Would you?

[St. Margaret]

I'm 23 weeks pregnant, and I have been suffering from acute sciatic nerve pain down my left butt/leg for two weeks now. It is only a bit better (after a week of chiro and PT, and taking generic vicodin). Normally I wouldn't even take tylenol for a headache during pregnancy, so that tells you how crazy painful this has been. Nearly every time I get up, I do whatever quickly(ie pee, brush teeth, even shower, walk out to car, etc--- only one thing at at time!), then lay back down and spend a few minutes in severe pain, until it calms down... sometimes I can't even be without pain sitting/in bed... I can't sit upright ever, only leaning way to the side in a chair/couch.

I'm going crazy in bed for two weeks, with no promise of being significantly better by a certain time. DH has been a rock star taking care of me, taking me to appts, and caring for DD (he works from home and I'm on summer break, thank goodness-- altho I hate to waste it in bed). I can't even sit and sew or sort baby clothes or anything. I'm lucky if I can position myself to see the TV or my laptop, let alone type.

My doc is calling my OB/CNM to see what we can try next. She said oral steroids would be what she would use for someone in my situation who was not pregnant; she doesn't know about for pregnancy which is why she's going to ask the OBs. I also asked her about just anti-inflammatory drugs like advil, ibuprofen, etc. I know they are contra-indicated during pregnancy, but it does tend to be more for early and late pregnancy... again, why we are asking the OB for their info/opinion.

Everything we're trying to do to straighten me out (I am severely torqued to the left, my hips are twisted, my right leg seems shorter, etc) is inflaming the nerve again, and then my body tries to move to give the nerve more room b/c of the pain. It's a cycle. I can't last much longer like this. I can't stand without pain, and it gets severe within a minute, if not right off the bat. I'm hoping a few more chiro visits will get me on my way, but I thought that last week too. I already spent most of my parents' visit in bed, and now I'm supposed to visit them and my other family members in a week, and I'm so scared I'll have to miss out on that, too. The chiro (really good-- paying for the one all my friends use in pregnancy, since the insurance one is on a two week vacation! So we're spending all kinds of money we don't have, too) said at first it should just take a few more visits, but man it's still bad... I think he thinks the PT is not good. PT plans to talk to him to coordinate care, so that's good. Anyway, chiro and PT say take it easy... which I have to, no one can move much with this much pain, anyway... but it seems to get worse being in bed all day. And I'm barely sleeping.

Ugh, I know I just need to wait to hear from the docs... this is one time I'm glad I have OBs in the practice (they're going to be my shadow care). I can hardly believe it's come to this, considering some serious meds... but our lives have gone completely crazy with this... it's been this bizarre, horrible nightmare for two weeks now. Anyone have any experience with anti-inflammatory pain meds during pregnancy?

Thanks for letting me off-load a bit. This has been quite likely the hardest thing ever... it's right up there with the worst times in my life. I'm trying to be strong but it's getting to the point where none of us can take much more. I just REALLY can't see using a risky drug, though. Sigh.

[dannic]

I'm in a similar situation, tho not as incapacitating as yours. I can do what needs to be done, but have lots of pain...

Does the chiro have any balms you can use? What about a massage therapist? I haven't been able to afford a chiro right now, but I'd love to see one! What about essential oils and hot baths, showers?

Hoping you get some relief soon!

[RedOakMomma]

I would try more PT and non-drug fixes first, and perhaps add in acupuncture. The pain relief from acupuncture can be huge.

I'm sorry you're suffering, mama. Sending big s to you.

[karen1968]

I'm so sorry you are in this much pain! How often are you getting chiro treatments/PT/etc.? Are you also doing therapy at home, such as Epsom salt baths and gentle stretches?

Last time I had bad sciatic pain - pre-pregnancy - acupuncture really helped me. It's worth a try.

I had awful (to me, but not as bad as what you describe!) sciatica pain a week ago, and did a session of one-on-one Pilates (where the instructor was able to modify for my pain and tight muscles), followed by a chiro appt., followed the next day with a massage. In between, I did ice on my SI, Epsom salt bath, and frequent - but very easy! - stretching. The pain was practically gone. I don't know if at-home stretching is doable with the amount of pain you are in, but I found that even if the initial movement hurt, it felt better after.

