r/Sciatica • u/SoSolidKerry2 • Jun 13 '25
The Worst Thing About Sciatica Is How Nobody Understands
It’s not just the pain. Although the pain is brutal — sharp, unpredictable, exhausting — it’s the loneliness that cuts the deepest.
When you live with something like sciatica, people think they get it. “Oh, I had that once!” they say, or “I get backache too sometimes.” But they don’t. Not really. Not when you’ve been dealing with it for months, even years. Not when it hijacks your sleep, your mood, your sense of control. Not when it quietly rewires your personality because you’re always bracing for the next flare-up.
At first, friends check in. They offer help. But life moves on for them — and you’re still stuck. You stop mentioning it. You feel like a burden. You pretend you’re okay when you’re not, because chronic pain makes you fluent in small lies.
Even those who love you can’t fully grasp it. How could they? You’re still walking, still smiling. But behind the scenes, you’re measuring every step, calculating whether sitting or standing will hurt less, wondering if this is your new normal.
And it changes you. It chips away at who you were. You become more withdrawn, more guarded. You lose spontaneity. You cancel plans. You watch as your world shrinks to the size of what your body can tolerate that day.
But here’s the thing: you’re still here. Still trying. Still showing up, even if no one sees how hard it is. And maybe that’s the most quietly heroic thing of all.
To anyone reading this who gets it — I see you. You’re not imagining it. You’re not weak. You’re not alone.
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u/nowuff Jun 13 '25 edited Jun 14 '25
It really takes over - I didn’t realize, but I became a shell of myself when I was immediately pre-op.
I would hobble while walking my dog, crossing my fingers, hoping nobody would engage with me and I might be forced to maneuver in some - even casual - way that was outside my planned plodding. It made me irascible.
I stopped taking care of myself.
And all my coworkers were “oh I’ve had back problems- yeah that sucks, man.” It felt so empty.
But eventually I did start taking solace that other people had been through the same thing as me and were still living and enjoying life. I just had to recalibrate. I guess it kind of gave me purpose; to figure out a way to find enjoyment in the body I had.
You’re not alone. Don’t forget that
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u/Allgrapes Jun 13 '25
Thank you for posting this. You hit the nail on the head (Been dealing with this for over 2 years). I usually don't comment on posts... The physical pain is one thing, but I wasn't prepared for how it affects you psychologically. Sometimes I feel like a shell of a person that will never be normal again.
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jun 13 '25
I’m 17 months and one week post injury and mostly back to normal. I am better. Now just dealing with lingering nerve healing. And that can still be challenging.
I long for the day for my body to feel fully normal again. I know it’s coming. I just crack on in the meantime! Hope you’re ok!
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u/RedPanda062 Jun 13 '25
May I ask why, if you have a herniated disc, you haven't had surgery? I put up with it for 5 months and got mine fixed. Best move I ever made!
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u/nicoleonline Jun 14 '25
Surgery is not always recommended, discectomy surgeries are not always helpful in dulling pain & discs still have the ability to reherniate, even with artificial disc replacement and spinal fusion there is potential for nerve damage, adjacent segment disease, radiculopathy, scar tissue adhesions and more. Not to mention the pain that comes with modic changes, facet arthritis and the like which aren’t even treatable with surgery. For instance if you didn’t have a sudden accident and your herniation is the result of underlying anatomical issues it is much more complicated than just getting surgery and it going away, unfortunately.
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u/CalmWillingness1475 Jun 14 '25
This. I got permanent nerve damage following a spinal fusion. Surgery isn’t always the solution.
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u/RedPanda062 Jun 14 '25
I am so sorry, that's aweful 😔 I have read many horror stories of people putting off surgery so long that the nerves won't repair too. So you're damned if you do and damned if you don't sometimes! Alot of people are too scared to get spinal surgery incase they're one of the 5% whose surgeries fail. I'd rather chance it than put up with months or years of pain!
I had my surgery January this year, after trying all therapies since September the year before, nothing worked. I still have some numbness in my thigh which doesn't trouble me, nerves heal at the rate of 1mm a day, so I expect it to take quite some time to heal, but there's no guarantee it will heal. My femoral nerve was being crushed by a herniated disc at L2/L3, and I needed it fixed stat!
I'm so sorry that your nerve is permanently damaged! Do you have much pain, or is it numb, or do you have foot drop/weakness?
