Wrecked my bike last April and broke my tailbone in half and fractured my transverse process on my L4 and L5. Now anytime I do a lot of lifting/twisting/bending or stepping up (stairs/ladder), the sciatic nerve lights up and it doesn't feel really good to put it lightly.
Besides drugs like Tylenol 3, Tramadol, Gabapentin, does anyone have any advice to get the pain to settle down when it flairs up?

Im a doctor and I suggest opioids.

Cramp00 said:

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Im a doctor and I suggest opioids.

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You must be a dealer too!

Ag_B_10 said:

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Cramp00 said:

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Im a doctor and I suggest opioids.

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You must be a dealer too!

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Aren't all doctors dealers?

Guy on my team is on STD because of his right now. Has always been a problem but he had to call an ambulance over the weekend because he couldn't move. Sounds horrible.

I have some occasional discomfort due to this. Appears I shouldn't be complaining but should be looking into early intervention strategies, outside of ethanol.

Yeah, it can be brutal.

In my case, out of no where, I can get a shock in the nerve that feels like someone stabbed me with an icepick. Happened once in the grocery store, and I hit the ground.

To answer your question, my Dr has prescribed tramadol and/or Lyrica (I think it's the latest version of gabapentin.)

Good luck.

My wife treats patients with siatica. She talks about it, but I really can't help you. I'm either staring at her boobs or nodding approvingly while I watch sports on TV.

I used to keep my wallet in my back right pocket. I developed siatica pain from sitting with my right ass cheek higher than my left ass cheek. Went on a wallet diet and did some stretches I found on youtube. Now I carry less cash, and keep my wallet in my front pocket. And, by less cash I mean carry only 100s now instead of 50s and 20s.

Plus you stopped sitting in other dude's laps as often. That probably helped as well.

If I knew how much you liked my fat around you, I would do it more often.

I feel special.

Bob Knights Liver said:

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My wife treats patients with siatica. She talks about it, but I really can't help you. I'm either staring at her boobs or nodding approvingly while I watch sports on TV.

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You should listen. She treats mine via suction therapy.

Hey Nav said:

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Yeah, it can be brutal.

In my case, out of no where, I can get a shock in the nerve that feels like someone stabbed me with an icepick. Happened once in the grocery store, and I hit the ground.

To answer your question, my Dr has prescribed tramadol and/or Lyrica (I think it's the latest version of gabapentin.)

Good luck.

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Brutal is a good word. It's like a migraine in my leg. What sucks is it's not a sharp pain that hits and then goes away. It hits and sticks around for a while.

Look man, I already said I don't understand all the medical terminology.

Broke my back in HS so I'm familiar. If I don't stretch almost every day, I'll be in pain. Go to a physical therapist to get some guidance. That's the only thing that kind of helps prevent the pain. I've found floating while mindfully relaxing all my muscles helps. I have a huge soaker tub that I use, and our hot tub is getting connected in a few weeks. Maybe try that? Best of luck… it sucks.

I've had a few bouts with it. The main thing I learned is that there is no pain killer that did squat for it. Finding a way to relieve the actual impingement and avoid re-aggravating it was the key. In my case, it was more of an issue with the muscles near my hip getting tight and then inflamed, which then irritated the nerve. So resting and icing to get it calmed down, then a good stretching routine to prevent it from returning was key for me

Mine was killer when standing, and over the course of 60-90 seconds, the pain would build like someone was sticking a knife into my thigh/knee.

Developed sciatica after years of tractor work (you rarely sit facing straight ahead as you're watching the action behind you). Deep massage helped relieve pinched point at the time and since then use stretching exercises found online.

Is sciatica also the one where your knees buckle when you sneeze?

Aside from losing weight, I also stopped wearing belts that were at all effective. They really stress out my fat-kid lower back.

I have sciatica problems at times. Stretching and deep tissue massages help keep it under control.

I've been going to a massage therapist every 3 weeks for about 6 months. Really helps.

