Oh my... the sciatic pain and hip pain

[Anonymous]

I have been having sciatic nerve pain for a while now but it just recently starting shooting down my left leg and its hurts so bad. It gets so bad soemtimes I can barely walk or put pressure on that leg. I have woken up in the middle of the night many times now not being able to walk to the bathroom because it hurts so bad that I almsot fall the floor with every step. It starts at the top of my butt cheeck and travels down to my knee. What can I do to help this? I have seen a chiro a few times, but it doesn't help too much...

Also, with the side sleeping, I get these sore pressure points in my hips that are pretty bad. (I know I sound like a wuss here, but to put it in perspective, I had no epidural WITH pitocin indiced contrax so I have a reasonable pain tolerance). Tears were streaming down my face last night... I try the pillow between my knees and it doesn't seem to help, more the hip of the side I'm laying on. Any suggestions?

Btw, I'm only 23 weeks so I am SO in for it...

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

I literally feel your pain. I am only 22 weeks and experiencing the very same problem, and I, too, have a high pain threshold. I am sorry that I haven't found a solution yet, but I am going to try either a feather bed or some egg crate under my sheets to see if the softness will help take some of the pressure off while laying in bed. Our mattress is a tempurpedic (sp?) and I think it may be a little firm. I have also found that a larger than normal pillow between my legs seems to help for a little while, although it's not easy to sleep with. I hope some other people out there have some other suggestions. I'd love to hear them, too.

[Anonymous]

So sorry for the horrible pain you're experiencing -- it sounds just terrible. Just wanted to give you a little hope that it may get better. The worst sciatic pain that I suffered was around Weeks 20-28. It was a long time, but miraculously, when the third trimester started, it seemed to disappear. Not sure if that makes any biological sense, but that's what I experienced. In the mean time, I would try getting out of bed a little slower and walking in wide strides so that you're using your leg, rather than your back, muscles. I agree with PP about the large pillow between your legs at night. Make sure that your top leg (when you're on your side) is parallel to your mattress -- not on any slant. This will require a very large pillow, but for me, it worked. Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

Like the others, my hip pain got better after the period you're in, not worse, so we can knock wood.

Other suggestion: chiropractor!

[Anonymous]

I feel your pain, but just started having the horrible hip pain and pains in my legs and I'm 35 weeks! I also have to stumble to the bathroom in the middle of the night because my hips and legs hurt so bad. Nothing has worked for me yet, so I would love to hear more suggestions.

[Anonymous]

I got that pain really bad when I got put on bed rest at 28 weeks, I could barely and my DH had to carry me up the stairs.

The nurse who was teaching our childbirth class told us to buy a full body pregnancy pillow. I got the Leachco Back 'N Belly pillow, it's shaped so that no matter which side you are sleeping on you get the same support on your legs, hips, belly and back. After two days of using the pillow I could walk again, on day three the pain was gone. The nurse said that by wrapping the top leg over the pillow at a straight angle and keeping the other leg aligned to the pillow but not under it, I would eliminate the pressure and make the pain go away, and she was right.

I'm 37 weeks now and has slept with the pillow every day, it helps me sleep as I don't have to shuffle pillows around when I turn.

Hope your pain gets better!

[Anonymous]

I got complete relief from excruciating sciatic pain with weekly pregnancy massage by a professional massage therapist. I can't find her anymore, but look around for someone who knows this specialty. It's worth a try, and even if you can only afford it a few times, it may still be worth it to have relief from the pain.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the chiropractor suggestion!

[Anonymous]

I saw a physical therapist downtown and was very happy...it didn't go away completely, but the pain became much less intense. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got complete relief from excruciating sciatic pain with weekly pregnancy massage by a professional massage therapist. I can't find her anymore, but look around for someone who knows this specialty. It's worth a try, and even if you can only afford it a few times, it may still be worth it to have relief from the pain.

I would have to agree with those who have suggested Chiropractor adjustments but prenatal massages are benefitial too. I have seen about 5 prenatal clients with this issue and they have definitely seen relief. You also might want to consider a lumbar support in your car seat and office chairs if you are sitting all day. The Healthy Back store has a great product that would allow you to adjust to your comfort. (Health Back Adjustable Lumbar support) I have subscribe this to all my clients with sciatic discomfort.