Herniated disk/Sciatica

ibex333

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2005
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I work in the helpdesk as a support tech. So naturally I have to sit for 8 hours straight 5 days a week.

This crap finally caught up with me and I've been down with horrible back pain for more than two weeks now. Tried physical therapy, exercises... Nothing helps. All useless.

I was offered a steroid shot, but I declined. Too many potential drawbacks.

I did an experiment. No sitting for a whole day. Only standing or laying down. And immediately, there is a difference! The pain is less and I can actually walk (barely) but still, its progress!

I am very far away from being back to normal, but at least there is some positive dynamic. Finally!
Cant wait to be pain free...

If you had similar issues in the past, please share. What exactly helped you? How long did it last?

Thanks!
 

deadlyapp

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2004
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Your employer is required to make reasonable accommodations for you to prevent pain while working. I'd gently request a standing desk or desk that converts to help with the pain.
 
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Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,389
1,778
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Here's my story...I picked up a Sony Trinitron monitor across a desk on a Friday afternoon when I was 22. I went backpacking that weekend and woke up Monday morning not being able to take a step forward with my left foot. I hit the doctor's office and they prescribed pain killers and muscle relaxers...offered me a steroid pack. I tried a muscle relaxer, but didn't fill the painkiller prescription. I ended up getting the steroids too. It took a few weeks, but I healed up enough to go snowboarding out West a month later. (gently) I've reinjured myself a handful of times and lift stuff I shouldn't occasionally. I just try to use good judgement when possible.

The steroid dose packs are great because they spread the dose out over a week and help keep the inflammation down. I recommend doing steroids AND ibuprofen if you have good kidneys. No real drawbacks for taking them short term while your body heals. If you took them long term, you could have more risk of side effects and they definitely can make you hungry. Just weigh the risks vs benefits.
 

ibex333

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2005
4,094
123
106
Here's my story...I picked up a Sony Trinitron monitor across a desk on a Friday afternoon when I was 22. I went backpacking that weekend and woke up Monday morning not being able to take a step forward with my left foot. I hit the doctor's office and they prescribed pain killers and muscle relaxers...offered me a steroid pack. I tried a muscle relaxer, but didn't fill the painkiller prescription. I ended up getting the steroids too. It took a few weeks, but I healed up enough to go snowboarding out West a month later. (gently) I've reinjured myself a handful of times and lift stuff I shouldn't occasionally. I just try to use good judgement when possible.

The steroid dose packs are great because they spread the dose out over a week and help keep the inflammation down. I recommend doing steroids AND ibuprofen if you have good kidneys. No real drawbacks for taking them short term while your body heals. If you took them long term, you could have more risk of side effects and they definitely can make you hungry. Just weigh the risks vs benefits.
When you say steroid packs, what exactly do you mean? Is it shots? Pills?

Thanks!
 

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,389
1,778
126
When you say steroid packs, what exactly do you mean? Is it shots? Pills?

Thanks!
They're pills, but the dosage is high the first day and tapers... To make it clear to patients, it's prescribed in a blister pack. Picture halfway down the page:

Tapering the dose helps curb side effects, but pain can also increase back to what it was after day 1. The steroids help repair the muscle faster. Steroids plus NSAIDs are what I do. I'll usually pair it with 600-800mg of Ibuprofen. If one dose pack doesn't do it, I'd ask the doc for 1 refill and run through 2 of the blister packs back to back until you heal up.

Call the doctor that offered you the shot and ask them to phone in a prescription.
 

deadlyapp

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2004
6,622
720
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Taking steroids and not doing any type of physical therapy and simply doing pain management will never make it better. Do it right or suffer down the road with permanent needs for dosing.
 

skull

Platinum Member
Jun 5, 2000
2,209
327
126
I got a herniated disc years ago, started doing back stretches every morning about a decade ago and rarely get sciatica since. I still have consistent back pain but just an annoyance nothing debiltating like when I orginally injured my back, if I skip stretches for a day its worse.
 
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