Look into Spinal decompression therapy, your physical therapy facility may have a decompression table. I swear by it. It is totally non invasive non surgical so you can try it prior to any surgery. It is a type of traction.

physical therapy is a way to avoid or put off surgery. I think PT is the bestest thing that ever happened to my back. In other words, raven's spot on!

Oh good. I have some new words. And you think this would be right for the sciatica. specifically....It is not in my back but the nerves from hip down legs. Thanks.

When your back is out of alignment, it affects other parts. In your case, hips and legs. Align the back, alleviate the stenosis, and strengthen muscles around it, to take the pressure off the herniated discs, and you could see relief. At least that's what my orthopedist said, my mom's ortho said... I assume they're right.

I searched far and wide for relief for many years. Have done it all and had "the surgery", which was done mostly because my balance was being severely impacted. Surgery was done using bone grafts instead of pins and plates; so I have no restrictions on movement. EVERY MD I saw, from Central California to Oregon said they could not promise relief from pain. I hope you hear from those who have found relief from pain. I am not one. The physical therapy and the exercises you will learn will most likely be your friends forever. Perhaps even Yoga as the stretching and muscle development that support your spine (and a faithfulness in doing them) will serve you well. I did the decompression and it helped, but driving 180 miles round trip 5 days a week for a month (into the horrendous traffic of San Jose, Ca)....I think the driving was counter-productive, and I simply couldn't continue. Best of luck.

I have had sciatica due to stenosis since the end of March, complete with a "dead" left leg. I tried the decompression without any luck, so went for the shot into the spine. Piece of cake! The first shot brought the leg movement back but that was all. On to PT, where they left me in more pain and bruised too. The second shot was a side entry and gave me much more relief. Only thing left was nerve pain in my left knee, so I had a 3rd shot last Wednesday. Sadly, I have had no benefit from it. So, I am doing PT at home, twice a day, using heat first and following with ice after. I see the doctor next week so we will see what we do from here. I know they do not want to do surgery and neither do I.

At no time did the shots lay me low for days and I never heard that they did. I walked out and went on with my day. I felt good because the numbing agent can last for 2 whole days, so I was able to play catch up on house and garden things.

I hope you find some relief. Have you tried oral steriods to reduce the inflamation? A seven day course might do the trick.

Sigh.... I am following the course of PT that you are, I did do yoga before this started then got Vertigo during a session. I would like a class that is mostly mat work but the easiest class moves along as members get better yoga balance and strength.

Yes, Rob I am looking for a stronger core I am glad you understand about stenosis. I have 4 levels of femoral stenosis with herniated discs, Surgery in that area may help the sciatica from what I read.

I have not had steroids. PKramer60 when you say that may do the trick do you mean that as a permanent fix? The injections I think are limited to maybe 3 a year? I would like you to follow-up here to let me know the next option. You have had some luck with shots, Perhaps that will become your way of life. Funny, I have nerve pain in my right knee that doesn't get better. Shoot!! Didn't consider this was part of the bundle of problems.

Thanks Nanny. I wish you luck as well. I learned from you about bone grafts. I definitely think riding and sitting for 2 or 3 hours/day for a week would, as you say,be counter productive..

Do any of you know where or why it started for you. I can get around Harris Teeter but am done and have someone load my car. Some walking feels great when I get into it but ends too quickly to become a walker with others.

I also think my surgeon didn't spend enough time with me. He never talked about an after-life when PT ends.

Also, why wouldn't a surgeon want to do back surgery if that is their line of work. It is risky because of the spinal cord but this is my new doctor's area.

MY SIL had spinal stenosis surgery twice in Texas. The second time with a new doctor she was playing tennis in a month and walking the mall in a week. If anyone wants the doctor's name I will ask. They have wonderful doctors around Houston. Right Raven.

It is amazing that there is no better way to approach this since people have been talking about their sciatica the 70 years I have been alive.. I also have massive arthritis that tagged along with my friend sciatica. Happy 70th birthday to me..

I don't know why you are adamant about not getting the injections.

