Anyone have sciatica?

[Tenor CS]

Thanks for all the posts, guys. I totally want/need to lose weight, but I desperately need to do SOMETHING to bring me immediate relief so that I can at least manage to GET on the treadmill. Right now, I'm in such pain, that I will never make it from my apartment to our complex's gym. I really don't want "cutting" surgery. If I can buy some time by getting a cortisone or similar injection, so that I can actually begin concerted efforts to lose weight, that would be great.

[tsolomon]

I have always had back problems, but when I hit 50 it just got to the point where I couldn't do the things I wanted to do. I went to the Orthopod and Chiropractor which helped, but it didn't last. Physical therapy and stretching helped, but I kept throwing my back out. 2 years ago a signed up for a yoga class that specialized in lower back problems and now I'm feeling better than I have in the past 10 years. I'm back to being active and I'm able to live an active normal life. I have to do yoga at least every other day to stay that way, but it's worth it.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by Tenor CS

Thanks for all the posts, guys. I totally want/need to lose weight, but I desperately need to do SOMETHING to bring me immediate relief so that I can at least manage to GET on the treadmill. Right now, I'm in such pain, that I will never make it from my apartment to our complex's gym. I really don't want "cutting" surgery. If I can buy some time by getting a cortisone or similar injection, so that I can actually begin concerted efforts to lose weight, that would be great.

Cyanide is a doctor if I recall and hence the great clinical advice.
One thing stands out for sure, all concur on weight loss, strengthening, with injections followed by drugs both as last resort.

For immediate resolution of what I call the fetal syndrome and the inability to put on ones own socks, I have found a combination of Naprosyn and Robaxyn have teamed up well to reduce the inflammation and relax the muscles to allow my disc to gradually recede. Pain killers such as Tramadol relieve the pain but I find they do nothing for the condition as the latter two seem to do. Avoid pain killers if possible.

Once you are able to, lay down on the floor and raise your legs or have someone help you so you can stretch them good. The more you stretch your legs, the better for your back. Weird but true.

Get a Tempurpedic mattress if this is long term. Expensive indeed but I swear it did wonders to help me live much better with this condition.

I have found going for long walks helps tremendously as well as avoiding a set position for too long, whether sitting or standing.

The only good news I can offer you is that no matter what estimate you read on how many Americans suffer from what we have, the number is under-estimated. Bet you more folks than you can imagine have herniations and think they have spasms. One thing is for sure for me, no Chiro with this condition. Don't need anyone snapping bones to address a herniated gook filled disk that can rupture and cause more problems. Ortho or Neuro is the only way I have messed with this for 20 years. Tried three Chiros early on and will never return. My apologies to any Chiros on the board and to the miracle healings you may be able to accomplish.

Last epidural for me was a couple of years ago and have been doing quite well considering. However, lost about 10 pounds along the way and really think that helped tremendously.

So, don't look for overnight miracles here. Won't happen and likely to be a life long condition, with some days better than others.