Bob:

Right now, I AM IN PAIN from sciatica. BAD PAIN. I don't so much as take an aspirin for my arthritis because I've learned to live with it for over 20 years. But when I get this sciatica flare-up (last one was YEARS AGO), and it's usually triggered by severe weather changes, and two days ago it was over 85 and yesterday it was WINTER, I thought I would die. I did the heating pad (and oddly enough I was in Dr. Fred's office with Alan for his VNG test and I took a UTI test because last week I had a UTI, but all was well yesterday, no more UTI, and because I was standing up for one hour and observing Alan's VNG test, my mind was not on my sciatica and I wasn't going nuts.

Well!!! last night and this morning, I feel like I weigh 500 lbs. The last time this happened was in 1995 and I was laid up for 2 weeks, and the doctor had given me vicodin and while that takes the pain away, I didn't go to the bathroom AND I DON'T LIKE THAT. While I don't like pain, I more than don't like NOT GOING TO THE BATHROOM.

So my question is. "What the heck can I do to alleviate this pain in my lower back". It came on when the weather went down 25 degrees. Alan had told me two days ago "Melody, you are going to go nuts because the weather is going to drop" He knows that this is what always happens to me. I have no idea why this is so, but since I don't live in the Sahara Desert, I gather this will happen whenever we get this 25 degree drop (which thankfully does not happen very often).

And also, when I walk a few blocks, I straighten up more. But I just came back from Dunkin Donuts and I'm sitting down typing, but right now I want to go lie down with a hot pack on my lower back. I have this microwavable hot pack. It's not a wet thing. Do you think a hot wet thing is better than a dry microwavable hot pack?

I haven't had this kind of flare-up for so long. I eat low-inflammatory foods, etc. I drink PLENTY OF WATER. So why, when the weather drops 25 degrees, my poor back goes crazy, I have no idea.

When I walked into the Dunkin Donuts, my friend behind the counter, Misha, said to me "Oh Melody, you are not the only one, everyone is coming in saying "my back my back".

so I know it's not just me.

So any advice would be welcome. I took two aspirin last night. Did nothing. I slept good for 8 hours (I take melatonin and a small amount of alprazolam). So I sleep just fine.

I know that a sciatica flare up can take either no time to get over or months to get over. I've never had it more than two weeks. Right now, It's two days.

Is there anything I can do to 1. ease it now, and 2. PREVENT IT FROM COMING BACK.

I know, I'm expecting miracles, but geez. First I get rid of a UTI using Silver Biotics, and taking Dmannose for 7 days, and BINGO, I get this sciatica.

I wish I had asked Dr. Fred yesterday for SOMETHING.

Do you think a muscle relaxer would help me? I can call their office on Monday if a muscle relaxer would quite the back spasms. I don't like pain meds so unless I'm dropping dead on the floor, I don't do the oxy or vicodin thing. And I'm afraid of Tylenol and what they say it does to one's liver.

I remember YEARS AGO, when I first got diagnosed with degenerative joint disease and my back was killing me, the doctor at the hospital told me "oh, take 600 mgs of tylenol every 4 hours." I remember doing this, totalling up the amount in my brain after a few days and remarking "what the heck, was this doctor out of her mind, having me take all that tylenol?"

Never took it again. I do mild exercises and stretching, but today, that is not going to happen. At least I don't think so. lol

So any input is appreciated.
Thanks much

Melody

Mel...I am suffering too with the weather changes.

The best thing you can try now, easy, is an ice pack back there on that side. Over the lumbar area. 20 min at a time, 3 times a day may help.

Ice??? I have never used ice in my life on my back. I hate the cold, I hate ice. You mean heat won't help? (maybe that's why I am still in pain).

Good Lord, the very thought of putting anything cold on my side is unthinkable. but I'll try.

Because I listen to everything you say.
Mrs. D. did you see my latest post on UTI's on the diabetes forum.

I'd love your input on that one.

Thanks much

Melody

You don't ice the bare skin. You have some thin towel or flannel between the ice pack and the skin. Ice turns down the nerves which are overfiring.

Heat make it worse as a rule. You don't leave the ice on long...too long and it impairs the circulation. Just enough cold to quiet the nerve.

I read the other thread, and it seems like you figured it all out?
If you do cranberry, don't do the juice. Buy the concentrated capsules. They don't have sugar in them.

mel,
did you look at any sciatica videos? maybe something in those will help.
http://www.google.com/search?q=sciat...N&hl=en&tab=wv

Hi Mrs. D.

I've never done cranberry juice in my life. I take the capsules (besides the dmannose). and get this. that THING came back today (down there). I have no infection, I'm under a lot of stress, and the pressure came back.

Well, at least I know I don't have an infection. Didn't have one 15 years ago either, and I went to every specialist I knew. Everything was negative, so I'm not doing all that again. It's my body, it's my reaction to what I'm going through with my son (or actually, what I'm not going through, because we have NO relationship whatsoever). Who knew that this kind of stuff could bring on spasms in specific parts of one's body.

Biology is amazing. I'm still flushing with water and peeing just fine. So I know I'm okay. I'll probably lose my mind, but I'll be okay. Infection wise I mean.

And I've still got my sprouts!!!! lol

Melody

[QUOTE=MelodyL;642792]Ice??? I have never used ice in my life on my back. I hate the cold, I hate ice. You mean heat won't help? (maybe that's why I am still in pain).

Good Lord, the very thought of putting anything cold on my side is unthinkable. but I'll try.

Because I listen to everything you say.
Mrs. D. did you see my latest post on UTI's on the diabetes forum.

I'd love your input on that one.

Thanks much

Melody[/QUOTE

Hi Mel,
sorry to hear about your sciatica. I get it too. I had it very bad just a few months ago and had to hire crutches to walk. I did take the pain pills. Anyhow, here in Oz when the rugby players injure their backs or have scoatica the physios ice them. Never heat. Ice packs every hour for 20 minutes at a time. I decided that ice was probably the answer since the top sports doctors and physios are doing it. Heat packs make us feel better but heat causes inflammation. As far as muscle relaxers, if you are having back spasms, that's your back trying to create a brace for stability. You may indeed need them if the muscle is contorting your posture. When my back goes out I swear I walk like a duck from muscle tightness/spasms.

Good luck Mel.