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[treehouse]

This is a thread to discuss ways to cope with back and sciatica pain and to remain productive at work.

I've had sciatica for about two weeks now. This is the second time it has happened. The last time was three years ago and it was so severe that time that I couldn't stand or walk for two months. It was totally debilitating. My L4/5 and L5-S1 disks are busted. This time around it's not as severe. The books say sciatica usually resolves in 6-12 weeks. I have my fingers crossed that it will not last too long this time.

While I'm able to walk, sit and stand, and do most things well enough, I'm in a lot of pain and worried about maintaining my productivity. For example, it affected my productivity this week because I slept poorly due to the pain, and because I just can't move freely or quickly. I'm in the 2nd year of a tt job at an R1. Because of the discipline I'm in, the nature of my work is pretty physical. I don't work primarily at a desk.

I saw my doctor today and she gave me Flexeril, Ibuprofen, and a prescription for PT. I might also try Vicodin if I can't manage the pain with Ibuprofen alone. I can tolerate some pretty heavy lower back pain well, but that burning, stabbing sciatica pain is seriously hard to take.

Most importantly, I need to find a way get my work done this semester. I have two big deadlines coming up and a busy semester ahead.

Anyone else here been in this situation?

[msparticularity]

I had a terrible time a year ago with sciatic pain--including amazing pain in my derrierre. It turned out that I'm a member of the portion of the population whose sciatic nerve is encircled by the piriformis muscle, so a muscle spasm there gives me terrible sciatica; you can read about piriformis syndrome on the Rice U website. If you google "piriformis stretch" there are some videos and pics to show other good stretches.

There's no telling if this is the cause of your situation, of course, so be cautious and don't do anything that makes it hurt more. I also found sitting on a heating pad set to low helpful, and had a couple of massages. Good luck!

[cranefly]

Piriformis spasm causing sciatica is a big problem for people who sit for long periods if your hips are rotated outwards. Point your knees inwards while you're sitting, and stretch that area. Doctors typically overlook it.

[treehouse]

This is useful advice for someone with piriformis syndrome. I don't have piriformis syndrome. My pain is from a herniated disk. Also, I don't sit at a desk for long periods.

[cranefly]

This is useful advice for someone with piriformis syndrome. I don't have piriformis syndrome. My pain is from a herniated disk. Also, I don't sit at a desk for long periods.

I get that, but have you only recently herniated the disk? Because if not, it could be that the sciatic pain is caused by the piriformis. It often is, and doctors often don't get that.

As to managing the pain--there's medication. Gentle stretching. Hot baths, ice baths. hot packs, ice packs. What did your doctor say?

[msparticularity]

This is useful advice for someone with piriformis syndrome. I don't have piriformis syndrome. My pain is from a herniated disk. Also, I don't sit at a desk for long periods.

I get that, but have you only recently herniated the disk? Because if not, it could be that the sciatic pain is caused by the piriformis. It often is, and doctors often don't get that.

As to managing the pain--there's medication. Gentle stretching. Hot baths, ice baths. hot packs, ice packs. What did your doctor say?

Like Cranefly, I'm wondering whether a piriformis issue could be aggravating your pre-existing condition. Since you always have a herniated disc, and this set of symptoms is something new, it might be worth considering. Even more critically, none of the possible treatments is contra-indicated. IOW, can't hurt, and might help!

[biostudent]

I too deal with lower back pain and sciatica due to herniated/torn discs (L4/L5 and L5/S1). The pain began 14 years ago, and I had a period of lower pain for several years before it became much more several 1.5 years ago. I'm now taking meds, using a TENS unit, doing PT, and have also tried injections. I'm trying to avoid surgery because I've already had surgery on my back three times.

One way I manage the pain is by getting up and walking up and down the hallway once per hour when I'm working at my desk. I also make sure I ask other people to do any lifting that needs doing. I do sometimes need to take sick days due to the pain, but mostly I just try to push through. It's been a real struggle, but I'm not willing to give up. I'm still young so I'm going to have to figure out how to deal with this if I want to do anything with my life.

[history_grrrl]

I don't have sciatica, but I do have worsening (fairly severe) scoliosis, and apparently kyphosis. I don't know what the future will hold, but right now I am trying to do my PT exercises religiously every day. It's amazing how just 20 minutes of this helps with the pain and discomfort. I would urge you to schedule that PT appointment right away and see what it can do.

[treehouse]

update: going for a surgical consultation next week. Discectomy.

[clean]

Treat Your Own Back  By Robin Mckensie

I have had back spasms.  Pure agony.  Skelaxin and viox (now something else) were the cures.  Went to physical therapy.  That was the book they suggested.

First step is to lie on your tummy on the floor like Superman would fly.  or cross your arms and rest your head.  That will help.

Also, if you sleep on your side, put a pillow between your knees.  It evens your hips some.

Good luck. 

[qrypt]

Reviving this one to ask a specific question.  I have episodes of moderate back pain -- no real need for drugs, and mostly I count myself lucky in comparison to what some people experience. 

The question has to do with working at a stand-up desk -- does this help or hurt?  I gather there is a widespread view that sitting all day in front of a computer is bad for backs.  I already have a footrest and a wrist-pad, which has been pretty helpful.  But if standing instead of sitting is better for warding off deterioration, that would be useful information.

I'm happy to hear about people's experiences, but even better if there is a proper source of some sort. 

[clean]

If you have anything in your back pockets, move them to your front pockets.  That has helped me a lot!

[asymptotic]

Seriously consider a quality chiropractor. I once herniated some discs, experienced sciatica and also lost my reflex in my right knee. PT did nothing. A chiropractor alleviated these symptoms pretty quickly. Seriously.

[littlefred]

I second the visit to a chiropractor.

*also, for tree who has a disc herniation, you might want to look for a chiropractor who also does 'decompression therapy'. I have seen this therapy work wonders.... and I am a skeptic.

I also have 2 herniated discs, L4-5, L5-S1. I had a microdiscectomy, after I spent a YEAR trying to manage the pain without surgery. 

The surgery didn't help, and I have nerve damage, with severe pain constantly. It isn't always the answer, and sometimes doesn't work at all.

[biostudent]

I also have herniated discs at L4/L5 and L5/S1. I had a spinal fusion w/rods to treat severe scoliosis when I was 12. I then herniated the discs at 16 in a dance class. Two more surgeries failed to help much, but with time (read: years), the pain diminished to a level where I could handle it myself. But almost two years ago (at age 28) it suddenly got worse due to carrying around my toddler. So far I've tried PT, TENS unit, piriformis injections, nerve root blocks, aquatic therapy, and various medications (neurontin, lyrica, muscle relaxants, ibuprofen, codeine, vicodin). Combined these treatments helped bring down the pain level somewhat, but I'm still in constant pain w/ frequent severe flare ups.

I wish I had a good answer for you, but perhaps some of the treatments I listed are ones you haven't tried yet. Also, seeing doctors in different specialties might expose you to a wider range of viewpoints treatment options -- neurologist, neurosurgeon, orthopedist, physical therapist, physiatrist, pain management.

I wish you luck and hope that you are able to find some relief. Pain makes being productive anywhere from difficult to impossible, so I understand what you're going through. And please, if any of you have suggestions of things I missed, I'd also welcome any advice you might have.