Need Some Imput

[Louisa]

I have lurked & lurked for a very long time,
but now I need some advise.
I have recently been diagnosed with Sciatica.
I worked out on a average of 5 - 6 days a week
but the pain I have from the lower back into and down my leg is really painful and has caused me to stop exercising.
I was doing Cathe PS Tapes & The Firm Tapes.
I am on anti-inflamitory medication and have already gotton two Cortizone shots which can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks to start working, with more to come.
Any suggestions as to what kind of exercises
I can do to keep my sanity.
I feel like I'm blubbering as I'm typing.
I don't want all I have worked for to fade away.
I am a 50 year old workout addict - who has a pretty decent body with some definition.
I think I'm losing it.
PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

 

[ErinF]

I'm so sorry!

I'm really glad that you de-lurked, Louisa! I don't know if there is anything I can suggest that will help. I don't know much about sciatica. Could your doctor perhaps refer you to a physical therapist, especially one who specializes in sports rehab? That might be a way to get some exercises that not only don't cause pain, but may also be beneficial to your situation. Make sure your doctor understands that your priorities include, not only being free of pain, but being physically fit as well. I swear that sometimes it never even occurs to them that anyone other than a professional athlete would have that as a high priority.

My other thought is: Is there any position in which you don't have pain? If you can sit upright, perhaps you can do some upper body work that is done in that position. If lying down is comfortable, what about floor work? I guess what I'm saying is perhaps if you do some experimenting you can find some things that will work for you.

I know 2 - 6 weeks sounds like a long time. It would to me as well. But if you can get to a place where you can exercise again, you'll re-gain everything that was lost. Your muscles will remember what they were able to do, and you'll get back to that much more quickly than you achieved it in the first place. Hang in there!!!!!

Erin

 

[shnikes17]

Hi Louisa

I was never diagnosed with sciatia, but I had severe hip problems from running 7 to 8 miles per day (stupid, I know!). I also took anti-inflammatory medication and had several shots of that nasty cortizone, and I couldn't do high impact exercising for a long time. I could hardly walk for a couple months. If I had just taken it easier, it would have healed up so much faster, but I tried to keep my same activity level and bear the pain. I eventually found that for my particular problem, I could still lift weights, ride the bike, do the stairmaster, but I couldn't walk, do aerobics or anything else like that. I don't know if I helped any, but I know how frustrated you are. Just give yourself plenty of time for it to heal.

Emily

 

[Brigid]

sciatica

Hi Louisa - I haven't had sciatica but the previous advice about seeing a physical therapist is good.
Do you usually workout with tapes? If so & you don't have pain lying down (my mother in law had it and it seems to have affected her mostly when walking or standing), have you considered some of the new Pilates tapes. I have recently bought some of the Stott tapes (advanced matwork & power circle)and they don't LOOK tough but how they look is deceptive; they provide a good workout. I'm off high impact workouts the next few weeks due to having sclerotherapy yesterday but I wanted to keep working out. I hope you find something that works - I completely understand not wanting to lose the good physical condition you're in.
Good luck!
Brigid

 

[Forgetful]

I did a keyword search...

...on AOL. Check out www.medinfo.co.uk/conditions/sciatica.html as well as www.Aliveat55.com/sciaticacomplete.htm and www.sciatica.org. It seems this condition can be puzzling to docs. One site recommended rest, followed by low impact exercise. You might look into alternatives such as accupuncture and definitely physical therapy. Good luck!

 

[Louisa]

"Thank You" For Your Input

Dear Erin - Emily - Bridgid - Bobbi
I want to thank you all for your helpful information, but most of all for your caring.
I am off to the Orthpedic Doctor in about 2 hrs
for another shoot of cortizone.
I have asked him already about accupuncture and
physical therepy. He said accupuncture works for some people, he himself has tried it with no success. As far as the physical therapy he wanted to wait to see how the medication and the shoots worked first.
I stressed the fact when I first went to him about how important exercising was to me.
He said to do what I normally do, I guess he didn't realize at the time how severe my case was.
Let me see what he has to say today.
Wish me luck.
Again "Thank You All"
Louisa

 

[Debra]

swimming?

A friend went thru this, how awful. He had to give up running & after exercising some patience, began swimming once the pain subsided.

I don't know if this applies to you, but he could not sit for months. He kneeled at his desk, at the table, etc using a garden knee pad. The pads are rectangular plastic coated foam. Luckily they owned a mini-van so he actually kneeled in the van if his wife was along to drive!

You have my sympathy. Try to be patient.