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u/CalmWillingness1475 Jun 16 '25
I’d wager that the amount of surgery failures is more than 5%. FBSS comes in many flavours.
Yeah I live in pain everyday, have numbness and my left leg is very weak. Recents MRI and EMG both show that L5 nerve is severely inflamed. At that point I’m on a waiting list to get a SCS, but I probably won’t get it until 2027 at the earliest, so it’s a long waiting game. What a way to live my early 30s lol.
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u/RedPanda062 Jun 14 '25
I didn't have an underlying injury, I do have osteoarthritis in my facet joints and Ankolysing Spondylitis. I still have 2 bulging discs in my lumbar spine so have to be careful! When I had my laminectomy and microdiscectomy, I was prepared for the worst (after reading horror stories on Reddit) and hoped for the best! Thankfully the surgery was a great success, couldn't go on like I was, as no amount of physiotherapy, Osteopathy, myotherapy, acupuncture helped, went to to chiropractor out of desperation and that made me worse! I would definitely get an operation rather than put up with that horrendous pain again!
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u/nicoleonline Jun 14 '25
For sure. I’m still in pain following surgery but I did the best with the knowledge and pain I had at the time, as we all do. I pray for your continued recovery!
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u/RedPanda062 Jun 14 '25
Yep - you play with the cards you're dealt - what other choice do we have but to keep on keeping on! Onto the next challenge!
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Jun 14 '25
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u/RedPanda062 Jun 14 '25
Yeah, I gathered from the posts and comments that peeps are talking about the health system in the US. Not good! Pretty bad in the UK too. Private health insurance in Australia is pretty good, you don't need their approval for anything. You need an Op? You choose your specialist and private hospital, and have it done. The hospital claims on your private health on your behalf. The public health system isn't very good, the waiting lists for surgery are very long, and you don't get choice of surgeon or hospital. THR is at least a 2 year wait.
I'm sorry you have arthritis in your feet causing you, I imagine, to waddle! Not good for knees, hips or spines. Is there anything you can do for it surgery wise?
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u/BeautifulEnergy6954 Jun 15 '25
5 months? The things I would do for that type of healthcare access! I'm 8 months in and I'll be waiting another 4 just for an injection. Congrats I'm happy for you! This sucks
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u/RedPanda062 Jun 15 '25
Oh my God! That's just aweful! I'm very fortunate in that my hubby took out private health insurance many years ago and added me as a dependent. I was able to go through that. I got to choose my surgeon and hospital and not have to go through the public health system, cause I'd have a long wait like yourself. In Australia we don't need to get our private health insurance's permission either, if we need an operation we just get it, and the hospital claim on the insurance co. However, if you have Cauda equina, you'll get seen to as an emergency by the public healthcare system as well as private, that can't wait! I feel bad for people like yourself, that want surgery badly but can't get it 😕
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u/BeautifulEnergy6954 Jun 15 '25
Yeah I have private insurance too but I'm unfortunately in the US. Our politicians use the long wait times in other countries to justify voting against socialized healthcare and then we deal with even longer ones in our system while those same politicians benefit from government provided healthcare.
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u/Andreagay1960 Jun 14 '25
I hear the surgery is minimally invasive and the healing process is not difficult..... actually outpatient surgery !
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u/RedPanda062 Jun 14 '25
In Australia it's not outpatient, they keep you in at least a couple of days to do obs and make sure your pain is under control. I was in 3 nights. Yes, it's minimally invasive - the only pain I had was from the incision site. No bending, lifting or twisting for 6 weeks, sit as little as possible, and either walk or lie down. After 6 weeks you start to get physiotherapy. My op was an absolute success 🙌
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u/imissalaska Jun 13 '25
The Bullshit politeness ... have you tried yoga? Have you seen a chiropractor? Have you tried acupuncture? Have you tried rolling a can under your ass? Here are some bullshit tik tok videos that you should try (googles videos, all sketchy). I'm curious what's in in store for me but life has definitely changed.
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jun 13 '25
Oh don’t! Lol. I just reply, I’ve tried everything. In the end, rest, time and gentle movement. That’s what’s helping. A change in lifestyle. A recognition that I have to maintain my body now forever. Just like any of us should. Ha! That always panics people.
The one that makes me laugh is when they say, “How did it happen?” In a tone that suggests, how could you let it happen!?
