Sciatica pain? « Back to Group Discussions

[TxMommyof3tobe]

I thought it was too early for sciatica pain, yet here I sit curled in a ball trying to avoid the pain. I didn't get this with my other 2 pregnancies, but i was in a bad car accident a year and a half ago. I ended up with a herniated disk and had 5 epidural steroid injects for it (they mentioned surgery, but I was highly against it). I was about 90 or 95 percent better - on a rare occassion my back would act up.

While I was making my son's bed (it was his bottom bunk so I have to bend a lot), but I ended up in such severe pain that i couldn't get up, or extend my legs at all, even to crawl. Yup, I walked like a duck with my knees tucked into my het as far as possibly - all of the way down the stairs. It's been an hour and a half and still a ton of pain.

I'm mid twenties, thin and haven't really gain any weight, so I elieve I am lower risk typically for this. I am thinking it has to do with ligiments starting to lossen and my uterus getting larger putting pressure on my L5-S1 herniation. But I'm not totally sure. Not really sure what to do now

So... Instead of this being a total pity party post - anyone else experiencing sciatic pain? Any btdt mom's who have good advice for us newbies to pregnancy sciatica?

[Sweet Huck]

Oh, TXMommy, I feel for you. When I first got pregnant I "slipped my pelvis" doing practically nothing. It caused horrible spasming in my lower back and buttocks/sciatica. I was in such excruciating pain that I could not get on or off the toilet (or do anything else) without help. I totally know what it's like to be on the floor and not be able to get up!

The next morning my husband got me dressed and took my to my general practitioner... I was given a few muscle relaxants that were considered safe for pregnancy and then whisked away to physical therapy for chiropractic adjustments, massage, and exercise. It took a few weeks for things to calm down, probably longer than it had to because I avoided the muscle relaxants unless I was desperate, but the physical therapy really did help.

I still have some occasional "off days" but I find that stretching and gentle movement really help, as well as sitting on tennis balls or having my husband rub my hips/back. Even just my physical therapy exercises get me "unstuck."

I will say this--- the good thing about hurting my back so early in my pregnancy and working with a physical therapist is that it (hopefully) has given me a chance to strengthen things before I get big.

Hope you feel better very soon!!!

[LittleBlackBug]

I am right there with you! Mine started right at 12 weeks. With DD, I had severe back pain, this time is sciatica. Today was a really bad day. Lots of carrying DD for unusual reasons. I'm pretty lucky at work to have ways to stand or different chairs to sit on, but it still hurts. The only thing I have found that kind of works is yoga. Will be going In for acupuncture Thursday to see if they can help me.

[sky_and_lavender]

I was just listening to the pregtastic podcast on another subject, and a couple of ladies who had sciatic problems mentioned that sitting on a birthing (exercise) ball instead of a chair for at least part of their time wiped out their sciatic pain. Just wanted to mention it in case it helps anyone. I have had sciatic problems at different times and know how uncomfortable and persistent sciatica can be!
 

[LittleBlackBug]

Yes! The exercise ball is wonderful! I sat on one the entire time last pregnancy. I have a Bally type chair at work now. Also, sciatica pillows are good too.

[TxMommyof3tobe]

Thanks for the info! And I am really sorry to hear about your injury at the beginning of your pregnancy Sweet Huck. 

I will definitely try out the exercise ball as much as possible, can't hurt. Also good to hear that you guys have made it out alive with that pain ;)