I’m 24, and I feel like my life is over.
Back in 2021, I had severe sciatica due to an L4/L5 disc issue. The pain was unbearable, and I ended up needing surgery for sciatic nerve decompression. My MRI at the time showed so much wrong with my spine, other bulges, disc degeneration, loss of lumbar lordosis, etc. After that the surgery immediately things improved, and I really thought I was past it. I finally felt like I could move on with my life.
Now, 4 years later, the sciatica is back—on the same side—and it’s been going on for four weeks straight. I’m terrified it’s going to escalate like last time- I could not physically sit AT ALL and lying down was impossible- i could not feel my leg for months.
On top of that, I’ve had a neck issue for the past seven months, which physio thinks is muscular, but I suspect is nerve-related. Sitting in one position for too long causes pain, and I don’t know what to do anymore. I feel completely hopeless. I’m only 24, and my life already feels like it’s over. I should be focusing on my future, but instead, all I can think about is the pain and whether it’s going to get worse. I’m so anxious and stressed out because I know how bad this can get, and I don’t know if I can go through all of this again.
On top of all of this my husband and I have been trying to conceive for 2 years now. How am I meant to get pregnant with this pain?!? Should I stop trying?!? I am so upset. I just want a baby.
I’ve decided to see a private physio, who also advised me to get a private MRI because I’d probably be waiting over a year if I went through the NHS, so I booked one in despite barely being able to afford it. I am also on naproxen and pregabalin and have been on them for the past 3 weeks. I feel so done with life.