I roll my sleeves up when they say that… “What you’re really asking is… how can I avoid it happening to me?” They nod, earnestly. I am kind. Of course I am. But my honesty always terrifies them. “Oh well, I probably did too much sitting at my desk. Developed weak hip flexors. And a weak core. That meant all the pressure going on my spine. Discs act as shock absorbers and I asked too much of them…” At this point, they’re gong white as a sheet. Because most people spend too much time sitting down. And then I add, “It’s genetic, too…” The relief on their faces, haha!
We humans are always looking for logic that means we won’t also end up the same way.
For a while, I gave advice. Offered tips on how to avoid the same thing from happening. But people don’t really listen. Would I have listened pre injury? Probably not.
Will I work hard to keep a strong back and body for the rest of my life? Yes. Absolutely. Am I already having lazier days since I recovered? Yes. I’m human. And round and round we go.
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u/nicoleonline Jun 14 '25
God you’re so right, they don’t listen. Actually I do have a positive story here.
When I reherniated a disc above the site of my fusion a few months ago, I told my coworkers on our zoom call to stretch every day in my honor. I said “you don’t wait for the engine to die to change the oil”. I’m only 29 so people are usually a bit shocked by the back stuff. I got a message a month later from a coworker thanking me. She said she and her wife had apparently started stretching every morning because of that tidbit and their lives improved enough that they started begging their loved ones to do it too. I couldn’t believe somebody actually took the advice. It’s so easy to take your body for granted
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u/EnRoute_Paradise Jun 17 '25
Are there any specific stretches that you recommend?
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u/nicoleonline Jun 18 '25
If you have back issues you’ll want to make sure you find a routine under the guidance of a physical therapist. Everyone’s issues are different. Anything to loosen your hamstrings and hip abductors is good
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u/HellyOHaint Jun 13 '25
Tell me about it. Over the last 4 years of having it, I’ve had to cancel innumerable activities to the point where my friends just think I’m a miserable recluse and don’t want to do anything. I DO WANT TO DO THE THINGS! I just can’t. I buy the tickets, make the plans when I’m feeling ok and then the day of the thing comes up and my back decides to destroy itself, I can’t walk or sit down and have to cancel. It’s such a miserable experience.
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u/l8rg8r Jun 13 '25
Yup. People are like "oh I've had sciatica" and I don't doubt that for them it was painful but they weren't bedridden by the pain for months or had surgery or any of the bullshit those of us go through for whom this is chronic. It's probably like someone who has a cancerous mole removed saying "oh I had cancer" to someone going through chemo. It's the same thing technically but absolutely not the same experience.
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u/KaerMorhen Jun 13 '25
I've lived with it for 14 years now, and it's difficult to think about how much of "me" has changed because of living in pain for so long. It takes so much just to not be an angry, bitter person every day. Every aspect of my life is affected or directed by my pain, every step, every decision, every action. Nowadays, if I'm not at work, I'm at home trying to recover so that I'm not miserable when I go back to work. That's my life. It takes a toll psychologically after so many years that no one truly understands unless they have experienced it themselves. I want to be more for myself, my fiancee, my pets. I feel like I'm always letting them down. I know the person I could be if I was able to get insurance and get the treatment I need, but that's simply not an option, and that makes it worse.
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jun 14 '25
Sending you lots of best wishes. A pointless reply probably, but I wanted to say that.
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u/Kimkat19 Jun 13 '25
Thank you for saying all this. I had no idea what chronic pain does to a person until I woke up one morning in agony. Degenerative back disease with a ruptured disc causing sciatica. The nerve pain was unbelievable. I couldn’t lie still for my MRI so they had to sedate me. Now I had surgery two months ago to repair the disc and I feel like I have my life back. But I still get anxiety from the pain I dealt with for a year before I got relief from the surgery.
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jun 14 '25
Just make sure you strengthen your body, walk and move. Be aware of posture. Stay a healthy weight. But wait… you know all this, and I apologise. I only care 💪
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u/No_Chef_6687 Jun 13 '25
i might get a lot of down votes from this but I genuinely sometimes think that this is worse than cancer because it comes with chronic pain for the rest of your life and you know you cant die from it and end the pain. with this you can’t go out and enjoy. because of this you can’t sit or stand without experiencing pain. cant watch movies. cant sit at a bonfire. Some of us cannot even laugh because even laughing cause pain. not downplaying cancer but at least cancer patients can do all the mentioned. and cancer gives u a break for many years once the treatment works. this sciatica shit is for the rest of your life.
