Evening guys..... any other suffers out there?
I've had it bad now for a few months and is really affecting not only my fishing but my life as a whole. It's debilitating to say the least.
What do any of you do to help in terms of easing it when your fishing, best bed chairs etc.... any other tips??
Got a really bad flair up at the minute and I'm supposed to be going to France in 3 weeks ... not looking hopeful at the minute as I can barely walk!!!
private MRI booked as is a Chiropractor consultation.
Probably strange to be asking on a fishing forum but I'm assuming this hobby will have a few suffers!!!

In reply to Post #1
Oramorph and codeine!

I get it most if i don't move around. Have you tried walking it off ?As painful as it is i find walking and stretching eases it. Sitting in one position for a long time brings it on. Ibroprufen helps with the pain i find. Good luck i know it hurts.

In reply to Post #1
My wife has it bad (43) she has had a MRI scan and has disk and nerve problems which is causing the Sciatica and basically needs an operation which there is no guarantee!! she was prescribed tablets which took the lining of the stomach and made her ill, she is trying another tablet which is used to treat epilepsy to try and kid the brain into taking pain from the nerve? early days yet but no change so fingers crossed for you

In reply to Post #1
I'd personally stay well clear of chiropractors,done me more damage than I care to remember. I cured my Sciatica by simply swimming, even if you are struggling to move go and tread water in the edge of the pool and try to go regularly👍

In reply to Post #1
First had it three years ago , I can take pain , but that first attack was interesting 🙄😂
I was out of action for a month , it was a year before the numbness went from my thigh .
I do lots of stretching exercises , YouTube is your friend 👍 one I do is sitting on a chair with one leg outstretched , you'll find it on you tube . It helps alot when I feel it pulling .
The things in fishing I have found that irritates it , are ,
Kneeling on hard ground without padding .
Sitting on a bedchair ( to soft and bad posture ) with a bedchair buddy , it's good .
Doing the stretching exercises is key , some swear by pilates .
Good luck , it's a swine .

In reply to Post #1
Stretching as much as possible Find those pressure points, and work them. Mine are just below my right hip/outer thigh, and just below my right knee(side). Lying on a tennis ball, pressing these pressure points does wonders. I try to avoid the painkillers as much as possible, but when the pain is excruciating, then the pills come out

In reply to Post #5
Interesting as some people swear by them. Will bear in mind

I take paracetamol and cuprafen, use a Trakker ELS bedchair and bedchair buddy 👍🏻 I also use a weightlifters belt under my hoodie/T shirt when pushing a barrow and when photographing fish.

Good luck it's a bar steward

Michael

In reply to Post #4
Best of luck to your wife... I feel her pain. I've never known anything like it

In reply to Post #9
Never thought of a weight lifting belt.. good shout!

In reply to Post #6
You tube time it is. Thanks mate

In reply to Post #7
I had a nasty head on crash about five years ago. My back and neck went into spasms. Through my insurance company I was sent to a physio. She recommended rolling on a tennis ball. I thought she'd lost it. Until I tried it. The relief after doing it for just a few days was amazing. I still do this now from time to time and rarely if ever take the pills now.

I had three prolapsed discs that brought on sciatica. I never did find any pain relief other than knocking myself out with codeine which makes you live in a haze. I had all the epidural and nerve blocker jabs, I even went on a pain management course.

Ultimately I gave up all pain killers and did stretches. After three or four years the discs righted themselves and I now just have Facet Join pain - which is still miserable.

I have changed to a flat bed with one or sometimes two inflatable mattresses to get comfortable. I have found a chair that I can sit in and still get up out of and I do a lot of bending and stretching whilst I fish/

To add to it, my shoulders are knackered so I've changed a lot of gear for lighter stuff. I don't know how many years I'll be able to fish but I'll go down fighting.

keep stretching and moving.
I've been to an osteopath in the past for normal back ache and that helped but he didn't seem to make much difference when I went to him for sciatica.
I tried loads of different tablets including co-codamol which didn't do much apart make you constipated. Naproxen,gabapentin and one or two that I can't remember or pronounce.
In the end I found taking paracetamol and Ibuprofen taken together at the same time just as good or better than all the other stuff.
My sciatica started late February and still hasn't fully gone but became much more manageable around May time.
When I went to France last month I took a Trakker Lumbar bed and self inflating mattress and was quite comfortable

In reply to Post #1
I had recurring sciatica, stretching and excercising to built up core strength seemed to have helped me the most, I bought a rowing machine and do 5 mins a day when I can, although if your form is wrong while using a rowing machine you can cause more damage/pain.

