Sciatica flare up?

[Danlos166]

I had a L5/S1 lumber discectomy in 2013. Since that have had constant back pain. Before the operation all pain was in legs . I’m currently waiting for a nerve root block injection. In the last 2 weeks. I have been experiencing considerable pain in my legs. My feet feel cold but I can still feel them. My legs just don’t want to work. I’m shuffling around like I’m drunk. Very unsteady. The doctors have increased my amitriptyline. Has anyone else experienced this with sciatica? Thank you

[rabbits65]

I get a lot of sciatica pain too, it’s a most horrible pain, goes all the way down from the thigh to the feet and back up the shin pain. Looks it’s the amitryptline that’s making you feel drunk , I stopped taking it as it can be addictive . Hot water bottles for me and a combination of rest and stretching exercises .Hope you feel better soon.

[Danlos166 in reply to rabbits65]

I haven’t started the amitriptyline yet 🤣. It feels I have no control over my feet. I will just rest as much as I can and hopefully it will ease up. Thanks for replying

[Emma2017]

Hi I have had 3 microdiscectomies at that level and then a fusion. Have had numerous spinal blocks etc. If you now feel as if the pain and numbness is different to how it was before it might be an idea to have another MRI to make sure the disc has not gone again. I could tell the difference every time and was offered an MRI then and it would show up every time as an extrusion. First time was CE which is probably why they were very careful. Just ask as you nothing to loose. Amytriptiline did not agree with me, the only thing that took the edge of the referred pain was and is pregabalin. The back pain is still there and only dihydrocodeine seems to help for that. Alexander technique is helping other than that plus walking.

[Danlos166 in reply to Emma2017]

I only just had an mri in March. It took years of asking. It was the pain clinic that finally asked the doctors. It is my worry that something has happened to the disc again. I keep walking every day as have my2 dogs. It just very slow. Take care

[Emma2017 in reply to Danlos166]

If you have only just had an MRI then they are not likely to offer you one right now unless you get CE symptoms. It’s horrible to have the referred pain and numbness but as it’s not life threatening or CE threatening you are expected to live with it. I know how hard it is and even after 4 ops I still have bother. If you can strengthen your corset etc without another op you will be better in the long run.

[Danlos166 in reply to Emma2017]

Yes I guess it’s like getting old. You just have to live with it. But it’s another lifestyle change if I get no better. I hate asking for help. Take care thanks for replying x

[Cal66]

HiSorry to read of your spinal problems, it sounds terribly very painful. I have lupus, RA amongst other things, I take 35mg Amitriptyline most nights unless I have had a bad few nights of pain or a really painful day and I then take 50mg Amitriptyline. I have only had extra tiredness the next day, nothing like you have described. If I were you I would try to get an appointment with your Consultant to discuss everything and your concerns with him/her as all Amitriptyline really does is to relax your muscles to help you to sleep alongside my Tranadol and Paracetamol. I hope that answers some of your questions.

[Danlos166 in reply to Cal66]

Thank you. Yes I’m going to ring the pain clinic on Monday. Take care x

[purpleduchess]

Hi Danlos166@

[purpleduchess]

@@Hi Danlos166 I have been Amitryptline for nearly 14 years for nerve pain in my ankle. They have just had to increase my dosage which is working for me.Your symptoms could be from the Amitryptline increase or be from the nerves being pinched in your back. If I was you I would talk to my doctor ASAP to have it checked out, never assume it’s just the increase in meds. Hope this helps and you get answers soon x

[Hidden]

Oh yes you sound like me l still have pain and numbness in my back and legs .waiting for my operation on my spine as 2 of my Vera brains has collapsed. 3years I have been waiting.I have been twice already to go to the theatre only to learn , it has been cancelled. You must be in considerable pain Socking pain, nothing can take the pain away. Maybe a spinal injection might work for you I really hope so for you. Have you had a mri scan? Hope you get some relief soon Take care x

[Danlos166 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Yes I’m going to ring and find out how many are on the waiting list for the spine injection. I hope you get your operation soon. I think it’s unfair when you are in so much pain they expect you to wait so long. Take care. Thanks for replying to me

[Hidden in reply to Danlos166]

Yes I should ring and keep on ringing until you get a appointment take caredanlosx

[Dougydoug]

I try to post whenever I see someone with crippling sciatica…. I obviously don’t know that anyone else will have same experience - but I was in the kind of pain that made me want to give up for years until a nurse recommended LDN (low dose naltrexone) to me. Changed my life…. Many days I don’t feel any pain…. And very few side effects. I take 4.5 mg daily. Saved my life.

Your situation may be different

[Balamory]

Hi, I have an L4/5 and L5/S1 I'm in constant pain have been for 2yrs now I've had 2 mri's and the neurologist is saying that the symptoms I'm experiencing do not fit particularly well with any one level in my back. Wheres my pain coming from then I'm so annoyed nobody know's anything.i had a break down last wk and my doctor has been very good I was put on anti-depressants I was in so much pain, I was shivering really bad and just kept crying and still do most days. Don't about you but I feel that they don't believe me. My doctor is going to me for a bone scan to see if there's anything going on and gave me new pain killers which I don't see a difference yet. I can't walk far as my left leg gets really sore then I get sharp pins in needles in it, I got a walking stick yesterday from OT it goes against my pride I was always an active person it so hard to think I'm basically a cripple now it's awful.