Sciatica Anyone??

[Mama2-4]

For the last 2 months I have been suffering from horrible sciatica pain. (I have had it will all my pregnancies). It seems to really hit hard at the end of the day especially when I am trying to get dinner made. There are times when it is so unbearably painful to move my leg from one position to another. So, Friday I saw a chiropractor. It did feel better when he finished his manipulations, but Saturday it flared up again. I will see him again tomorrow, and I can only hope that with some regular visits to him I will experience some relief in pain. At this point is seems there is nothing that gives relief other than a nights rest once I am finally able to get comfortable.

Anyone else having this trouble?

[applecore]

I've had it will all three of my pregnancies. Sucks, huh? Have you tried using ice on your sacrum? Try it on the side that's bothering you. That's the only thing that helps me at all. Well, that and chiropractic 3x a week, but with no insurance, I can't afford it.

[Mama2-4]

Totally sucks! I have not tried ice, but will do that. Anytime I get the chance to sit down I sit on the heating pad and that feels good, but doesn't offer too much relief....maybe I need to freeze the pain away! Thanks for the suggestion.

[thefreckledmama]

I have it when pregnant, and occasionally when not. Another adjustment or two should take care of it,...at least it does for me. You might want to have your chiro check your posture and see if you need to adjust how you stand/walk,...that can help keep it from recurring,...although sometimes it just can't be helped.

[sarahn4639]

chiropractic visits helped me alot with my last pregnancy. I did have to keep going every week or so to keep it from returning. I hope it gets better soon!

[Mama2-4]

I went again to the chiro today, it is so heavenly to lay on my belly and get a little back rub! Anyway, I felt a little better after the adjustment, but it is still hurting as I lay here typing. I go again Wed. I guess I will be going about 2x a week for awhile to see if it will help.

[cocoschmoco]

I've had sciatica since before I was pg, and it's not fun. It comes and goes, but it's def. getting worse the bigger I get.
Anyhoo, I use heating pads, and walking/being active seems to help it. I do prenatal yoga and that seems to make it less severe, also. Do you ever do pelvic tilts on your hands and knees? My yoga teacher said she had a mom who swore they were the only thing that helped during her pgs...

[Mama2-4]

Yep, I do the pelvic tilts, I even do them in the shower with hot water running on my back! Our last two babies came with such horridly painful back labor and I am fearing that with this one too. I do stay really active, I take exercise classes about 5x a week including yoga, and also walk about 4 miles 2-3 times a week. Avoiding the things that seem to aggravate it is almost impossible, I find one of the biggest offenders is simply being in the kitchen cooking, doing dishes etc...standing in one position for awhile really makes it flare up...maybe I should grab one of our stools and sit while I am cooking.

[applecore]

The thing about the sciatic nerve is that it runs through a really small area. When your belly gets bigger, it can cause your low back to arch excessively (lordosis), and this can put pressure on the sciatic nerve by tilting the pelvis a certain way. Try to remember to keep your low back somewhat flat by drawing the sacrum down. Keeping the abs engaged is also helpful. Keep an eye on how it feels after a hot shower or heating pad because heat can increase inflamation and actually make the pain worse. That's why I'm a big fan of ice.

[mom2tillie]

Yes Yes Yes

At least I think that is what it is...I didn't have this at all with my last pregnancy... for about the last month I have had a constant shooting pain from my low back down into my butt cheek (left side). Is that sciatica? Pelvic tilts give my some relief but I can't do that all day. I don't know when I would find time to see a chiro. I plan to ask my midwife about it tonight. I'll post any revelations...

-Iris

[LoveChild421]

I find that regular massage (like every other week or at least every 3 weeks) helps me much more than chiro visits. I do still go have adjustments every month or so, but if I don't get a massage I'm still in agony.

[mom2tillie]

My midwife recommends a chiro... I really don't have time or money for that, but she said it will likely just get worse as I get bigger and bigger...

UGH!

How much is a chiro? How long does it take?

[Mama2-4]

Well, my insurance covers the chiro, but I do have a $15 copay each time, which adds up when going 2-3x a week! I spoke with another chiro who did not take my insurance and she was going to charge me $50 for the intake and $35-45 each additional visit.

My MIL also suggested that when cooking (this is when I get the most irritated) I stand with my foot up on a foot stool. I will try this.

Thanks for all the other suggestions!

[CalebsMama05]

mine was loads worse with Jake but usually when I get out of the car and into the store and start taking longer strides I get pain that shoots down my butt/leg and it makes it hard to walk.

[mom2tillie]

Wow, a 50 bucks a pop I think I am just going to have to suffer. My insurance does not cover chiro.... bummer.

-Iris

[Emmom]

Originally Posted by mom2-3

My MIL also suggested that when cooking (this is when I get the most irritated) I stand with my foot up on a foot stool. I will try this.

This is exactly what I do. While washing dishes or cooking I have one foot up on ds's step stool. It really helps. I also do an incredibly embarrassing butt wiggle dance when it gets too bad.

I tried chiro and the first appointment was like a miracle cure, but then it came back and seemed to get worse with each appointment, so I stopped.

The sciatica I had with ds, although not as bad as this time, went away the day of delivery, so mostly I figure I'll just tough it out.

[Lolafanana]

Originally Posted by mom2tillie

Wow, a 50 bucks a pop I think I am just going to have to suffer. My insurance does not cover chiro.... bummer.

-Iris

Call around. My chiro is much cheaper than that ($20 for each adjustment- I go once a week) but it took me calling quite a few until I found a reasonable one and she actually specializes in pediatrics and prenatal so I was in luck but definately call around.

One chiro I called charges $350 for the first visit and then $100 for each subsequent visit : Totally insane.

[Mama2-4]

Definately call around, but make sure they are experienced with prenatal care.

I am in such complete agony right now....I am so sick of this pain. I love being pregnant and hate to think I am already 30 weeks and time is flying, but I have so much pain daily by 5pm. As I lay here right now I can not straighten my leg and I can not totally rest my back on the bed...so I am in a semi bridge position, I guess I will have strong butt muscles after this kid comes!

I have been seeing the chiro early on in the day, but I think I really should see if I can get in about 5pm when my pain really flares up. I am a very active person, and just can not stop what I am doing b/c of pain...so I suffer!

Sorry for the rant...