Please tell me this is normal.. sciatica

[worriedmomma1]

I've got sciatica currently and am suffering with pains down my right leg. But in the last hour my left leg has started having pins and needles and a weird feeling. Is this normal??

@worriedmomma1

I've got sciatica currently and am suffering with pains down my right leg. But in the last hour my left leg has started having pins and needles and a weird feeling. Is this normal??

www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/

Be aware of the serious condition Cauda Equina when you have sciatica - this is a medical emergency.

Ring 111 about your symptoms. I’ve had sciatica from a prolapsed disc for about 17 years, although it’s under control most of the time now.

Agree, get some medical advice from 111

I had severe sciatica that came with both numbness and pins & needles, so it can be a 'normal' symptom.

But as people have said, you need to rule out cauda equina so do get some further advice. Especially as it's come on rather suddenly. Good luck.

Just echoing everyone above. Sciatica is a b*h!

It was normal for me

I have sciatica. Its under reasonable control right now (as in the pain that has made me consider opting out of life is currently at a 3).
One of the symptoms that petrified me but now is normal is similar to your issues OP. I did only experience pain down my left hand side (that claw like feeling in your butt cheek followed by red hot poker sensation down into my heel). Then during my last big flare up everything suddenly switched sides completely. For 2 days the pain was mirrored on my right side. When it suddenly switched back to the left I was left with permanent numbness in the top of my right buttcheek and in my littlest 3 toes.
I implore you to learn how to do the nerve glide. It was taught to me during physio but only after some mobility had returned. I also lost 50kg and quit smoking as nicotine irritates nerve endings.

@NigelWithTheBrie79 Yes yes to the nerve glide. Made a huge difference to me too, if you're consistent with it of course.

OP, are you seeing a physio? For me, the combination of weekly physio visits plus taking Lyrica got it well under control.

It's horrid, hang in there xx

@worriedmomma1

I have had Cauda Equina 3 times. The first time it started with pain, and an almost dead leg sensation from my bum cheek to the back of my knee, which then progressed to my privates.

The feeling at first was like I'd sat on a wall or something hard for too long and it just needed to wake up, however the numbness became more dense rather than better.

I would suggest A and E to be examined and for it to be ruled (hopefully) out. If you do develop Cauda Equina it needs to be operated on within 24/48 hours.. left too long causes nerve damage which has all sorts of consequences that are awful.

Cauda Equina is rare, and you can get numbness symptoms without it being that, but you won't know unless you're checked out.

Please report back!!