I’m 25 years old and had to go to the doctor about my back pain and at times leg pain. After the doctor tested did a minor exam on me he said I had Sciatica. I’ve been having this for the past 3 months and its not getting better like most sites said it should. Needless to say I was sent home with pills but I don’t know what to do because the pain is killing me especially if I sit for long periods of time. I want to workout but I was told to get rest and I’m going back to school but with this pain I don’t know what to do. Should I see another doctor about therapy? Have you had Sciatica and how did you deal with it? Please help!
By the way, the doctor performed a physical test. No x-ray or MRI or anything of that sort, which bothered me a bit that he didn’t. The pills are for pain and muscle spasm but since they’re anti-inflammatory they make me drousy enough that I feel drunk/sleepy. I’m not a pill person for antihistamine and I don’t want to live off of pills either.
I was given Tramadol but that makes me feel drunk and nauseated.
#1 by mick G on February 12th, 2011
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I have many years of experience with back problems. It’s an inconvenient fact that general practitioners only specialise in not specialising. Your leg pain { the result of a pinched nerve } indicates that your condition is somewhat advanced. If you go back to your doctor he will probably send you for an X-ray. You need to be aware that X-rays are often not very revealing, especially in cases like yours. An MRI would provide a much more detailed assessment.Stretching excersises are advised, but working out is definately not. The only things that provide relief for my referred pain, or sciatica, are codeine and or NSAID’s { Voltaren, diclofenac sodium }. I strongly recommend that you get to the bottom of what’s going on. If your condition is degenerative some life style changes may be required. If so, the sooner you implement appropriate management strategies, the better your long term outcomes will be. I wouldn’t consider going to a chiropractor if I were you. Good luck.
#2 by DabberDoodles on February 12th, 2011
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If the side effect of Tramadol you still have after three month, you should ask your doctor for something different! I have had Sciatica for a good number of years. I just recently have had back surgery, and I’m doing much better!
I cannot believe your still having so much problems with it and your doctor has not even as much ordered an x-ray, let alone a MRI which is the best for detecting problems! You might want to have your doctor try a different medicine for pain, and muscle relaxers, or refer you to a Pain Management specialist. But, you need to do what is asked of you, if your going to have any chance of feeling any better! Sounds like you need another doctor!
Neurontin I believe is the same as Tramadol. I blame Neurontin, for the TIA I had, four years ago!
#3 by Rose K on February 12th, 2011
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First I want to clarify someone else’s answer. Tramadol is NOT the same as Neurontin. Tramadol is a non-narcotic pain medication and Neurontin is an anti-seizure and nerve pain medication. Two completely different beasts. Both medications didn’t work for me at all and I had a very serious and very rare reaction to Neurontin. I currently take some very strong pain medications.
Back on topic. You need an MRI and a doctor who gives a damn. Physical therapy, pain medication, muscle relaxers and NSAID’s are what I use to control my spinal pain and my sciatica pain. Anti-inflammatory’s (NSAID’S) are good. It helps to reduce any inflammation which equals less pain. However, taking some OTC Motrin or Ibuprofen are just as effective NSAID’S when it comes to sciatica pain.
You need to consult a doctor who cares and need an MRI to assess the degree of your condition.