For over a week now I’ve been in pain. Unable to work or do anything physical. Seen two doctors, got some painkillers and been referred to a physio.

Never had it before, not sure what caused it or how long it will last. Doesn’t seem to be getting any better which is starting to annoy me a bit.

Any suggestions? Been told hysiotherapy is a waste of time and I should see an Osteopath. Been doing some exercises.

Mate sent me a photo from the North Downs, lost my temper with frustration.

It’s terrible.

I had it for a couple of years when I was in my late teens. I think mine was caused by the job I had at the time.

The worst for me was the pain I would get from just lying in bed. Horrible.

I got some meds from the GP which didn’t work then they changed them and the pain greatly reduced. Changed my job and it went away.

Can’t remember the name of the meds.

This post doesn’t really help, just to let you know I feel your pain!

Osteopath rather than Physio for sure. I have occasional serious pain from my Sacroiliac joint which is very similar to sciatica. One hour with the osteopath and its much better and I could ride again after 4 days.

It’s a symptom, you need to find out what the underlying cause is. In my case it was a herniated disc and it took ages to get sorted.

MRI is probably the best route for a diagnosis. Easier said than done though..

What job were you doing?

How long did it take to go away?

I’m a cycle courier, been doing it for 8 1/2 years. Have had back ache and some pain in my leg for the last few weeks. Last Thursday had to carry a lot of heavy legal files. Friday morning could hardly get out of bed.

Yoga sorted mine.

What job were you doing?

How long did it take to go away?

It was a long time ago, 20+ years. Working as a butcher carrying a lot of heavy meat. Typically 50kg but occasionally 90kg. It was pretty hard work. Awkward shapes as well.

Mine wasn’t as bad as what you are describing, I was never laid up with it, just a lot of discomfort at times.

I went offshore and it pretty much went away, not surprising really. I have had the occasional problem since which I think is connected to it. I guess it will be an ache as I gradually get older.

I can ride my bike without pain strangely. When I get off I remember I can’t walk properly.

When I get off I remember I can’t walk properly.

Yeah sounds familiar. It was pressure on my heel and seemed to trigger the worst pain.

Yoga sorted mine.

Girlfriend keeps suggesting Pilates.

Feel your pain mate, i suffered it for quite a few years. I tried just about everything, osteopath, physio, doctors drugs, acupuncture…. In the end i found a good physio and although it didnt ‘cure’ it it certainly made it bearable. I must have tried over half a dozen different practises/people before i found something that kind of worked for me. Didn’t like the doctors method of drugs as they just turned me into a zombie, they sent me to a NHS physio but they didnt really have much time for each person so went private. Guess everyone is different though so hoping you find something that works for you

Girlfriend keeps suggesting Pilates.

Could help. I heard that improving your core strength really helps.

I suffer from Sciatica. Had it really bad about 3 years ago, Pilates and physio sorted me. It still returns for maybe a week or so. Been diagnosed with a disc bulge in the lower back. The stuff I carry in work doesn’t help. I was given Ibuprofen and a painkiller called Zapain.
Last resort is surgery to shave off some of the disc.

I had it. I couldn’t walk, and had to crawl upstairs.

Pilates, a bit of physio, and especially exercises in the book Treat your own back.

Don’t bother with osteopaths – if you like you can paypal me £50 instead.

Keep moving.

Demand stronger pain killers from your doctor if need be.

If it doesn’t respond to treatment you might need to go the MRI route. It could always be something more serious.

Had it just before Christmas. worst pain I’ve experienced. GP prescribed Codeine 30mg four times daily (ZAPAIN®) + NAPROSYN® twice daily made it tolerable (I could stay still and even move a bit without crying) in the first week. Things got better after that. Still have mild discomfort and some numbness.

Osteopathy was recommended to me. As was chiropractic. Since they’re both nonsense based on no evidence I didn’t choose them.

Sciatica seems to be a complex beast what with the sciatic nerve having such an exciting route. I figured that since I know my core muscles are weak at best that following the GP’s exercise sheet wouldn’t harm me. I saw a physio to confirm I was doing them right. Couldn’t find evidence for specific exercise being helpful or not in sciatica but found evidence that it didn’t do harm following back surgery.

The physiotherapy has helped core strength. And identified ‘tightness’ in my piriformis muscles. Which might suggest piriformis syndrome.

Expecting that lacking any intervertebral disc insults I’ll gradually recover. Hope it gets better.

MRI is the least invasive route for diagnosis of a potential prolapsed intervertebral disc. It might also help identify any other structural effects on the sciatic nerve as it winds its way down. MRI also has a great capability for incidental findings. You need to consider what action you might take depending on the outcome: surgery?

@mudmonster – assuming you mean leg nerve type pain by ‘sciatica’ most common cause is disc or spine wear and tear compressing one of nerve roots. In 90% ish of people it is a self limiting condition that settles with pain relief and symptomatic management within three months.

Initiative treatment is painkillers and stay as mobile as you can. Physio osteopath etc – can help.

If not settling by 6-8 weeks worth getting referred. MRI scan before that adds very little – treatment would still be see if it settles. (MRI is really a test for assessing role for surgery or other intervention such as injection).