The pain is coming back now, but I've got another chiro/massage double appt tomorrow.

I also just ordered this book from Amazon:

"Relieving pelvic pain during and after pregnancy : how women can heal chronic pelvic instability" by Cecile C.M. Rost ; with contributions from Christine Buttinger ... [et al.].

I would have gotten it at the library if they'd had it. It was recommended on another thread and I'm really hoping it helps. I had sciatic and pelvic pain that lasted two years after DS's birth, and I don't want to repeat that.

I hope you can find some relief, drug or otherwise.

[pacifica]

I don't have advice, but I can totally sympathize....I've been having sciatic pain for almost 2 weeks now too. I'm looking for some relief myself. I'm going to a pregnancy massage session and they're gonna focus on that area. Also, a friend of mine recommended acupuncture, as it helped her through sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy.

[St. Margaret]

My doc called and told me to look into acupuncture (rather, if it was covered by my insurance-- she def thought it was a good idea). She's a DO so pretty awesome I'm sure there's someone a friend could recommend... I will get on that.

Going to the chiro and PT alternating days. Even this chiro was camping at the end of last week, so I saw him Mon, Tues, then Mon, and I'll see him Wed, and Fri if needed. PT was Wed and Fri, and today and Thursday.

I've been told only warm showers, nothing hot b/c that will inflame the nerve. I don't know if I could get in/out of the tub safely right now. Or sit in it without screaming.

I am using a Heel balm with arnica and all kinds of other stuff, homeopathic, that the chiro gave me.

I'm doing the very mild exercises the PT gave me (ie kegels, flexing my foot, engaging my lower abs, my gluts, and one where I straighten out sideways on a wall, just a bit, not to pain).

I've been icing in 10 minute blocks for over a week now.

Thanks for the sympathy. It crazy sucks!

[aikigypsy]

When I had sciatica, the PT really helped. I also have a we the road who had bad lower back (and possibly sciatic, I can't remember) pain in her last pregnancy. She started doing a pilates for pregnancy workout from a tape, I think it was about a half-hour long, and says that it totally cured her pain.

I took some tylenol when I was sick recently, for a low fever and very bad headaches -- it is safe enough that if you're in serious pain, and it helps (which it might or might not) I would give it a try.

I hope you feel better soon!

[Tresa]

There were (modified for pregnancy) yoga stretches I did the last time I was pregnant and had sciatic pain. Hip and pelvis opening stuff, stretching my upper legs and calves...something in my lower back would pop and I'd feel something slide and the pain would go away. Relaxin REALLY works on my joints, my parts slide in and out way too easily for their own good.

I could keep it away by spending time on all fours when I was laying around being lazy, I really liked draping myself over a yoga ball, doing modified cat/cow yoga poses to keep my lower back and hips loose.

[St. Margaret]

Thanks-- I was trying tylenol until I started the vicodin, which does have some in it.

All great suggestions for when I'm a bit better... right now just standing and sitting are killing me, it's acute, I don't think I can do much, and the chiro said to not overdo, when I thought he'd say to keep moving... one of the PTs too... I'm trying to figure out how to get back to just normal hurting Gonna keep going with chiro and PT and maybe add in acupuncture...

[rparker]

Have you tried sitting on a birth ball? Or leaning forward against a birth ball/bed (like some women do in labor)? My issues are nowhere near as severe as yours (chiropractic care and yoga mostly resolve them) but I have noticed that both of those positions feel better sometimes than sitting in a chair or lying in bed. Sitting on the floor with my back against the wall is also preferable to sitting on something soft.

I don't have any info on the NSAIDs (sorry!) but I have been told to take my steroid if I'm stung by a bee and I know that a lot of women with severe asthma continue taking steroids throughout pregnancy, so maybe that is something your OB will ok.

[Yuba_River]

Don't have advice, just my sympathy. I'm so sorry!

[HeatherB]

s

Does your chiro have muscle stim or ultrasound (or combo therapy which is both)? Mine does, and while they stopped doing them when I found out I was pg, I would absolutely argue to have it done in a situation like yours. I found it *immensely* helpful in relieving the pain. The ultrasound treatment is for reducing inflammation, so really could be very helpful. And the muscle stim is what worked best for my situation. If the doc you're seeing can't, perhaps s/he knows someone who offers it, or you could call around?

