My pain started a few days after a long driving trip (4000 miles). It's the first time I've had this problem. The pain was very intense making even simple movements of my left leg very painful. It was a 10 on the 1-10 scale. Bending over was impossible. No matter how long I looked at my sock on the floor I could not pick it up. The pain would strike from my left butt cheek to my left ankle. After I'd move it would continue to ache for a period of time. I could not sit in most chairs as it was too uncomfortable. I spent four days in a chair with minimal time out of the chair. I could barely walk to get to the bathroom or to get food. After the fourth day I found that 800 mg of Ibuprofen would give me relief for about three hours. The day after that (today) the pain was much less, only about a 4 on the 10 scale and that was without any Ibuprofen. I'm looking forward to continued recovery. Published: July 09 ::

To begin with, the pain was located in the upper inner quadrant of the left buttock as if a deep intramuscular injection was given! Then the pain started radiating down the buttock, back of the thigh down to the popliteal fossa. I could minimize the pain by adopting certain postures. Heat was more effective in alleviating the pain. In three weeks time, the pain severity came down by almost 50% without using too many analgesics. Walking exercises were continued despite pain. Published: May 28 ::

I have a sharp pain from my lower left buttock to my toes. It is becoming more difficult to walk a short distance without limping. My PA prescribed a muscle relaxer and Vicodin, but the pain persists. I am scheduled for a MRI and received a referral to a spine specialist. It's been 6 months of pain! This is starting to infringe on my quality of life & I resent it! Published: July 09 ::

I just had neck surgery. After the surgery about 3 days later my sciatica got a lot worse. At times it feels like my leg is on fire and electrical shock in my leg when I stand or walk. Published: July 09 ::

My pain starts in my right lower back. Also feel it in my hip too. Sometimes my hip goes out. The pain also radiates down my leg as well. Certain movements really trigger it so bad that the pain is horrible. Published: June 30 ::

16 years ago after a severe back injury resulting in 3 ruptured discs I had back surgery which was very effective. I was not told when I went back after one year that I now had degenerative disc disease and if not properly cared for it would get worse. I worked for 13 years having times when my back would hurt so badly I had to miss. Several times I have had Sciatica for a few days and only a mild case and would go to the Chiropractor for several treatments and it would go away. 3 days ago I woke with horrible pain in my left hip and down my leg and into my foot to the bottom and into my toes. The pain was horrible. If they had asked me on a scale of 1 to 10 what is your pain level I would have had to say it is an 18. I have a very high pain tolerance level but the pain at times over the last few days has been so bad I have almost passed out from it. It is worse after I have laid down or been sitting and get up to walk. If I stay on my feet once I get the pain under control it is still there but not as bad. I bought something called Painstop at Rite Aid (spray or roll-on) and have been using that (I could not exist without it as it is the only thing that helps the pain at all) along with taking 800mg Motrin with Extra Strength Tylenol between the dosages of Motrin. I have gone to the Chiropractor and it has helped but very little this time. He told me that perhaps a part of the disc had broken off and was into the nerve. The Neurosurgeon warned me several years ago that when my back got so bad that I needed surgery again I would know because the pain would be unbearable. I am calling for an appointment with him on Monday. I think when it gets this serious you must do more than just try to treat it without surgery. Published: June 30 ::

I am an avid runner. While training for a marathon a couple years ago I pushed to hard and had my sciatic nerve act up. I stopped running for two weeks so that I could still participate in the marathon. Aspirin can temporarily relieve the inflammation and pain but resting it was much more vital to recovery for me. It still bothers me occasionally but I was able to run and finish the marathon. Published: June 27 ::

I had sciatica very badly 10 yrs ago. Could not walk, sit or lay without pain. Husband moved to guest room, as I kept him awake, also. Medical Dr's, therapy, shots, chiropractic treatments, anti inflammatory, nothing helped. Then I went to an acupuncturist. Now I am pain free. However, it is not an overnight cure. I had two treatments a week for a month, then once a week for a month, down to monthly treatments. Took about 6 months. But worth it. No drugs with side effects, no pain with the treatment, I usually dozed off, as it was so restful. Now when it starts to act up, I put a good magnet on my back, and within a day, any pain is gone. I recommend acupuncture wholeheartedly. Be sure to find a good one. The one I used trained in Taiwan. Published: June 25 ::