Sciatica question...

[kato_cat69]

I threw my back out by picking up a dead branch in my yard. It quickly got worse and I know it's sciatica because I had it about 15 years ago. Terrible pain in the lower back and down my left leg to the foot...burning sensation. The doc said to take 800 mg of ibuprofen 3x day, but I neglected to remember for how long. So far have been taking it for 3 days and it has not kicked in or relieved the pain. Does anyone know any other remedies for this? (I am doing the back exercises recommended by the hospital 2x day and taking hot baths at night).

Should I expect some relief in 3, 4, 5 days, or should I ask to see another dr?.... Thanks for any help you can offer....this hurts like $#@%$.

[settledintex]

Ice Ice Ice-it is my back up remedy when all else fails. I was actually put on the prescription dose of Naproxen Sodium(Aleve) for 30 days along with rest,careful walking to keep muscles stretched out and ice on my hip and back. I had the burning toe sensation for months and have now had surgery. It creeps back here and there but I know its just the nerve being decompressed and it is sensitive. Please see a doc that specializes in spine if you go anywhere at all. Keep us posted on how you are doing!
-Michelle

[tlc6]

I agree with settledindex. Prior to surgery I was told by my PT to ice for 20 minutes every two hours. I was also prescribed an NSAID called Lodine which helped. I had tried ibuprofen because it had worked in the past but it didn't even touch the pain this last time. No heat because heat can inflame the nerves even further. It sounds like an MRI is needed. Keep us posted! Good luck!

[kato_cat69]

Thanks Settledinttex and tlc, for the input. Gosh, I hope this doesn't lead to surgery, an MRI or a specialist - I wasn't taking it that seriously! I thought my family prime care doc could handle it (first doc I got was a crummy resident).

Yes, I heard the ice treatment, and even used frozen peas and ice the first time I had this 15 years ago, but the doc stated that since I was beyond the first two days of pain to use heat only, so have not used ice. I am starting to feel better now after two days of ibuprofen; have some mobility, but the pain starts in again after several minutes on my feet.

I would have preferred Naproxen or physical therapy, but looks like that won't happen unless things worsen. Sorry you both had problems like this; what a pain..literally. Thanks for the advice and let's hope we all feel better soon..
(male)

[Dan's Mom]

Hi,
I have a question for you.. this scatia (sp?) that you refer to.. does that cause numbness in your leg too? my friend has something like what you have described.. the burning... and something, I can't remeber if she said it was pain.. about her groin area? We have been trying to figure out waht it might be. I took her to the DR, but she never followed through with the MRI thing.. whihc doesn't surprise me.. i also have another question.. what does the Kato stand for?