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sciatica for 3 months

Posted , 14 users are following.

donna1965
donna1965

Hi. I have been off work for 3 months with this, over this time my symptons have got worse. I cannot sit for more than a minute before pain, I cannot stand for more than 3 or 4 minutes or walk further than about 50 yards before i get pain in my ankle and in my bum, thigh and even my vagina. I take Gabapentin 900-1200 3 x a day, Naproxen 500mg x 2 a day, Tramadol 50mg x 2 a day  and paracetamol 1000mg 4 times a day which does nothing for my pain, i spend most of my time lying down as this is the only way I can be relattively comfortable. I Asked for stronger meds but was refused depsite the fact that when i got to the doctors I had to ask for somewhere to lie down because of the pain and the doctor had to come to me, i was crying all the time that i was there. I had my MRI scan on Sunday 12th April and have been seeing a physio for 2 months which hasn't helped, although he has been very supportive even phoning me when i have been unable to attend due to pain. At times i feel like my life  is not worth living, work are hassling me every week and i feel so low. I'm frightened that I will not get better from this and I will lose my job and then my home. The physio has advised me that I need to speak to my doctor as a priority as at times i have experienced some urine retention and have felt some numbness around my vagina but this hasn't happened for over a week now. Does anyone have any advice for merolleyes

4 likes, 44 replies

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  • donna1965
    donna1965

    Posted

    Well 3 1/2 months since my microdiscestomy and almost back to normal. I have been back at work for 5 weeks (after term time leave and annual leave) and struggled sitting initially bythe afternoon the coccyx pain was quite uncomfortable but last week i found that it had gone. I still get a few twinges in my leg where the worst of my sciatic pain was but as each week goes by these twinges have lessened. I make sure i get up and walk around regularly and I am very careful now with what i pick up and how I do it. MY employer issued me a written warning for my sickness absence last week though but after all the pain that i went through for months I am not letting it get to me, although I am going to appeal the decision. Good luck to everyone suffering with sciatic pain. x
    • edwin30394
      edwin30394 donna1965

      Posted

      Hello, by any chance did have numbness on your foot or calf and if so did it go away
    • rachel80431
      rachel80431 edwin30394

      Posted

      I have pain in both feet, they get so bad that it's hard to walk. My calf muscles both get very stiff and achy. I wish others would have responded to this question as well, my initial symptoms started out in both feet there was no pain in the back until at least a month after my feet were killing me. My family dr had taken me off work to try to figure out what was going on with these feet, while off the back pain started in. Could you please give me some feedback on your symptoms?
    • richard99844
      richard99844 rachel80431

      Posted

      hi rachel,i started off pulling a muscle in my lower back while i was putting my shoes on.After a couple of days the pain lessend,then i went for a walk which started off the sciatica.first i had severe pain down my right leg,which felt like electric shocks.i had spasms and calf cramps too.i couldnt staighten my right leg without getting the pain,had to sleep with my leg bent on my sofa for 3 weeks.after seeing my gp he confirmed it was sciatica,he told me to stay active and try and use a ball under my leg,he said keep pottering about.i was taking zapain pain killers which had more cocodamol in them.this worked only slightly.evenfually after playing guitar sat down for 6 months it all dissapered.during the 6 months i saw a specialist at pinderfields hospital,which involved sticking needles in places in my leg to a machine,the results were that they couldnt find anything wrong,which i expected because at that stage my leg pain was 95% gone,i just had numbing in my feet when i walked.hope this helps.
    • rachel80431
      rachel80431 richard99844

      Posted

      Thanks Richard, I'm waiting for my surgeon to schedule an mri. Hopefully something can be done soon. I'm glad the majority of your pain has disappeared thanks again for the response 
  • jackie22007
    jackie22007 donna1965

    Posted

    Hi Donna

    Glad to hear you are in the mend and back at work. Sorry  to hear how you have been treated at work though..

    i had my surgery 3 weeks ago.  Following my surgery I could not believe the pain in my leg had gone and I Could feel my toes, however I took a bad infection in my wound and was readmitted  to hospital for a week and put on  IV antibiotics.  I am now on a High dose of oral antibiotics but feel I'm making good progress.  I find my toes go numb now and again and the pain in my leg comes and goes, however, nothing like an previously experienced. I'm hoping to return to work in 3-4 weeks. My employer South Lanarkshire Ciuncil continue to be very supportive.  I am fortunate enough that Iam going to undertake work that will allow me to work from home. A few days per weekend I have lots if annual leave to use up, so hoping I don't  need to  to work on a full time basis until after Christmas.  

    Im getting physio one day a week which I hope will help strengthen my back.  My physio stated given how badly inflamed the nerve was he does not think I will be totally pain free or get my ankle reflex back, however, I'm feeling hopeful and will take each day as it comes.  

    I wish you well Dinna and hope you and my fellow suffers make progress.

    Jackie x

     

    • donna1965
      donna1965 jackie22007

      Posted

      Hi. My consultant told me that mine was the tightest nerve entrapment he could ever remember and i too still had numbness after the op but thathas gone now. I still have an ache in the back of my knee and in my buttock but it gets less as time goes by. after the pain we've had though I can live with it. Good luck and i hope everything is going well for you. Donna x
    • jackie22007
      jackie22007 donna1965

      Posted

      Hi Donna

      Glad your on the mend and that the pain and numbness has eased

      I am making reasonably good progress. I have had a a few reoccurring infections which have left me drained but on the whole getting there. Some pain in my leg and foot but nothing near to the pain I had. I am not back at work yet but hoping my GP will allow me to return in a couple of weeks.

      Look after yourself. Jackie

  • NuLifeSpiration
    NuLifeSpiration donna1965

    Posted

    If you want honest answers that will lead to becoming pain free with no medication. Contact, Dr. Reza Nikpour at the Optimum Chiropractic and Health Center in Annandale va. Why am I so sure? Because I had the exact same symptoms that you have and yesterday, Nov 18, 2015 was my last appointment and I'm pain free and have not taken any medication in months.

    Best advice: call this number. 703 658 0967

    The office staff is professional and friendly.

    This doctor can help you.

  • richard99844
    richard99844 donna1965

    Posted

    i had severe sciatica and numbness for 2 years,by learning guitar in a sitting position i was cleared of it in 6 months,let me know if you want to know more info on this.
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