Sciatica & low back pain

[Horseshoebeach]

I was hoping all this would be gone by now or at least easing a bit. But several weeks on the low right back pain, buttock (rump area), sciatica in leg down to the ankle, is quite literally making life hell. First off I thought it was down to a fall I had. The x-ray I had confirmed there was no fracture with a little additional info re osteophytes lower down in the spine. Sitting for longer than 10 minutes is difficult to say the least. Then there's getting up from sitting with muscle type spasm, then finding a comfortable position to sleep. It's always there. Had an MRI (don't know results yet) & I'm so embarrassed to admit I barely made it through (felt panicky). Then at the end when it was over I asked the radiographer if he had all he needed and to take longer if he wanted (had calmed down by then) but he said he had all he needed. Now I'm worried in case he felt the need to rush it because of my anxiety. Many people have it so much worse with pain and illness and I know that. I just feel in such a mess with this and want this thing to start feeling just a little bit better. Has anyone been through something similar that seemed to go on? This is my first time posting so apologies if I'm on the wrong thread (& so sorry for the moody rant) X

At the end of September I had an MRI scan to try and find out the cause of my sciatica. It showed I had a bulge in one of my disks.
It also showed that I had massive cysts on my ovaries, 5 weeks later I had major surgery for Stage one ovarian cancer. Removed my appendix and had a complete hysterectomy, oh and 3 cysts, the biggest of which weighed 50 lb.....😮😁

Princessannaofarundale
Have had the most awful day just can’t sit for longer than 15 mins you are giving me hope though I know exactly what you mean about the kids going on I feel like I can’t take in any information at all had letter from consultant today saying he’s sending a letter to my gp saying mri needed plus spinal injections which I will have to be put to sleep for I hate hospitals and I’m nervous already but I will definitely have it done no way I can go on like this so going to chase up and see how long the wait is for the mri even though I have no idea how I will lie down for it in the letter it outlined the operation if the injections didn’t work I think I would have to be still in this amount of pain to have it though as it doesn’t seem overly successful hope you have a good nights sleep I have no idea what to try tonight I’ve tried the lot

Fudgesmummy
Wow bet you weren’t expecting that I have to admit I will be glad to get the mri done as I have a slight concern over how swollen my stomach is been like it a few months I had put on wait this year but still totally out of proportion to the rest of me so I guess anything sinister would be picked up on the mri have to admit though I’m in so much pain with back and sciatic pain I haven’t got the energy to worry about it hope your doing ok now

Sorry to hear you're in pain. I've been having the same issue for the past 2 months or so, after lifting something heavy. Before that I had milder flare ups. My pain is on my right side too, although not as bad as what some are describing.
Some things that have helped me:
-osteopath treatment
-sports massage
-warm baths and a hot water bottle on back
-yoga stretches, especially stretching the hips
-swimming
This is for mild to moderate pain. My recent pain was quite severe and I found the osteopath got it down to moderate, and from there the other things helped a bit. Still not cured though

Oh I forgot to add...sleeping with a cushion between my knees. Doesn't cure the pain as such but stops it getting worse during the night.

I had a lumbar microdiscectomy and nerve root decompression last week - it's amazing - the sciatica is gone!

I've been in agony for nine months - on daily opioid painkillers which barely touch the sides.

I had to fight like hell to get anyone to take it seriously. I paid for private steroid injections in the summer and somehow that seemed to make the NHS services sit up and sort out the referral to the consultant. After that it was fine - operation within 8 weeks (and done at private hospital but NHS funded which was brilliant - the care was wonderful)

All I can say is push, push, push for a consultant referral.

Freckled leopard
I am thinking surgery have been offered spinal injections first though as after mri if it’s what he thinks consultant said that might be all I need can I ask how you slept and what drugs you were on I’m trying to get Gabapentin but my doctors are not very good as princess anna of Sri dale suggested it really helped her nerve pain I only have diazepam and lowest dose I’m taking an extra one at night as iv been awake now 2 hours and it at least relieved the awful spasms and calf cramps so I can walk but won’t be able to sit down again tonight I honestly feel like it’s getting worse every day

I take 20 mg of amitriptalyne at night and it has really helped

Wow had a really bad evening with nerve pain again last night from 7pm it was horrible. Think I maybe did too much during the day, was walking round shops and then sat on floor wrapping presents and leaning forwards which isn't the best. Thankfully it settled down by about 10:30 and allowed me to sleep until 3:30. Still on the sofa but I'll take sleep wherever I can get it!

