Back operation or injection?

[Joy69]

Hi I have been diagnosed with chronic siatica due to degeneration of the spine. The consultant has suggested that I will need either injections or an operation to relieve the nerves. Has anyone had this, what did you decide to do? Seeing the consultant again next week to discuss most recent scan. Feeling a bit scared by it all. Ive gone from being very active to stumbing around. Want to shoot myself when the pain is really bad ( obviously only a figure of speech, not actually going to do this!)
Any advice etc greatfully received

@Joy69 My partner has suffered with this for many years, he’s tried all the usual treatments to no avail, he’s now living on strong painkillers while waiting for the back op. So I guess they’ll try everything else first, the op being the last resort. Good luck.

I've had similar for 30yrs. I'm 50 now. I've had the steroid anaesthetic injection years ago and it did nothing. I have to have another one before I can have spinal fusion.

I'm also on massive painkiller doses and have resorted to using a stick because I fall otherwise.

Definitely have the treatment OP. What have you got to lose? I'm overdue mine due to transport. Just go for it I say!! Faint heart and all of that!

I had an emergency operation due to developing Cauda Equina Syndrome but it's the same op as you would have for sciatica, a lumbar microdiscectomy. It is an operation that carries a lot of risks if it goes wrong, but thankfully in my case it has gone well and relieved my sciatica pain. I am left with some discomfort and numbness and a weak leg but it's much better than having sciatica. I think if I had chronic Sciatica I would consider an operation but you do need to think about the risks if it goes wrong and makes you worse and then the possibility it may not work and of course there is a possibility that you may need further surgery if your condition worsens. But overall I would still consider it as chronic sciatica is so bad and the operation has quite favourable success rate of 80-90% depending on sources and so on.

I went from being very active to bed bound with sciatica for 4 months. Laying flat was the only time the pain eased. It was excruciating. I stopped being able to do anything- I couldn’t even drive myself the mile to my GPs surgery/ put my children’s breakfast out etc.
I had surgery 3 years ago and it 100% was the best decision I ever made. It gave me my life back. I am back to looking after my children, full time active job, running (back up to 10k) cycling etc.
I was terrified pre-op but have never once regretted it. Good luck.

Thank you for all your replies. 21:282chooze & 20:23DogFoodPie. It's good to hear from people that have had the op. Seems that everyone that I speak to mentions the scare stories, which isn't helpful. Looking forward to getting back to life. This pain lark takes over everything & makes you feel 100! Had to get my 82 year old Dad to mow my lawn wth!
Take a everyone

Care everyone

Ive had 3 caudal epidurals. The last one is now 7 years ago apart from mild flares I am a lot better