Painful sciatica

[Harefieldfan]

Hi. I have spondylosthesis (bulging disc), L5 area and, having seen a surgeon at the Whittington Hospital, am now on a waiting list for facet joint injections. For the past several months I've had sciatica -- pain down the backs of both legs, worse when it rains (I can tell when it's going to rain) and now much much worse with the freezing weather. I'm mobile so the surgeon said he wouldn't operate but sometimes in so much pain that I can't bend down or move my legs. But I spend 45 minutes a day on my exercise bike and find that the cycling motion helps. Sitting on hardish surfaces is impossible and it's worse when I've got out of bed.

I keep saying 'it's only pain' (i.e., moving won't make it worse) but it is often unbearable. I don't take painkillers -- they hurt my stomach -- but in the evenings sit on a heating pad and have started using Deep Heat. I had a pre-injection assessment yesterday and can only hope the appointment will come soon.

Has anyone had these injections? Have they worked?

Thanks very much.

[Cutoff]

Hi I have suffered with sciatica for 11 weeks now and it’s one of the worse pains I have ever experienced. I can only stand for a few minutes before the pain starts and if I don’t put my legs up very quickly it becomes excruciating. My doctor kept saying see how it goes in the next couple of weeks. I finally spoke to another doctor who sent me for an X-ray and now I am waiting for an MRI. It was such a relief to speak to someone who wanted to help. With Christmas coming it will probably be a few more weeks before it gets done. My daughter has booked me up for Acupuncture next week although I doubt it can untrap a nerve but I am willing to try anything. I do hope you get some help soon that works for you . God Bless

[Harefieldfan in reply to Cutoff]

thanks Cutoff. I hope you get some relief too.

[CO_mtnLady]

I am compelled to reply to your question, Harefieldfan, as I had four facet injections at L4 and L5 last year. Not only were these injections brutal (performed w/out anethesia), but they made my low back pain and sciatica worse. I ended up in a wheelchair for a couple of weeks.

If possible, I would suggest finding an orthopaedic physician or physiatrist (NOT a surgeon - surgeons are prone to injections and surgery...) and obtain a second opinion before having this procedure. Spondylolisthesis is not just a bulging disc. It is where the disc is out of alignment with the other discs (above or below) most likely due to degeneration we get with age. One of your vertebrae, the bones of your spine, slips out of place from the vertebra below it. This movement causes pain when it pinches surrounding nerves. While a steroid injection may calm the inflammation for a brief period of time, it is not a cure.

Until you have tried other conservative modalities (such as physiotherapy; rest; anti-inflammatory medications, acupuncture, weight loss (if needed), etc.), having this injection may only help the surgeon decide whether or not surgery is indicated. Not knowing your age or other factors, this procedure seems very premature.

Further, when one can feel the weather change, it's usually indicative of a type of arthritis. You might also consider consulting with a Rheumatologist for help with that aching pain, yet these physicians also are of limited assistance, as they will initially recommend Physiotherapy and medications, too. Do some further research before believing the facet joint injections will stop your disabling pains.

Best wishes for healing. Happy New Year!

[Harefieldfan in reply to CO_mtnLady]

thank you so much! I did try physio — last week or so — and it didn’t help. I’ve reached my target weight after a long slog 😌 and avoid painkillers as they hurt my stomach. I do yoga stretches, which help a bit, and sit on a heating pad while watching TV. I’m 78. I had sciatica several years ago and was given an epidural, which took the pain away (!) Lots to consider. Thanks😊

[CO_mtnLady]

P.S. - 11 weeks of sciatica is awful... I've had it on and off for over twenty years. You can help it in many other ways. 😉