In reply to Post #1
Get to Chiro that understands trigger points, the sports based ones are usually good. You need to find out what's causing it and what exercises/stretches you neeed to do to fix it. In the meantime as mentioned have a look on YouTube to start doing some stretches. Also google piriformis, that can be a major cause of sciatic pain. I suffered for years with lower back pain/spasms and sciatica, stretching and doing the exercises I was given by the Chiro has pretty much fixed it, still get the odd episode if I get lazy, good luck with it.

You are doing the right thing finding out exactly why you are suffering! But I can't stress enough the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and strengthening your core. I thought I was strong and healthy going to the gym and regularly running. But I had neglected my core and as soon as I strengthened it I was so much better. I did pilates which helped me no end, I swear by my chiropractor but i would strongly recommend getting one recommended.

In reply to Post #18
Thank you all for the advice really appreciate it.

In reply to Post #18
Absolutely, the core is the key to it all

In reply to Post #1
I was off work for 6 months and lying on the floor for 3 months when I did my back in some 25 years ago.

Chiropractors, physios, osteopaths vary wildly in their ability and knowledge, the first 'sports physio' I saw treated me for a pulled hamstring and caused sciatica to turn into a much worse problem, the second saw me three times and then said 'there's nothing more I can do, lay an the floor and it might get better', it didn't.

My the time I started seeing the third, an osteopath, I couldn't walk more than 50 yards and was basically living on the floor and in a lot of pain, sneezing or coughing was excrutiating.

The third got me from that state to back playing sport over a period of 3 months, it was hard work and painfull as essentially he had to free up the nerve roots from scar tissue, by the time he had sorted me out the NHS had finally got round to offering me surgery, on his advice I declined. I still get problems now and again but pretty much my back will 'lock up' to prevent further damage, usually takes a couple of weeks to free up after that.

My advice? Get a good specialist and follow their advice, get the right diagnosis and then stretches etc should help speed up your recovery. Anti inflammatories work for many, I find a hot water bottle works during the day, as does a hot bath. I sleep on a hard bed and have a flat bedchair (not that I do many noghts nowadays), also don't slouch and don't remain in the same position for long periods, try to keep as mobile as possible, as others have said.

Another thing, stay positive, it's painful and can really make life depressing when you can't do things that you used to or even basic things like walking etc without pain, but with the right management most people make a very good recovery.

In reply to Post #1
Sciatica is usually a symptom of another problem, and is painful normally only on one side.
It can be caused by a number of injuries, from a limp, (damage stopping you walking straight), to a back injury, compressed disc(s) or other back problems. Even sleeping funny can be a cause!

Basically the sciatic nerve goes from your backside down your legs to your calves, and can affect any part of them, being painful, tingly or numb.
Regular movement is helpful as it can relieve symptoms, but painkillers may be needed if it is bad. Paracetamol is not a cure, it will likely need ibuprofen or nerve based painkillers. Smoking can also make it worse😳😁

First port of call is your GP.

In reply to Post #22
I ended up having surgery in 2004 after several failed epidurals for mine, laminectomy and discectomy. Was in agony for 18 months before the operation. Had a bit of an issue after for about 9 months with scar tissue, but (touch wood) the operation worked and I've had no further issues. If you've a long wait for the MRI, go private and pay, it'll be worth it in the long run.

In reply to Post #23
All ready done it mate, paid private and in on Thursday morning.
It's so debilitating and too be honest if it requires surgery the saving will be getting dipped into and I'll pay for that as well. This pain ain't sustainable. Can't be having this at 36

In reply to Post #24
Similar age to me, 37 when it started, so I know how you feel. The surgery was a godsend to me.

In reply to Post #24
How much is a private scan?

In reply to Post #24
Strangely enough mine is better when I'm fishing.
At work I end up leaning over the bar serving customers, and at home slouched on the sofa, and I probably don't sleep straight.

