"And if you google pilates for sciatica you can find exercises to try at home." "Another important factor is getting or keeping weight off the stomach, and strengthening the stomach muscles. A big belly with weak muscles can put a lot of stress on the spine." I have had one bout of sciatica that came on suddenly and was incredibly painful-quoted the above insights because what has worked for me is Pilates. I was taking group lessons and when the trainer went out on her own I followed her. She is very good at getting me to move and stretch past what I would do on my own without straining or overdoing it; Pilates of course is also all about strengthening one's core muscles and I've not had any more sciatic problems. Thank goodness for that, it was one of the most excruciating pains I've ever experienced. Ann

I stumbled on this topic and was so glad to see that I am not the only one who has struggled with this. I have been having issues for the past 3 years. My periods stopped almost exactly 2 years ago. I had gotten so bad in the past 6 months that I could not walk when I got out of bed in the morning and could barely walk after sitting for longer than 10 minutes. I finally found a combination of things that have been working for me. I hope it may help somebody else! I admit that my diet has been terrible. I've had a bad case of the "busys" and I have relied heavily on the "bag and box" convenience approach. I read that people who eat a lot of fast/convenience food have magnesium and potassium deficiencies--which affect muscles. I began eating a banana--sometimes with peanut butter for breakfast. I eat baked potatoes (with all the good stuff; even then it 's better for me than fast food!). I concentrated on getting food with real nutrients; particularly potassium. You can google and find lots of options. I began taking a magnesium supplement. I only take about 1/2 the therapeutic dose. Do some research and find out which formulations are best absorbed to avoid diarrhea. I found out that artificial sweeteners can have an affect on nerves over time. (I recalled working with a client in my past job who turned to drinking Listerine as a source of alcohol. It permanently damaged the muscles in his legs.) I have been a HEAVY diet coke drinker for decades. I limit the diet soda to one or two small bottles per week and I began drinking water. Lots of it. I bought a compact fold-up exercise bike so that I could get in non-weight bearing exercise. The treadmill just seemed to aggravate things, especially my foot that had begun swelling. The bike allows me to work my legs--releasing lactic acid build-up that can lead to tightness--without causing new problems. A rowing machine might work too. I do at least 30 minutes a day, sometimes breaking it up into two or three sessions. I like the bike because it is totally silent and I can stop for brief breaks. I watch TV while riding. (I've read that deep tissue massage is also excellent in releasing lactic acid build-up, but I haven't tried it.) I began taking vitamin D3 for muscles and bones. I began taking Krill oil to help with inflammation--and it's just plain good for the human body. On mornings when I am still feeling pretty tight by 9:00am or so, I take 600mg ibuprofen. Previously, this did nothing to help. Now, it makes all the difference. I can feel it within an hour and one dose is all I need for all day. It took about 6 weeks, but the difference has been amazing. My stiffness is not totally gone, but it is remarkably lower!!! I can stand up and loosen up in a few seconds.

Okay I am just now getting to post back.First I am not sure if I can answer all the questions.Let me say I am sorry if we did something wrong.As some of you know there is no way we would do anything on purpose.Noone said that but I just wanted to add this because we did not make right decissions and we thought we could take our vet's word.We have always used him. The reason Otis was out he ran out when Ashley went to work,I was not up and Ashley did not notice this.He has a litter box.So you can see this could happen.Than once Ashley asked me was Otis under my bed,I said no I thought he was on your bed.He loves laying on the back of the couch.So we started searching and Greg said he heard some noise out side and he said the neighbor's cat was out there.I asked who was he fighting with.Not even thinking the worst.We all screamed and took off.We are still sick over this. Anyways now yesterday the Emerency Vet looked at him said the reason it was swallon was due to the infection and said yes he was on the right antibodic.He said like Kathy & Jennmonkey said.They did not recommend pain meds.Also that our vet did right.We are still taking him back today tommorrow if he has not improved.Greg even asked if we could wrap the leg so all that stuff draining would not get ever where.We walked around cleaning it so it would not get on things.Thanks so much for ALL your help.Please do not think we are bad mommies to Otis. Oh yes I asked why did he think our vet did not have a emerency # and that vet said if he did I would not have a job.We just shook our head.I said I still think my vet should have a # to call after hrs and weekends.But when we did call our vet the answer machine picked up and said if you have a emerency call so and so.I will keep you posted. Also thank you so much Shelley for letting me know there is a pet forum and who to ask.I am coping this questions and posting over there.Thank you all again.

I too can relate. I, at first wanted soapstone counters. Couldn't afford the soapstone. Then I wanted marble. Couldn't swing the marble. Then I wanted painted cabs. White ones. Then I found out painted cabs are 25 percent more than non-painted cabs. I too worried, since all my furniture is dark cherry, that cherry cabs might be a bit much. I heard from my contractor that maple cabs tend to be a bit harder than cherry. I also love to see the grain in wood. So I went with plain maple cabs where I can see the grain (tiger maple). However, I love the two tone look and did my sink cab in an espresso (black) stain. I have a teeny tiny kitchen and knew the dark colors and all black cabs might be a bit overwhelming. I built out my sink cab, three inches. It looks like a piece of furniture in my kitchen. I love it and everyone else does that sees it. This might be a solution for you. Perhaps plain maple (which will darken over time) and a white or cream or some other color painted sink cab. It can really be quite pretty. There are lots of examples of this on here for you and hubby to take a look. Of course, I went wild on my granite, which I just love....ah, yes, originally I wanted quiet, neutral, zen granite--until I saw this mind busting one! (obviously, the kitchen wasn't done then so please excuse the hanging wires. What materials do you want for your counters? It is easier to choose cabs to go with your counters than vise versa. Also, don't be afraid to push the envelope a bit. I have done the country look, traditional look for years. For me, I was tired of it. I pushed myself design wise, and I am so glad I did. Opened up a world of opportunity to me.