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Original poster

sciatica - is there an end??

85 replies

dipsy210987 · 10/07/2023 10:44

I have been suffering with sciatica now for nearly 6 weeks

It all started with me pulling me back (although I have had a week back for years but this is by far the worst I've done it)

the back pain slowly got better, but then I started getting sciatica. I have obviously been in contact with doctors and i am on numerous pain killers and have been signed of work as well

I have been referred to physio (a month ago) and my appointment is next month

my pain was so unbearable I paid to see a chiropractor - they think it sounds like a slipped discs. He gave me a range of exercises which I THINK are slowly helping, but the pain still comes and goes, although it is less frequent - is this a sign it is slowly getting better?

i've been told by doctors I can't be scanned till i see the physio

If it is definitely a slipped disc- can they heal on their own with the exercise I have been given plus physio ?

I am due to go on holiday next week and I am rather worried!

OP posts:
bonfirebash · 12/07/2023 10:38

Look out for cauda equina symptoms (google them) and any of those straight to a&e

I had a discectomy and laminectomy as had a giant disc herniation that wouldn't have healed itself

Original poster
dipsy210987 · 13/07/2023 11:52

thank you all for your replies

I have now been prescribed amitriptyline - not sure if it is going to help and a bit anxious about possible side effects! But I am willing to try anything to be honest

OP posts:
WednesdaysMentor · 13/07/2023 11:58

LMNT · 12/07/2023 07:06

Mine started about 4 months ago. I got an MRI that showed a herniated disc at L4 L5. I could barely move in the mornings. I couldn’t do physio because of the pain.

I ended up having a spinal infiltration using CT last week. Steroids are injected into the area to lower inflammation which helps with movement. It’s about 90% resolved.

Same here, thought it was just a trapped nerve. Had an MRI scan quite quickly which showed the same as yours.

I had a spinal injection a year after the pain started and its been 99% successful, still get bits of pain. But not allowed to run or use the gym, or twist according to my surgeon.

The only other thing that helped was Pregabalin which is a nerve drug and is newer than Gabapentin and has less side affects.

I think my other side is starting to go now as well and i know they will suggest surgery this time.

Wtfnowseptember · 21/09/2023 06:31

@dipsy210987 how are you now? I started with this in July. I very rarely get pain, but my whole leg is stiff and numb and I can't walk properly or drive.

Original poster
dipsy210987 · 21/09/2023 09:30

@Wtfnowseptember

Hello, still struggling with pain although I think it's slightly better

I have had 2 physio sessions, have now been referred to a specialist but have been told they still won't scan me!!

Been told they are pretty certain it's a slipped disc, my left leg is extremely weak

My dose of amatraptlin has now increased to 20mg

Some days are better than others , but still struggle to walk for more than a few minutes without pain , stoll doing physio exercises regularly

I often get a numb leg like yourself, and a tingling foot

OP posts:
Wtfnowseptember · 21/09/2023 09:42

I've had 2 sessions too and as I have my reflexes I've been told it will get better, it's just a really long process, and no scan necessary. I do get it about MRIs as it could show up all sorts of things, you then have surgery and the problem is still there (this happened to someone I know). Plus the problem can resolve, but the slipped disc will still show on an MRI etc.

Can I ask why you've been referred to a specialist?

My pain is currently fine (comparatively speaking), but my leg and foot are permanently numb. My sick pay will run out soon and I'm terrified.

Original poster
dipsy210987 · 21/09/2023 10:59

@Wtfnowseptember glad to hear your pain is not to bad

I'm not entirely sure why I've been referred to the specialist, but I think it's because the physio has not had much improvement (I'm hoping once on see them I'll finally be sent for a scan so I know for sure what the problem is)

OP posts:
Neolara · 22/09/2023 13:01

I posted on this thread back in July when I was 8 weeks into sciatica. Only this week has it started to feel as if something fundamental has changed and the pain has lessened a bit. Fingers crossed this is the beginning of the end. Sciatica sucks.

Wtfnowseptember · 22/09/2023 13:45

I'm so pleased for you! Did you have any numbness?

dontchaknow · 22/09/2023 14:23

For those of you with numbness and /or tingling in the feet alongside your sciatica, make sure the doctors are aware. Some years ago, before I had my laminectomy, the doctors got excited when I told them of foot numbness and they put me up the list for surgery, I think they were afraid of permanent nerve damage.

Wtfnowseptember · 22/09/2023 14:34

I've spoken to 3 doctors and none have expressed concern about the numbness. This is my main issue, so is literally all I have spoken to them about.

Mxflamingnoravera · 22/09/2023 23:58

Update: I had another MRI and last week the surgeon told me my disc has reherniated, not as badly as the original but causing pain. I'm back on gabapentin for the nerve pain and because my numb foot causes me to limp, I think I'm getting referred pain in my back (muscular not sciatic) so I'm taking codeine which I hate but it helps.