I felt like you too User1498873278, like every day was getting worse which is why I ended up going to out of hours gp at hospital who rushed through the MRI report to my doctor. I could hardly walk at that point and wasn't able to function at all.

Honestly keep pushing for gabapentin, I've heard Pregabalin is very good for nerve pain too if gabapentin doesn't work for you but they will probably try gabapentin first as it's cheaper for NHS. Thankfully it has worked for me although like I say not a miracle cure but definitely enabled me to move and get out and about.

I'm still so unsure about surgery but MRI report recommended it as it's a large herniation that either won't heal on its own or could take up to 2 years to heal itself, I can't be like this for months more never mind years.

Thank you for posting FreckledLeaopard, always nice to hear a surgery success story. My consultant has said steroid injections might be worth a go but often they are painful and don't provide long lasting relief, just something to try to get you through til surgery but because he has a date for surgery on 30th December if i want it, the waiting time for the injections is longer than surgery 🤦‍♀️

Princessanna of arundale thank you so much for your posts they are keeping me going to know someone has felt the same level as pain as you makes it easier mentally finally got through to docs this morning have asked for the Gabapentin as you said so I’m going to get a call back today I cried on and off all day yesterday my poor children feel so useless and guilty have been so low have been a foster caret for a few years and adopted a little one year ago so wanted this to be special for her she is really struggling she just wants me and my older children tried to take her out Saturday to try and help me but she cried all day for me now I’m worrying if I have op and something goes wrong that will be 2mummys she’s lost in her short little life can’t even have her on my lap so hard but just hearing you say you have sat on the floor and have bent forward has given me hope I can’t ever imagine doing that ever again so thank you for taking the time with me

Oh love, that's heartbreaking but honestly try not to think that way. I have huge anxieties about surgery, especially now the gabapentin is taking the edge off, keep thinking am I rushing into it. Do I really need it? What if something goes wrong and I don't wake up or it makes it worse? I have 2 boys to care for and it breaks my heart. But I also know that without the gabapentin and naproxen that I was honestly contemplating suicide. No one can live with this kind of pain long term and not get depressed or anxiety. I have been exactly where you are crying every day and just not knowing when it would end or how to make it better.

We will get through this together. I know that's not much help right now but you aren't alone and some people make such a quick recovery from sciatica with no medical intervention at all. Keep up the hope and please try gabapentin and for goodness sake get the mri and results sorted, pressure whoever you need to but don't be fobbed off.

I hope you have had a better day today after overdoing it yesterday the doctors are reviewing wether I can have the Gabapentin told me this morning they would have to speak to my doctor and I said I would phone pm they said sorry he hasn’t been able to check my notes today to see if it’s ok for me 😩I was pleading with lady on phone this morning she said she would do her best so back on phone tomorrow but she did say my consultants letter had been received and it was being dealt with promptly as he had stressed in letter so I just have to keep going on at them until I get somewhere I’m hoping tomorrow might get a prescription for them as I really feel they could make a difference as you said I’m hanging on to that at moment I know what you mean about the surgery scares me too it’s so hard when you have the worry of your children like you I’m used to being active and I can’t even get my knickers on without help can’t thank you enough for your support you have helped so much I was in a very bad way emotionally and when you said you had felt suicidal I cried because I really thought it was just me being weak 😇

Honestly there is nothing weak about you. This is the worst pain I have ever ever been in. It is worse and more intense than being in labour and it sometimes lasts for months. Nearly 5 months of pain here and intense pain, never a moment of it not hurting before the gabapentin. There is no shame in crying or feeling depressed or even like you just don't want to live. Just make sure you reach out to someone and don't ever feel alone. I cried at my doctors so many times that they prescribed antidepressants which I decided not to take because I was depressed no doubt but it is because of the situation, anyone being in pain would feel miserable. They needed to take the pain seriously not just fob me off with antidepressants.