I also think acupuncture might help! Definitely safe, too.

[St. Margaret]

hmmm i hadn't heard of those techniques--- will add to my calling around tomorrow, if he does not... acupuncture is sounding very worth a try!


thanks again mamas!

[spargel]

You can use oral (or even IV steroids) while pregnant. The side effects can be yucky, but if the pain is that bad... The drugs that they use for nerve pain are not so good for pregnancy.

Long before being pregnant, I had severe sciatic pain. The muscles around my sciatic nerve would compress it. The only things that worked for me were regular therapeutic massage and warm baths. You don't want the nice relaxing massage. What you want is someone who can do trigger point therapy (and do it well!) It will hurt like hell while it's being done, but after an hour I'm walking normally again. It starts to ache a bit after a few days but with warm baths and stretching, it really helped. The most important thing for me to stretch was my hamstrings - I find that when they are tight, the pain returns. At my worst, I was seeing the massage therapist 2x/week, but then it tapered to once, and finally just every couple of weeks for maintenance.

Good luck to you - I know how much it hurts, but it can get better!

[St. Margaret]

thanks!!!

[Lyndzies]

Just wanted to chime in an offer my s.

While not nerve pain, I was suffering from VERY severe SPD starting around 22 weeks. The pain got so bad that my midwife recommended (and prescribed) Percocet. I did not want to take it, but she insisted that the hormones that were being released by my body due to the pain were perhaps even worse for the baby.

I took the Percocet sparingly to cope with the pain while I explored chiropractic treatment. It took going 3x a week for the first 4 weeks or so, then 2x a week, and now we're trying a 1x a week maintenance schedule.. but I am no longer taking the Percocet and am feeling MUCH better due to the chiro treatments.

Hang in there mama. Know that whatever decision you make to cope with the pain, you are doing what's best for you and your baby. It's no good for either of you to endure chronic pain like you currently are.

May I also suggest water therapy, if you have access to a pool? (public, a friend's, the Y?). Being in the water also helped me IMMENSELY.

Thinking of you!

[St. Margaret]

Thanks! we have started worrying about the baby being in the middle of all this pain and crying and yuckiness. I'm still waiting to hear back from the doc... we called the CNM this morning... gonna call her and the PCP again before too long, see if we can get anything going today!

We did the pool but we and the chiro are worried it made things worse. He said it was a bit early. PTs think it's ideal... sigh. honestly getting to the pool is too hard right now anyway... but hopefully in a bit.

thanks again!!!

[St. Margaret]

Well, I did it. The chiro gave me a great adjustment today but still, walking for more than a few feet becomes sooo painful... so I took some steroids the CNM and PCP thought would be good. Class C Not ideal, but I guess it's just a crazy situation. I'm doing pretty well and hoping to get some sleep (they also gave me some stuff to help with that since the steroids can keep you up, and I was getting dangerously low on sleep).

Gonna keep up with everything else, but hopefully this will allow all of that to really work. Thank you so much for the good thoughts! I'm focusing on all thid working and healing!

[2goingon2]

Originally Posted by RedOakMomma

I would try more PT and non-drug fixes first, and perhaps add in acupuncture. The pain relief from acupuncture can be huge.

I'm sorry you're suffering, mama. Sending big s to you.

Definitely give acupuncture a try. I have had sciatic nerve problems ever since I was pregnant with my 17 year old daughter. When my last child was 4 days old - I did something as simple as bending over and that did it. I saw a chiro for most of my maternity leave and he did acupuncture too. My little one is now 17 months old and I'm 18 weeks pregnant and still no more problems....knock on wood!

Good luck - it is debilitating when it flares.

[St. Margaret]

We are just waiting on the whole process for getting with the right acupuncturist. Def gonna start that asap.

I'm doing better on the new drug-- no more flares of intense pain. It's been moving to near-constant aches which is probably good-- it means we're fetting my hips and legs straight again, so with the drug to tone down the inflammation, we might be able to esort it all out. PT was out sick today; midwife and chiro tomorrow!