When I'm fishing, on my bedchair I sleep straight, and daytimes I sit properly and walk around regularly.

I have had arthroscopic knee surgery on my left knee, ruptured cruciate ligament and torn cartilage, and have compressed discs in my back from playing American Football for 20years. My sciatica started up 2 years ago when I went from full time work to spending more time at home with agency work as I was spending more time on the sofa on days off.

At the age of 49 I'm lucky that its not too bad...
I can go a few days with no problems, but sometimes it is tingling from backside to ankle on my right side.

In reply to Post #22
I'd agree the GP, a physio or if paying privately a specialist pain consultant should be your first port of call. To assess symptoms, the MRI will help diagnose any causative nerve root compression/inflammatiom but these aren't the only causes. Conditions such as piriformis syndrome can also cause sciatica/it's symptoms and will only be diagnosed by examination (by someone who knows what they're doing).

Personally GP would be my first port of call to rule out anything sinister/check for red flags and then I'd be limoing stright to a physio for a assesament.

In reply to Post #28
My GP referred me for physio at my local hospital and it took 5 months to be seen.
I asked for a scan and was told there was no need as in 30 years of being a physio she had only sent a handful of people for a scan. She told me that a scan would only tell her what she already knew that it was a problem with my L5.
Her cure was wait until it got better on its own and meanwhile take plenty of exercise and stretching.

In reply to Post #26
I went to see a chiropractor and he did a referral straightaway before he would start treatment. GP referred me to the physio at the local hospital but the first appointment was 6 weeks.... hence going for an alternative. The scan is £260

In reply to Post #29
That's the trouble with the NHS they would rather you did the cheaper options before a costly MRI scan. Back pain is the most common reason people go to hospital/GP believe it or not so they don't just hand out MRIs. I wanted one so I knew exactly what I was dealing with but also you get to keep the scans on a disc so when you go to a GP or say a chiropractor you can take your scans with you for them to look at. I was also told if you have a private MRI and you do need surgery than it cuts out a lot of time if I go down the NHS surgery route.

In reply to Post #29
5 months!! Jesus I thought 6 weeks was bad living where I'd do ( in between Birmingham and Wolverhampton ) I don't know where your from but if you are by a major city there will be loads of private MRI clinics and this has drove prices down to something not too eye watering

Long story short,I was out night fishing,one of my baits by a thick set of pads that I planted years ago.
I asleep on a Flatbed,I get a take ,sit up quick....and destroyed the left of my inner core,intercoastal muscles,everything..

I used the same physio as Phil Vickery,England rugby,and I got taught three exercises ,this has now led me to get get into Calisthenics, in a big way,I am completely different physically now,instead of looking for otter spraints,I now look for trees,five bar gates ,steps,chairs,benches..., to use my body weight..I'm a very fit 54 yr old....
I still collate otter evidence...lol,anyway...
I would not recommended, any bed chair that has no 'give in the mattres'

I'm 48 now and have suffered with it since my early 30's, I had done the pain relief, chiropractor, physio and stretches route for a good many years but it was starting to affect my posture the doctor at my surgery suggested acupuncture about 4/5 years ago and I was booked in with the surgery's physio who undertook the acupuncture, I was told it doesn't work for everyone but it had to be worth a shot.

The first session I had within minutes I could feel the relief the numbness, tingling, hot burning pain through the ass cheek was draining away then the physio worked on my posture as my right hand side leg was shortening instantly I could feel relief, I had one more followup treatment two weeks later.

There is a but, I now get roughly 12 months relief between it starting to come back but at the first sign of it returning I go back for more acupuncture and get about the same amount of time in relief, sciatica until you have had it is hard to explain to people how debilitating it can be, rolling around on a tennis ball under your ass cheek was a good shout used to work for a short term of relief or lying on a cold floor was another that worked for me in the short term, I have in the past spent many a night pacing around the house trying to walk it off.

In reply to Post #34
I had sciatica for about 3 years on my 20s, now 35 but had back issues since 18.

On about my 3rd physio acupuncture was suggested to me. Had it, drove home and had a shower as suggested and woke up face down in the bottom of the bath, passed clean out. Was weird as I'd never done it before, had eaten, wasn't dehydrated, just boom, faceplant.

