Chronic Sciatic Pain

[Eza82]

Hi all,

Where do I start.... I am 35 and being treated for chronic sciatic pain. I am in agony sitting, lying and standing. I recently had an operation on my ankle so at the moment non-weight bearing, which makes it worse as all my weight is going through my left leg - my so called good leg. I am on 300mg of gabapentin, and also take codine and paracetamol. I feel sick from the pain! I have seen the physio who has given me exercises and also paid to see the chiropractor. I have had an x-ray which stated that I had narrowing of my s1-l5, I am losing the will to live!

[air4ce]

Been through it...get the operation to relieve the pressure off the nerves. Both my s1 and s2 were narrowing in the same l5, which included three bulging discs, and one herniated disc at l2 through l5. No fun living in that kind of pain. There are some risks in having surgery but, flip a coin; heads you live with the pain or tails you have the surgery. Your decision! Going longer without surgery can have some devastating consequences, I went 13 years without surgery and now live with problems that are far worse such as muscle atrophy, complete nerve damage from the waste down, which affects vital internal organs. Get something done, time is not going to solve any problems!

[nedsram13a]

Hi as air has said get the operation if you are offered it, the sciatic pain is relieved almost instantly and leaves you just with a sore back that does go with physio. I had to have it done as an emergency op in he end as it was pressing on my quardia aquena so could have had problems for the rest of my life if not operated on. Wasn't ideal as I run my own business and had no time to organise things with it being an emergency but well worth it for the relief I got from the pain

[Eza82 in reply to nedsram13a]

Thank you, as yet I haven't been offered the operation and been told they won't touch me for at least 6 months due to my recent ankle operation x

[Coradelphine]

Hi sorry to hear of the pain - is a bummer isn't it??

I started with what my gp said was sciatica It didn't get better just worse so I went back and to see her again and said that whatever time I have left - I have post ET myelofibrosis- I don't want to spend it in pain. She totally agreed and sent me to see a spine surgeon. I had a MIR which showed that I had a cyst growing into my spine! The surgeon also said that left as it was it would continue to grow and it would have eventually paralized my leg(s)

He tried to drain it but it was too big so I had a steroid injection - this was like magic the pain went immediately. Unfortunately it has come back so I am awaiting an appointment to go back to have an operation to remove it.

I know it's a long shot but why not ask to see a spinal surgeon? What have you to loose? I'm certainly glad I did.

Hope this helps and that you feel better soon xx

[Eza82 in reply to Coradelphine]

Thank you son much for your reply. I have recently had an operation on my ankle and was told they wouldn't touch me until 6 months post operation but I am sure this wouldn't relate to an MRI. I really struggle with bowl movement due to the pain and it's getting unbearable xx

[nedsram13a in reply to Eza82]

mention it is affecting bowel or bladder movement and i'm sure they will send you for an mri quite quickly

[air4ce in reply to nedsram13a]

Most definitely get something done when the bowl and bladder movement fails. This can lead into more complicated problems in which you do not want to mess with. If the nerves to the bladder stop functioning then catheters will be a hourly/daily requirement, and if the bowels do not function correctly, all I can say is good luck, because I am dealing with both situations. Not a good combination. Get something done ASAP!

[manshe]

Have you tried lyrica? I had sciatic pain and wanted to die. Lyrica saved me, pain went away.

[Eza82 in reply to manshe]

Thank you for your reply, I was taken to hospital this morning as I was unable to walk due to the chronic pain. They have started me in lyrics and also on a drug Called Palexia - AMAZING! It's a it's a fantastic drug and allows me for to think straight.

[Coradelphine]

So glad things are moving for you, you'll soon be up and about I'm sure xxx

[Rosepetal60]

You might also think about paying privately for Traditional Chinese style Acupuncture. I have successfully had this treatment for Sciatica.

[Eza82 in reply to Rosepetal60]

Thanks you, something to confided x

[flamenca1]

Sciatic pain is the worst pain ever. I ended up in a wheelchair for 3 months after been put on Consultant's urgent list. I had to see a private Consultant who told me I needed an MRI scan to see exactly what was wrong. It showed a spur growing in between L4/L5. I had no choice but to have spur shaved. Best thing I ever did. I went into hospital in a wheelchair and I walked out the next day. You have my sympathy. Good luck. Hope you get sorted soon.