Naproxin and it is a superior anti-inflamatory. I hope you get it sorted, Blythe!

[Disney4us2]

Blythe,

Hope you are better soon. Back/sciatic pain is no fun.

Although my pain is back(arthritis)and not sciatic, I still get the numbness in the leg and foot as well as my back if standing longer than 5 minutes.

I tried 800mg of Motrin, didn't seem to work. I take two Aleve and that seems to help a bit.

[princessgirls]

Blythe,

Please go to an orthopedic. You WANT to enjoy your vacation!!! You have time with the proper treatment to heal.

Julie

[Dsnygirl]

Thanks for all the great replies... turns out I started feeling much better not long after I posted, seems a week away from all the lunges/squats I'd been doing really helped, as did some of the stretches. I had a PT appt for something else last week and the physical therapist gave me more stretches & strengthening excercises and so far, so good... I was even able to run a bit the past few days.

So, thank you all for your help and advice -- as usual, it helped!!

[aurora, ariel, and bell]

I can relate to this pain as well, I've had it for 2years now, with pain everyday, sometimes unbearable. It is not in my back, but my butt and runs down my right leg into the foot. I cannot stand long, or walk very far. I have a cane with a seat I can take when going for longer walk. I have been going to a physiotherepist for a year now, and have had acupuncture for about 3 months. It has helped but the numbness and pain is still there daily. I have tried every pain killer i can think of including aleve. Nothing seems to work. We leave in September and I have resigned myself that I will need to rent a scooter when i'm there. I hate this, but I think it is the only way I will make it for the 19 day stay!

Any other suggestions would help. By the was I was diagonsed with 3 degenerated discs and arthritis down my spine. I am really frustrated because i am only early 50"s, and i can't do the things i enjoy

Sorry so long!

[Cinderelley]

I can relate to this pain as well, I've had it for 2years now, with pain everyday, sometimes unbearable. It is not in my back, but my butt and runs down my right leg into the foot. I cannot stand long, or walk very far. I have a cane with a seat I can take when going for longer walk. I have been going to a physiotherepist for a year now, and have had acupuncture for about 3 months. It has helped but the numbness and pain is still there daily. I have tried every pain killer i can think of including aleve. Nothing seems to work. We leave in September and I have resigned myself that I will need to rent a scooter when i'm there. I hate this, but I think it is the only way I will make it for the 19 day stay!

Any other suggestions would help. By the was I was diagonsed with 3 degenerated discs and arthritis down my spine. I am really frustrated because i am only early 50"s, and i can't do the things i enjoy

Sorry so long!

You may want to see a pain specialist and/or neurosurgeon. Here in Phoenix, they have pioneered a new procedure where they "cement" people's spines and have been having great results with it. I don't know if they have that in Canada.