The sciatica did eventually go, after months of physio stretches and massages. Still tingles now and again but out come the stretches again.

Popped something else lower back last February. Bent and twisted to hit a take of all things, dropped to my knees and couldn't move, someone helped get my gear to the car and I drove home. Laid on bed while the Mrs went to work, come that evening I couldn't support my own weight, couldn't get to the toilet. Got some heavy duty pain killers via the on call doctor just so I could get to the chiropractor, he was a bloody hero. 5 sessions later I was back on site (light duties).

I found sciatica was as mentally draining as it is physically as it was difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel

In reply to Post #1
Agree with Devil Boy 100% stay away.

I'm a bit of an expert on this my friend, as in my early life I damaged 3 discs all towards the bottom of my spine. To cut a long story short, when I was 55 I had 6 weeks rehabilitation treatment abroad in France staying in hospital all that time. We had Gym, swimming, stretching Yoga and manipulation. I brought away on thing YOGA.

I now do 15 mins a day and have done for years. You can go to You-Tube and find exercise for sciatica, find one you like that is all seated or laying down, don't do standing until all the pain is gone.

What you need to do is stretch the nerve that is bulged. It will take a few weeks but once gone so will all the pills that damage your stomach lining so much. If you have a Yoga class near you, go see the person running it and have a lesson or two, cheaper than a Chiropractor and you will come away feeling better I promise. Let me know how it goes buddy?

Forgot to mention, take pain relief while in recovery. They now do a suppository pain killer that get to your back really quickly.

In reply to Post #32
Yes 5 months to be told it's getting better on its own so there's no need to do anything. Annoying but if that's what happens in most cases then you can see the reasoning.
Useful thread this sharing stuff. I've taken note of many of the comments for future reference

In reply to Post #36
My osteopath suggested some yoga exercises such as Cobra stretches and Childs Pose but I couldn't do them as they immediately hurt. Perhaps now the pain has almost gone it's time to consider trying them again.

In reply to Post #35
"On about my 3rd physio acupuncture was suggested to me. Had it, drove home and had a shower as suggested and woke up face down in the bottom of the bath, passed clean out. Was weird as I'd never done it before, had eaten, wasn't dehydrated, just boom, faceplant."

Strange one that, I do feel a bit lightheaded after getting up but a glass of water and five minutes later I'm good to go, I found it a bit weird when that first needle went in and hits the inflamed nerve and your leg goes into spasm but the relief ahhhh it is akin to shooting a mother load.

In reply to Post #38
I find The Pigeon is the best one for me

In reply to Post #1
I suffered with this for a long time. Went to a chiropractor who knew what he was doing !!!!! As he says you need to get the bones rite 1st before sorting the muscles or it could lead to more long term problems. Posture is one of the main causes of the problem, with the hips being out of alignment being a major factor caused by sitting down for long periods ie office or driving work. Didn't need to see a Dr of hospital physio (as I had previous bad experience with them) Go and see a Chiropractor who actually knows his/her stuff and you won't go far wrong....they are out there as well as those who don't!

In reply to Post #5
If you see a chiropractor who knows what they are doing ( and there lies the problem - few good ones plenty not so good) there shldnt be any problem. See them early enough to assess the problem. Then do the exercises recommended by them. Sorted me out and never suffered since!!!

See and osteopath. My back problems were stopping me from working and at 28 that's not good so managed to find the money for a private osteopath and it's worked wonders. I'm a chef so being on my feet all day and lots of bending so a bad back was crippling

Personally I would go and see a good cranial osteopath. A good one will treat the body totally different to a normal osteopath. I use a very good one in the Amersham area.

In reply to Post #1
Ive had it years, ignore advise on chairs and bedchairs, only you will know what suits you.
I always had a weightlifting belt for carrying anything and lifting fish.
Tramadol helped me, again we are all different.
I lie on the floor at home more than I sit on the furniture, it helps me.
Gentle exercise, walking etc and light weights. Not tried swimming but I would guess it would be good.
Ive been on the floor almost solid for 3 days in the past unable to move, its really not nice.
After a few years you learn whats good for you, if I feel a twinge coming I have 2 choices, do nothing for about 4 days or ignore the twinge and be in pain for a week or a couple of months.
Good luck, it usually doesnt last forever.

