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4 replies [Last post]
January 19, 2010 - 3:30pm
Anonymous
DDD nerve pain helped by Turmeric. Alternative medicine ideas?

Hi! I've been lurking for a while, but just created an account so I could share some info that's helped me.

For the past couple of days, I've been trying Turmeric, Bromelain, and Boswellia to help with my sciatic pain due to DDD (L4-S1). This supplement was recommended by someone on the board, and it really seems to take the edge off.

I've had one SI injection (initial misdiagnosis) and 2 transforaminal epidural steroid injections. The first ESI was the only one that helped, and it only worked for 2 weeks. My Dr. finally told me that he can't do anything else, as my case isn't severe enough for surgery (I can still get around, and the pain isn't excruciating, and I'm only 27).

I have sporadic sciatica down both legs, constant piriformis pain, and, lately, constant groin pain. I tried prescription NSAIDS, but 8-hour Tylenol seemed to help the nerve pain better. This new herb seems to help as much as the Tylenol (don't take it with NSAIDs though). I also use a TENS unit and try to exercise as much as I can. Rooibos (African Red) tea also seems to help my muscles relax.

Of course, I know most of you have severe pain that requires heavy-duty meds. But I thought that this might help someone who is like me--in constant but not excruciating pain.

I'm interested in trying alternative medicine (bought an inversion table) since convential medicine doesn't have anything else to offer me. Let me know if you have had success with anything!

J

27 y/o female with degeneration L5-S1 and herniation L4-L5.

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January 19, 2010 - 5:42pm
#1
gwennie17
User offline. Last seen 1 year 38 weeks ago. Offline
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Joined: 12/30/2008
Posts: 3099
Points: 6230
Welcome to the board ~

Some people are helped with acupuncture, but you have to continue treatments and it can get expensive.

You can use deep tissue massage and exercises to stretch the piriformis muscle.

Did you read through some of the posts on the part of the forum under Conditions, "Chiropractic and Alternative Treatments?" Maybe there would be a couple ideas there that you could benefit from.

It will be important to keep your weight normal, exercise to keep your core (pelvic girdle) and back muscles strong, drink plenty of fluids and keep well hydrated.

If your sciatic pain becomes continual, it is a sign that there is nerve compression. You might want to consult with another spinal specialist if that is the case. Doctors differ on their opinion regarding when it is time for surgery to free up a compressed nerve.

Good luck to you. I hope you can find things that will continue to help your pain.

Gwennie

_____________

I have no medical training. Comments are based on personal experience and lots of research and reading.
PLIF @ L4-5 with Peek cage, rods and screws Jan 2008
Lami-foraminotomy L5-S1 Jan 2009
Fusion L3-S1 coming up -- 1 June

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January 22, 2010 - 7:12pm
#2
Ralph (not verified)
Thanks so much for your wonderful advice and kind words!

I checked out the alternative therapy board and saw some great suggestions. For now, the inversion table seems to be helping, as is yoga and the supplement. My pain has been very manageable for the past several days! I had the best workout today.

My weight is great (105 at 5'1") and I have tried to keep my core strong all along, even before the back trouble (which is why it is all so mysterious that I'm having problems). I also gave away all my heels yesterday; even if I feel better, I don't want to put that strain on my spine, knowing my discs are prone to injury.

Thanks again for your reply; I'll continue to check in and browse the boards, and hope that my pain level stays down!
"J"

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January 23, 2010 - 12:45pm
#3
gwennie17
User offline. Last seen 1 year 38 weeks ago. Offline
Banned after receiveing more than 4 formal warnings
Joined: 12/30/2008
Posts: 3099
Points: 6230
Hi "J" ~

Have you been given exercises to stretch out the piriformis? That could be the source of your pain.

As you probably know the sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and is about the size of your little finger in diameter. It runs directly under the piriformis (in almost all people)and on occasion, it can get trapped. When this happens you will feel pain that can run down the leg.

Sometimes when the piriformis is slightly inflamed it can cause sciatic problems. Here is a link to some information that may help you....
http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/exercise-sciatic-pain-piri...

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sciatica/piriformis-syndrome-anot...

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sciatica/comprehensive-management...

If your pain is being generated due to problems with the piriformis, it would explain why it is intermittent. In any case, it is well worth doing the suggested exercises for sciatic pain and follow the other suggestions to see if you can turn this around.

I can recall having sciatic pain in my twenties off and on...and then I wasn't bothered again until I was pregnant in my early thirties...and then, I was fine for at least twenty years!!

I can't tell if you've had a MRI. If you are still have problems in six weeks after trying these exercises, icing, etc. you probably should have a MRI to rule out a herniated disc. You're not too young for that!

Let us know how you progress.

Gwennie

_____________

I have no medical training. Comments are based on personal experience and lots of research and reading.
PLIF @ L4-5 with Peek cage, rods and screws Jan 2008
Lami-foraminotomy L5-S1 Jan 2009
Fusion L3-S1 coming up -- 1 June

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January 23, 2010 - 8:38pm
#4
Ralph (not verified)
Hi Gwennie!

Thanks for that great info!

A brief history: my pain started in the L piriformis about 7 months ago. Primary doc sent me to PT for 2 months to see if it would "go away." PT thought it was SI joint dysfunction. Went to primary doc 3 different times (had xrays), then (after 4 months of hurting) finally insisted on going to an orthopedic Dr. More xrays. Unsuccessful SI joint injection. MRI, through which we discovered severe degeneration in L5-S1 and herniation in L4-L5. 2 unsuccessful ESIs. Now, alternative therapy.

It took 5 months to get a diagnosis, but things moved quickly from there.

I've been doing piriformis stretches all along, which help tremendously. The piriformis is the only thing that has hurt constantly throughout the last 7 months (and it's the first thing that started hurting). The leg pain was intermittent, and much better now. Piriformis acts up still when I do too much.

I will definitely check out those sites; they look great!

Thanks again,

J

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