Ladies with sciatica

shaysmom05

I need some help please please please.

I've had shooting pains from my lower back, down my right buttcheek and all the way down to my right foot since about 12 weeks. It doesn't just come and go, but is CONSTANT. I've tried stretches, using Bengay, a heating pad on my lower back, warm baths and having DH massage me. I'm ok as long as I stand or sit in one place, but as soon as I turn or try to move, I could just cry. It's also VERY hard for me to get out of my vehicle or lift my leg to go upstairs for anything.

I plan on letting the neurologist know about it on Wednesday, per my doctor's advice, but I'm in so much pain now, that it almost makes me want to just stay in bed or in a chair all day long. Has anything worked for you?

AGFaso

Sorry no advice!  Just ((hugs))!!

WormandElizabeth

I wish I had some helpful advice, as this has been a real pain in my a** too! I started having some trouble with this before getting pg and it definately isn't getting any better. The last couple of nights I have slept with a pillow between my legs and my pain hasn't too bad, so I'm not sure if there is any relation or if I've just had a few good days. Please let us know what your doctor suggests, because the ob I saw in my practice just said "Yeah, your body does crazy things when you are pregnant." Thanks doc, that really makes me feel a ton better! grrrr Good luck!

ashleyy0219

I've also has this since about 12wks and have tried almost everything but nothing helps. My doctor said I could see a physical therapist if it wanted, that's the only thing I haven't tried. Hope you feel better.

bmp84

Mine suggested alternating hot and cold packs on your lower back- that plus stretching (toes on a step and dropping my heels slowly and raising back up) helped me enough to make it bearable. Hope you get some relief soon!

Shemico

*hugs*

Have you tried going to a RMT (Message therapist)?

shaysmom05

Shemico:

*hugs*

Have you tried going to a RMT (Message therapist)?

Thanks ladies. I will try stretching more. I'm hoping I can get a referral to a massage therapist or a chiropractor or something after my neruology appointment. (With our insurance, you have to have referrals for everything.)

MrsH42608

Oh I am so sorry, sciatica is the WORST!!  Prenatal yoga worked pretty well for me but your case sounds much worse.  A friend of mine swears by accupuncture and I also know alot of women who find chiropractic very helpful.

I had back problems before I was pg and a chiropractor helped me alot.  I did see a massage therapist, and although it felt fantastic at the time, I found it to be least effective in the long run.

Good luck, I hope  you get some relief asap!

Clerk9

I am just starting to deal with this lovely symptom (at 9wks!), so I don't have any advice for you.  But now that I know it can persist for months(!!!), I'll be sure to let you know if I find out anything that might help...

Hope you get some relief soon!    

celestej619

shaysmom05:

Shemico:

*hugs*

Have you tried going to a RMT (Message therapist)?

Thanks ladies. I will try stretching more. I'm hoping I can get a referral to a massage therapist or a chiropractor or something after my neruology appointment. (With our insurance, you have to have referrals for everything.)

I was going to suggest seeing a Chiropractor but tricare won't cover it (unless they've changed that--but they didn't cover it when I had it and I also worked for a Chriopractor at the time). (((hugs))) I hope you get some relief soon!

shaysmom05

celestej619:

shaysmom05:

Shemico:

*hugs*

Have you tried going to a RMT (Message therapist)?

Thanks ladies. I will try stretching more. I'm hoping I can get a referral to a massage therapist or a chiropractor or something after my neruology appointment. (With our insurance, you have to have referrals for everything.)

I was going to suggest seeing a Chiropractor but tricare won't cover it (unless they've changed that--but they didn't cover it when I had it and I also worked for a Chriopractor at the time). (((hugs))) I hope you get some relief soon!

Thanks for the info! I'm going to call Tricare tomorrow to find out if they cover it now or what I would have to do. If not, it might just be worth the money out of pocket. lol

mlmtgg

I was going to post something similar this week. Mine has just started and has been on and off a few times a day this whole week (mostly when I stand up from seated position or from floor). I've been stretching, wearing flat shoes . . .and have no solution. Stretching seems to momentarily help, but it comes right back.

I'm seeing my acu. this week about it, and will ask my OB next week if it's still around. 

I feel your pain. literally. (and share the help if you find an answer!)

PurpleK26

You and I are in this boat together. I've had this same pain since week 12 of each of my 3 pregnancies.

I've found very little to help it. However, a few tricks I've figured out (that will make you look like a fool, but who cares):

~Sit with your sore leg crossed 'man style' and lean into your leg as much as possible so that you can feel your butt cheek stretching. As you get really big, this gets harder and you kinda have to tuck your belly in the little hole your leg makes.

~Get on your hands and knees and arch your back like a pissed cat, then let  you back arch downward as low as it can.

 ~Stand on your knees on your bed or a comfy floor, then sit on your lower legs. Spread your knees as far as they will go and then put your face on the floor/bed in front of you. This is the one that really makes you look sexy!

~Tylenol PM (who cares if you take it at 5pm, we can use all the sleep we can get)

~My OB told me I could try a chiro or physical therapy, but that he didn't think it would help much, and that the only real 'cure' was delivery. ... and I can say he was right on that last part. I didn't have any sciatic pain from the moment the epidural wore off.... so know that there is an end is sight!

TigerFan

When I'm having problems, I lay on my stomach (or side when I was pregnant) and have my DH dig his elbow into the center of my buttcheek.  Then he slowly moves his elbow in a circle for a few minutes.  It hurts like he!! while he is doing it, but there is a lot of relief when he stops and I stand up.  When it is really bad he has to do it a few days in a row, but it is a HUGE help.