Pain sufferer

[Imthedoctor]

Been suffering sciatica in and off for years, usually clears up itself, but since June this year it's been relentless.

Managed to get MRI scan and was told I've got a bulging disc pushing on my sciatic nerve.

Months of agonising hell, sleepless nights and mounting depression....

[Tommyj1954]

Hi i had surgery for sciatica week 9post opp leg pain gone after surgey but long recovery maybe another year plus i can chat with you as support i had 3 level.decompression laminectomy and foraminectomy

[Imthedoctor in reply to Tommyj1954]

My sister went through the same thing a couple of years ago, it's absolutely crippling but I've finally been referred to the pain clinic where they'll decide on whether to give me an injection or surgery. The msk clinic said I was candidate for either option. It's just all the waiting in between, putting up with pain and zero quality of life

[Tommyj1954 in reply to Imthedoctor]

Yes did your sis have the surgery and if so how is she now?it is a long recovery i.would love to.chat with her.and now if i were u maybe try shot but i needed the surgery and leg pain gone leg numbness is present very annoying. But dr says maybe year before i have full recovery i had severe spinal.stenosis surgery

[Imthedoctor in reply to Tommyj1954]

She fully recovered immediately after surgery, but has recently got sciatica but that's due to a piriformis issue not disc related

[Tommyj1954 in reply to Imthedoctor]

Ok.if you know of someone recovering or took sometime to recover.please let me know

[Tommyj1954 in reply to Tommyj1954]

Trying to find a chat partner with similar who took long time to recover say months ++

[Joaclp in reply to Tommyj1954]

I am 3 wks weeks out from spinal fusion surgery. Hard going...

[Tommyj1954 in reply to Joaclp]

Ok

[abellemed in reply to Imthedoctor]

I'm in the same state of limbo - waiting for an appointment with the Pain Management clinic for median nerve injection which will tell them exactly the nerves to kill off by rhizotomies. Every day I have to "furniture-walk" round the house before my painkillers work, then drag myself to the car to get to work (where I fortunately sit down at a desk all day), then rely on more painkillers to function as a housekeeper and cook for my family. I even have trouble getting to the loo in time now. It is awful but I am hoping to get to the top of the waiting list soon as it has been 2 months....

[Imthedoctor in reply to abellemed]

Sorry about your pain, it's awful having to live with this especially when you have family, I had a really bad day today, could barely stand and walk for more than a few minutes. I can drive too, just can't walk, still waiting for the pain clinic appointment and since it was referred just before Christmas it'll take ages for them to get back.

The sight of painkillers literally makes me want to throw up.

I just want to be better 😟

[abellemed in reply to Imthedoctor]

I, like you, just want to be better - like I used to be

I know the feeling about the dreaded pills - the ibuprofen made my stomach bad, had to stop that despite taking omeprazole. Now only on paracetamol 1g + dihydrocodeine 60mg every 3 hours just to keep reasonably mobile but still not really right as my legs feel unsteady through sitting a lot. I do hate being on these painkillers as they make me slow at work and my colleagues are noticing me "nodding" over my typing! (I work as a medical secretary in the NHS, but get no "priority" for that!)

I'm just biding my days in the hope that I get an appointment soon. (An NHS colleague just today told me that she has fentanyl patches for her back pain, so on Monday I'll ring my GP to see if I can get those.

Wish you all the best in our waiting list limbo!

[Imthedoctor in reply to abellemed]

I recently read about the fentanyl patches, but I don't think Drs are quick to prescribe them. They barely let me have 10 diazapam tablets, I told them I'm not addicted, I just need relief.

Good luck with your treatment and appointment, take care

[Painny in reply to Tommyj1954]

Hi TommyJ

I have a nerve sticking out of my lumbar. I was told try out epidural injection but I cancelled it due to post treatment leading to bleeding etc...as I was told by the consultant.

Isn’ this something they should operate? My condition is degenerative disc and shallow disc protrusion. Please let me hear you if you have this condition and also if the operation makes any difference. My mobility and pain have been affected as well as Fibromyalgia 😢😢

Thanks

Yours sincerely😀

[Tommyj1954 in reply to Painny]

Talk with your dr i had op

[pilates1953 in reply to Tommyj1954]

Hi Tommy

I have been put on waiting list for decompression surgery - can you give me some more information about this and recovery time etc

[Tommyj1954 in reply to pilates1953]

Hi i had 3 level. L3/4 laminectomy and L4/L5 and L5/S1. Forminectomy Rt leg

I am.post opp week 12

I had no.leg pain after.surgery

I used walker or wheelchair for 3 weeks

I had to wear back belt 12 weeks

I can start pt next week

I have been walking about 9 weeks

I have numbness in right leg shin and ankle and right toe

And numbness left toe

My dr said give it 10 -15 months for numbness to resolve

I am.still.weak so i say about 30 %

Total.recovery can be 1-2 years

So slow and steady i.think.once i start pt i will improve quicker but it is slow process but pain gone in leg

I had sciatica Caused by severe spinal.stenosis

-

i am.65

I had surgery about 12 weeks after severe sciatica attack

I..am.non smoker and non drinker

I had surgery in New Delhi India

I am.usa,citizen

I am.rehabbing in Philippines

I am.free to stay in touch

I.am.taking no.meds since week.8

I took.pregabatin 400mg two times per day

[Kels1974]

Hi I feel your pain.I had a discectomy and facetectomy in October and I'm doing well.Hope you get sorted.

[Barbola]

Hi, my pain from sciatica (lumbar spine, disc, arthritis, stenosis) was unbearable....could not walk.....im 82 ....

Emergency room with morphine. Doing physical therapy now 3 x week and stretch floor exercises 2 x daily. Can hike trails! A series of three steroid epidurals for the inflammation. Was told to do physical therapy immediately and never stop exercising.....so far, its been good, no medications of any kind. Tho it is a pain in the neck to stretch, stretch, stretch when u want to go to sleep or upon waking! They showed me stretches which relieve the pain, starting slowly working up to more repetitions. Medicare will pay for my physical therapy.

Before you go to surgery get other doctors opinions its kind of the last resort!

[Tommyj1954 in reply to Barbola]

Hi long your full.recovery a year plus?