Hope that helps. jet.

A google of ‘lumbar radiculopathy’ will get you lots more info

I’ve got it now, started about five weeks ago, first time ever.
I saw the doctor after five nights sleeping no more than twenty or thirty minutes a night due to pain etc. Got some anti inflammatory/pain killers and muscle relaxers for the night, but they weren’t?making any difference, so didn’t bother after a couple of true.
I’ve been referred for physio as I’ve lost significant strength in my left leg.
So I’m sleeping better now and not in pain, but still have issues from it, still taking the anti inflammatories etc.
I didn’t have anytime off work, due to the way the sickness policy works, I would have been under review and didn’t want to go through that.
But I probably should have taken some time off, nearly falling asleep at various times during the day wasn’t good!

If you are anywhere near Portsmouth/Southampton I can give you the details of a Chiropractor who defied all my expectations and made my life (and some other people I know) much more bearable.

Back pain is the most debilitating thing, you have my sympathy.

I can give you the details of a Chiropractor who defied all my expectations and made my life (and some other people I know) much more bearable.

If you want to pay me £80/hour I’ll happily apply my hard-won anatomical and physiological knowledge to some handwaving and manipulation to attempt to fix your holistic body problems.

A other yoga recommendation. Mine flares up every now and again, yoga always sorts it out. Should really do the yoga as preventative measure but always seem to slack off it.

I don’t envy you, my Wife had it years ago, she’d just sit there blubbering and shaking from the pain and she’s no wimp. Cocktail of painkillers and physio took months to full recover but she says it’s not 100%.

If you want to pay me £80/hour I’ll happily apply my hard-won anatomical and physiological knowledge to some handwaving and manipulation to attempt to fix your holistic body problems.

😆

If you fix my back its worth $80 an hour!

Never been to a good Chiropractor then? Or is my experience wrong?

Differential = piriformis syndrome. The sciatic nerve runs through the piriformis muscle causing “sciatic” pain if the muscles particularly tight. Google “piriformis stretch” and try a few.

I don’t post here much but my ears pricked up when I saw this.

I’ve been suffering for over 3 months with severe sciatic pain down my left leg. It was so bad that it got to the point where I was happy to pay 800 odd quid privately for a scan. Turns out i have a prolapsed disc which is trapping the sciatic nerve. I cannot describe the pain / distress / depression I’ve suffered since the start of December. As a cyclist, my year so far has been ruined.

Anyway, my experience has been that the physiotherapy I’ve had was wrong and made it worse hence why I wanted the scan to understand the root of the problem. Walking made it worse but sitting still was equally as bad so I would persevere with various back stretches and work out what works best. If it’s a disc issue you want to try and stretch in such away that it opens your vertebrae to try and get the disc to retreat.

I’m now on a short list for surgery. Fortunately in the last week I’ve really been starting to feel better. If I can avoid surgery that’s be great but it’s early days. I’m currently going through Tramadol withdrawal which is unpleasant but very welcome at the same time.

Not quite sure what the point of this is but if it perserveres pester your doc like mad, try to keep moving but not to the point of making it worse. Also buy a very expensive new bike in anticipation of recovery…

PS: 8.5 years of courier work, I’m guessing using a courier bag or rucksack and unless your a yogi your gonna have some pretty funky muscle / skeletal imbalances going on.

Don’t wait for a physio referral – asks around and get the name of the best local sports physio and part with the cash for what should be a proper diagnosis.

When I first slipped a disc I had weeks of talking to GPs and making no progress – you need a correct diagnosis and, from my experience, you’re more likely to get it from a good physio than anyone else.

Hope you get it sorted, I’ve been through all sorts of bother.

The doc said it might be time to drill some bolts through my pelvis, to ‘fix’ the underlying Ankiolising Spondylitis/ SI joint whatever, I said ‘bugger that’ and started Yoga, and making an effort to sleep so that my back isn’t twisted.

I suspect the biggest thing is stretching my hamstrings…

This:

I can ride my bike without pain strangely. When I get off I remember I can’t walk properly.

Is familiar…

Long term sufferer here

Do not go to an osteopath at this point they could cause more damage, actually any osteopath worth their salt wouldn’t touch you.

For now small walks if you can manage and keep mobile as much as you can. Getting on the bike is not a wise move.

Get yourself back to the GP on monday and ask for

Naproxen 500mg (250mg won’t do anything)
Diazepam just to relax the muscles and so you can sleep
Codeine 30mg/500mg

This lot is for severe pain.

Hot baths

Tiger balm at base of back helps

Get yourself to a physio just to assess you and give you simple excercises.
Ask your GP if your health trust has a spinal fitness class and get on it ASAP.

It does get better but don’t push your boundaries.

I’m not opting for an operation just changed my lifestyle.

Good luck OP stay positive!!

I had it really badly a few years back, turned out to be a burst disc (what used to be called a ‘slipped disc’)

A consultant offered to trim the offending bit off (that was pressing on my nerves) but did not recommend it. I kept moving and it gradually went away.

Really unpleasant few weeks/ months.

