Anyone else have sciatica?

NatureLovers · September 2014

I think mine has been triggered by the baby shifting position. I think she's either transverse or head down now, because I feel her kicks/pokes on either side of my belly vs practically in my crotch. The pain is very intense, and I can barely walk. I talked to my OB's office and begged for pain meds. Since the codeine they gave me didn't work, they prefer I see an ortho, so I'm seeing the doctor that did my husband's back surgery. Miraculously I got an appt for tomorrow at 10am. I am praying he gives me pain meds so I can finally get enough relief to sleep. I've already tried stretches, yoga poses, hot baths, etc.

Curbs12 · September 2014

Same here. I'm in so much pain. I tried stretches, which did help at first, actually went away for a few days. It's returned in the past week and stretching and heating pads don't help one bit. I can barely get up from a seated position and whenever I walk I have to go really slow and my leg will give out from the pain.

I hope your appointment goes well! Keep me updated and if you are able to find any relief!

NatureLovers · September 2014

According to Dr Google, all you can really do is massage, chiro, stretches, and pain medication. My OB wanted me to see the ortho because he'll know the best pain medicine to treat nerve pain, since the codeine was a major fail.

houseofthree · September 2014

Heating pad saved my life last night!!

NatureLovers · September 2014

jenncurtis said:
Heating pad saved my life last night!!

I have one toasting my right butt cheek as we speak.

tripletoe · September 2014

I have it really bad. I had to spend three days in bed last week because I couldn't walk. I had to call in sick which I never do! It's such an awful pain. I am better this week, still really sore but I can at least function. It progressively got worse during my work week so I'm nervous about how long I will be able to work until. My doctor gave me exercises to help my hips (which are out of line, causing my spine to rotate, causing the sciatic pain) and that's helped. He also gave me a topical analgesic derived from hot peppers to rub on my back. He did prescribe codeine, but I haven't filled it yet because I just prefer to limit medications while I'm pregnant. He said it will probably be an issue I have to deal with throughout my pregnancy. I do know of some friends who had major success with chiropractors. That will be my next step. Hang in there mama!

tripletoe · September 2014

And I love my hot pack!

sanbry · September 2014

Mine hasn't carried into the daytime yet but I'm up multiple times a night in horrible pain in my lower back/butt. Not sure if it's true sciatica or just a wack pelvis but it sucks and I'm exhausted

might be seeing a chiro if it keeps up.

kellyfo14 · September 2014

When I was pregnant for DS I would get a wicked shock of pain down my leg while I was walking. It would send me to my knees literally but luckily it was just in intervals. Couldn't imagine having to deal with that pain constantly! Good luck at your appointment!

2000cougar · September 2014

If you can find a physiotherapist in your area, s/he should be able to manipulate the pinched area and relieve some of the pain.

luckylady18 · September 2014

I was having sciatica issues (or what I assume was sciatica - it was horrible back pain). My mom told me to stop wearing any kind of heel - I should be wearing flats. That helped for a while, but now the lack of support in the flats is making my heels KILL me - I'm pretty much limping. (I have flat feet so I've been told to avoid the heel pain, to wear a slight heel - which has always helped me in that area).

Now I cant decide which pain I'd rather suffer with. I'm at a total loss today.

NatureLovers · September 2014

I'm sitting at the orthopedist now, waiting waiting.

Samuelismomma · September 2014

Omg yes! I was walking all limpy and like I was 90! Lol someone said chiropractor helps. I'm not sure if they do it at this stage or not , I'm almost 23 weeks. I am gonna start prenatal yoga though since I'm off bed rest .

NatureLovers · September 2014

Just finished, thank god he gave me pain meds! He said chiro would not help.

luckylady18 · September 2014

Glad you got your pain meds!

rockkandi · September 2014

At chiropractor now hoping for relief!!! It's Terrible!

ShuShubee · September 2014

I have had issues on and off throughout my pregnancy, but not as bad as some of you. I had bad problems a couple years ago and went to physical therapy for it, which helped a lot. Unfortunately, I am pretty sure you can't do the electroshock thingy or heat ultrasound while pregnant (at least on the lower back), and that is what really helped. Back then, my breaking point was when I was so bad one day I could barely bend to sit down. So far, it has been manageable, but I have had a couple instances where I almost fell because it felt like my leg gave out. I found that heat is the best. And, I agree with @NatureLovers doctor, I doubt a chiropractor would have helped me much if at all.

