Extreme sciatica and back spasms

[Fulltilt]

Had back surgery at L4/L5 for sciatica about 2.5 years ago after trying everything in the book to help me, discectomy and laminectomy. Hit by drunk...Took awhile but after a year I was back in the gym and living life again. Not pain free but good enough. Now injured my back at work on May 9th and it’s starting again but this time at least I get relief from laying down and feels more like muscle spasms may be the culprit. MRI shows a bulge again near same spot. Not sure I can deal with this emotionally again. It’s extremely taxing mentally and physically. Worst part is you look fine so people can’t register in their minds the pain you’re in. Workcomp doctors keep releasing me back to work with restrictions even though I’ve fallen to ground multiple times with extreme pain from spasms not understanding or caring that I can’t stand, walk, or sit without extreme pain. Don’t know what to do cuz I need to pay the bills. I won’t have surgery again without exhausting every possible option. I don’t know what to do now.

[johnsmith]

See a McTimony chiropractor. They may be helpful. You may have the symptoms caused by leg muscles which are too tight. Tight leg muscles will pull on the lower vertebrate which in turn impinges on a nerve root causing loss of power in legs.

All one can do is investigate and see if my reasoning is correct or not. McTimony chiropractors work on the whole body rather than chiropractors which only appear to work on the spine.

[Yvette49 in reply to johnsmith]

I can second this, I also have had two ops on same discs, 4 years ago, and last 4 months have had bad pain down in calf, and slight in hip. I went to a McTimoney chiropractor yesterday, and I felt relief straight away, bit of pain this morning, but that’s only to be expected. I go again Monday. My hip was way out of alignment. I’d recommend you go see one..,Xx

[Fulltilt in reply to johnsmith]

I’m scared to see any chiro since what I’ve experienced of it is money hungry worms milking your insurance. As well as only getting worse from it. Leaving my 2x a week chiro sessions is when I started getting better when I injured my back many years ago. Getting back in the gym stretching and working out the right ways on my core and back healed me. Of course all the doctors and lawyers say is you must not be hurt that bad if you can do that...not knowing the trials and hurdles I worked so hard to overcome during that process. Sorry but I’m very bitter about how I was treated after a drunk took part of my life. On a brighter note I truly appreciate everyone in here and advice. For me...maybe I was unlucky where I was treated for chiro, It was not McTimony by the way.

[johnsmith in reply to Fulltilt]

You say: " Leaving my 2x a week chiro sessions". My understanding is that there should be about two weeks between sessions to allow a settling down of symptoms.

Shifting a vertebrate back can bruise small tissues. They will take time to settle down afterwards. 2x a week is too much. That's my understanding.

if you had "fibromyalgia" symptoms setting in. Then the treatment would have been very painful. Also you would have been required to do certain stretches at least 2x a week. It can be very difficult to tell if he was stretching out things rather than shifting a vertebrate back. Anti fibromyalgia stretches can leave you sore afterwards.

Unfortunately, we can never know if you received good or bad chiropractor treatment. I know that some treatments on my shoulder blades have hurt a lot as the McTimony chiropractor worked on clenched strings of minute muscle knots. I could feel then as her fingers went over them.

You say: "Getting back in the gym stretching and working out the right ways on my core and back healed me." I am pleased that you found the right strategy.

[Emma2017]

I know what you mean. Have had 3 microdiscectomies for herniated disc one level down. However if the disc is just bulging now you might well be able to get by without surgery. Instead see a spinal physio to get yourself up and running again if possible.

[Hidden]

Hi Fulltilt.

Your situation sounds almost identical to mine, although it was about 30 years ago that I had a slipped disc, which was left for 13 years before they operated on it!!! I believe it may have been because I have Spina Bifida Oculta, with an accompanying curvature, which may may have made the operation more difficult? Whatever the reason, the operation became a Laminectomy instead of a Discectomy, but the Sciatic nerve had already been permanently damaged during the long delay. I then had to try to carry on with 'normal life', as the operation to 'fix it' had been done!!! So I'd had 13 years of painkillers, and it wasn't long after the operation that the pain began again, and so to the painkillers....

