Need some hope/help

ElTrain5

Ok, I know this is very special snowflakesque, but I'm really having a rough time and need some advice/experiences. For the last two days I've had excruciating sciatic pain. To the point where I can no longer put any pressure on or move my left leg without bursting into tears. Even going to the bathroom is unbelievably painful. I went to my midwife last night and she gave me the name of a chiro who specializes in pregnancy and a physical therapist. I had an appt. with the chiro today, and it was really, really tough. Basically just confirmed it was my sciatic joint/nerve and did some muscle work (that left me black and blue) I couldn't do any of the at home stretches he reccomended due to not being able to put any weight on the left leg/knee. I'm bed bound right now and freaking out about how the hell I am going to go to work tomorrow. I have a desk job, but just the idea of getting in the car and driving, walking around all day.... I just don't know what I'm going to do. Anyway....the nurse who took my blood pressure yesterday basically told me "oh yeah, that'll go away after delivery". I'm 19 goddamn weeks. Anyone else ever have this kind of debilitating pain with pregnancy?? Did it go away?? Did chiro/pt help? How long did it take? I need some light at the end of this tunnel right now. Sorry to AW tonight but I'm a friggin mess. thanks in advance.

LegalLadyBug

I've had bad sciatic pain off and on, mine is pretty dependent on how the babies are situated. Some days I can barely walk and other days they have moved and I feel fine. I know that doesn't help but hopefully it will give you hope.

LovetoLive614

I only have mild pain some days and stretching out the back of my legs is what helps me. I hope you find relief!

Mztwilson

Yep I did. And I'm still on short term disability. I have sacrioiliac joint instability. I've done pt and it helped a lot.

colllydon

I don't have anything like that I am so sorry you are going through it. I have a little numbness on the outside of my left thigh and the doc said its normal from the baby pressing on the nerve. It goes away once and a while when the baby moves. Did your doc say if the baby moves around it might get better or is that 100% how much pain you will be in until the baby is born?

kbellizio3

Week 9 I pinched my sciatic nerve. It was SO BAD. Went to the chiro and it helped a little bit but the one thing that helped was ice. 20 minutes on 20 off. Basically the nerve is inflamed from being pinched or irritated and heat will only inflame it more. It sucks I couldn't do anything for a week. Good luck!

nunzchucks

I am so sorry. His sounds miserable! I hope you can find some relief. Will you have more chiro visits?

ElTrain5

I go back to the chiro Saturday. I'm gonna try and ice it now. Thanks for the advice ladies. I just can't imagine this lasting for four more months.

ElTrain5

@mztwilson how were you diagnosed with SJD? Are the symptoms different?

ashquack

I have had sciatic pain on and off during this pregnancy mostly during 1st trimester and it frequently brought me to tears so I feel you! I got a pregnancy belt and it helped a lot. Have u tried that? I bought every belt at the maternity store the one that worked best had three straps and I could make it super tight which relieved the pressure in the nerve. Good luck and hang in there!!!

Mztwilson

@ElTrain5 Basically SJD is sciatica on the back side. It's the same thing different nerve ect. The symptoms are the same the only thing different is where it hurts. My butt and hip and lower back on the right side hurt a lot. And sometimes I get shooting pains down my leg. The pain won't completely go away but rest assured that the pain won't always be that intense. My pain level went from a 10 down to a 2-3. The only reason I'm still on disability is because my dr has me in weight restrictions and apparently the place I work at would rather pay me short term disability then accomidate me.

Eta my dr diagnosed me when I had my first prenatal check up. I couldn't even lay down on the bed.

cristykaye

o gosh!!! I am so sorry you are having trouble. I dont have a fix but I hope it gets better soon!! T&P's your way!

robbinrl

That sounds horrible. I had similar sciatic pain from my herniated disk before my 1st pregnancy although standing and walking were the only bearable positions for me. My only suggestion is to try to stick with the chiro and physical therapy even though it's hard, it should get better after a few visits. Feel better!

bebemac

Oh, man! This isn't good news. Sorry to hear you are suffering so. I don't have any advice or remedies but I hope you find yourself on the mend waaaaaaay before your LO is born.

puttyeast

I'm sorry you are in so much pain! My pain is not quite as severe, but I did also start going to the chiropractor. I am hopeful that it will give relief, but it takes several visits. Also, drink tons of water the day of and after your appointment! I know that I get terrible headaches afterwards if I don't.

kellyjayne

No advice or experience, but I'm so sorry that you are miserable and in pain. I hope that chiro helps to ease the pain so that it's bearable for the next 20 weeks!!

jshrop

Hit up the chiro girl! At least to take the pressure off the nerve. Then maybe PT if your doc recommends. I'm so sorry. Mine isn't that bad, but it will get to the point I can't bear weight on it and I walk with a huge limp. Good luck!

ElTrain5

Thank you guys so much for the advice and the kind words.