NatureLovers · September 2014

ShuShubee said:
I have had issues on and off throughout my pregnancy, but not as bad as some of you. I had bad problems a couple years ago and went to physical therapy for it, which helped a lot. Unfortunately, I am pretty sure you can't do the electroshock thingy or heat ultrasound while pregnant (at least on the lower back), and that is what really helped. Back then, my breaking point was when I was so bad one day I could barely bend to sit down. So far, it has been manageable, but I have had a couple instances where I almost fell because it felt like my leg gave out. I found that heat is the best. And, I agree with @NatureLovers doctor, I doubt a chiropractor would have helped me much if at all.

I think you can do the TENS unit. They use it to help with labor pain.

rockkandi · September 2014

I've never really done the whole chiro thing but Im desperate!!!!

JessHy2012 · September 2014

I had bad sciatica before I got pregnant and at the worst point I was on 1000 mg a day of naproxen to reduce inflammation...my dr wouldn't give pain meds. The things that work for me are massage, chiropractor, stretching and topical stuff, Biofreeze is my favorite.

bridget1979 · September 2014

I am a massage therapist so I say go get your glutes done and see a chiropractor I get adjusted three times a week it's the best think for you promise

2000cougar · September 2014

NatureLovers said:

I have had issues on and off throughout my pregnancy, but not as bad as some of you. I had bad problems a couple years ago and went to physical therapy for it, which helped a lot. Unfortunately, I am pretty sure you can't do the electroshock thingy or heat ultrasound while pregnant (at least on the lower back), and that is what really helped. Back then, my breaking point was when I was so bad one day I could barely bend to sit down. So far, it has been manageable, but I have had a couple instances where I almost fell because it felt like my leg gave out. I found that heat is the best. And, I agree with @NatureLovers doctor, I doubt a chiropractor would have helped me much if at all.
I think you can do the TENS unit. They use it to help with labor pain.

It can start contractions if you use it now. My OB is letting me use mine on my neck, but told me that I absolutely cannot use it on my lower back at this point.

rockkandi · September 2014

I've never really done the whole chiro thing but Im desperate!!!!

NatureLovers · September 2014

I'd love to get an ass massage, and Biofreeze is awesome!

JessHy2012 · September 2014

Ass massages are the best!!!

NatureLovers · September 2014

Sorry you had a rough night! Thst was me until I finally got some relief with pain meds. I know how much it blows.

AggieMom0809 · September 2014

Big fan of the Chiropractor right now! Though he said no TENS (aside from maybe the neck and shoulders. Though he also said to use it on my knee for a non-pregnancy related pain) and no biofreeze while pregnant.

I'd normally jump to pain meds, but everything you take in also goes to the baby right now and I don't want to take anymore risks than I need to.

NatureLovers · September 2014

AggieMom0809 said:
Big fan of the Chiropractor right now! Though he said no TENS (aside from maybe the neck and shoulders. Though he also said to use it on my knee for a non-pregnancy related pain) and no biofreeze while pregnant.

I'd normally jump to pain meds, but everything you take in also goes to the baby right now and I don't want to take anymore risks than I need to.

A very nominal amount goes to the baby and is cleared very quickly. The ortho cleared the dose with my OB office. The only "risk" is creating dependency, which will not happen with the occasional dose, I would need to be on large doses round the clock very close to delivery for that to even be a concern. Considering that my BP yesterday was 140/97 and my pulse was 125bpm because of the amount of pain I was in, the benefits of judicious use of pain meds outweigh the risk. Dial back the judgmental fear mongering.

Trek3 · September 2014

Mine is just starting up this pregnancy.

My first was terrible, constant pain that felt like someone taking a chisel to my crotch. My OB said it was "normal" and that there was nothing I could do about it.

My second was intermittent, sore in general but at times one of my legs would go numb when baby moved just so.