I really hope they allow you to have gabapentin and that it works for you. Don't be surprised if it doesn't work straight away. It took my dose being increased 3 times and 3 weeks for it to really kick in. Not to worry you but just wanting to be honest with you so you don't lose hope if it doesn't work straight away.

I have had a very lazy day today and although I can feel the burning in my thigh it's nothing like it was when the pain was shooting down my entire leg and my foot was buzzing with pins and needles. So I've had quite a good day. Just wish i was more flexible and could actually stand up straight because my back is so tight that every thing i do standing up is such an effort and tiring.

I just want this whole thing to be over. Like you I was always quite active. Not into sports and not a gym bunny by a long shot but we were always out and about and did a lot of outdoorsy stuff. I had to laugh at not being able to put your pants on, I was exactly the same. Even now trying to put my socks on is a farce. This has totally changed my life and even though the pain is so much better than i was a couple of weeks ago I am still so limited on what I can do and how long I can walk for. Even cooking a simple pasta meal this evening was such an effort to stay upright.

Anyway I hope you manage to get some sleep tonight. 5 months of broken and very little sleep has driven me to tears so many times. I even got to the point where I was scared to try to go to sleep because I knew sleep wouldn't happen and I'd just lay there in pain worrying what the hell was wrong with me and if my life was over. Think the anxiety of it all affected me so much. It still does if I'm honest. I don't want surgery but I don't want to have to rely on crutches to stand for any length of time. I don't want to have to sleep on the sofa wedged between cushions forever. I want to be a mum to our kids. I miss my husband being my friend and not my carer who brings me my tablets when I can't get off the sofa!

You are so right about the way they just want to palm you of with antidepressants I had that the first time I had a very patronising women doctor telling me I was depressed each time I went back to her because I couldn’t breathe had chest pains and temperature that came on more at night it went on 3months in the end I was rushed to hospital as I was seriously ill with pneumonia took me ages to recover properly and because she didn’t pick up on it I ended up with some minor heart problems so I have slight health anxiety too because of that really what are you thinking about your surgery like you on bad days which mine all are at moment I’d think go for it but if I had improved to your level I would probably be a bit undecided and you haven’t got long to think about it had another bad night watched the election as one of my sons works in Westminster in politics so it’s always a big topic in our house 💤 really hope your having improvements it’s so easy to overdo it especially at this time of year x

Hi, I went back to my gps today for medication review (just to make sure I'm coping ok with gabapentin and check dose is ok etc). I mentioned that I was very reluctant to do surgery if I can manage the pain. She took another look at MRI report which stated it was severe herniation and severe nerve impingement and has advised me to go for surgery. She says it's unlikely to go away on its own and it's stopping me from being able to walk without crutches or support. She said you don't want to leave that nerve being compressed for too long. So reluctantly it looks like surgery is the only option. I'm not happy about it but also despite the pain reduction thanks to the medication I know my life is still hugely restricted because of this. It's not what I wanted but I don't know what else to do. Physiotherapist has also advised to get the surgery. I just wanted to avoid it if possible but I'm not sure it is anymore.

Anyway that's terrible that your doctor missed that you had pneumonia! Shocking. I don't want to be told I'm depressed. Yes i have been feeling down and helpless but so would anyone in pain for months. I needed help with the pain and finding a solution!

I hope you're managing to have a decent day today and pain levels are not too bad.

