Sciatica due to herniated disc.

[Cassandra9]

Just wanted to hear people experiences who have been in a similar situation. Currently have sciatica due to a herniated disc.
I currently am unable to work and can do very little around the house or look after my dogs or horse as the pain is so bad. I have had this for 8 weeks now with minimal improvement. Have had physio, am taking a combination of painkillers and had a spinal steroid injection.
Has anyone else experienced this and how long did it take to resolve? Any advice would be much appreciated too.

I had this twice. One time I had surgery. The other time, a combination of gabapentin, tramadol and diazepam helped, followed by gentle physio exercises.
Sending much sympathy, the pain is horrific.

Thanks for replying. It is so bad isn’t it! How long did you suffer until you had surgery?

I have 2 prolapsed discs and constant sciatica. It also affects my legs, hips and further up my back as I hold myself funny when it's particularly bad. When I have a flare up it's hideous, but you do get very good at managing your back and babying it a bit - you get to know what works and doesn't. For me, things like a pillow between my knees to sleep or an elaborate cushion arrangement on my chair when I'm working from home etc. Exercise helps. Like period pain, last thing you want to do is move, but it does make a difference. Inactivity (even sitting for a meeting as well as longer things like a plane ride) are absolute bastards and I am constantly shifting position. Painkillers, try to stay mobile and , it's shit.

Thanks for sharing and sorry to hear you are still suffering. I’m really struggling to accept that this may be a long term problem

I had to have a discectomy, unfortunately. Such relief afterwards though! Good luck, OP

Thank you, How long did you suffer with it before you had surgery?

@Cassandra9 I think it was about 15 months till I had surgery but that was because Dr refused to do mri scan initially and then the waiting time was about ten months.
The second time it was the gabapentin that really helped the pain because it works on nerve pain. Tramadol did nothing.

I'm 30yrs in with this as well as an unstable SI joint. Had more trigger point injections last week but they don't work.

Think fusion of the SI and a shaving of the disc are the only options left.

Sorry I can't offer more cheery news!

I have 4 herniated discs that cause neurogenic claudication rather than sciatica. I've had surgery but it tends to flare every year for so and resolved after about 6 months if Im careful.

I had this earlier this year - never known pain like it! Luckily, the MSK therapist at my GPs is fantastic. A couple of sessions with him manipulating my legs / back worked wonders along with plentiful amounts of Naproxen. Now it just twinges a bit. I know I'm very lucky though!

Yes I had this too. I saw a chiropractor 3 times a week for 3 months. It helped but it cost a bomb. I had surgery in the end and I've been fine since.
Don't let them fob you off OP. If you can afford it, go and see a chiropractor

It took 10 months for me for surgery but that was 2013...

I ended up paying for the scan the NHS only offered exercise sheets. I'd paid for a chiropractor and osteopath. GP put me on Gabapentin which helped. I found a consultant, GP wrote to him I had consultation, then MRI scan then second consultation. I also have osteoarthritis between L2 L5 as well as in right hip.

Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories. Sorry to hear so many of you have had or are still having a bad time, I didn’t realise how debilitating this could be.