Treatment for sciatica and back pain

[judyvin]

Has anyone had any treatment for sciatica here and was it successful? I have been diagnosed with 4 bulging discs and the Neurosurgeon has suggested 8 steroid injections into my spine. He doesn't think it is bad enough for back surgery which is good news and says the injections will help to ease the pain. However he did say that it only had a 70% success rate. I have done some research on the internet and it seems that the injections only offer temporary relief and they do have some side effects. If anyone has had this type of procedure I would be grateful if you could share your experience. I am having this treatment tomorrow! Many thanks

[Dalartokat]

Hi Judy,I know you want experience in TRNC but I had 1 injection in the spine in UK about 4 years ago. It was temp relief only for about 6 weeks. It was suggested to me afterwards to buy pain patches or go for another injection which I declined.

I find the suggestion of 8 injections in the spine quite excessive(my opinion only). I had day surgery with my mine.

[Bert]

I has this temporary fix done last year on the UK only after been diagnosed by the specialist in Cyprus has requiring immediate surgery. On second opinion in UK the injection to the nerve route was carried out, although it offered some relief I am not sure it's permenant however for some people it is. I too believe that all those injections sound a bit OTT. Seek a second opinion !

[flossie44]

This must sound strange but I cured my long term, very painful sciatica using a tennis ball on the area where I found it most sore on my buttock. I pressed hard on the sore spot for 30 second intervals several times a day and in a week it had gone. I also have degeneration of the spine so still have back ache but no sciatica.
.I had tried 2 physios and a chiropractor and it was my new physio suggested I used the tennis ball.

I can now walk without limping and can climb steps again

[helendj]

Don't know if this will help Judyvin, but I had severe back pain some weeks ago which the hospital's first response was, we'll have to operate. Didn't fancy that so went to an orthopaedic lady just opposite Lemar in Karakum, who treated me, and was very successful. I then purchased a TENS machine when I went back to the UK as my reasoning was, if that's the sort of thing they use over here to treat you I might as well do it myself. Anyway to cut a long story short (which is very unusual for me because I am a chatterbox!) the TENS machine has been an absolute boon - after wearing it I found I could actually walk again, and you can wear it when you go out, it really is something that I am delighted with. It has really dealt with the pain I was suffering. My husband had a neck/shoulder problem recently and he wore it, he is now a convert. Perhaps other Kibkomers who have used a similar machine could give you their input, I can only say it worked for me.

[stellasstar1]

Before you have the steroid injections here, check that they are actually nerve root block injections, as I had 4 bulging discs plus other things in my back about 4 or 5 years ago, and then, no one here did the route block injections.The steroid injections did not actually go into the root, so did not work, well gave a little relief for a couple of weeks. I had physio twice a week for 2 months and she finally said she couldn't help, so I had an MRI here and then went private in England for 4 injections in to the nerve root. For me it was like a miracle. I could walk stand etc. and it lasted about 6 months. After that I went to 3 different hospitals here and was told they don't do the injections here, so went across to the South twice. Each time, it lasted a little longer, about 9 months, and the a year, and now providing I am careful, my back is ok.

[MoBry]

I'd also recommend a TENS machine, eased the sciatic pain on the left side quite quickly, although I needed consistent use.

[surfmeetseast]

I would strongly recommend the tennis ball procedure, physio or osteo and then some gentle yoga, supervised, I think there are some classes here BEFORE going down the steroid route, as it can be a horrible drug good luck

[frugal90]

Agree with tennis ball and yoga and seeing a physio. I do a thing that my physio suggested which was sitting on a high seat- put head down and forward towards knees then kick alternate legs up as high as possible without any pain. Eventually leg kick height should increase as it becomes easier- can take weeks and months doing 4 or 5sessions a day.Aim is to release sciatic nerve. Worked for me - I now do at least 100 leg kicks a day. Frugal

[judyvin]

Thank you for all your replies. I must admit that I don't know what to do now. I will go and talk to the consultant in the morning before going ahead with the procedure.

[Butterflyaway]

You have email.