I had my first series of 3 injections about 12 years ago for sciatica. They eliminated the pain for about 10 years. I would get little twinges every now and then but they were minor and short lived.

I had no problems with the shots. They were done with a local and after resting for 30 minutes I drove home.

3 years ago I went back to the neurosurgeon and he said they now give 1 shot. I've been pain free since then.

I feel for you. I am having some nerve issues with my leg. I actually just had an EMG at my neurologist's office this morning, and I'm getting an MRI. I don't have any pain but I do have numbness and they think it might be my sciatic nerve.

If you're overweight, losing weight can help. I also agree with physical therapy. I hope you can find some relief. The pain sounds awful. When the doctor hit my nerve with the needle today, I felt a burning pain shoot up my leg but luckily it went away after a minute or two. If it's anything like that, I cringe for you!

Forgot to add- I've also had the injections in the base of my neck. Again they worked well.

I feel your pain literally. I've been suffering from sciatica for the last month although I haven't sought medical attention. My fitness trainer has me doing exercises which do help. I've also found more exercises on line which I am trying to do. If this doesn't get better in the next few days I am going to see an ortho and get the injections if I can. The thing is I'm not sure this is really sciatica because the pain goes down the side of the leg instead of down the back. It definitely is nerve pain though and not muscle pain. I am able to walk but it hurts. I hope you find some relief soon.

I guess it depends on who gives it to you. All I know is what two of my neighbors went thru. Maybe they exaggerated it so I would take their dogs while they rested!! It seemed to traumatize their bodies and even oxycontin didn't help, It seemed brutal. I don't know. Quilly, I like your story. Where do you live? I don't think we have the best of doctors in Northern Virginia. Chi, let me know how you are doing. I am not so adamant about not doing it if others have had good results. We all differ and I don't know exactly how we differ but I am reading some hope on here, Quilly. I feel despondent over this and turning 70 soon is not easy. It came too fast. Wondering if I should just live out the rest of my years as is.

Raven, I am getting the name of the doctor my SIL used just to see if you know the person. I know you are following your own path of care.

Many (30+) years ago I had my first experience with sciatic pain. Just woke up one day in excruciating pain. I had helped my husband move a freezer the previous day. Went to an ortho surgeon and spent the next two weeks in bed taking flexeril and naproxan. I had to get up every hour and do a bit of walking. Also used ice. Went back to the dr. after two weeks and we decided to try one more week. It worked and I was back to normal. I have since had issues with the typical symptoms but usually with rest and Aleve it only lasts a few days. About 6 weeks ago I began to have synptoms again and I was not able to take it easy and rest and I feel it has a real hold on me now. I don't think bed rest and muscle and pain meds are prescribed as much anymore but it did work for me in the past. The constant pain is just exhausting. I have had injections for my arthritic knees with great improvement two of the three times. Best of luck to you.

Fran, it took a while to beef up the pain to unbearable. I mean 6 months. I felt it in my lumbar area and looked like many ladies you see holding the hurt with their hand. My pain goes down the back of the knee and front of the thigh. I had my MRI so it seems the correct definition.

Satine, I took no pills until, like you said, it got a hold of me. Used the same meds a couple of days and said I need an appointment. Yes, it is exhausting. I don't feel it but in one area of my legs when I sit and I feel guilty sitting as I think it gets worse and there is relief in walking some of 15 min. or so. I feel this conversation on here is helping me, Knowing where others are in pain and what is working is very useful. I hope we all can get past the pain. Please let me know.

Fran, the nerve pain in the legs depends on where the disk problem is located. For me, L4 is the most effected, so the pain runs down the front of my leg and around the knee area. The shin pain was the worst and had me in tears and literally thinking of a gun it was so bad. I used Dad's walker to get to the doctors and went no where else for 6 weeks. When the shin pain finally left, we celebrated by going out for dinner.

Surgery is not recommended for me as the problem may return in a few months. It is not a cure nor are the shots. For stenosis, exercises are with you for life. Yes, they limit you to 3 shots per year so who knows next year if this flares up again. For some, the shots last months or even years, for others there is no or limited releif. Had I gone to my doctor right away, the oral meds might have done the job, but I ignored the pain and washed the walls. I waited too long I think. So, PLEASE, get to a doctor or a chiroprator for help.