I'm waiting on another spinal injection, no idea how long it's going to be before I get my appointment so I'm stuck on gaba and opioids until then.

Walking and swimming help, but only while I'm going them. I can't work and walk or work and swim. Im so fed up of this, but I know there are many of you out there with the pain I had at the start and you will and should be ahead of me in the queue for treatment.

Original poster
dipsy210987 · 27/09/2023 10:26

@Mxflamingnoravera hoping you manage to get your spinal injection soon!

I have finally been referred for AN MRI! Currently waiting for my appointment

When you had your MRI , did they tell you straight away about the slipped disc? When it comes to things like this I get cerulean anxious! Although I know it's most likely a disc issue, I'm always terrified they will find something much worse 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
WednesdaysMentor · 28/09/2023 15:45

When i had my MRI the doctor rang and told me the results a few days later

Original poster
dipsy210987 · 28/09/2023 15:58

@WednesdaysMentor OK thank you!

Hoping I don't have to wait to long for and MRI appointment!

OP posts:
Original poster
dipsy210987 · 10/10/2023 15:14

Update - got an MRI appointment for next week which is great!

Bad news- back gave way on me this morning so i am back to square 1 😭

OP posts:
WednesdaysMentor · 11/10/2023 10:23

The MRI is the gateway to getting the treatment you need, once you get that done you will be on the way to getting it sorted.

I know the feeling of the unrelenting pain and once i had my MRI things moved quickly after (as in what steps were needed but still took months for an appointment to see the surgeon)

Wtfnowseptember · 11/10/2023 10:34

Oh no! What happened with your back? I had an MRI last week and am waiting for results.

Original poster
dipsy210987 · 11/10/2023 11:57

@Wtfnowseptember

@WednesdaysMentor

Thank you both for your replies!! I'm hoping I am now going in the right direction with getting the MRI

I'm so frustrated, all I did was bent down (correctly) to pick something up and it just went on me 😭 in absolute agony and completely incapable of looking after my 2 young children 😢

OP posts:
Mxflamingnoravera · 11/10/2023 19:26

Have you been in touch with your Gp for some pain relief and maybe muscle relaxers to get through until your MRI. Your results will depend on how quickly they are reviewed and who does it. Mine were almost immediate (24hrs) but I paid for them. Now my surgeon reviews them rather than a physio. BUT, I've been waiting 2 months since my last MRI for a spinal injection. It's literally painfully slow. Make sure whoever is treating you knows the impact it's having on your life...

Chesterdrawls · 11/10/2023 19:54

My DH has suffered with horrendous sciatica in the past he has ended up in complete spasm but after he started doing yoga daily he has been pain free for the last 5 years, the thing is it is slow progress and then remaining committed to keeping up the exercise. He can now miss yoga for the odd day here and there with no repercussions. He used the down dog app.

Original poster
dipsy210987 · 12/10/2023 09:05

@Mxflamingnoravera trying to get through to my doctors was a nightmare!! I was desperate for pains medication, rang my doctors but of course no appointments, rang 111 who told me I could go a&e but would be pointless as they would just send me home with pain killers, 111 got me an appointment with my own doctors! Was meant to be at 3pm but they didn't ring till 6.30 , and by then all my local pharmacis had shut 😭 he only prescribed be 4 days of diazepam, it slightly takes the edge of, but I'm going to have to ring back up for more and I am seriously struggling 😢

@Chesterdrawls thank you for your reply! Glad to hear your husband found something that helped ... I had been doing gentle piletes which i definitely felt was helping, but I think I'm a long way from being able to even start that again now 😢

OP posts:
WednesdaysMentor · 12/10/2023 09:26

My surgeon told me that my slipped vertebrae will never heal and no amount of stretching / yoga will stop the pain, only a spinal injection or surgery. I used Pregabalin to help with the pain, nothing else worked.

It was 7 months between my MRI and my spinal injection, pregabalin actually gave me my life back as i could walk/sit/sleep/exist without the pain.

Original poster
dipsy210987 · 12/10/2023 09:38

@WednesdaysMentor wow! 7 months to wait for your injection after your MRI is crazy ! I'm currently on amatraptlin but I really think I need something stronger, as even before I hurt my back on Tuesday I was still in pain( although definitely not as much pain)

I've got a terrible feeling I've probably slipped another disc (if that is definitely what was wrong in the 1st place )

OP posts:
Topjoe19 · 11/02/2024 19:03

Hi @dipsy210987 how are you feel now? Came across your post. I hope your pain is less. I've had sciatica for quite a while now thanks to 2 discs in my lower spine protruding. Just wondering if anything will ever work for me!

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