severe sciatic pain down the leg

I had a TAH June 5. 5 days post op, I noticed severe sciatic pain from my tailbone to my foot. I am in physical therapy and still taking pain meds to manage the pain. I spend most of my day in bed because of the pain. My question is: has anyone else experienced sciatica? How long did it take to resolve?

Dear Rasafrats I have had sciatic pain and it was resolved with prescription meds and physical therapy prescribed by my doctor. Please, see your MD and ask these questions. Its important for your recovery from your hyster that you move around and not become bed-ridden.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by rasafrats I had a TAH June 5. 5 days post op, I noticed severe sciatic pain from my tailbone to my foot. I am in physical therapy and still taking pain meds to manage the pain. I spend most of my day in bed because of the pain. My question is: has anyone else experienced sciatica? How long did it take to resolve?

Dear Rasafrats,

I'm so sorry you've got sciatica! I do too. In the recovery room, I woke up with pins and needles and numbness in my left foot. Four days later, I developed sciatic in the left leg. I believe these are separate problems--that the sciatica developed because of the contortions I went through with incision/surgery pain plus a basically useless left foot. My neurologist thinks otherwise--he thinks it's all from sciatica, which is related to disk disease in the lumbar region. He predicted I would recover about six weeks after the surgery. The sciatica varies from day to day--I have good and bad days. My foot may be improving but very, very slowly. I still have 2 and half weeks to make the doc's prediction come true, so I am trying not to worry. (Not always easy, when you're lame and in pain, right?)

Meanwhile, my mother developed sciatica about the same time I did. She began to feel dramatically better in only two weeks. It hurts like the ****ens but you WILL get better! Try not to stay in one position for two long. Exercise, in moderation, is good--even if it feels counter-intuitive.

Have you seen a neurologist? He/she might recommend an MRI. Try to have faith that you'll get better--you will! Massage helps, I believe.

I've had sciatica act up twice. It lasted a couple weeks each time. My mom, however, had it last for several months. Her orthopedic doc also was certified in acupuncture and she had that. It was like a miracle for her. She got results after the first treatment. The doc told her that if you don't get relief by the end of the third treatment, acupuncture isn't the answer for you. She had 3 treatments - once a week for 3 weeks - and now has a 'touch up' every 3 months or so.

I'm going for acupuncture for another problem in a couple weeks. I hope it works half as well as it did for my mom.

Hope you get some relief soon!

Hey Shore, can you say anything the meds and therapy you got? What did the physical therapist do with you? My neurologist said it wouldn't help but between you and me, I don't believe him--I think anything proactive helps.

Dear Rocket........ I'd really hate to mislead you or anyone, but knowing there are so many causes of sciatica pain, and an equally number of causes, I'd strongly recommend the OP (original poster) seek help from her MD. What worked for me may not work for her.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by rocket59 Hey Shore, can you say anything the meds and therapy you got? What did the physical therapist do with you? My neurologist said it wouldn't help but between you and me, I don't believe him--I think anything proactive helps.