Misdiagnosed for years!

[beinglikedisoverrated]

Have had back pain for over 20 years. It's been "diagnosed" as sciatica. BUT I don't have ANY of the symptoms of sciatica that I've just seen on NHS website- see attached. Thoughts?

Well...
Who diagnosed you?
What are your symptoms?
If you don’t have those symptoms, you don’t have sciatica!

A doctor!! I DID ask another doctor a couple of years later " Can I just check, I've been diagnosed as having sciatica for years but I don't have pains down my legs etc". And was informed that my diagnosis WAS correct!!!! I think ( after seeing the NHS website-tonight ) that I'll be ringing my new doctor and querying it! I've had SOOOO many MRI'S, you would've thought someone might have picked up on it before now........

My symptoms are ....Mid to Lower back pain.......

You can always ask for a second opinion. Are they giving you any treatment is it working? Worth looking into it if there is something else that could help if different issue.

What has the MRI shown?
What are your symptoms?
What kind of doctor did you see? Can you ask for referral to rhematologist or orthopaedic?

Is sciatica usually managed through exercise? Do you see a physio?

MRI shows wear and tear on discs.
Symptoms are mid to low back ache/ pain ( but now affecting my hips)
Rheumatologist discharged me
Physio emailed me some exersizes to do which didn't really make much difference so discharged from them too
The only thing that used to help was swimming, so I'm going to get back into that ASAP.

But, I don't think it IS sciatica as the symptoms don't match ......

Can you request to see someone else? Or pay for a private appointment? It's so frustrating when you have horrendous pain I know. I've just come off three years of hell with my back. I would recommend pilates to ensure your core and back are strong to minimise the pressure but it's not a cure. Hope you get some answers

Thanks. Am waiting to see results from hip and knee scan I've got booked end of June - then do I need orthopaedic or neutogical if no progress?

Well my experience is... Sometimes they can't see anything on an MRI - it's very frustrating all you an do is try a different type of scan like a nuclear scan or CT scan or seek a second opinion. They typically all prescribe lots of exercise related treatment for back and hip pain in my experience.

Irritation of the sciatic nerve could be causing the hip pain? Were the exercises targeted at your piriformis muscle?
Did the MRI show any signs of stenosis?

Mechanical lumbar spine pain?