Hmmmm, how I would loved to have never even heard of this......
Back pain started when I was 19 years old, I'm now 39. Im a roof tiler by trade, bottom of my spine has no liquid between the bottom plates so they grind together and now I have wear and tear to my hip joints. Also have some kind of nerve disease which I think is called lumbers disease, sciatica has come and gone nearly every other week for that whole time. Painful to say the least. I've had -
Acupuncture
Acupressure
Physio
Steroid injections x 2
Radio frequency therapy (this kills off your nerves) and lastly
I got sent to a therapy group where you had to sit in a circle and talk about your pain! Being someone who has worked in a building trade where piss take is the main form of communication that one was highly amusing as a younger man! Not one person was under 80 in there I reckon and I was around 30. Only went once 😂
Drug wise - wow honestly don't think I could remember them all, they go through what is called the umbrella of drugs until you get to the ones that suit you. Normally involve anti inflammatory drugs and pain killers. I'm on both but also a drug that stops pain signals from your back reaching your brain. Who knows what damage you are doing then! On bad flair ups I have taken 10 co-codalmol (strongest ones) before I have left for work in the morning, that's just to get me upright. I have a very high tolerance for drugs as I have had so many years taking them.
2 years ago I woke up and started realising what I was doing to myself, I have never had a day off from work for this, now you might think that it can't be that bad then but believe me, I've had my missis dressing me before I leave for work and my work mates getting me out of the van etc. Once you get moving it always eases off. Anyway the NHS said that they could no longer help so I though sod it and started going to the gym. I can only do limited cardio as my back and hips can't take the jolts of running etc but I get on the weights and have built up more upper body strength (only a skinny lad but building bulk was not the idea) with this I work a lot on my core. After nearly 2 years of this I now only take a few tablets in the morning to get me up and about (due to not being active when I go to sleep my muscles go into spasm a lot) and that's it. I know get no sciatica, no flare ups, nothing. I know I have to be careful and I know my issues are still there but my physical life has completely changed. Gone from easily 10-15 tablets a day to 3.
Strength is the key as far as I'm concerned, the stronger your muscles are the less strain your bones have to endure.
Hope your pain eases as it is without doubt horrendous. Remember, prevention is better than the cure.

In reply to Post #46
Very similar story to what I have had. I had to finish manual labour I simply dare not lift anything. On my medical records it shows I overdosed on Paracetamol, they did nothing, I had to have blood test for liver damage, I went through all the levels of drugs until I got to Tramadol, the next step was morphine which I am so glad I didnt have.
I had injections in my spine a few times that did nothing except really hurt when they did it.
Exercise that suits you is the answer to a lot of problems, start of low and very very slowly build it up.

I suffer with sciatica as part of dealing with Multiple Sclerosis & degenerative disc disease. I have to lay on the firmest of bedchairs else I simply cannot get up off them without struggling like a fish out of water! I have spent so much money over the years - & lost most of it - in buying bedchairs that I am now certain that I have found the right one for ME.

That bedchair is the Solar C Spec Bedchair. Not the lightest by a long shot but I can sit on it without sinking down as well as not having to bow over in the Tempest Brolly V2 to sit upright on it. Since using it I have slept fantastically on the bank & better than I do at home if I am to be perfectly honest. I am always going to struggle with chronic pain, but it doesn't get worse using this bedchair compared to others I have owned & used in the past. I am on some serious medication for my conditions including 50ug Fentanyl patch, 80mg instant release Oxycodone every 4 hours and 2mg Lorazepam at night as required.

In reply to Post #46
also a drug that stops pain signals from your back reaching your brain

That's likely to be gabapentin. It didn't seem to do much for me.

In reply to Post #49
That's likely to be gabapentin. It didn't seem to do much for me.

Ditto & same with Pregabalin (Lyrica) and the other so-called "nerve" treatments

Let's face it, we are a bunch of old crocks.

I actually fell out of bed last night - not something I've done for a decade or five - and today my back is in bits.