Yes, L4 I betcha for me to and runs in the front and back of knee. I have L4,5,6 I do hope that this conversation will help others. Go to the doc and have the MRI as at least a baseline. Now that I think of it I dragged an 8x10 heavy carpet to an elevator for someone and I shouldn't. It is also ridiculous to let someone do that.

Raven, I wonder if you have heard of this doctor who performed spinal stenosis surgery with finally good results using him.

Dr. Daniel Kim

Mischer Neuroscience Associates

University of Texas

6400 Fannin, Suite 2800

Houston 77030

(713) 704-7100

Oooo, I'd say no to a chiro right now, while the pain is bad--too risky.

My elderly neighbor who can usually walk faster than I can was laid low with this twice in the last 5 months or so. No sooner did the first side improve so that she could resume normal life than the the other side went. It really slammed her and the darn docs only gave her "Percocet" which did very little. She was putting heat on it until a pt person told her that's the worst; it needs cold instead. Finally she was given Gabapentin (Neurontin,) which is used a LOT these days for nerve pain and is not a narcotic, and it was SUCH a big help. She's slowly trying to wean off of it now but is grateful that they finally gave her something that eased her tremendous pain. Since I'm not family and she does have children I kept most of my opinions to myself but I could see that a person who does not insist on more pain relief will probably not get it--an er doc gave her Lidocaine, which only numbs the skin! There can be side effects to the Gabapentin, but none seems to be bothering her. It is something else you can ask your doctor about.

I'm sorry about your pain--I've had bouts that luckily didn't last too long. Be careful with the exercises while you're still in great pain as they can exacerbate the problem. My friend does credit them with with helping her heal, greatly, but only started when the pain was under control. Much good luck to you, Maggie.

L4and L5 were my big problems! Lots of pain and couldn't carry anything up the steps, just me. I had a series of 3 shots each time, 3 weeks apart. Then about 2 months later went back for another series. Then about 8 months later one more series. Thank God for those shots. Not much pain anymore and have only have one mild sciatica attack!

Shots were in the spine, the first set of shots did absolutely nothing. When I went back 3 weeks later and they asked how much relief I told them Zero! Turns out they had to give the shot from the outer side, everything was so blocked up. Was worried they wouldn't work for me.

My sciatica originated from the L4/L5 area. I've had bulging disks for years, then one day as I knelt on the floor rooting through my purse for something, my back locked up. My pain was just excruciating and the sciatica began a couple days later. Mine ran down my hips and outer thighs to my knees. I went to the ER and got hydrocodone which didn't help so I went to the chiropractor. I remember it being almost impossible to stand still for the xrays, the pain was so intense. I was in much better shape after about a week of every other day 'gentle' adjustments. My chiro is a slight gentleman and never manhandles me at all. I also began walking in my neighborhood, stopping to rest if the pain was too intense. I'm talking just down the block and back, no marathons.

I was so happy when I was finally able to sleep without turning over and pinching those nerves.

I hope that you all find your way to relief.

Thanks PK. I'm up late and rereading all your comments. I only know 3 exercises and would like the PT to explain what they are helping. I also will consider getting a 2nd opinion from another Ortho guy. I have gotten good questions from everyone's comments and think this Ortho rushed me, stopping me from educating myself with some questions. In other words, he wants joint and bigger bone problems so I should get lost over at his physical therapy center which I did. Hmnn.

Woody suffers from it. He does stretching exercises twice a day, religiously, on the bed. Twenty minutes worth, each time. It has helped him tremendously. He learned them at PT and it took about a month to really start helping.

.

I will say one more thing after all these years of watching my mom... don't have surgery unless you must. Wherever you have surgery, can affect the vertebrae above and below where you had the surgery. It's what they told her before her first surgery, and it did get worse. She had it a second time and it worsened. A different hospital altogether, different physician and he told her not to have it again since it would weaken the areas above and below where she had surgery. She listened the third time. Somewhere in the middle of all of that, I was diagnosed with something totally different from her disorder, and when they asked me if I wanted surgery, I said no. He said, good choice because it'll just weaken the areas above and below it! She has degenerative disk disease with herniations and stenoses, I have spondylolisthesis (malformation from birth that causes stenosis).

