Every since I had my last son(who is now 1)I've had pain in my siatic nerve which runs down the side of my leg, I also have had migraines about every three months, and sometimes my face or arm goes numb on one side of my body. It all started when I was about seven months pregenant with him. I would have numbness sometimes when I would wake up. I have had c-sections with both of my sons. I basically am wondering if anyone else has gone through something similar to this, and what they did to get better. Or maybe someone could suggest what kind of doctor I should try going to? A friend thought a nerologist, another a chiropractor. I don't know and am looking for any suggestions anyone has.
i had some thing very similar, i think pregnancy and then carrying a baby around all the time really does a number on your back. my doc referred me to a physical therapist. turns our my shoulders and hips were tweaked pretty bad. she used heat therapy, special exercises, and some in office therapies to loosen my muscles and get things back in the proper place. i also started a core-work out to strengthen the muscles so they could help bear the load of my kids. so maybe start by seeing your doc and ask for a referral
Hi Kandi,
My situation is exactly the same as yours. All of the things you mentioned were happening. My children were 15 mos apart and both were c-scetions. I got carpal tunnle along with the whole mess... It was miserable. I recently lost 20 lbs and most of my siatic and circulatory issues went away. I know a few exercises that helped my sciatic as well but core muscle and lower ab exercises fixed it alltogether. My headaches were awful and not necessarily PMS. I went to a holistic Dr in Denver and found out I was not eliminating estrogen like normal but was still producing more every day. This caused my headaches. He had me take 7 charcoal pills once a week at bedtime to help me filter the estrogen. It worked. There was still the issue of fixing the problem which we handled in about a months time with supplements. I suggest trying the natural way only because I spent thousands on physical therapy and tests and meds all combined only to find that it was fairly simple to handle. I am in Superior if you want to get together for coffee and share ideas and information. My kids are now 4 and 5. My kids were delivered at Avista. contact me privately if you are interested.
Good Luck!-Marcy
If you are interested, I think I can help you. I got help with joint and muscle discomfort from a program that I have been on. Contact me privately if you want to and good luck!
-B
I REALLY think you need to see a chiropractor! Start with that and if it doesn't work, go from there. It just sounds like your boby is out of wack. A good chiro will help with that. You will also have to remember that it will most likely take more than one session to fix the problem.
Start with either a chiropractor or a physical therapist. I went to a physical therapist since insurance covered it, and it did wonders.
This is called "you must see a chiropractor"! You had nerves pinched while pregnant, & then with the ordeal of delivery & breast or bottle feeding, you have pulled your spine out of alignment & nerves, especially in your neck & shoulders, are out.
One of the starters for me is chiropractic care. The spinal cord is the control tower of the body, if you will. The spinal cord runs through your vertebrae, & life must flow freely through your vertebrae via the spinal cord. Life happens, & if you sustain an injury of ANY kind to your body, be it a fall, a car accident, giving birth, you name it, it puts a kink in your cord! Life flow is cut down, & your organs stop working properly. I spent an entire day in a hospital bed when my daughter was 2 months old because my neck was out, causing acute dizziness & vomiting. After not seeing a doctor the entire day, & being able to move without falling over, I dismissed myself & went to my chiropractor, & the nerves in my body that controlled my balance & stomach were very pinched. Chiropractic care helped get me back on my feet, & it's now a regular part of my wellness program. I also have made sure that both of my kids were adjusted soon after birth. Even the most stress-free birth doesn't eliminate the fact that the baby's neck is pulled in strange ways. My kids had very little colic as a result of the life flow through their spinal cord, & therefore the stomach nerves were not suffering from being pinched.
So if your body is in alignment, & your various organs are receiving 100% flow from the spinal cord, many problems can be solved, including ear infections! This is one of the most important ways to keep ear infections from happening. When my daughter was a little baby, she had the beginnings of an ear infection, & I hate antibiotics. Let's face it, they kill all the bad along with all the good. And if I can keep my kids off them, I will. (There are times you can't get away from their use, so make sure you get a good, strong probiotic to take to restore the intestinal flora). Back to the ear infection. I took her to my chiropractor, & she looked in her ears, confirmed a the beginning of an infection in one ear, & redness in the other. She adjusted her neck & drained her Eustachian tubes, & within a week, she was 100% better. NO ANTIBIOTICS.
I hope this helps, & that you find relief!!
If you are open to alternative medicine I would go to a cranial sacral therapist. It is a non-invasive practice that can focus on any issue you have both migraine and siatic nerve problems. I did not have the same problems as you but I had terrible low/mid back pain after my c-section, laying on my side was painful. My therapist felt that epidural anastesia?? was still lingering in my spine. I did some sessions with him and had some massage therapy and now I feel great. If you live in the Denver/Boulder area I have a wonderful crainial sacral therapist, just write me back.
Marla
I've read the other responses and agree a Chiropractor could probably help. I'm concerned with the numbness factor though. It could be that the stress of your pregnancy on your legs could have weakend some veins. I'd check with your doctor.
Kandi
You should find a reflexologist who can work on your feet. You got some really good advice, but this one will really do wonders. Or get a book on reflexology and try some of the methods on yourself. I hope you find what you need.
