Slipped disc or something else?

[CoconutGal]

I've suffered with sciatica on & off for years. Usually just the standard lower back ache or pain. This last 6 weeks though have been awful. Shooting pain down the back of my right leg & bum cheek. My bum cheek & back of the leg is numb & my back is aching. I can't sit. If I lay the most comfortable I can get is on my front on the floor or using a maternity cushion between my knees & one under my back.

I see a massage therapist & do exercises given to me. I've taken various medications for it but nothings working. I'm tempted to ask for a scan to see what's going on. Doctors seem to just want to give me different types of anti inflammatory medications & gels.

Has anyone else had this? I'm not sure I can take it any longer.

@CoconutGal yes sounds very much like sciatica I’ve had it on and off since July now it’s horrible. Had shooting pains down the side of one leg and was unable to sit. Progressed to not being able to lie down or sleep because my leg was spasming. I was seeing a massage therapist but advised by the doctor to see a physio as massage therapist wasn’t prescribing me with exercises or any strengthening so I couldn’t maintain a recovery. Physio is certain it’s a bulging disc after doing lots of different tests. I’m pregnant so stuffed for painkillers and NHS have refused to do an MRI. Should say they did say any numbness in the “saddle area” or any problems going to the toilet etc is an emergency

@Confused1975 thanks for your reply. See I have numbness in my bum cheek & hamstring but whenever I mention that they just ask if I can tell when I'm going to the toilet, I can so they said they're not concerned. I have exercises but just nothing to help the pain.

I’ve just been prescribed amitrypiline as it‘a one of the safer options for pregnancy and meant to be good for nerve pain. Takes a couple of weeks to kick in though so I’m not able to say if it’s effective yet as still waiting...

I’ve just had the most hideous sciatica flare up, never felt pain like it. It had me squealing and screaming just trying to sit on the toilet, couldn’t carry a cup of tea and was in agony just trying to get my legs up on the sofa.

What helped short term was regular paracetamol, naproxen, codeine, hot water bottle and a TENS machine on night and day. Once the excruciating pain was under control, moving more has undoubtedly helped me.

Long term? I really don’t know. I’m going to refer myself for physio and see what they recommend.

I had this before my disc herniated. Once it did there was no pain comparable to it. I genuinely could not get out of bed - it took an emergency prescription of morphine to allow me to move the following morning that my husband had to collect for me. Thankfully I’d been to A&E the night before so my GP was happy to prescribe over the phone. I spent about 3 hours trying to get out bed before. It was horrific.

I have multiple 'slipped' discs and I get these kind of pains most of the time, I take high strength cocodamol and diclofenac. Usually it takes 6 months for one 'episode' to calm down. I've had cortisone injections and epidruals to block the pain but they don't really work. Best bet is to rest for the first day with a hot water bottle and then try to get as mobile as possible through the pain.

@Confused1975 I have amitriptyline & have been taking it for a few days & haven't noticed any difference yet either. I'm hopeful now that you said it takes a couple of weeks to kick in - wasn't informed of that by the doctor. I do know they can increase the dose if need be, removing the need to try another medication.

I do take asprin in between the amitriptyline & have got a heat pack for my back & deep freeze gel for my leg. I found heat made my leg worse but did help the ache in my back. I tend to lay on the floor with a pillow under my leg & one under my back.

Just a caution - I was fully aware of going to the toilet etc but I had an odd sensation, I wouldn't have noticed it if I hadn't been lying down in bed. It felt like I had wet myself and had warm water running down my legs but nothing there
My disc was already herniated but I developed cauda equina
ANY odd sensations, foot drop, saddle area numbness, change in bladder or bowel then go straight to a&e

An Osteopath fixed me right up. Suffered 2 slipped discs that were agony for months. Turned out it was my pelvis that was wrong and misaligned my spine. Honestly, 3 sessions and I’m right as rain. I would highly recommend an osteopath.

Oh and I went to a physio. She treated me then watched me walk in on appointment 4 and then refused to touch me until I had an MRI and referred me for one. I couldn't be more grateful to her. Had a discectomy and laminectomy, 5hr op

@QueenPaws that sounds scary did you go to a&e with the hot water sensation?

@Confused1975 yeah I went and said I think I have cauda equina. The total loss of feeling was a blissful relief from the pain TBH, they scanned me again and I had a 15mm herniation L5/S1 crushing everything, it had doubled in size. I couldn't walk without dragging my leg at that point

Wow that is scary. My pain massage therapist thinks the problem is my lumbar & that my spine doesn't have a natural 'S' shape. Also possibly linked to a car accident I was involved in when I was a teenager & needed physio after that. Did you ask your GP for scans?