So put off surgery as long as you can? I could be wrong, but after hearing it for years and years from three different physicians, and watching her, it surely seems to be true.

Trying all appropriate available avenues of conservative treatment is the way to go.

As a PT, I can tell you there are various schools of thought when it comes to treatment, so if you're not finding success, or getting worse, you can see if another approach will work, and it is really important to ask if the PT has extensive education and experience in spinal rehab, and/or is certified in orthopedics (OCS).

The good news is that most people get better! Good luck!

I am grateful for the advice and continuing my exercises 2 x a day. I'll look for another PT as Mimipadv said. I don't want surgery just a doctor who will explain the relationship of the stenosis/lumbar regions to the sciatica regions. I have massive arthritis which will get worse. Rob, thanks . No surgery for me. Sounds like you're in this too. My doctor did tell me arthritis is hereditary many times. Interesting. The main thing is we all have gotten to know our own body. I still am learning. FlamingO it is good to know your husband spens 20 minutes on his exercises. That means I need more of them. I got more information from this forum than I did when I Googled. Anything people want to add I will surely listen.

My neurologist also told me that anxiety can fuel nerve issues. He thinks that's why I'm having numbness in my arms and legs. I suffer from terrible anxiety. He says half his patients with suspected neurological symptoms are actually just seeing the physical affects of anxiety.

I don't know if that pertains to sciatica specifically but it's something to think about if you have a lot of stress or anxiety in your life.

I believe it too. Hard to control anxiety full time. I get a stiff neck, like now. Nerve issues though are pretty strong. Given that information, what will you do, chi?

I'm taking some medications for it. I don't like taking medications but I haven't been able to resolve the anxiety myself. The doctor emphasized how important it is to get it under control since it's a huge cause of death via heart attacks and such, so I figured that's the best option for now.

Sure. We all know about hear attacks in women. I hope the meds settle you down. Don't you love the care free people who, like Scarlett, say "Tomorrow is another day." To me that means I'm one day behind. ha ha.

I am not familiar with the doctor you mentioned. That's a great facility that he is in though. I have always heard good things about them.

I literally could not move and was scheduled for surgery when I went and had the decompression. It's non invasive, non surgical and a very easy pain-free procedure, no negatives for me as a last resort before going under the knife. It was a miracle to me, I really am a testimonial. I now go back and have a session on the table every few months especially if I feel a twinge. I also bought my own tens machine and I use it any time my back is bothering me. In the 30 minutes I sit with the tens on it makes a huge difference. Tens machines for home use are very popular and work well they are very reasonably priced. I bought one for each of my sisters and they use them regularly. I have seen some at Walmart and walgreens and other major pharmacy stores. I got mine through my doctors office but it is available online as well. It's definitely worth the money to pay for the relief it provides. Luckily I was able to cancel my surgery and never look back. I had been put on heavy meds which made me feel nauseated and disoriented, I was glad to be off of them. I do on occasion take a Soma if I am having a spasm and know I need to relax the muscles but extremely rarely. I am in long term maintenance and aware of what I need to do to try to keep everything in a good state.

Oh I can just feel your pain! Several times I have had sciatica and had a good Pain Management Dr. who "killed" the nerve that was causing the pain...relief! But you say you have stenosis....be careful of that! When my pain started, a friend of mine took me to get "adjustments"...and he just about killed me....bruises and all! After about several weeks of abuse, one morning I could not urinate...ended up in ER and took me straight into the hospital facing a neurosurgeon! The stenosis had clamped off my spinal cord and shut off the nerves, which caused unbearable pain in my thigh and leg. Emergency surgery was done the next day...pain continued for the next several months and then I went to Pain Management, got an injection between L3 and L4 and the next morning, I got up without pain! ... And it has been over a year now. Good luck, but do not let stenosis get too bad!

Spinal traction is a great suggestion for stenosis. It should be widely available where you live.

