This sciatica is kicking my butt
By NJ Chicaa
@NJChicaa (124052)
United States
August 3, 2025 8:05am CST
Literally. Sciatica is the irritation/inflammation of one of the sciatic nerves which run from your lower back down to your feet. It causes pain, feelings of electric shock, numbness, etc. and typically affects just one side of the body. It can be caused by all sorts of different things including injury, pregnancy, diabetes, and sitting too long. 
This has been going on for several months now. I haven't had any injuries. I'm not pregnant. I don't have diabetes. Yes I do sit for too long even when I'm at work. (Darwin bless the laser pointer!) There is a reason for that but I won't get into it on this post. One day in the spring I woke up, tried to get out of bed, and was like OMG WHAT IS GOING ON?!?!?! Extreme pain from my left butt cheek down to my ankle.
I've found that the pain alleviates after I'm up and moving around for an hour or two. I also have used lidocaine patches, ibuprofen, IcyHot cream, etc. There are some weeks where it is really bad and there are others where I think it is just about gone.
This past week has been very bad. Even just coughing while I sit causes incredible pain and I can tell you this--I don't exaggerate about pain. With the medical crises I've dealt with in my life anyone who knows me knows that I have an incredible tolerance for pain. I should go to the doctor but in true NJChicaa fashion I am just pushing it off. (how do you think I had so many medical crises?)
This morning I have a lidocaine patch on my butt and am about to pop 3 ibuprofen. I should be feeling better in an hour or so. This getting old thing sucks.
This has been going on for several months now. I haven't had any injuries. I'm not pregnant. I don't have diabetes. Yes I do sit for too long even when I'm at work. (Darwin bless the laser pointer!) There is a reason for that but I won't get into it on this post. One day in the spring I woke up, tried to get out of bed, and was like OMG WHAT IS GOING ON?!?!?! Extreme pain from my left butt cheek down to my ankle.
I've found that the pain alleviates after I'm up and moving around for an hour or two. I also have used lidocaine patches, ibuprofen, IcyHot cream, etc. There are some weeks where it is really bad and there are others where I think it is just about gone.
This past week has been very bad. Even just coughing while I sit causes incredible pain and I can tell you this--I don't exaggerate about pain. With the medical crises I've dealt with in my life anyone who knows me knows that I have an incredible tolerance for pain. I should go to the doctor but in true NJChicaa fashion I am just pushing it off. (how do you think I had so many medical crises?)
This morning I have a lidocaine patch on my butt and am about to pop 3 ibuprofen. I should be feeling better in an hour or so. This getting old thing sucks.11 people like this
11 responses
@AmbiePam (101131)
• United States
3 Aug
A bunch of us Mylotters really want to find you an expert doctor, and drag you to them. 
Before my surgeries, I found a chiropractor helped me get rid of my cane within two visits. He wasn’t a permanent solution, but he bought me time until they figured out more traditional treatments for me.
Before my surgeries, I found a chiropractor helped me get rid of my cane within two visits. He wasn’t a permanent solution, but he bought me time until they figured out more traditional treatments for me.3 people like this
@snowy22315 (193957)
• United States
3 Aug
My sister gets it badly. She finds a TENS unit helps alot. Also, there are a lot of exercises on youtube for it. Drawing your knees up to your chest helps alot. I do get an attack once in awhile, but not often Thank God.
3 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (50143)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
3 Aug
I think you could do with some spinal decompression... I know I could,
2 people like this
@FourWalls (77405)
• United States
3 Aug
I feel ya, sister. I’d like to kick sciatica’s butt the way it’s kicked mine some days.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (155848)
• United States
3 Aug
I have sciatica pain down my left leg, too. I cut Soma tablets in half and take half in the morning with two Extra Strength Tylenol tablets and that usually fixes me fairly well for about eight hours. Like you, some days I don't have any pain and some days just turning over in bed sets it off. It sucks!
Yup, yup! Getting old is for the birds!
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (155848)
• United States
3 Aug
@NJChicaa That's probably true... I sleep on my right side.
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (124052)
• United States
3 Aug
@DaddyEvil For years I dealt with a nasty gallbladder which is located on the right side so I learned to sleep on my left. I had it out years and years ago but it is now just a habit.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (32219)
• United Kingdom
3 Aug
I'm so sorry to hear this. I know sciatica can be really very painful. I would encourage you to ask for help though because taking painkillers regularly over the long term is really not good for you either and can lead to other issues (heart failure or liver disease) in the end!
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/symptoms-causes/syc-20377435
3 people like this
@rsa101 (39624)
• Philippines
23h
Oh wow, I really feel you on this—because I’ve been dealing with sciatica too. That sharp, electric pain down one side is just the worst. Mine hit out of nowhere too, and I remember that “what is happening to my body?!” moment all too well.
I ended up going to physical therapy, wearing one of those support belts to keep things aligned, and finally gave in and saw a chiropractor. Surprisingly, that actually helped a lot. I’m not 100% pain-free, but the difference is huge compared to where I started.
It’s one of those conditions that sneaks into your life and suddenly affects everything—how you sit, stand, sleep, even sneeze (which, yes, hurts!). You’re definitely not exaggerating. That kind of pain is real and relentless.
I totally get putting off the doctor—sometimes you just power through because that’s what we do. But I hope you can find something that gives you relief too. You shouldn’t have to live every day negotiating with your own nerves.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (87665)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Aug
I thought that once sciatica stepped back it stopped bothering a person, I too found out differently and depending on the weather and other matters mine chooses when to stab me, I hope you can get rid of the pain and feel better soon, Perhaps the pool water was too cold for it or something, I mean just trying to think what got it going, I know too much rainy weather and much too cold weather gets mine going, So now in the heat of Florida it is feeling just fine,
1 person likes this
@Traceyjayne (3968)
• United Kingdom
4 Aug
I understand your pain as I too suffer. I find standing for a long time is all it takes to start it off …I must be pressing on a nerve.
Hoping you feel better soon ….but in all honesty…..it will get better when it gets better ….just hang on in there !
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (196739)
• United States
12h
I hope you feel better. I get an excruciating pain on the right side which affects my walking. I don't know what that is. Sometimes it's not too bad and sometimes there is nothing that will help. I really feel for you. Getting old does suck.
1 person likes this