Try to get referred to a consultant who deals with this stuff all the time.

A real bummer – I hope you get better soon.

I get it from time to time sometimes with lower back pain sometimes they occur separately. Had it for almost 2 years on and off. Two physios suggested weak core and tight glutes/hamstrings/psoas. In the end an MRI showed a prolapsed disc (L4 or L3 I can’t recall which). Surgery was suggested as a last resort. Or an injection into the spine. At the moment I’m hoping it cures itself over time as I’ve heard too many bad stories about spinal surgery. Apparently the body can reabsorb the jelly which is released from the disc when it bursts. It’s this jelly that’s irritating my sciatic nerve

Thanks for all the advise. I’ve got codeine and naproxen. I also decided to get drunk last night which was probably a bad idea.

I’m off to a Pilates place tomorrow for an assessment. Might try to find a good physio too. Walking seems to help a bit. I really hope it’s not a disc problem.

Also buy a very expensive new bike in anticipation of recovery…

I bought some Ti bolts.

I’ve had two occurrences of a “slipped disc”. First one (7 years ago ish) took a few months to recover from ( horse tranquilliser strength meds to dull the pain), the second time was in 2015 and it pretty much wiped out my year biking wise (and 2016 wasn’t great either) + the strong meds too. The low point was on day in July 2015 when I could only crawl around on the floor, couldn’t even get up onto knees. Getting up the stairs was a no-no.

But now much better and no surgery required. I found long walks and pilates helped loads.

[/quote]At the moment I’m hoping it cures itself over time as I’ve heard too many bad stories about spinal surgery. Apparently the body can reabsorb the jelly which is released from the disc when it bursts. It’s this jelly that’s irritating my sciatic nerve

Is this permanent damage? If you lose some of the contents from the disc do you end up shorter?

I guess you probably do end up shorter yes – I think this happens to most people as they approach old age anyway

One of my other discs looked like it had burst in the past although I’d had no symptoms then – but it looks very flat/thin compared to the others

Quick update. I’m no better. Doctor referred me to a consultant muscular skeletal physiotherapist.

I had three Pilates sessions and he said there isn’t much more he can do until I improve. Was really hoping he’d sort me out.

Already worried that my summer is gonna be ruined. Mate sending me riding picks from Tenerife doesn’t help.

I had sciatica years ago, v painful. Stretching fixed it, in fact some pilates moves would fix it depending on the cause. I put mine down to a desk job and poor posture.

As above, work on your core muscles, maybe back stroke in the pool. I used to be in agony. After much stretching never had it again. Bin the meds, get to the root cause.

Cortisone type injections can help with the acute symptoms and get you to stage where you can do physio etc. At least it worked for me twice (over 10 years)

I literally feel your pain. Like others I could cycle OK but then struggled to stand up straight afterwards. Driving a car had a similar effect.

MRI showed prolapsed disk.

Just over a year ago I had back surgery (microdiscetomy) to trim back the disk between L5 & S1 and take the pressure off the root of the sciatic nerve.

AFter the initial recovery period of about 3 months I got back on to the bike and started training again. This was probably too much, too soon as I’ve now aggravated it again. Having said that the pain now is not nearly as bad as pre-surgery. Wish I had been more cautious about the recovery as it was almost perfect, but now i feel like i’ve messed it up again.

Things which are now helping a slow and drawn out recovery are as follows-
-gentle stretching using exercises provided by physio (an accomplished endurance racer who suffers from lower back issues) and free osteopathy provided by my work;
-swimming front crawl
– not cycling too much – only now am I doing a gentle 40min commute, but MTB still seems to be a bit much
– core exercises
– a key thing when doing exercises and stretching is not to overextend as this is where more damage can be done.
-keeping the weight off.
-been careful how I get out of bed and how i move in general
– ensuring that I stay well-hydrated also seems to help quite a lot. Possibly something to do with keeping the remaining disk supple.
– taking ibrufen and codeine ahead of doing exercise to prevent muscle stiffness.
-core and posture – it’s easy to develop bad habits and they can be hard to fix
-adjusting my position on the bike, so it’s more upright. Lowered the saddle slightly so that my pelvis is in a more neutral position. Raised bars by a couple of spacers.
-one of the stretches is based on the Mckenzie method of back extensions. Go easy with this but a little bit about 3 or 4 times a week seems to be helping me at the moment.

All the best to the OP. You have my sympathy. Most of the above bullet points took quite a long time for me to figure out. It does sound like a disk issue but equally could well be one of a number of other issues. MRI to investigate perhaps (can be had on NHS or privately for ~£300).

There is also an older thread of Sciatica “sciatica driving me mad” which may be of use.

Singlespeeding helped as I had to stand and dance on every climb.

Similar situation here – broke down in training for the London marathon and get pins and needles in both feet + various pains in legs/buttocks/back if I run more than 5 minutes or on long (30mins +) walks. But I can ride hard on a spinning bike for an hour without issue.

I am currently on 500g naproxen twice a day for 4 weeks and have been referred to muscular skeletal specialist with a view to an MRI. The specialist running physio (also a Pilates trainer) did nothing for me other than take about £500 from me 🙁