Back to work

Hi,

As someone who has sciatica and multiple level spinal stenosis and also scoliosis I can advise that there is no suitable job for you. I battled my body and pain for years before accepting that I cannot work full time anymore & that most employers (however understanding they seem to be in the beginning) will view you as a burden and try to get you to quit. I now temp and work 3 days a week which my back can just about take. I'm now registered disabled and coming to terms with my new work reality. My advice is that you do the sane, as all your going to do is maje yourself worse.

Im sorry that I can't offer you any more positive advice, but the reality is that you are looking for the work equivalent of a Unicorn.

You need to really REALLY listen to your body and not ignore it. If you are still in pain now & struggling with the hours you have then increasing them is not going to go well. I would honestly suggest going to the Citizens Advice Bureau and getting advice & also looking at getting PIP & then ESA as its designed to help people who have disabilities work or not work depending on the situation.

H  Kaz, im a nurse and am working with this awful, awful pain. I sometimes i cannot believe i can work. I cry every evening it helps me cope. I have had bilateral sciatica for 4 months mine came on slowly. I hurt my back just sat down in December last year had 3 weeks off work and attended physio and am still attending physio. Had  chiro imput with no help, had massages. I walk my dog once the meds kick in. My worst time is in the morning, my legs burn and i have to limp and hobble, i am also bad in an evening even though i have medications in me. I have used my TENS machine but that didnt help either.  I have not had a scan  and have an appointment at hospital ortho surgeon in one week.x what treatment have you had? I think if you like your job stick with it, as  i dont think there is an ideal job with sciatica  but, avoid sitting as i think this is just  horrendous xx

Sciatica will usually present as pain down one leg while stenosis will usually involve both legs.  If you have sciatica, this is how I got past every sciatica event for decades...I've had a lot of them...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/sciatic-nerve-pain-from-the-perspective-of-many-decades-629096

#4 required surgery...  If you suffer from pain down both legs then you need a neurosurgeon to check you out for stenosis.  This is when two vertebrae compress and pinch the nerve roots running through the foraminal canals.  Mine was cured instantly with a Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF).  Insert the device, expand it to open the spaces and close.  One night in the hospital, no rehab, no brace.  Miracle op.

I've had both conditions and always found an answer.  I refuse to live in pain.

 

Hi there, years ago I had to give up office work due to back issues. Killed me to do it but ended up sweating with the pain coming home so made the decision. Won’t lie, had a tough few years financially, am self dependant so the impact was huge. I now work from home, laying down, with things like a laptop bracket and pillows to get through 3 hours a day - I’d be better off giving it up physically but financially am a bit trapped to continue.

I agree with the other comments that you need to listen to your body and not make your condition worse by persevering. ESA and PIP are there to help, so do look both up, never know... also, there are work from home jobs but far and few between (mine is far from guaranteed but am grateful for now). Admin and social media management.

For treatment, there are spinal injections, nerve blocks, acupuncture, physio. I have to say that these didn’t help me, but I know people who work OK after injections. Also balancing medications, there are dozens to try for back and nerve pain. As a last resort, you may be referred to surgery consult (if you’re in the UK?) although, they do not operate at the moment unless your spinal cord is in danger. It sucks, I’ve been through that process. Pain problems are referred to the pain clinic instead for management.

I hope some of that helps, I’ve been there and it’s a big worry. Good luck x