I’ve had sciatica for 13 years. I’m 25 and first got it when I was 12. Due to my age I’ve been fobbed off a lot though I’ve tried physiotherapy and have been given different pain killers and medications including diazepam which can’t be taken in pregnancy to get any sort of relief. After waiting a long time for a referral I am finally going to see a spinal doctor this upcoming week and I hope there’s something that can be done to help. After my consultation I was given an in-person appointment as a matter of urgency so I’m hopeful it can be sorted.
I took a lot of annual leave on top of maternity leave for my last baby (he’s 1). I’m pregnant again due in March and this week have started working from home. Because I’ve been out of work for so long, rather than doing my actual job I’m being retrained. This makes work a little more flexible but as my back has progressively gotten worse, I’m struggling working from the laptop. I have a desk and chair but sitting for hours at a laptop is crippling me at the moment. My last day in work was Thursday and because of sitting at my desk for a few hours I spent the night with pains down my back, hips and leg. Because being retrained is quite flexible I don’t really need my desk set up, I could use the laptop on the couch but there’s no position I can possible sit in to feel ok.
I changed my shifts in work so that I have a huge split in the middle of my shift which was better than the usual 9-5 day. But as my back has got worse even sitting for shorter amounts of time is causing so much pain.
We can be referred to occupational health and have someone come out to provide a special chair but that would take a while. I’m not sure whether I could possibly be signed off until then or if there’s anyone that could offer any advice if they’ve been in a similar position and knows what will help?
I’m struggling so much lately I can’t wait to get to the bottom of this as I’m not entirely convinced it’s just sciatica at this point