I highly suggest seeing a chiropractor. Pregnancy and childbirth is hard on the bones and joints. You most likely got out of alignment during this time and a chiropractor will be a GREAT relief. After the birth of my 4th child I couldn't walk up and down stairs without pain because I was so far out of alignment. After a few adjustments I was back to normal and feeling great.
Unfortunately these sorts of issues are more common after epidural or spinal anesthesia than most women know. I am not aware that there are any sure fire solutions unfortunately. I would definitely try chiropractic care as that seems likely to help. It may just take time for the problems to go away.
I'd highly recommend a chiropractor. Basically, during your pregnancy, your body gets out of balance...Let's face it, your center if gravity is right in front of you most of the time. During that time, your body may have overcompensated to try to reduce strain in one part, but that just caused strain in another. Your posture changes dramatically during pregnancy. You may have a pinched nerve or a "kinked" nerve somewhere along the spinal column. This, many times, will lead to numbness and migraines. I've had both. And especially if you've been working out to try to lose baby weight or are just very active, that could throw you even further out of alignment. It's like riding a bike with a slightly bent wheel. It's not comfortable, but you can manage. Soon you notice the wheel bending further and wobbling more, but you still think you can manage. Finally, the wheel has had enough strain and you fall off the bike. You wouldn't do it with a bicycle, so why do it with your body?
Try an adjustment at a chiropractor, it may take several. You may also feel some discomfort after the first adjustment, but that usually only lasts a day...and remember to drink plenty of water. If, after several adjustments the numbness and migraines continue, then I would seek a specialist.
Chiropractic worked wonders for me after I had my son. I would recommend seeking out a referral for a good Chiropractor close to you. Massage may help too, but this sounds liek more of a structural issue, that should be able to be cleared up rather quickly. Have a great day!
I really think you just need a good Chiropractor. I am not one to say this lightly. I think each part of medicine has its place, but I've never been a believer in Chiropractors. During my last pregnancy, I was down and in the hospital about every other week. By the time I delivered, I had a constant numb finger, lower back pain, shoulder pain, and headaches starting at my spine. I went to my regular doctor who told me that it would all go away after I quit nursing. I laughed all the way home. I could see how they were all related to my pregnancy, but not my nursing! The final draw for me was just after Christmas I was helping my husband carry construction stuff for our basement, and injured my knee...real bad! I went to the doctor again and was put in a leg brace. This made it worse. After a few weeks, I finally listened to my parents. My Dad is real big on Chiropractors and my mom had just found a really good Chiropractor and was hooked! So I went to one in my area and after the first visit all my pain went away. In fact he adjusted my knee also, along with my hips. The very next day I was out running (literally) chasing kids. My hips were not aligned and so by doing some heavy lifting, I could see how I had injured my knee. I no longer have numbness, or headaches.
So after all the story...GO SEE A CHIROPRACTOR!!!!!
Definately try a chiropractor. If I don't go regularly, I get migraines, numbness, tingling, all kinds of unpleasant thinfs. A regular doctor will most likely tell you you have something horrid like MS, and medicate you. The chiropractor will FIX you! And just because you had C-sections (I've had four!) don't think that you can't possibly be out of whack. Just carrying a child puts enormous strain on your body. All kinds of things can go awry! If you feel more comfortable, try a female chiropractor, or call the local midwifery centers and ask them who they recommend. There are chiropractors out there who specialize in the treatment of pregnant and postpartum patients. I can recommend strongly enough to try chiropractic treatment first before others! Good Luck!
I know several people who have had various pains like this, and I would definitely recommend a chiropractor. I've been going to one for years (I can give you a good one if you want) and it has been so helpful with miscellaneous pains, as well as having an actually COMFORTABLE (for the most part)pregnancy. I think you would be really happy with it.
Hello Kandi~
I HIGHLY recommend a chiropractor and not just any one, but one that TRULY uses the GONSTEAD Method. It is amazing!! My family and I have used this and it has helped me and my husband and 2 kids ( 5 years old and 1 year old) and my step father tremendously. But make sure they use this very specific method. They only move one part of the vertebrae and they also make sure they move it on top of the disc. They don't just move bones around, it is a very specific type of movement. I have had back pain my entire life-being in the nursing field since highschool-lifting patients-hasn't helped in my back. So needless to say I have messed myself up and going to my chiro. for 6 months now, I am a whole lot pain free. I am not 100% yet, but I am very close!! And I feel tons better. I have a million other stories too. Good luck!! Tricia S
I agree with the chiropractor, but will also suggest something else--find a rolfer. Rolfing is to your muscles what chiropractic is to your bones. It will realign your body and muscles so that your body works with itself rather than against itself. It changed my life!! Also, yoga is very good for sciatic pain.
Good luck!
Jodi
If women knew how bad pregnancy was on their backs we would never have children. I worked for a chiropractor for a couple of years and almost all the women we saw with low back pain said it started while they were pregnant. Pregnancy ruins your stomach muscles, and until they are strong again you will continue to have pain. Look for books or videos with stomacch strengthening exercises and follow through with the exercises. Your problem should resolve...Michele