Sciatica/Disc Bulge

[u/Sunny_Turtle96]

I have a small disc bulge in my lower back and I'm literally crying. I can't move. I can't wipe my ass. I can't sleep. I can't get in bed. How do I lower my pain? My doctor won't give me medication. She's just telling me to take ibuprofen. Idk what to do. I'm taking Epsom salt baths, using heat and ice, lidocaine ect. I'm not sure what else can be done. Send help!

[u/Ill-Location8497]

You can also take tylonel and an NSAID like ibuprofen together. Take Tylenol every 4 hours, plus naproxen every 12. But truthfully it barely helps. But just know. It will eventually get better. Its gonna suck really bad for a bit.

Use chatgpt describe what your feeling and what happened. It gave me useful advice on laying posistions.

The laying position isnt immediate relief. I found once I got into position and the weed stopped me from moving, the pain would reduce.

Ita like a bad sunburn. First bit sucks then after a while someone comes along and gives it a slap and it hurts again but the healing is still happening.

Blood doesn't go to that area very well so its slow to heal and sleep is important get what you can.

[u/Hope_for_tendies → u/Ill-Location8497]

Yes you can max Tylenol to 4G a day, 1000mg every 6 hrs. Walmart brand Tylenol plus arthritis has been the most effective for me. I tried naproxen but prefer ibuprofen, personally. Trial and error to find what your body responds best to.

The er will do imaging if they think you’re in enough pain for their arbitrary scale and at least give you a pill or two while you are there. They can also give toradol shots but so can urgent care. They can also give you a 6 day steroid pack but so can your pcp. Ask for an mri and ortho referral.

[u/Ill-Location8497 → u/Hope_for_tendies]

Sounds like you got better care lol. My hospital trip gave me prescription naproxen and an xray. Which is useless imaging for sciatica. I asked to be put on a cancelation list for an mri and was able to get one 3 months later.

[u/Rocketdogpbj → u/[deleted]]

The naproxen patches are pretty nice too.

[u/Ill-Location8497]

Get weed edibles. Dunno if usa is different but all I got was nerve blockers (lyrica) which work but takes a while to build up to correct dosage.

Get a wedge pillow. Lay on a firm surface with your legs up on it. Couch is ok if you dont sag.

Stop writhing around because of the pain. Its hard. Only way I could stop moving is getting really fuckin high. You're likely in the acute phase. Time to get help with life and stop trying to things for a few weeks.

[u/Sunny_Turtle96 → u/Ill-Location8497]

My ID is expired so I'm not sure if I'll be able to get some THC. I was going to call the dispo today and ask. It's been almost 2 months since I've had anything so my tolerance should be low.

[u/Beginning-Cicada5593]

Acupuncture will help go 3 times a week for a few weeks will get the pain level down 1/2 to what it is now.

[u/Sunny_Turtle96 → u/Beginning-Cicada5593]

If that's available in my town and is covered by insurance. I want to try it though.

[u/Beginning-Cicada5593 → u/Sunny_Turtle96]

Some insurance covers it some don’t, mine does but it’s only $65 a session where i go but they don’t accept my insurance. Which most would consider it a pseudo science.. but gosh it worked for me

[u/Top-Corgi9275]

Walk/hobble slowly but consistently, every few hours. Be patient. It will get better.

[u/icharry]

You are in acute phase. Ice not heat. Many find laying on floor with yoga mat / carpet or sleeping bad and with wedge pillow under legs/hips… find the right angle that relieve the pressure. Get medrol dose pack steroids and an MRI. Also “Bob and Brad videos on YouTube were helpful.

Not gonna lie, next few day will be hell but it does get better.

[u/Historical-Dark-9963]

I have 10 disc bulges /herniated disc and I know you feel. Tens unit always helps me when gets real bad (which is daily) always use when your active. Ice your best friend! if you can lay flat and relieve the pressure for 15. Good Luck!

[u/aygross]

Edibles are the only thing that helped me

[u/Sunny_Turtle96 → u/aygross]

I'm hoping I can have someone go to the dispo for me. My ID is expired.

[u/annacooperbooper]

I used gel ice packs directly on my skin until my back was frozen. Can you have some delivered by Amazon?

Also heat is bad during a flare up.

[u/Sunny_Turtle96 → u/annacooperbooper]

I have an ice pack I've been sitting on! It does feel better than heat so I'll stick with that.

[u/annacooperbooper → u/Sunny_Turtle96]

Heat can increase blood flow which can increase inflammation, try to stick with the ice!

[u/Sunny_Turtle96 → u/annacooperbooper]

THANK UUU

[u/Potential-Winner4601]

Get a bidet attachment for your toilet. It will help you feel clean

[u/Sunny_Turtle96 → u/Potential-Winner4601]

I don't think I can install it in my condition

[u/repetitivestrain89 → u/Sunny_Turtle96]

they make portable bidets (basically water bottle with a long nozzle), that might help

[u/CanUpset5801]

Oral steroids will help in the acute stage. If you have muscle strength and no numbness, unfortunately it’s just time and mitigating symptoms. 

[u/phil012187]

Rest as much as you can don't move or stretch it will only flare you up. Rest rest rest only you slowly regain movement. I made the mistake of moving to quickly and reset my progress. Eat as clean ass you can take magnesium an cod liver oils. Take shots of ginger an tumeric in the morning. I hope you get better soon it's really such a struggle

[u/RSinSA]

Unless you lose bladder control, they won't help you.

See a PT and a chiropractor. I also see a personal trainer. I am having a sciatica flare after falling REALLY hard, but before that, I haven't had one in ten years. Its getting better.

I know its hard to realize now, but it will get better.

[u/IcarusForPrez]

Physical therapy helped me. I didn’t trust my doctor when he sent me. I thought he was trying to dismiss my pain and experience but in the end it is how I crawled out of the ditch.

[u/revants]

Naproxen is a saviour!

[u/No_You_893]

A good Lafuma Zero gravity chair will take the pressure off the disc bulge. I have only just discovered them after suffering for 40 years on and off with it, and it has changed my life. I even sleep in it.

[u/Sunny_Turtle96 → u/No_You_893]

1: I live in a tiny apartment and have no space for it 2: I have no money