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Is this sciatica?

10 replies

dillydallydollydaydream7 · 02/02/2022 21:15

In November I started having pain in my lower back/coccyx. Wasn't so bad through the day - when I stood up from sitting it was a bit stiff but as the day went on it wasn't bad at all, but terrible on an evening. It was more my coccyx than my actual lower back and by evening if I was bending forward to reach something (say over the baby gate) it really hurt! I could still bend down and pick things up etc. Then for a few days I felt an ache down the back of my leg (sometimes left leg, sometimes right), and it was like growing pains.

Saw the GP, she explained about cauda equina and the signs to look out for, referred me to physio. The physio at the GP was fab! Assessed me and said she thought it was just standard back pain and referred me to a clinic at the hospital. The physio at the clinic saw me once, gave me exercises and told me to think positively as it helps with pain...

Few weeks on pain went, then started again but comes and goes. Today it was pain in my lower back, then coccyx, twinges at times when I was walking which wore off, and now both legs are aching like growing pains/restless legs, my left hip is aching, and also my left foot (as well as my lower back!)

I've had 2 pregnancies (2018 & 2019 with 10 months in between) both with ELC's, had PGP during my first pregnancy and had physio for it. My DD's are 1 & 2 so still want picking up and carrying (and my word I can really feel the pain in my coccyx when lifting DD2 in and out the bath!).

I'm booked in with an assessment with a private physio but would like to hear others experiences

OP posts:
dillydallydollydaydream7 · 02/02/2022 21:16

And my buttocks were aching earlier too 🤭

OP posts:
ihaveonecat · 02/02/2022 21:17

It sounds like it, definitely watch out for cauda equina symptoms
I had sciatica on and off for years and developed cauda equina

dillydallydollydaydream7 · 02/02/2022 21:24

@ihaveonecat

It sounds like it, definitely watch out for cauda equina symptoms I had sciatica on and off for years and developed cauda equina
Ahhhhhh it's just so be annoying! Any tips on handling it? Will do - downstairs motions are fine and can still feel everything
OP posts:
Garman · 02/02/2022 21:29

Have you been to an osteopath?

ihaveonecat · 02/02/2022 21:32

Right long list coming up!

Painkillers, regularly, whatever you can take
Thermacare lower hip and back wraps (Amazon have them)
Direct a hot shower onto where the pain is
Avoid sitting, or bending over or lifting stuff. Squat instead
Pillow between knees if you're on your side or under knees if you're on your back
Keep moving gentle
Be careful getting out of bed (Google log roll) and first thing as your back is weakest in the morning
I wouldn't do any exercises until you've seen the physio - mine saw me, and went "uh no, MRI time" and spotted something was badly wrong. If I had done anything like yoga then I would have fucked my back even more

Cauda equina can be subtle, mine just felt like warm water running down my legs. I didn't have bowel or bladder changes. Had a 5hr op

dillydallydollydaydream7 · 02/02/2022 21:33

@Garman

Have you been to an osteopath?
I haven't
OP posts:
dillydallydollydaydream7 · 02/02/2022 21:36

@ihaveonecat

Right long list coming up!

Painkillers, regularly, whatever you can take
Thermacare lower hip and back wraps (Amazon have them)
Direct a hot shower onto where the pain is
Avoid sitting, or bending over or lifting stuff. Squat instead
Pillow between knees if you're on your side or under knees if you're on your back
Keep moving gentle
Be careful getting out of bed (Google log roll) and first thing as your back is weakest in the morning
I wouldn't do any exercises until you've seen the physio - mine saw me, and went "uh no, MRI time" and spotted something was badly wrong. If I had done anything like yoga then I would have fucked my back even more

Cauda equina can be subtle, mine just felt like warm water running down my legs. I didn't have bowel or bladder changes. Had a 5hr op

Thank you so much for this! The pillow between the legs I do anyway - did it when pregnant and found it really comfy! Heat is an excellent idea - I have some deep heat in the house I could use tonight.

Sorry to hear you needed an op, are you OK now? How did they test for it?

OP posts:
ihaveonecat · 02/02/2022 21:46

I had an MRI. Had already had a couple and knew I needed surgery as the disc herniation was huge. Drove myself to a&e and said I had cauda equina (I was still walking!), they put me in a scanner and confirmed it
I was on all the pain relief but by that point I was numb in one leg

dillydallydollydaydream7 · 09/02/2022 13:21

For anyone who may look at this in future - problem with my sacroiliac joint

OP posts:
schoolmum11 · 26/01/2025 19:30

Hi OP! How are you now? I have similar symptoms 😭

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