Does this sound like Sciatica or Inflamation?

Question

Starts at night. Burning sensation in both legs, mostly lower legs. Not during the day but now it is extending into mornings AFTER I get out of bed. Last four nights, not been able to sleep burning feeling is so intense. Have very little cartlidge between bottom two discs in back but up until this week have not had any discomfort with this "burning sensation". If this sounds familiar, what can I do about it, without getting drugs?

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. I am 76 in very good health otherwise. Have had no sleep for 4 nights! Even now, this morning the "sensation" is still with me although I have been up for two hours.

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

This does not sound like sciatica on bit. This is a bilateral, both sides, burning sensation at night and morning. It may be caused by low back problems, but it sounds like a common neuropathy. Check your blood sugar, and if ok then talk to your doctor about some meds that may help.

Answer 2

It sounds like sciatica.  See your doctor who can prescribe further treatment.  Positioning may help but see your doctor who knows your case well.

Answer 3

Sciatic nerve pain comes from your spine and radiates into the buttocks then down one leg or the other. Very rarely both legs. I think what you are having is Restless Leg Syndrome. Very definitely  a circulation problem Take apoint .81 coated baby aspirin, with food at night, every night.  It improves your circulation and can prevent strokes and heart attacks.

If this does not help, I would definitely call the doctor.

Another way to tell you have sciatica pain is lay on your back in bed and lift your leg up bending your knee, try to touch your toe to your nose. You definitely do not need to touch anywhere near your nose that is just the direction I want you to bend your leg.  If you get severe leg pain back pain it could be sciatica.

I know how painful this is and you will need Rx from the doctor.  It is just silly to suffer like this. You need your rest. Talk to your doctor. I hope you feel better soon.

Happy Mothers Day to you.

Answer 4

It sounds like you may have herniated a disc in you lumbar spine.  (slipped, herniated, ruptured....it all means the same thing)

Think of your discs as jelly donuts with a tough fibrous outer layer, and jelly like substance in the middle.  As we age, they naturally dry out and shrink.  Thats' why people usually get shorter with age.  Sometimes, you can get a spontaneous leak of the jelly like substance, and that can put pressure and irritate the nerve roots.  That typically causes a burning, shooting pain from you back, down to your feet.  It is called sciatica because it is the sciatic nerve that serves this part of the body.

You need to have at least a proper physical exam, and at least an Xray, but CT or MRI gives more detail.   This often settles on its own with physical therapy, and pain meds.  Sometimes they can inject steroids into the area to give you relief.  Surgery is sometimes needed, but you need a proper workup to see if you are one of the few people who may benefit from surgery.

Answer 5

Hi Maureen, I'd honestly get that checked out if it doesn't clear up.  I used to have problems with sciatica until I started my yoga practice.  Alot of times we hold so much tension in our hips that it can create intense pain in our back and legs.  My sciatica symptoms (as well as my Mom's) always started in the lower back, traveled down my right side of my buttocks and then down the side of my leg.  It would be the same for either side when it was bad.  Night time..... sounds like a pinched nerve of some sort but it doesn't sound like sciatica.  I'm going to look this up and see what I found so I'll be back in a few minutes.  Have you tried soaking in a hot bath?  I'll be back in a few minutes.

Answer 6

Maureen - pls see the Doctor on Monday.   You may be healthy (at 76) but our parts do wear out after a while!   This needs professional attention!      Hugs and prayers     CJ

Answer 7

Hi, Sciatica is a sharp shooting pain which runs from your lower back through your bum and down the back of your leg into the knee.  It is not particular to night time its all the time and when it gets bad the person usually has trouble getting about.  So it doesnt sound like you have sciatica. It is likely to be a problem in the lower back due to the discs possibly.  But the referal point for lower back is in the calf muscles (lower leg!) So it probable hurts more at night because you have been up and about all day putting mre strain on your back.  I would suggest massage (sports massage would probably benefit you most! when your lower back muscles are tight there attachment points get pulled and this can make your alignment out and therefore the lower leg muscles tense up and lactic acid build and toxins build up causing you discomfort.  Once these muscles are released the tension decreases and you should find the discomfort goes.  So my advice would be to see a sports terapist!! You dont have to be a sports person to recieve sports treatment...everyday life is slassed as a sport!  So Good luck with it i hope you feel better soon! You ll be jumping around in no time!!! x