Hi , Im looking for those of you that have had sciatic nerve, disk pain for over 10 years and then had decompression or other surgery . Did you get relieve ?did the nerve recover ? if you did get relief but it returned, how many years pain free did you get ? .. Its not just the pain ,but an improvement in your mobility .
thanks all
Hi thenunn I had surgery in 1999 for a prolapse disc L5 I got about 2 years relief then it returned with a vengeance and I get regular flare ups and on alot of meds. My operation was an emergency due to cauda equine syndrome so been left with bowel issues. I'm currently in a bad place right now waiting for an mri scan on my back as I had a fall in January and have really hurt my hip and back it's not getting any better but I see physiotherapist tmz. Hope this helps with your questions. Take care
Hi Betsy50...so sorry to hear of your fall..! That's all you need..!! Can totally empathise with your pain and situation. Good luck with your MRI and hope all goes well with physio. Sending you pain free wishes x x 😘
Hi booboobearkins thanks for the reply. Yes I'm in a bad place right now it's awful cant sleep which isn't helping. See physiotherapist in a couple of hours I need a guided steroid injection to relieve this pain then I can do more exercises. Have you had back surgery?
Hello Betsy50...lovely to get your message..but so sorry you're in a bad place. I feel you..xx Yes had 2 surgeries and umpteen injections etc. How about you..? Like you, think I nodded off for an hour last night..!! You're soooo right, not sleeping doesn't help. I think you can tolerate and cope so much better if you've managed to sleep. Vicious circle..!! I've got various problems with my back and neck. But like you, I've had a few falls and 2 rear ended car accidents..which all haven't helped..!! Got quite a few other health problems too, one being lymphodema in my feet and legs (hands and wrists). The swelling can get very hot; painful and heavy...which makes being mobile very difficult and hard work..!! Anyway...less of me. Have you got a date yet for your MRI..? I'm wishing you all the very best with your appointment today. I'm guessing you've had the injections before..?! Take care and please let me know how you get on. You're welcome to DM me. Sending hugs and know it's easy to say...but keep your chin up..xx
I've had sciatic pain since 2013, a nerve block, lasted 2 days, wonderful, but no more given.In 2014 they operated, only a lamonectomy, as NICE guidelines don't recommend fusion, for me. I'm still in constant pain, the nerve is damaged and occluded at L5-S1.
Hi hooray thanks for the reply. I've had sciatica for over 30 years it's awful. This fall had definitely floored me I'm back in wheelchair just cant walk it's so so painful but I'm wondering if I have piriformis the symptoms match exactly how I feel
Hello there...so sorry to hear you're in pain. It really does wear you down doesn't it. I've had sciatica pain for over 30 years. Had an L5/S1 fusion in 2003. Was fabulously pain free for a year..and then like Betsy50, bam..the pain returned. I then had sacroiliac joint fusion in 2008. The diagnostic nerve block injections beforehand, worked a treat, but sadly the surgery failed. As a result I'm in far more pain and my mobility is drastically impaired. I was given a 50/50 chance of it working, and I was so desperate, as all pain sufferers can get. I'm obviously disappointed (to say the least!!) that it didn't work, but it was most definitely worth trying, for me. Imagine if it had worked, I could have been missing out on a relatively pain free back..!! Wishing you all the very best and hopefully a pain free future..😘
Hi Booboo ..I'm sorry you're no better off. I like your positive spin though , it's the imagination of being pain free that makes me think go for it ..it's the thinking that things could be no better that prevents me 
best wishes x
Hello thenunn...hope you're ok today. It's a big dilemma. There wasn't really a choice about my first op, but with the second, because the diagnostic injections in my si joint worked an absolute treat (when all previous injections elsewhere in my back hadn't), and I just couldn't tolerate the pain any longer, I went for the surgery. They did however only give me 50/50 of the operation being successful..so I knew it wasn't a given that it would work. I'm thinking of you, it's not an enviable position to be in that's for sure. But, you'll come to a decision...and it'll be the right one for you. Looking back at things...my mobility prior to surgery was already very compromised...so, if I hadn't had either operation, I know that would have only gotten worse, (possibly to where its at now?), but by having surgery, I guess I gave myself the opportunity to fix things, both pain and mobility wise. Sadly it wasn't meant to be, for me....but I did have a whole year of being pain free and had the most fabulous time..! Sending you my very best wishes, a hug and to say I'm here anytime you feel like a chat. Take care everyone xx
I have had chronic sciatica for more than 9 years. It is worse sometimes than others and have no idea what triggers a particularly bad episode. I sometimes wonder about different treatments. I was offered injections at one point but at that time declined.Having read some of the comments here I think I will continue to take medications and treat myself. It would appear to be a great risk of making things worse!
If it was just a case of things not improving than maybe, but things are bad enough as it is.
Hi - I've never posted before - usually just browse. But as I've just had an injection for sciatica thought it worth sharing. Like you and others have had L5/S1 joint pain for years - fusion and other ops recently ruled out as would have to go in through my front which makes it more risky. And not clear enough that it would actually relieve the pain.
However, because my sciatic pain has been getting much worse over the last couple of years my consultant agreed to do a caudal epidural injection. That was about three weeks ago and it has been amazing. I am not without pain - if I do too much (which isn't v much by normal standards!)my back and hip pain will still be provoked. But my sciatic pain has pretty much disappeared.
Don't know how long it will last but the consultant said that if this worked there was another, simpler, op he could do. Again, won't fix the back pain but will stop it spreading down my legs. And for me - I'll take that. Just sorting one area of pain has made a massive difference. So do ask for a caudal epidural if you haven't already had one.
Hello lolacat...hope this finds you well. Like you, I never post just browse..but felt I wanted to share my experience...and I'm so pleased you have too. I'm really thrilled that you're getting some relief from your sciatic pain...that's wonderful news. I've had various injections over the years, but sadly, they've never really helped, so it's great to hear a success story. Surgery is a big decision. Sometimes there isn't a choice about it, and sometimes we're so desperate to be out of pain that it feels like there isn't a choice..! I'm wishing you continued pain relief and hope the future holds a more permanent fix, which sounds promising from your post..x x
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