Mainly in my right leg but also in my left occasionaly. I have tried physiotherapy, a number of medications (amatriptilyne, naproxen) , I had a steroid injection in my lower spine and I am now trying acupuncture. I try my best to live with sciatica but there never seems to be noticeable improvement. It is OK in the day but worse at night and can often keep me up at night (tonight for example). The best remedy for me at the moment is amazingly Paracetamol but it is still not fully able to deal with the sciatica consistently. I wanted to ask if there is any medication or other treatment anyone could recommend which has been effective for them and how they also deal with their mental health in dealing with pain management in their lives? Many thanks
Any recommendations for pain management and mental health management with sciatica?
Question posted by 01cranshawt on 2 July 2021
Last updated on 5 April 2022 by HelenaGreco73
6 Answers
I have sciatica and because of stomach ulcer i currently can't take nsaids. I tried the steroid injections and they last two weeks. So i have been taking Gabapentin and Tylenol 4. This helps, along with Cymbalta, which is an SNRI which addresses depression and also body pain.
I know this question was posted last year but I have been in excruciating pain for the last 12 weeks with sciatic nerve pain. I have never had this before and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy! My pain is constant does not stop and I have played the game Physical Therapy, neuro appts, and many ER visits. All doctors after reading MRI need to see a neurosurgeon and pain management. March 4 2022 is neurosurgeon appt. and pain management January 20, 2022. What do I do in the meantime? I have been to ER three times and the docs know how far out my appts. are but they can only give me 3 days of medicine. Who can afford ER visits every 4 to 5 days?
trixie12405
Hi Try fentanyl pain patch they are excellent been on mine for 17 years Had op 18 years ago nerve decompression and Ostia bone cut away The op was unsuccessful That’s why I was put on the patch iv could not cope with severe pain anymore Hope This help go to gp or pain clinic for help
Hi. I'm in the exactly the same boat. The advice you've already gotten is good but I would like to add a couple of things. Try medications for nerve pain like gabapentin and cymbalta. Cymbalta is also an antidepressant that helps you sleep. You might also try Robaxin. It's a muscle relaxant that works in the central nervous system to tell the brain to loosen the tight muscles from the sciatica. I also suggest working with a cognitive behavioral therapist. I have fibro as well and have been working with one for years. This is talk therapy to help you manage. We do guided imagery to control pain. You could also try a therapist specifically for pain. My pain clinic offers them. Are you in a pain or spine clinic? In my experience, drs and therapists there have more knowledge and options for pain management.
One last thing: I used TENS for fibro but was told not to use it for sciatica because it could cause muscle spasms. I was also told not to go back to my chiropractor because it was too harsh and would make the herniated discs worse. Obviously you know to check with your dr. I'm getting ready for a second injection, a caudal injection this time. It's a broader injection I need because I have multiple bad discs. If that doesn't help, my pain dr recommends a radio frequency oblation. That's a more serious procedure that destroys the nerve creating the pain.
I hope you find some relief soon Good luck
I am so sorry to hear you are dealing with sciatica. I had sciatica when I was pregnant with my son, and it was terribly painful. Being pregnant there wasn't much I could take for the pain.
The best thing I ever did that helped me was going to the Chiropractor once a week for a month and then going back as needed. I also put ice on for 10 minutes, then heat on for 10 minutes (I used a heating pad), every 4 Hours and my OB/GYN doctor told me it was safe for me to take 2 Advil/Motrin every 6 hours. The Advil/Motrin was more for the inflammation than the pain, but it helped some with the pain.
Also, sleeping with a pillow between my knees when I slept on my side was a great help. Or, when I slept on my back, I put one or two pillows under my knees depending on what was comfortable. When I sat in a chair I would put a small pillow behind my back to take the pressure off.
As I said, since I was pregnant, there were very few medications I could take, especially for the "Mental" part of it. I tried to keep busy when the pain would allow me to. I read a lot or listened to E-books which kept my mind off of the pain. Colored with gel pens or colored pencils. Listened to music. Did journaling which helped me to get my thoughts out of my head and down on paper so I didn't dwell on my pain, lack of mobility at times and the depression I would go through some days. On the days I felt good enough to move around I would go outside when the weather was nice and take short walks just to get some fresh air and feel the sun on my face. If I couldn't walk, I would sit outside in my backyard and enjoy the breeze, listen to the birds chirpping and get some sun. Sometimes I would even call a friend or family member and talk in order to think of something other than my pain.
After the 4 weeks of chiropractic treatments I was so much better that I only went back to the chiropractor when I needed to. I was blessed to have a wonderful chiropractor who wanted to help me and not just take my money and keep me coming back.
I also used a Tens machine. It has 4 sticky patches with a lead to each one. You attached the leads to the sticky patches and the sticky patches to your back where the pain is. The Tens machine, when turned on, sends small electrical currents into your back/muscles which helps relax the areas of your back/hips/neck/shoulders, depending on where you place the sticky patches with the leads attached, that are hurting so they can heal.
I received my Tens machine through my chiropractor, and my insurance company paid for it since it was ordered by my chiropractor, and was considered "Durable Medical Equipment."
I have since found the Tens machines online at Amazon and you don't have to have a doctor's prescription for them, but you do if you want your insurance company to pay for it.
For me, once my son was born my sciatica went away. However, it did come back off and on years later so I did exactly the same things I did when I was pregnant with my son, except I took 3 or 4 Advil/Motrin every 6 hours for my pain and for me that was plenty. Usually, my sciatica only lasts 2-3 weeks.
Although when I had a herniated disc the only thing that helped was outpatient surgery, but the day after surgery, all my pain was gone.
Please keeps us advised how you are doing and I will be praying for you.
I don’t have sciatica but herniated disc. For me glucosamine chondrotin tablets work. Also turmeric tablets.I once had sciatica and occasionally get again too. For me rest works. I want to say just be positive. Your body will itself tell you what is good for it. May be some posture or some medicine or therapy. If you will be positive and think I will be ok I will be good, you will find some remedy for the sciatica. It may take time but you will get relief, you have to be patient and look for and feel what works for you. This is not a big thing but your attitude towards it. Try little be little for some exercise or some posture or some medication and you will be ok. Take care.
Related topics
pain, sciatica, naproxen, injection, steroid, medication, mental health, pain management, steroid injection, health, management, spine, physiotherapy
Further information
- Naproxen uses and safety info
- Naproxen prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Naproxen (detailed)
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