Sciatica pain

[jennifer15]

Dear kind friends,

I wrote 4 months ago about pain in my leg and received lots of very helpful replies. However it continued to get worse and ultimately had an MRI which showed a trapped nerve L4 and L5. There are degenerative changes in my spine and it has been suggested to have a steroid injection. I feel that I will have it, after checking with rheumatologist. I just thought that I would let you know as my rheumatologist said that he thought that it was due to weakened muscles and others may have similar symptoms. I do not know whether the condition and prednisolone encouraged it or whether it is coincidental that it has presented now.

Thank you everyone again for your suggestions and support.

[Pam47]

Thanks for posting this! I've had excruciating pain in one of my thighs, radiating down to my knee, since February. The orthopaedic consultant diagnosed muscle wasting, and said there was nothing wrong with my back, but I was not convinced. I suspect I may have the same condition as you!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pam47]

Muscle spasm is actually far more likely in a PMR patient and the average orthopod wouldn't recognise it.

[jennifer15 in reply to Pam47]

Sorry to hear about your pain. My pain was from my hip right down to my ankle on the outside. It was diagnosed with the MRI but it took a year to get one. I hope that yours improves, did the orthopaedic consultant suggest any treatment exercises?

[Hidden in reply to Pam47]

I would rather see a neurologist/neurosurgeon with any spine related injury.

[Hellyowl]

I have weakened muscles from the pred. I go to Pilates and it helps a lot. Due to family circumstances I have not been to a class for 3 weeks and the pain in my thighs is excruciating. Even though I have done a few exercises when I can. Back to my first class again this evening . I can't wait. However it will take weeks to build me up again. When my rheumy first suggested Pilates I had sciatica and couldn't get up and down. I did cure it

[jennifer15 in reply to Hellyowl]

Thanks, glad PILATES keeps yours under control. I do try PILATES when I can and just do what I am able to do. It does help, sure my muscles are wasted too, totally dropping to bits!

[Oxford8]

My MRI scan a few weeks ago revealed a bulging, herniated disk at L4. Immediate referral by GP to Neurosurgeon at Salford Royal Hospital. Seeing him on 8th May. GP says any changes in the meantime get an ambulance to the hospital. Scary, but GP adamant that referral to neurosurgeon vital. The pain is excruciating.

Can you ask to be referred to a neurosurgeon Jennifer 15. Not scaremongering, but backs are precious. 🌷

[Hidden in reply to Oxford8]

I had surgery L4/L5/S1 about 20years ago. I was so glad i had a neurosurgeon. The positive of the surgery was i was just about pain free as surgeon promised, but he did say any damage done was there forever now. The nerves had been trapped for 8mths.

I did all the rehab, i had 3 months off work, they suggested 6mths. But I had to go back to work and pain started again and never left and i was dx with fibromyalgia/ chronic pain. So please take it steady and build up the core muscles.

[Oxford8 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Poopadoop.

[jennifer15 in reply to Oxford8]

Thank you, I hope that there are no changes in the meantime. You seem to have really good treatment. Perhaps I am being offered an injection as it was the physio who referred me for the MRI. My GP is lovely but said that I did not meet the cryteria. I do not think that she would refer me to anyone else now, I seem to be in the hands of the physio.it seems that the nerve is trapped as the opening is narrowed so I do not think that the disc is bulging. It is not as bad as it was a few months ago. Do let me/us know how you get on. Do you live in Oxford? I live 5miles out of Oxford.

[Hidden in reply to Oxford8]

I would have been more than happy for them to amputate my left leg pre surgery so agree....Excruciating.