This sounds cold but walking it off usually helps mine.

Sitting in a helicopter for long periods of time has caused mine to flare up at times. The last time I was basically immobilized by it was at Disney a few weeks ago. I don't think it's the best advice for everyone but it tends to make mine feel better in the short term.

Appreciate the feedback. Will definitely try the massage and stretching.

Ag_B_10 said:

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Wrecked my bike last April and broke my tailbone in half and fractured my transverse process on my L4 and L5. Now anytime I do a lot of lifting/twisting/bending or stepping up (stairs/ladder), the sciatic nerve lights up and it doesn't feel really good to put it lightly.
Besides drugs like Tylenol 3, Tramadol, Gabapentin, does anyone have any advice to get the pain to settle down when it flairs up?

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I got it when I was pregnant and could only take Tylenol. Put on your big boy pants and deal with it like pregnant women do.

Have you had an MRI to make sure everything healed up right?

Ag_B_10 said:

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Appreciate the feedback. Will definitely try the massage and stretching.

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Talk to your doc and work with him to get set up for PT. You'll be more likely to target the right stretching and strengthening

I use one of those weird back tools with all the knobs and hooks on it, a back roller and Icy Hot to get by when I get lazy and don't stay on my yoga/stretch regimine. If I'm gonna fishing/golfing/sportsing I preload on Aleve at old school prescription doses at least 3 days in advance.

histag10 said:

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Ag_B_10 said:

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Wrecked my bike last April and broke my tailbone in half and fractured my transverse process on my L4 and L5. Now anytime I do a lot of lifting/twisting/bending or stepping up (stairs/ladder), the sciatic nerve lights up and it doesn't feel really good to put it lightly.
Besides drugs like Tylenol 3, Tramadol, Gabapentin, does anyone have any advice to get the pain to settle down when it flairs up?

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I got it when I was pregnant and could only take Tylenol. Put on your big boy pants and deal with it like pregnant women do.

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Isn't there a sammich somewhere that needs to be made?

Mine was bad enough it required fusion surgery. L4, L5, and S1. Go see Dr. Williamson at Fondren on Main in Houston. One of the best in the country and surgery is his last resort.

GunRangeGal said:

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Broke my back in HS so I'm familiar. If I don't stretch almost every day, I'll be in pain. Go to a physical therapist to get some guidance. That's the only thing that kind of helps prevent the pain. I've found floating while mindfully relaxing all my muscles helps. I have a huge soaker tub that I use, and our hot tub is getting connected in a few weeks. Maybe try that? Best of luck… it sucks.

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That's nice of you to offer him the use of your hot tub.

Probably. But I already did my sammich making for the day prior to 7am

An MRI last week confirmed I have herniated discs at L4 and L5. I finally went to the doctor when I went to get in the car and realized I could not physically drive to work.

PT and decompression therapy seem to be helping. I have a steroid injection scheduled for next week as well. Too much sitting seems to be the root cause so I'm going to order a standing desk next week.

I keep it under control by doing the right stretches and using a decline table when it hurts. The right stretches is key and was counterintuitive to me. Had I not been told, I would have been stretching the wrong way and pushing the disc further into the nerve.

As others here have mentioned, getting the right exercise and stretching routine that you can and will routinely do will be a huge help for your quality of life.

Stretching, and don't stop moving. Worst thing you can do during a flare up is be sedentary.

Also, I found a chiropractor that in addition to the snap crackle pop, does light PT/stretching and massage in the same session.

If it's real bad I'll go a couple of times in a week to get headed in the right direction. I've found that after a couple visits it's diminishing returns or it actually starts getting worse. Then be diligent with stretching at home.

I also bought a home stem unit, which seems to help. Wife loves to rip them off, and with it lower back / butt cheek hair.

Also be diligent with quality of chairs you sit in at work. And pay attention to when your shoes start to get worn to where it's affecting the quality of your step