It looks like some of you guys have hit the 30/500 Co-codamol quite hard. Word of warning, a lot of people on strong pain killers are involved in road accidents etc as they numb the brain as well as the pain.

Gabapentin too, it sends me in a daze. I have tried it once or twice but it was like sleep walking.

With any drug we tend to build a resistance and keep upping the dose. As I already take a fist full of meds each morning I tend to reach for pain killers (apart from a background Paracetamol and Naproxen each morning) only when the pain is extreme and above the usual daily level. Opiates should be used as short term remedies in my opinion.

I know that when it's extreme, back pan is all but unbearable but one strong pan killer and an hour's sleep does wonders for relieving the spasms.

In reply to Post #49
Yep that's it. Too be honest I don't know if it works or not, all I know is that I'm so much better that I don't dare stop taking it! Sorry state of affairs really.
As for the morphine etc, I got offered but declined as I got told to give up my job.
Before I started the gym my doctor told me not to lift anything over 3kg! She even said not to lift the shopping bags etc up. Funny though as my physio laughed at that.

In reply to Post #1
One other thing that has helped me that an Osteopath mentioned was that I have flat feet, this causes posture issues with knees and hips which can then lead to lower back pain. I have the shoe insoles that you can buy from Boots.
Theres a bit of info in the product details in the following link;
www.boots.com/boots-full-length-orthotic-large-10146887

In reply to Post #53
Stretches are the single best thing you can do imo...if you have a gym near you that has a reverse hyper machine that's even better, it decompresses your spine, stretches you and works your core and glutes at the same time.

As mentioned earlier opiates should only be used as a short term fix, also be aware of the strong NSAIDs as they can have serious side effects if used too long too.

Gabapentin and Pregabalin became controlled substances in April as they can become habit forming, in reality they are probably just as bad as opiates, they are often misused in high doses.

In reply to Post #50
I had that, it did nothing for me either.
Thats why I keep saying it about various subjects, we are all different.

In reply to Post #55
So..... thanks for all the post guys. Got the MRI results back today and it's 2 x bulging discs touching the nerve. As least I know what it is now. Surgery I think awaits

In reply to Post #56
I had it terribly bad from Feb 2017 to April 2017 for the first time, so much so I had to use a walking stick I was in so much pain. After a suggestion from a family friend I went and saw an Osteo and had a remedial massage. I kid you not the most painful massage in my life... but I walked pain free at end out the door. One more session a week later and I have not had it since!

In reply to Post #56
Now you have that info I would still go and see a good Chiro and see what they say, could still be possibly corrected with the correct exercises, surgery should really be the last resort, good luck with it all anyway.

In reply to Post #58
It was my chiro who referred me. The trouble is I can't even do the most basic of tasks like sitting down standing up for more than a few minutes. I also can't stand not been able to work, I'm more than happy to delve into the savings pot and pay private. I have a private consultation next week but I was with my GP yesterday and his feeling was they would try the injections first and with physio hope the bulges go back. If the injections don't work than it's my prerogative to go for surgery.

In reply to Post #59
Ah right, sorry I wasn't aware you'd already gone down that route, best of luck with it then buddy

In reply to Post #1
Ok, so I feel your pain.

I had a bulging disc from carrying my eldest in one arm all the time. I tried physio didn't work, ended up on tramadol and was the worst thing I ever did as my sleep still affected now.

Ive not had surgery and I've not had any injections but ive now not had it for 6 years.

My cure was lose weight and pilates. It strengthens all your core muscles.

In reply to Post #56
That's exactly the same diagnosis as me, bulging L4 and L5 discs (see post 21), except the discs had bulged long enough that they had formed scar tissue round the nerve roots, not nice.

Your osteopath MAY be able to free up the nerves from the bulging discs and get you on the road to recovery (mine was) or they may not, each case needs individual assessment.

Whatever the decision I wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery.

I get the odd flare up but my left leg is desensitised to heat and cold after I had a diving accident which resulted in me getting 'bent' and having two soaks in a chamber. Am on a low dose NSAID ( similar to Ibuprofen) on a daily basis and touch wood the worst has been kept at bay since I started on the meds. Something else that has helped it is seeing a physio and getting treatment for a slight walking gait I had. Anyone suffering daily has my sympathy...

All the best Andy