My altered gait following the operation led to Arthritis in the opposite hip, which was replaced after about 7 years. This threw my weight back to the 'Sciatica side', which increased the pain there! To date, I take Pregabelin, Paracetamol, MST's, Naproxen and Lansoprazole, with Oramorph as, and when, necessary. I developed Lymphoedema following my hip surgery, and can hardly walk from room to room. My weight has almost doubled!!!

A recent visit to my doctor regarding the pain, (yet again - if I had £1 for every visit I've made because of pain in the past 20 years, I'd be VERY rich), saw me being referred (yet again) for Physiotherapy???!!! 🙄 The first Physio didn't examine me because I couldn't get on her table! She immediately referred me to a more qualified Physio, who had a height-adjustable table, but when he saw my state and heard my history, he immediately left the room to see the 'Top-Bod', whom I had to return to see the following day! That Bod asked me 2 questions, checked my (lack-of) reflexes, and immediately referred me for an MRI.

At last, someone believes I have a problem which won't go away by throwing pills at it!!!!! 🥴

That MRI is due on Friday of this week. I just hope it reveals something they can 'fix'? 🙏

Personally, I believe I may have another slipped disc.... 😖🙄👎

I am one of many on Health Unlocked who have similar stories, so we understand your plight?

But pooling our experiences means that we can often offer help and advice, as well as empathise? It's also a great place for 'having a laugh' and making friends - even if you can't get out of the house! 😂👌

[waylay in reply to Hidden]

Sounds so familiar... Hope you got an answer?

[Fulltilt]

Hopalong I’m sorry to hear your journey of pain and frustration. One of the worst parts of this type of problem is it can’t be seen so people can’t comprehend the pain level. Even those that truly try to understand can’t so it’s very taxing mentally as well as physically. I think I’m improving since my pain can be lowered by laying down to a 1 or 2 with 800 ibu and 1/2 a perc if it really flares. Problem is if I stand and walk to get a drink or shower by the time I’m done my muscles are going crazy and I’m back to a 8-10 till I can relax them down again. I kinda think that’s a good thing since the pains I had before my surgery years ago were relentless and couldn’t be tamed. I’m hopeful it’s just insane muscle spasms... Just need to find the cause. Been outa work for two weeks and dealing with it for over 3, I need my life back soon. Sorry to make this about me I truly hope you find comfort and a solution. I know what you’re going through! Please keep me updated and you’ll be in my thoughts.

[Hidden in reply to Fulltilt]

No problem at all Fulltilt. This isn't just a site to read about other's ailments, but to share ours, with others in similar circumstances. Hopefully, there may be something that someone mentions that may be identical to that of our own, which we may have considered 'insignificant', but which may be vitally important when it comes to a diagnosis. We can then ensure that it's mentioned on our next medical visit...? 🤞

Well...I had the MRI done, 3 weeks ago, and had to return to Physiotherapy for the results (as it was they who referred me) last week. I was told that the MRI showed NOTHING untoward!!!??? At that point I burst into tears (it takes an awful lot to make me cry!), because I am now back to square one with regard to finding a cause, as there is no 'quick fix'...?

So it now seems as if I have to just keep sitting here (I'm now finding it more comfortable to sit here to sleep, rather than lie down), putting on more and more weight, with excruciating pain when I move.

As you're still of working age, I presume that you are much younger than myself? I urge you to get the very best person possible to look into your case, whenever possible. To date, there has been no type of Physiotherapy which has worked for me, but if you decide to go along that route, I hope it works? Don't let it continue, but 'nurse' your back - don't put any stress on it. We here know what it's like to be in serious pain, yet it's those who 'swing the lead' who make others be skeptical of our complaints! Look after yourself, and keep me updated? I wish you luck...

[waylay in reply to Fulltilt]

I was told the muscle spasms would fade 9 years ago. Nope. Doing a bunch of research at the moment to try to find something that might help.

This isn't a comment on your spasms! They probably will go away. I think mine have stuck around because I've been misdiagnosed.