Dealing with Sciatic Pain

I've been trying to think of how to describe the pain that I've been in. Sciatic pain starts in the hip, and as the nerve gets inflamed, it shoots down the leg, sometimes leaving a side of your foot numb. In my case, mine started with feeling like I had a sore groin, into a sore hip. The next day it was shooting down my outer thigh, into my outer calf down to my big toe and the two beside it. The toes eventually started to feel funky, as though they were asleep. They still feel funky, and I've been told that is the last thing to regain sensation.

I've been thinking of how to describe the pain. It shoots down the leg, but at its worst, it felt as though someone or thing was scraping the nerve all the way down. It made me nauseous and caused my muscles to twitch at times. It was so intense that my eyes would tear up. Words like radiating are used in its description. Finding a position that felt good was really hard. Walking hurt. I couldn't stand up straight (so I hobbled like an old woman).

Sitting was more comfortable for me than laying down, which was confusing because most people with a herniated disc have to lay down, as sitting is excruciating.  Apparently I'm an anomaly. Not really what I want to be hearing, though I have to admit I'm not surprised. (I've been told that before.)

Even though a particle of the disc is pushing on my nerve, the pain is mostly felt in the leg. When I got my MRI, the disc was bulging to the left, yet my symptoms were on the right. It was also clear that the disc was damaged (no filler in it). I had nerve symptoms, but at first glance, it was hard to see anything pushing against the nerve. The radiologist noted that there was a small particle (barely noticeable) pushing against the nerve. It's this little, barely visible, bugger that's been the cause of all this. (And I'm really, really hoping that my body will reabsorb the little bugger. Because if it doesn't, then my path will shift again.)

There are many ways one can deal with the pain- steroid injections, oral steroids, muscle relaxers, ibuprofen, pan killers, and surgery. At the same time I was suffering from my herniated disc, a friend of mine emailed me that she too was dealing with it. She opted for surgery, so it will be interesting to compare our progress down the road. (For the record, surgery will relieve the pain immediately; however, one needs to be aware of scar tissue and possible surgeries down the road.) I did not opt for surgery, as it's an option I'm not comfortable with, nor do I know how I'd deal with the anesthetic.

Another person I know only did muscle relaxers, and another friend has had wonderful success with epidural steroid injections. For me, personally, I opted to go the route of ibuprofen (800 mg 3 times per day), muscle relaxers, and tramadol for when it got really bad. I'm happy to report that I was able to wean myself down to regular ibuprofen (between 400-800 mgs per day) and Arnica. I have found Arnica to be incredible for helping with the inflammation of the nerve.

I have also found that breathing into the pain, and at times focusing on it helped me to get through it. It also helps me to get on and off the examination table to traction, and in and out of cars. Before I move, I take a deep breathe in, let it out, and do it again and again if I need to.

I must admit, that dealing with this pain, learning how to breathe into it and let myself feel it - has been a gift. Yes, there have been quite a few gifts from this... but that is for another post.

Reason #323 Why I Adore My Chiropractor

I had another traction session today with my chiropractor. Though progress is slow, as he said, "You are progressing along just as I expected." Today and yesterday, though still in pain, it's to the point where I've not taken ibuprofen since Tuesday. I have taken Arnica 30c. Originally, I used the gel.  Arnica  helps the inflammation as well as Nordic fish oil. On a level of 1 to 10 (10 being excruciating - don't you dare touch or move me - please pass another Tramadol), I'd venture to say I'm about a 5-6 today.

The first time I met him, I liked him. (And it wasn't because he was very nice looking.) He made eye contact, thoroughly explained everything, and told me right off the bat, "This is what I can do... If we get to a point where I think I can't do anything else, I'll refer you to someone else. If at anytime you aren't comfortable with me, please seek another opinion."

Throughout this entire process he has been up front and honest, and very clear with all of my options - from traction to medications to surgery. He has been a strong pillar of support (whether it be helping me onto the table, talking about how I tend to stress out and what I can do about it, to cheering me on when I've wanted to give up, and then some). The entire time I've been his patient, he reaffirms that it's my choice, and he's done everything in his power to help ease my pain. He did everything to try and get me on my vacation, and was upset with us when we all realized that it wasn't going to happen. He took the time to explain everything to my hubby, including showing us the MRI. He called me on a Saturday night, after returning from an overnight trip to give me the results of my MRI.

Next week, he's upping the anti with traction in doing more manipulations. Today, while in traction, I could feel the feeling in my foot lighten up. (It used to feel like pins and needles, as though it were asleep. Now, it feel tight, as though it was swollen - which it is not.) I was able to move a bit more. Today, I felt hope. It's still a long road, each day another step down it.

In the beginning...

On June 13, 2012 I woke up with severe sciatica. By June 14th, I couldn't walk without assistance. I had to borrow a wheel chair to get to my MRI and to go to the doctor to get pain meds and muscle relaxers. Mind you, we were scheduled to leave for vacation on June 15th.

Vacation did not happen. In the course of a few days, life as I knew it changed as I found myself incapacitated by pain that was so bad, I wanted to be placed in a dark hole and not move again. (Mind you, I'm familiar with pain. I birthed two kiddos without medication or epidurals.)

During this process I've had to deal with intense pain. I've had to rely on others for help. I've had to be still (and that is when you learn just how active the mind really is). I've been humbled. I've struggled to keep a chin up. I've learned to deal with pain.  Our entire family has been affected on multiple levels. This is how it all began.