Sciatica

EngagedtoEllis

Did/is anyone suffering from sciatica? I have had it for a week and it has been terrible. I finally broke down and took some extra strength tylenol today... THe heating pad doesn't work- only thing that helps is lying down on my side and resting... I feel like I need to be doing stuff and obviously have to work- so how did you cope? and when did it go away?

*JCsGirl*

I go to physical therapy every week for siatica.  In between I stretch my hips and ice it.  Massaging the area also helps a ton. 

MrsBeckO

There are certain stretches you can do to help.. I don't remember what they are because its been years since I had it. Maybe your dr can make some suggestions, or another poster will know what they are.?

?

HeyyRed

I'm currently dying from it today. I find that long walks only aggravate it.

I'm resorting to the hot water bottle until DH gets back and can massage my butt cheek.?

Kelly4476

I plan on asking my OB on Tuesday what I should do too. It is making me limp and making my leg give out at times. Booo!

mrsgrabmeier

My doctor told me it's just going to get worse and offered to write a physical therapy referral.  So far I've been sleeping with a pillow between my knees which seems to have helped a lot.

DonnysBride09

you should really consult with ur DR before taking x-tra strength. thats a no-no with my dr

EngagedtoEllis

I did- it was on the list of ok- in moderation... I have only had it once...

HeyyRed

Physio is not covered under our OHIP which is our free healthcare. PT is REALLY expensive so forget it. They also never just try and fix you they want you to keep coming.

Sciatica according to my doc, is caused by the hormones in this case - baby isn't big enough to compress discs. I had terrible m/s and very high hcg levels so I'm not surprised that I have this too.?

CalinsBride

One word: Yoga.

ETA: Also, DH gives me a back massage pretty much every night, and I sleep with a pillow between my knees to take some of the pressure off.

jensahokie

my OB gave me a "prenatal cradle"... it looks like a back support but she said that in some people the uterus puts pressure towards the back and that by lifting it up in the front you can relieve the pressure.  Honestly mine has not been too bad lately, but it might be worth a try.

CalinsBride

HeyyRed:

Physio is not covered under our OHIP which is our free healthcare. PT is REALLY expensive so forget it. They also never just try and fix you they want you to keep coming.

Sciatica according to my doc, is caused by the hormones in this case - baby isn't big enough to compress discs. I had terrible m/s and very high hcg levels so I'm not surprised that I have this too. 

I really feel like OHIP should cover PT if deemed necessary by a medical professional. Every once in awhile I will actually just fall down because it hurts so much 

HeyyRed

I had sciatica before pregnancy. It's so bad I can barely walk and the pain just radiates. Sleeping will be horrendous this evening. DH gives me deep tissue massage which will help and the heat is also helping but it's not going to be an easy sleep.

jaxgev

That fourth stretch below is KEY:

Someone else also suggested yoga and they are absolutely right on...mostly because it's a bunch of disciplined stretching.  I've had sciatica for years as a runner and a combination of these stretches, using a foam roller, yoga and pelvic therapy (not applicable during pregnancy) has done wonders.  Also, you want to alternate hot and cold on the area but trust me, it doesn't work as well as stretching the area.

HeyyRed

I'm laughing so hard right now because it is a picture of a man and NOT a pregnant woman. I have been doing variations on these but with my bump it's not so effective. Perhaps I should have DH videotape me doing these and then upload them to YouTube so y'all can enjoy the fun.

Sally Goff

My doctor suggested I put a tennis ball right where it hurts while driving. It "opens the nerve" or something like that. I've been doing it a week or so, but I can't tell if it's helping yet.