Sciatica

[Stormtrooper4]

Hi all. I have been suffering with back pain for several years. In regards to medication, you name it, I've tried it. I've have two lots of steroid injections which had no effect whatsoever and then finally in 2022 I had radio frequency ablation which was brilliant. I had instant relief from this.

I tripped over a few months ago and since then the sciatica pain has been creeping back in and has now become unbearable. I am having to take morphine at night just to be able to get some sleep and I am currently on the list waiting to have the radio frequency ablation treatment again. I am really hoping this won't be a long wait as I am really struggling and in tears several times a day.

I have a question to fellow sciatica sufferers, when you have a flare us does it make you feel like you constantly need a wee?

Any tips for dealing with the pain would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

[Sugaree]

hi, I also suffer from chronic sciatica.Right now I can barely walk.I am just getting over bronchitis and all that coughing has destroyed my back. I took two tramadol and have a heating pad. I used the tens machine for temporary relief but nothing helps very much. Mine is caused by osteoarthritis. I just try to get through each day. Fortunately my husband is retired and helps me alot.

[rabbits65 in reply to Sugaree]

Gosh I feel for you , I have sciatica and find I really have to be careful not to “ Jar” my back, as you say coughing can badly make it worse. I love my hot water bottles. I am wondering if sciatica has also disturbed my bladder as need to weee very often and it’s not a uti as I am constantly taking in urine samples to doctors. Saying that yes of course I have had some urine infections, We really do suffer don’t we this getting older thing doesn’t help.

[Sugaree in reply to rabbits65]

I can relate to the bladder issue too. I think it’s getting older and my pregnancies. My girls are grown now. I think it’s also pressure from sciatica. I sleep with a heating pad which helps. I take supplements and drink alot of water to help prevent utis. Hope tomorrow is a better day and thanks for replying.

[Bevvy]

There are concerns if urine production alters with sciatica. Do you have any other symptoms that are different to how you are with sciatica flare up? Mainly any issues with your bowels or numbness in your saddle area? If so then you should have this investigated as a matter of urgency and I would support you contact 111.

However the most likely reason for wanting to urinate all the time is due to a UTI. Again this should be investigated by your gp.

[rabbits65]

that’s interesting you saying about constantly needing to weee with sciatica, I have sciatica too, fairly controlled , however I do need to weee very often every 2 hours day and night, had never occurred to me it could be caused by the sciatica nerve. Tell me more of your experience on this please. Thanks. 😊

[Linelover15]

I can relate to everything you and others have said here. I had what’s known as cauda equina and had surgery to relieve pinching of spinal nerve at L3/4. Now have sciatica again which is horrible as you know. Awaiting result of MRI scan and struggling day to day both to sleep and move around.. I can sympathise with you and agree old age isn’t for the faint-hearted. I’m 83 and it’s a …. nightmare! Sending hugs !

[Nanny23]

they told me i need a laminectomy and a fusion at lumbar spine disc 4-5. I have spinal stenosia whuch is narrowing if my spine. Laminectomy is to take away a piece if bone which is leaning on my siatic nerve. Physical therapy heating pad and epidural shots have helped me. Riding a bike weather stationary or regular bike has helped me too. ❤️ Hope you feel better soon

[BobB23]

Hi Stormtrooper. So sorry you are having these issues. I totally sympathise. It's no fun at all being in pain. I too am female with chronic lower back pain (10+ years) and cannot walk or stand for more than a few minutes before the burning, gnawing pain comes on. Been diagnosed as arthritis. Sitting is my only relief. Have had guided steroid injections several times and also radio frequency denervation. None made a blind bit of difference. It was after the latter, 2 yrs ago, that I started to have urge incontinence and have wondered ever since, if that procedure somehow 'messed' with my bladder 'signals'. Guess I wont ever know, except the physio at pain clinic has since told me that very few NHS areas will do RD these days ie. Its no longer recommended! (UK) I cant take pain meds as they either upset my stomach or make me too 'dopey'. At age 57 and still working full time from home, (desk job requiring serious alertness and attention to detail ) that just isnt an option. I am waiting on 2nd NHS pain clinic appointment, and thanks to your post and comments, will bring up the urge incont again. Feel like a prisoner in my own home just now and its so very depressing. Sorry I dont have any miracle cure for you...if I had, I'd bottle it and share. Take care.

[Simboti]

Oh gosh! I thought I was the only one who had bladder/urine issues with sciatica flare up. I was thinking that maybe it's the urine pressing against the nerve which causes a flare up? I had pelvic radiation in December 2022