Princessannaofarundale
Really annoying that it looks like surgery is your best option but your right it’s not living like this and even though I haven’t have the best of experiences with doctors over the years I know that if I was told it wouldn’t get better I would go for it even with all of my allergies etc weird really because I was 27 when I got really ill with the pneumonia but before that never had any problems it seemed they put so many drugs in me that I’m sure that’s where all my problems started bowel muscles stopped working allergic to morphine which they found out when a nurse turned up in middle of night saying a doctor was coming to give me an injection I thought it was more antibiotic but was so ill forgot I was on iv antibiotics anyway have it to me within ten minutes I couldn’t breathe crushing chest so can’t have lots of meds that have anything like morphine in which is so difficult so my anxiety stems from all that but the pains hell and yes I’d do it but on a positive note have prescription to pick up tomorrow for the Gabapentin so thanks for that they reluctant to give me it but couldn’t come up with anything else so I’m getting it have had usual day walking trying to sit swearing a lot the same as every day really but have only had one cry that was about mid day needed loo but couldn’t sit down dear god not a pretty sight then pacing around at 4ish in conservatory leggings down with some frozen rice on spine and bum husband in lounge watching film with little one I’m making loads of oohs and at the A’s usual then I shouted out as man delivering our gas bottles for our cooker walks past me the chances of that happening must have been a billion to one as I hadn’t done the cold many times never in the conservatory our gates bolted high up have paddock at back of us so private and gas was supposed to be being delivered next Wednesday lucky me they were in my area my husband thought it was hilarious so went and told the poor guy he said don’t worry I didn’t even notice you in there worse thing was I was so shocked I jumped back so quick it’s now worse than ever stillfirst laugh iv had in nearly 5 weeks 🤣

Cauda equina is an entirely different complication though that requires immediate surgery, there are no other options.

I had a herniated disc at L5/S1 in 2017. I was in a lot of pain but the surgeon said that he could not guarantee the surgery would make the pain go away, it worked for some people but not for other and no one could say why. So given the risks of surgery I decided to wait it out. After 14 months I was back to normal when I sneezed and got Cauda equina. It was missed at two A&E departments (but correctly diagnosed by MN!) and I was operated with a five day delay. 18 months later I still have a little bit of pain and some nerve damage.

Ohh my goodness User!! Of all the days to get the gas delivered hahaha. I had to laugh at the image even though it was a nasty shock for you I'm sure! Fingers crossed for a decent enough night's sleep tonight. Glad you got the gabapentin prescription, I really hope it works for you. Xxx

Booboostwo how on earth was cauda equina missed?? This worries me greatly! I freak out all the time and panic that i will suddenly start peeing myself of losing feeling in my bum etc. I'm very apprehensive about surgery and believe me it's not something I want to rush into but after 5 months and no real improvement (just lots of drugs to control the pain) I don't know what to do.

Princess Cauda Equina is very rare, which explains why many doctors don’t know about it and misdiagnose it, but equally it is not something to worry about excessively. Most people with a slipped disc do not go on to get Cauda Equina, but you know the red flags which is good.

You all have my utmost sympathies.

I am currently in hospital with my 3rd episode of Cauda Equina in 15 days. It's been hell on earth as I have needed emergency surgery 3 times now, however on each occasion my leg pain has disappeared after the discectomy.

In my experience I would say go for the discectomy - surgeons wouldn't offer it unless the situation deemed it necessary.

Additionally I would echo others who have advised that you look out for the red flags. If in doubt get to A+E.

Really hope you all (including me) feel better soon.

I'm prone to sciatica but generally I can keep it at bay as long as I do yoga regularly, when I had it acutely I was ok sitting but it really hurt standing so I found cycling about instead of walking quite good and the cycling seems to help by keeping all the muscles moving and increasing blood supply to the area

The thought of yoga or biking is just eye watering at the minute. Everyone says how exercise and stretching helps but when it's this acute and can't stand up for more than a minute without leaning on something or having my crutches I just don't know :( Any stretching or exercise causes so much pain in my bum and before the gabapentin all the way down leg into my foot.

I am sorry to hear about cauda equina RedDhalia, gosh 3 surgeries?? Get well soon and I hope you are home and comfortable for Christmas xx

I shuffled along with a walking stick and needed a wheelchair for longer distances for months. Yoga and cycling were completely out of the question! But I am back riding my horse now, things can get better.

.RedDhalia I am speechless

Thank you

Booboo were you the lady that had the thread a couple of years ago?