My daughter, who was diagnosed with Lupus at 17, who is now 20, has been having a lot of trouble with sciatica. She always has problems with her knees as well and she isn't sure if she might be walking in a way that is causing the problem or if it is a separate problem. The pain radiates down her leg to her knee.
She does stretches for it and everything that she has read but nothing seems to help. It also interferes with her ability to sleep well. Does anyone else deal with this or have any suggestions?
I have had sciatica in the past. It is caused from a bad back. The first thing is she needs to have a good supportive mattress. This makes a huge difference. If the mattress is letting her spine sink too much her alignment will not be right which will put pressure on her back and cause sciatica pain. When evaluating mattresses there is a difference between support (this comes from deep inside the mattress) and a soft top. You can have great support and a softer top, or harder top if you prefer. Another thing that can help is to sleep with a pillow between her knees. This also helps to level out the spine. I hope this helps, I know how painful sciatica is....ouch.
Did she get an MRI yet? If this has been on going and has reached a disabling level perhaps your daughter should get this test done to determine what is going on in her back. Be well.
The teeter inverter helps me. My problems are from degenerating disks - bad back. It helps the back to invert for a couple minutes every day / a few times a day if really bad.
I have dealt with sciatica because of a car accident that I had in 2004 and didn't get it treated. When I diagnosed with Crohn's in 2006. My Dr. thought at that time I had Lupus but couldn't get it officially diagnosed in 2011. My sciatica got so bad in 2012 and had to have surgery because it got so bad.
I agree she should get an MRI on her upper and lower back, she may be advised to see a back specialist who can help her with her posture and if she’s in any pain suggest cortisone shots to target the nervous system, I pray she gets the proper help she needs.
I feel so blessed to have found this group, everyone is so wonderful.
I want to thank everyone for replying. She has not had an MRI yet. One of the problems that I still have with her is her denial and she will wait until her joints are so swollen and she is in horrible pain before she will see the doctor and beg for cortisone shots in her knees and her elbows. Now, we've had this going on for almost a year, and she says she is willing to get needles if it will make her feel better or even go to PT.
I'm going to let her know what I've learned here and hopefully I can get her to agree to see a doctor and talk about the MRI.
Unfortunately, as a college student, her mattress is nothing more than a thin, very poor excuse of anything. And of course, they make them in extra long, which makes it very difficult to find a decent cover that will offer more support. Fortunately, she will be a Senior next year!
Thank all of you again for giving me some direction, she knew I was going to post this question and she may be more responsive to your suggestions than she is to her mere mother :)
I get it now and then, but luckily, a chiropractor, ice pack on lower back and anti-inflamatories hep me. Also vit D (heals central nervous system) and vit B complex (heals nerve pain) helps me. Those also help my TN. I know you also have that.
I have had this problem since 1980. I have had two surgeries which helped tremendously. Currently I have a hard time sitting due to more damages in my spine. I see a pain management doctor for injections which help. I am also on a time release Karin which I take nightly for the pain. Good luck, and get the MRI first.
Susan, can you tell me what a teeter inverter is? I have never heard of it before.
Thanks :)
Susan Roberts said:
The teeter inverter helps me. My problems are from degenerating disks - bad back. It helps the back to invert for a couple minutes every day / a few times a day if really bad.
I wish I could get her to take the vitamins as you suggested, all of which I do take, as well as the krill oil. Right now, I'm lucky that I have her taking her Lupus meds, which she refused to do in the beginning....but her joints kept seizing up.....that convinced her! However, I will try again and try to explain exactly why they will help her. Your post just might help as well. Thank you!
Sheila W. said:
I get it now and then, but luckily, a chiropractor, ice pack on lower back and anti-inflamatories hep me. Also vit D (heals central nervous system) and vit B complex (heals nerve pain) helps me. Those also help my TN. I know you also have that.