Sciatica over 6 months, now unbearable. :'(

PS: If the MRI is inconclusive, a CT/Myelogram WITH CONTRAST is the GOLD STANDARD test for the spine.  Gives the neuros a complete map of everything in there.

Also, yes, the BioFreeze is excellent for an OTC med.  Another (RX in the US) is Voltaren Gel.  Second best topical anti-inflammatory on the planet.

Finally, think about an inexpensive TENS unit you can get at a local pharmacy.  You have to know exactly where to place it for full effect but one of those helped me also from time to time.

Great post, Chico Marx! Enjoyed reading it and certainly related to all of it.

Thank you so much.  They think this could all have stemmed from my pregnancy, I've had lower back pain since having my 3 year old daughter but the sciatica only started 6 months ago.  I've tried physio & have been seeing a chiropractor for the last 3 weeks but I'm worried that might be making it worse without actually knowing the root cause.  I can only hope it's something as straight forward as a bone spur to correct.  Roll on my MRI scan hey?!  

Sciatica fix with a chiro can take a while.  See what happens.  A simple x-ray will reveal locked SI joints and pelvic tilting.  Literally, almost anything can pinch the sciatic nerve.  If nothing helps, THEN you start looking at the spine.  Lots of sciatic pain will stem from L4 through S1...that's where the docs will concentrate.  Sciatic pain down BOTH legs is stenosis; that can occur at any vertebrae.  I had it at L2/L3 and needed an LLIF (lateral fusion).  But let's not skip ahead.  I hope the chiro works for you.  If it's a pinched sciatic nerve root at L4, that can be handled by a simple laminectomy...no fusion required...unless there's more going on in there than you know now.  

It's a process...one step at a time.  The big thing is to find the root cause of the problem and fix it.  Too many people go on drugs and rely on pain shots for years getting temporary relief.  Find the damn cause and fix it...period.  No one should live their life in pain.

Thanks, CHICO MARX, I needed that!!! 

Hi Violet - I was just curious if surgery was an option that was put on the table for your bulging disc. It appears you and I are in the same area of pain and trouble. My neuro doc claims surgery will take care of my issue but I'm deathly afraid of back surgery. Fairly soon however, I am going to go forward with it, as they'll be no other choice. 

Hope your condition improves somehow.

If you need surgery to fix this disc problem, the "old" way was a typical TLIF fusion where they open your back and use rails and screws.  But there is an option...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-expandable-spacer-570509

LLIF (LATERAL Lumbar Interbody Fusion).  Search YouTube for "globus lateral" for the animation.  I was walking and climbing stairs with no pain an hour after waking up.  Yes, some residual nerve pain for a few weeks because they have to retract the nerve roots.  90-minute op, one night stay, no brace, no rehab. You can see the device above my old fusion.  No brainer...

Hi Glenn,

 I went to the emergency because I was in pain and had bladder issues and felt that was the only way to finally get somebody to listen to me and refer me to a specialist. They agreed with me and I do have an appointment with the surgeon later this month. When I talk to the surgeons office they told me the typical wait time is eight months  but the surgeon is expediting my situation for one month. I am in Canada so I don't know what it is like other places. I have also looked at a private clinic in another province and would be willing to pay for surgery but I am a little leery that's what they would want me to do to get my money. So I want to wait until I see the surgeon here.  Do you not to be fearful of surgery and think about the quality of your health. If you are like me you probably have done a lot of research online to read about the surgery and options. If you have a good surgeon and they are willing to answer all your questions and you know about their credentials, I think that will put you at ease. After not  having a good quality of life for six months I am open to surgery. 

For my issue of leg pain and not much back pain, is it not microdiscectomy that would be the surgery option? I don't have much pain walking stairs but leg pain in general when walking longer than a few minutes. 

Thank you so much, yes the recommended 'keep moving' is so difficult with this pain isn't it?! I am too feeling very depressed & full of fear for the future both of the pain & the prospect of being unable to work.  It terrifies me.  Hopefully my eventual MRI scan will yield some answers & some hope hey?!   

 

Here's a thought, and something I'm trying.

Quite often, believe it or not, we don't breathe enough.

Pay attention to your breathing. I'll bet you find when you're not thinking about it, you take little short shallow breaths all day.

Muscles just love oxygen, and I don't think we give them all tat they truly need.

I was discussing this with a friend last night who told me this, and it's true, about the breathing that is.

Starting last night, I started concentrating on taking deeper more frequent breaths.

Believe it or don't, I think it's helping. And if it's all in my head, so be it, but I haven't taken any medication at all today, and I don't feel like screaming.

I agree with this! I do a meditation called the pain meditation and it's very helpful!

I will try that today, I am willing to try anything!  Thank you for the tip  

Thanks, Violet! As each day passes, I get closer to agreeing to surgery. Yes, I'm afraid of surgery. I've seen so many terrible outcomes. My recommended surgery, called a "foramenotomy" has a great success rate. So, yes, you are so right. Let's think of how our quality of life stinks right now and we have a chance to get our lives back. Sounds so exciting when you've suffered like we have.

Yours will be successful too! I came back from seeing a pain specialist and she thinks the surgeon will tell me that surgery is likely not going to be an option. Now I am on increased dose of gabapentin and will see another medical professional about injections. It's frustrating when no one can tell you when or if I will be better. Maybe going to a private clinic for surgery will be what I decide.

I'm scared too of being in chronic pain and not able to function including work or social outings. I can't go see a movie or out for dinner these days. But I'm scheduled to see a Chinese herbalist and acupuncturist this week so maybe she can bring me relief.

Keep exploring your options, Violet. Pain specialists don't always know what's available and there are numerous treatments for various conditions. At least you can tolerate the gabapentin for whatever it's worth to you. I couldn't tolerate it after a while.. 

Keep us posted and know we are all in the same boat. Some of  us have better paddles but for the most part, we all suffer the same.

I went to the acupuncturist and she put a lot of needles in my back, bottom, and down my leg to my foot. After, she did cupping in the same spots. And then she put heat on my bottom and masssged my back. It did give me relief when I left but only temporary. I will go back twice next week and keeping going for a while. I'm glad I have benefits and her rates are reasonable. She has helped several sciatica sufferers so fingers crossed.

Hi Glenn,

Did you decide on surgery? I went to an Orthopaedic surgeonsnd he recommended me for surgery since I have tried lots on conventional treatments and medication and no help. It will be a few months wait before surgery sobif it miraculously improves, I can cancel it.

Violet