Any suggestions on how to calm it down. My doctor gave me one week's worth of robaxin as a muscle relaxer. Should I combine this with cold pack or heating pad? It is worse in the morning after waking up and of course I have to get myself to work. Thanks for any suggestions.
Hello, I recently came down with sciatica pain in my right buttock and thigh?
Question posted by rodlang on 6 April 2012
Last updated on 15 November 2018
6 Answers
Mkesgrl
14 June 2018
I would say heat or ice or a combo of both. I had my L3/ L4 disc rupture about 12 years ago. The only thing that helped me was ice. Everyone is different. For some it's only heat. Ice will help deflate all the inflammation and should ease the pain, but honestly it depends on what feels best to you. If the muscle relaxers don't help please make sure all the discs are fine. If this is more nerve pain maybe a steroid could help too. Good luck friend. Prayers and hugs as you get this under control!
Dusty and Joey
13 June 2018
Ice and heat work well for me use the heat. Also what is a big help for me is Extra Strength Icy Hot and 5% lidocaine patches which you need a prescription for good luck to you
gold4k
26 June 2012
daily walks on flat outside surface of 45 minutes/day is the best treatment for sciatica. It will take a couple weeks, but if you keep it up at least 4 times a week, be careful how you bend and lift things, you should be able to keep it at bay. I have for 27 years.
when you have a flare up, icing is good.
also, don't sleep on your back; sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees
since it's your right side, driving may contribute; make sure your seat is at a complete right angle to the back
rodlang
27 June 2012
I've been getting physical therapy and the stretching/strength exercises seem to be helping. And walking, as you indicate. Good advice. Sometimes I get lazy and sit around too much and it flares up, so have to keep up with the walking and exercises.
tippy5150
26 Nov 2013
I am going through the stages of sciatica as we speak and I stumbled upon all the comments that you guys posted. Thank you for your advise and comments it really branches to a lot of people who are Diagnosed with the symptoms. I've had my sciatica problem now for almost 20 years and after so many years I still refuse to take the pain medication that they prescribe to me.Well I did try it back in 94. on my second episode and I just chucked them right out. But I do believe that exercise is the best remedy. But does anybody know some good exercises if you do that would be awesome. Thanks Again!!!
Dusty and Joey
13 June 2018
This is to the gentleman who was in the beginning stages of sciatica.. physical therapy is a must your insurance will cover it. Stretching is a must. Sciatica is a pinched nerve. I am seeing a surgeon on Thursday and he is going to make a small incision and decompress the nerve he will literally unpinch it. I will come back and let you know the outcome. I cannot live with this pain every day and night I will try anyting. The drugs the anti-inflammatories they all help I would never say no to them they will get you through a very hard time until you fall upon the right thing for you. Hang in there you can get better
Dionne Hodge
20 Sep 2018
Im desperate for good sugestions instead of being told to get this painful shot which I got many years ago and made me almost faint !
I have sciatica on my left hip so bad that I feel like crawling instead of walking so I'll give walking a good try and I wont bend or lift anything . seriously !!!
I love sleeping on my sides instead of my back .
thanks very much .
Mrssevd
15 Nov 2018
Thank you all for the advice. I have sciatic pain on my right side. My right foot is numb also the calf of the right leg is numb. I work with a lawn care service in the summer and I cut that leg and did not know it until someone told me. I have seen a doctor and did a MRI just waiting for results.
gold4k
7 April 2012
I would suggest seeing a physical therapist to get appropriate stretches, and you need to start walking EVERY DAY.
exercise and stretches is only way to keep this in check.
if you can't walk 45 minutes/day, then work up to it.
stretches and walking is only way to keep pain away.
also it's good for over all health
taking pain pills and muscle relaxers will really mess you up.
I've kept sciatica at bay for almost 30 yrs, so I stand behind this advice
rodlang
9 April 2012
Sounds like very good advise. At this point, stretching the right leg causes significant pain so I have to work up to it. Walking is not as bad. In fact, being active helps and sleeping or sitting makes it worse.
Inactive
6 April 2012
Usually this type of pain results from an injury or strain to your lower back. Your back may not hurt, but the pain can radiate down the buttocks, & into the leg. Could you have strained recentley by bending & lifting something heavy or move furniture or something to this extent? It could be coming from your back, & the others are right with heat & cold alternating. You could try using a heating pad on your lower back & hip. This is what relieves mine the best, & Ive' had it for 44 years from a failed back surgery. Another problem can be a strain of the pitiformus(sp) muscle in your buttocks. The sciatic nerve runs thru this large muscle, & sometimes flares up from being pinched. I would suggest using the robaxin with heat, & if it doesn't settle down in a week or so ask your doctor about your lower back, & a referral to a neurologist or a neuro work up to rule out a slipped or ruptured disc in your back.
You are discribing exactly how mine felt when I first ruptured a disc in my lower back. Hope this has been of some help to you... Mary
rodlang
9 April 2012
Thank you for the very detailed response. I don't recall straining my back but I'm starting to feel some twinges on the right lower side. So far, the robaxin isn't helping. I suspect I will need a further work up with x-ray or mri or whatever they do in these cases.
Inactive
6 April 2012
Hi rodlang,
Alternating heat and cold may help the pain a bit.
Did your doc mention any medications for nerve pain, such as gabapentin (neurontin) or Lyrica? One of those medications may help greatly with the pain. I certainly hope the robaxin takes care of your pain though.
Best wishes to you,
sweet lemon
rodlang
6 April 2012
Thank you for your kind reply. My doctor did not mention any meds for nerve pain but if this doesn't improve soon, I will go back and discuss with him.
Tezzy
6 April 2012
Hi Roadlang
Appart from pills I tried the heat and cold packs light stretching and a Tenns machine. I've had 3 surgeries for my back. And also Epidurals demirol etc. couldn't live with out my Tenns. Light exercise and swimming in a heated pool. Normal GPs didn't really help. I had to see a pain specialist. I hope u find relief soon. I know how debilitating a bad back can be. All the best. Tezzy
Related topics
robaxin, pain, sciatica, muscle
Further information
- Robaxin uses and safety info
- Robaxin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Robaxin (detailed)
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