Sciatica nerve pain

Hi,
Well here is another joy of pregnancy that I have developed... sciatica nerve pain. <_< It has been on and off for the last few weeks but about two days ago it got to the point where I couldn't walk at times and I had tears in my eyes. I am getting a shooting pain from my lower back down my buttocks and thigh (mostly on my left leg). I think this is sciatica nerve pain (thanks google!) which apparently can come on during pregnancy. It subsided yesterday as my DH was home and I could put my feet up, but he is back to work today and I am back to chasing my 2 and a half year old and this afternoon I can barely walk. My ob and GP are both on holidays at the moment. Has anyone experienced this and do you have any advce??

Thanks in advance,
Kittymum

 

Yep, I get with my pregnanacies too. OUCH!

I find laying on my right for a few minutes, especially when it's flaring up, to be a tremendous help.

 

one of my friends (who's a certified massage therapist) recommends sitting on a tennis ball (under your butt cheek on the side that hurts) and rolling back and forth to loosen the muscles...

I get sciatica all the time (and when I was pg too) and this is one of the few things that helps (other than laying on my back on a hard surface which isn't recommended for pregnancy!)

 

Yes, i developed it about 3 weeks ago. Seems to come on if i've been up and around for too long, and the sharp pain goes down my butt and my leg feels weak. i havent found a cure for it, but going to bed and laying on my back usually helps it subside in not too long.


22W6D mono/di boys

 

I have had this since I was in an ATV accident. I recommend the following: REST, ICE and a really good CHIROPRACTOR.

Good luck,
Jenn

 

I have this also and I got a prenatal massage with the focus on that area and it helped a lot. I wish i could go more. The masseuse also recommended the tennis ball exercise.

 

BTW - the massage is pretty painful when they focus on the sciatica - there is no way around that - the area is just plain tender constantly these days - but it was very helpful.

 

Heat is what helped mine, I pulled it putting my dd's power wheels jeep together before christmas. Oh My Goodness the pain!!! Thankfully dh was home for the week and he did ALL the lifting of dd (who is 2) that week and I didn't lift, or bend over all week. That rest, with a heat pad or a very warm bath each night (for about 15 mins), helped and now it's only sporadically bothering me.

I recommend don't carry your 2.5 yr old at all, lay her on the floor or bed or couch for diaper/clothing changes, and make her walk as much as you can. It helps.

Oh and I dosed up on tylenol to help the pain, it wasn't great but it was better than nothing!

 

Thanks guys. Looks like I am sending DH out to buy a tennis ball today! I will also look into the massage and chiropractor. I couldn't roll over last night it hurt so much. Hope all your sciatica eases soon.

Love, Kittymum

 

Seeing a chiropractor is the only thing that helps me. I had sciatica with my second pregnancy at the very end but this time it started really early. Like you I'm chasing around a 2 year old so between that and this pregnancy I really started hurting right before Christmas. It's really helped me a ton.

 

I have had Sciatica in all 4 pregnancies so far its bad at the mmoment though the advice I got was to lay down alot :laughing: thats funny! or if you do have to stand up and do something they recomended standing on one leg with the knee on the side that hurts on a chair. I dont stand in one place very often but when Im cooking or washing up it does help a little bit. I hope you feel better soon.

 

I had sciatica with my pregnancy and what helped me out was going to the chiropractor. I would also soak in a tub of warm water, not too hot. It also helped me, for some reason, to also sit with my legs elevated. Good luck, sciatica is no fun!

 

Ice!! I tried everything and ice definitely helped the most, it just sucks sitting with ice on you in the dead of winter. <_<

Hope you can find some relief!

 

I am almost 24 weeks with my twins and I find that walking around too much really aggrivates it. I am spoiled and have a cousin who is a massage therapist and cuts me a great deal. I get that every other week. I also recommend ice. My mom is a physical therapy assistant and says that heat can make it worse. It varies by person and when you find out if you are one of those people you will be in major pain. Once again I recommend ice.

 

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all your feedback. Hopefully I can find some relief!