First of all Phoggie: your story is awful. Glad you are over it. I don't know how to take care of my stenosis. My ortho doctor, I feel, had no interest in seeing me again. I have big arthritis and that's cheap apples to him. It means separating the wheat from the chafe to find the pain. Not worth his time. Never asked me to come back. However, I will see my internist and take my concerns to him. He is new to me and about my age and is a concerned doctor. If the doctors in my area are not in private practice they are salaried and under our hospital system. You can imagine or maybe it's that way where you are, the level of concern is not there. Are your doctors salaried>

Raven, I will look into the decompression. Sounds good to me. I am glad you think well of the group of doctors. My sister in law had spinal stenosis surgery and they said it was a miracle. However, my SIL does not like company or family I thought maybe I could get to Houston and see that doctor without them knowing if it came to that. You have good hospitals in your area. It is surprising what is available to those who are not well known people in the military or just plain rich. Bethesda Naval Hospital is great but....

If I didn't have all of you at this forum I would be without the notion of any options or stories. Now I can ask if I'm out of alignment. I don't know. Mimipadv, I will find out.

I know that will follow thru with the exercises and on my way to more knowledge will take these new questions and terminology.

With the arthritis I highly recommend getting to a rheumatologist. There's some great meds now that you don't need to be suffering and getting crippled anymore. I kept telling my sister this but she put it off so long her hands are so deformed. Now finally she is going to a rheumatologist regular and the doctor asked her why on earth she had waited so long and now it's going to be much harder on her and the damage is done. Thankfully I went immediately when I felt the first bone movement in my hands. We have been able to pretty much stop the movement and deformation. I still have some pain of course and there's things I can no longer do with my hands, much less strength in them. The earliest a person who thinks they have rheumatoid arthritis can get to good rheumatologist the better off they will be. Slow down the progress of the disease. Regular blood work is essential.

Yes there are many incredible medical facilities, schools, and doctors here in the Houston area. It's one of the best things about the area.

That's right. Now that I am going to a new internist who went right to work on me I can try another doctor in his area of town. I did write that I was told arthritis can be inherited I think. There you are with your sister having it too. My father wore a copper bracelet but I don't think it worked but looked nice. Time for my bed exercises and heating pad. Thanks, Raven.

maggie200-It's true, orthopedic surgeons like to operate, and some aren't the best at managing conservatively because it seems to bore them.

I would like to suggest looking into a Doctor of Rehabilitation Medicine, or Physiatrist.

These doctors are highly specialized in managing pain and work with a multidisciplinary team of health care practitioners.

Physiatrists can manage your total needs, including medications, testing/medical imaging, pain relieving procedures such as injections and physical therapy.

I wouldn't find another ortho ;-(

Huh, I don't know the discipline. Sounds good, perfect. Thanks, mimipadv.

I've been following this thread with interest because I, too, have a sciatica problem. One thing that I have not read...or may have missed given my eyesight these days...is the advice to wear good, supportive shoes. I can predict with 100% accuracy that if I walk around in sandals or loose fitting shoes that I will have a nasty attack of unrelenting pain. As long as I'm willing to pay the price...there are times when a dress sandal or other non-supportive shoe is just too much to deny. But...for the most part...I don't wander far from my oxford type supportive shoes....or a good pair of walking shoes. I was lucky enough to find and buy 4 pair of Ecco brand shoes before they declined in quality. I'd venture to guess that they're all at least 12 years in age but still going strong. They look nice and do the job. So...please give considerable attention to the shoes you elect to wear. It's really far more important than we all think. Once I, personally, discovered this...my pain decreased immeasurably and what remains can usually be dulled with a Tylenol or two.

anne_ct, You have a good point. No kidding. I throw out shoes that are run down on one side as it throws off my balance. I have bought ecco street shoes and munro sandals in the past because they have the kind of rubber sole that you won't stop and stub your feet. I have mentioned that to a neighbor who has bad balance and pain in her hip. It isn't a diagnosed pain but she is heading toward one and is not young. She whines and I am done helping her. I used to play a lot of tennis and wore those tennis shoes down in a year. I knew to throw them out as my mother told me the same common sense thing that you have. Once your feet stop growing one should make the decision to think about your whole body instead of saving money on shoes. Thanks for bringing that up.