Lindsleigh77

So sorry to gear this I hope things improve for you soon.

flerlgirl

I haven't read all the responses yet but a) sciatica can suck it and b) warm baths might help! And try changing your sleeping positions, too. Collect all the pillows in your house and also your neighbor's house and use them to make yourself a pregnancy pillow mountain when you sleep and rest at home. And if anyone tries to stop you from taking their pillows, bite them on the arm. 

JNYLP

I had sciatic pain with DD in 3rd tri. Well this time around 14 weeks it got terrible!!! I had to have DH pull me off the couch etc. well, I slept on on my back a few night with just one pillow under me and propped under my neck. (I remembered a Chiro had told me that's a natural position for ur hips to relax-you could even prop a pillow under ur calves). It started getting better! I sleep in my side again hit with a pillow between knees. I also drink more water and watch how I sit. A way to help strengthen seated my Chiro said was to sit up straight with feet flat. Then put one foot crossed up onto your opposite knee. Hold for 10+ secs. Switch. That still helps me.

Hope these tips help you too! Good luck!

coffee-saur

Ouch! That sounds awful! Sorry you're dealing with this! 

chloephoebecali

I've had ongoing sciatic issues for years even before kids. This is going to sounds crazy, but what has worked for me is sitting on a tennis ball. I just googled it, and dr. Oz actually recommends it too (not that I always go by tv docs, but at least you know I'm not crazy). https://www.doctoroz.com/videos/7-day-pain-prescription?page=2 If you roll it around on your mid butt area, you will probably feel where there is almost a knot from where the nerve begins. Just use the ball to roll out the pain a bit. Make sure you sit on a harder chair so that you can feel it (couch won't cut it). Also, have your Dh massage your butt, too. Sounds creepy, but it will help. You just need to help him find the place. Hope you feel better soon!

lellymine

I had knee surgery in July and from being in bed so long I got it. My physical therapist had me get a foam noodle, the really firm kind, and sit on it. Then lean back on my hands with both legs out and roll back and forth from my upper hip to to top of my hip bone. Did it 3 times a day for 10 minutes. DH almost rubbed Tiger Balm on it every night. It all hurt like a bitch but two or three weeks of that and it was gone. Good luck!

lcseip

I've had sciatic pain on and off for a few years. I agree that seeing a PT is a MUST. I didn't try a chrio, but a PT can do some stretches/exercises that immediately help alleviate the pain,if only temporarily.

momof5sept18

ElTrain5 said:

Ok, I know this is very special snowflakesque, but I'm really having a rough time and need some advice/experiences. For the last two days I've had excruciating sciatic pain. To the point where I can no longer put any pressure on or move my left leg without bursting into tears. Even going to the bathroom is unbelievably painful. I went to my midwife last night and she gave me the name of a chiro who specializes in pregnancy and a physical therapist. I had an appt. with the chiro today, and it was really, really tough. Basically just confirmed it was my sciatic joint/nerve and did some muscle work (that left me black and blue) I couldn't do any of the at home stretches he reccomended due to not being able to put any weight on the left leg/knee. I'm bed bound right now and freaking out about how the hell I am going to go to work tomorrow. I have a desk job, but just the idea of getting in the car and driving, walking around all day.... I just don't know what I'm going to do. Anyway....the nurse who took my blood pressure yesterday basically told me "oh yeah, that'll go away after delivery". I'm 19 goddamn weeks. Anyone else ever have this kind of debilitating pain with pregnancy?? Did it go away?? Did chiro/pt help? How long did it take? I need some light at the end of this tunnel right now. Sorry to AW tonight but I'm a friggin mess. thanks in advance.

This was me EXACTLY with my last pregnancy. My doctor was fixing to send me to a physical therapist because I couldn't walk, stand, or hardly move at all without being in excruciating pain, and sitting/laying hurt too. Before I called the PT my sister had stopped by to see how my appt was and when I told her I had to go to the PT she asked if she could try something first because she is a massage therapist. I had INSTANT relief and my sciatica never bothered me again for the rest of my pregnancy. I was a little sore but it was so worth it! I recommend contacting a massage therapist! They're the BEST! My sister now lives in TN so if I have the trouble again shes gonna have to make a special trip to FL to fix me! But within seconds of the massage to unpinch the nerve was done I could walk without pain and was happy-go-lucky all over again! I really hope you find relief sweetie and that you get to feeling better.

OH! Also I had an RN tell me if you have your DH/SO rub deep into your lower back/hip with a tennis ball it helps unpinch the nerve as well!

Kinipela7

No suggestions, but sorry you are in pain.  I hope it starts to feel better really soon!

katekat8721

I am so sorry sweets. I've had sciatica pain off and on starting about week 10. Only 1 day was as bad as you described and it was thankfully during the holidays so I didn't have to work. There's really nothing you can do other than the chiro and icing the area (which sucks because the nerve's encased in bone and hard to get to!) 

The best thing you can do is keep pressure off of it. If that means taking tomorrow off, then take it off girl! If you have to work, is working from home an option? Or having your coworker/friend/husband drive you to/from work?