If things get bad again, I am going to try chiro (got a referral from a friend who said it worked miracles) and physio. I asked a physiotherapist about it last year before getting pregnant again - she said that wearing a support belt can really help, especially the ones with crotch support.

I find that lying on my back when I first fall asleep (at least for 10-20 minutes) helps to relax/align my pelvis and reduces the discomfort. It is starting to get uncomfortable but I will keep it up while I can.

NatureLovers · September 2014

I decided to see a chiro anyway since it's covered by my health insurance. Maybe I'll get a butt massage.

nfm12832 · September 2014

Heat pad and my snoogle pillow save me still have hard time getting out of bed to use restroom I have PGP last pregnancy as well as this one it awful! I have tried physical therapist, stretches and acupuncture. None have really helped so I have just kept it to myself this time tired of paying so much money with no results

Its so bad though if I go to the zoo or something with my daughter I won't be able to walk for days

NatureLovers · September 2014

ladyamanuet said:
Total tmi - I was finally able to have a good poop today but couldn't finish because I was in too much sciatica pain! Grrrrrr

I have had J's three daughters by myself since yesterday afternoon. They are a handful anyway, but between pregnancy, sciatica, and having to make the cake for G's party tomorrow - I need to spend like a whole day in bed. But all I'll get is tomorrow evening. Sigh.

Sorry about your poop! Ever since I hit 24 weeks mine has gotten better, I think because of the pressure of the baby down there.

LarrysBride0202 · September 2014

So, I have had sciatica issues since before my first pregnancy (this is my second) and I see a pain management specialist. The issue has now been diagnosed as 2 hernitated discs that are triggering the sciatica pain. My OB prescribed me meds, and my pain specialist says "no", and that my only option right now is an epidural block. To give you an idea of how bad the pain is, both doctors want me to look into back surgery next year (hell no). I think it's very interesting though how one doctor OKs the medication while the other refuses to even entertain the idea. I'm curious what yours says.

NatureLovers · September 2014

LarrysBride0202 said:
So, I have had sciatica issues since before my first pregnancy (this is my second) and I see a pain management specialist. The issue has now been diagnosed as 2 hernitated discs that are triggering the sciatica pain. My OB prescribed me meds, and my pain specialist says "no", and that my only option right now is an epidural block. To give you an idea of how bad the pain is, both doctors want me to look into back surgery next year (hell no). I think it's very interesting though how one doctor OKs the medication while the other refuses to even entertain the idea. I'm curious what yours says.

Mine also discussed an epidural, but obviously wanted to be more conservative and try pain meds first. Both my OB and ortho agreed the pain meds are perfectly fine and are warranted by the situation. I think it helps that my blood pressure and heart rate clearly show that the amount of pain I'm in is distressing, they know I'm not exaggerating.

By the way, my hubby just had back surgery for a herniated disc, and it had been life changing for him. His was herniated so badly that if it got any worse, he was going to lose control over his bowels. Aside from the typical post surgery pain, he's had no complications. If your doctor thinks you need surgery you probably do.

Edvent · September 2014

I was having a lot of trouble with this a a few weeks back. OB prescribed pain meds and muscle relaxers. I only took them at night for a week and went to chiro regularly. Not sure if the combo of meds and chiro worker or the baby changed position, but it just went away. I still go to chiro weekly to help manage migraines but so far the sciatic pain isn't back. Hope your combo of meds and chiro works for you, or that baby girl moves into a better spot!

NatureLovers · September 2014

ExcitedMama2 said:
Do you guys find it easier to sleep on the side that is hurting, or the other side? I go back and forth all night and sometimes sleeping on my left side feels more comfortable at the time, but makes the pain worse in the morning.

Same here. I sleep on both sides.

AggieMom0809 · September 2014

ExcitedMama2 said:

Do you guys find it easier to sleep on the side that is hurting, or the other side? I go back and forth all night and sometimes sleeping on my left side feels more comfortable at the time, but makes the pain worse in the morning.

I used to sleep just on one side all night, but I now find myself rolling from one to another because of lower circulation. There are also a few nights that neither side is comfortable and I end up on my back

Trek3 · September 2014

Back and forth all night, with a bit of time on my back which really helps.

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