Maggie200....my doctors are not salaried by the hospital. I also have a body filled with arthritis.....so I sympathize with you. I have had two hips, a knee replacements, and two back surgeries...all of which were necessary. Have you had a MRI on your back? This will show how advanced your stenosis is. I "thought" I could get by without surgery.....but I did not have a choice and hope you get better without it.

Phoggie Yes, I have had MRIs of back and hips thru and down leg. I have two dud hips too which came from something else. The report is specific. But, my intern referred me to an Ortho doctor who didn't explain much and put me into PT telling me there was hope to get rid of sciatica. He didn't ask me to come back. I have 4 levels of femoral stenosis and herniated discs and massive arthritis. I need my very nice intern to talk to me after 2 more rounds of PT which is not much different that my at home stuff. Here is the site for femoral stenosis.

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=femoral+stenosis

I believe I have one nerve within that stenosis that needs attention. Want to know what area it affects.

You spoke of not wanting surgery but you sure ended up with a lot misery to get to your recovery from all that surgery. What an awful ordeal and I will not forget your pain. It is worth repeating te story

My dad was another story. Sporty Jack, as I called him, began a new life after my mother died. He had voluntary hip and knee replacements in his late 70s so he could run.. It was Youth Part II for him. He lived near my brother and managed to get it done without him knowing for a year. He knew which kid to tell as my brother would have stopped him and was furious when he found out. I thought it was horrible how he yelled at my dad. It was none of his business. Sporty Jack did well from it but there is always something. Now, my brother is daddy's age then and has forgotten most likely how he treated his father.

I won't be volunteering for a darn thing and that's why I am here. I will go loaded with smart questions and more knowledge. I hope his conversation helps others too.

Phoggie and others. What meds are you on for arthritis?

Is it odd that besides Rob333 there are only women posting on here. More women than men at the KT

Are you seeing a rheumatologist? (there are so many RA meds because each person's arthritis is so different). And arthritis increases inflammation which can be tied to sciatica.

I've experience sciatatica a few times. The last time - a few months ago and it was not on both sides. No getting comfortable. I hoped that this increase in pain was related to being more sedentary (with retirement). So, upped my yoga poses and was very careful about my meds (I have rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia). And re-started my tried and true basic yoga moves. I'd love to be at a class - but it's hard to find a reliable gentle and slow session. So, I've gathered poses that feel good, some that are easy and one or two that are challenging. I find a 'forward bend' one essential now. It all helps so much.

You mentioned that you know that yoga is helpful for your back issues, & I think you mentioned that you got dizzy during a yoga class. Many yoga classes have too much going on, IMHO.

My list here is intended to help you find a way to include these in your home exercise suite, if think this is a wise approach for you now. Maybe you'll find a resource that will help you (yoga folks cannot write short descriptions):

9 Simple Yoga poses for back pain (Huffington Post) with mini-videos

7 Restorative Yoga Poses

Heal your back pain

And I'm looking for a set that includes that essential forward bend pose... ah, here: Mastering standing forward bend from Yoga Journal (don't round the back!)

Many examples of forward bends from Yoga Journal (pick and choose)

Now, I really do have to follow this advice - off to do my usual poses and try some new ones.

Meanom. you have helped me so much. I wrote a long letter to a yoga friend saying I will find the poses I need and maybe suggest this to the owner's nearby class. Yes, I know the poses you have listed here It is indeed a wise choice for me now. And your humble opinion that classes have too much going on is mine also. The easiest class stays and moves on to harder stuff because they now have good balance and have sturdy bodies and long for harder poses. Me joining them disturbs their momentum. Thank you for your efforts. I am feeling so positive for the help given here. Someone said the exercises would be my friend for life. I am doing them twice a day and using ice and heat. I feel the results and put together a plan of doctors to see as well. Thank you. I hope someone else will benefit from your post here. Maybe you could start a new post so this won't be missed.