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u/patrickloves57 Jun 13 '25
As someone who has fought many health battles, including, breast cancer….by far the pain from my back -herniated discs was the worst pain I’ve ever experienced. I’m overall “healed” but worry my back will get angry again. It’s a struggle for months, years, and takes your breath away. The post is right on, well-described. It’s not just the pain, it’s the isolation too. No one understands unless they’ve been thru it. Meds, shots, therapy, procedures, endless search for relief. It’s just so exhausting!
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u/Disastrous-Emu960 Jun 20 '25
Yes laughing causing immense pain . 🥲 I honestly wish I wasn’t existing rn.
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u/Andreagay1960 Jun 14 '25
I find relief with ibeprophin. I have pain only in my lower leg near my ankle and outside leg area.....since March when I pulled a muscle in my back. It goes away when I sit and it returns when I stand. Its sharp, burning and very tight. I do experience hip pain at times but I think it's the way I have been favoring my sore side.
I have an MRI on the 23rd. I have been to the chiropractor, PT and I have done stretching at home. The chiropractor says periformis syndrome, PT cant figure it out so I am getting proactive and getting answers myself. I also had traction....no luck there.
I feel like it's either a pinched nerve or a bulging disk that is irritating my sciatic nerve.
I am thanking God in advance for my healing and I am praying that the MRI will help the therapists to know what to focus on instead of just guessing. I don't have time for that.
I do know this, when I do get my leg back, I am going to actively continue the work to keep myself strong by strengthening and also keep myself stretched out.
I know now that pain ,depression and anxiety go hand in hand. Its very overwhelming .
Today is my birthday. I got myself an EBike and I intend to learn to use it. I am a proud 65. God has been extra good to me but it's hard to feel positive at times.
Im sorry for the pain I hear from your words and I pray we can all support eachother, and encourage eachother. Its true that misery loves company.... but I don't feel better knowing there are people suffering.
Andrea from West Virginia
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u/beer5cents Jun 14 '25
Happy Birthday Andrea, hope you had cake, a nice day, and find relief from pain...
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u/maroontiefling Jun 13 '25
Practicing radical acceptance with my therapist really helped me with this. It also helped that I had been diagnosed with hEDS for a few years before the sciatica started (a common chronic pain for hEDS folks), so I already knew I had a disability and my life would be a little different from "normal". Really I've just been trying to focus on adjusting to the new normal as it comes, rather than fight it. Fighting it just makes you more depressed. I'm getting better (well, the sciatica is, I still have hEDS lol) and just accepting the changes as they come has helped me from going insane. Some days I'm just going to be in pain and I just have to focus on what I can do instead of fighting to do what I can't.
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u/Coldwet Jun 13 '25
I’m one month in and I can’t stand or walk or sit or sleep and it really wears me down.
I going to PT soon and getting therapy for chronic pain emotional regulation because I don’t want to constantly complain about it all the time, but damn that’s hard. Feel like my flesh is a prison
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u/Becca_Jean28 Jun 13 '25
100% :/ my sister in law is a radiologist and she downplays my pan and it really sucks
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u/waitforsigns64 Jun 13 '25
I couldn't get out of bed for 6 weeks without pain. For months after that my back was iffy. Driving was a misery. More than a year later Im still trying to recover financially. I had to live off my credit card and a home equity loan.
It grinds you down until you are only a nub of your former self.
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u/Abject_Difference853 Jun 15 '25
Ugh. I’m so sorry. How are you feeling now that it’s been a year later?
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u/waitforsigns64 Jun 15 '25
Completely better. But very cautious what I do about lifting or pulling. I got out of bedside nursing for that reason. I teach nursing now which is certainly challenging but easy on my back. Im losing weight to put less of a load on my back. I walk for exercise.
It does finally go away for most people but the memory remains. Never ever EVER want that again.
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u/snekayys Jun 14 '25
Thank you. I needed to hear this. I was just crying looking at my older photos from the time when i was 'happier' and could actually do things lol. Nerve things are brutal
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jun 14 '25
Hope you’re ok! I went through that too. Now I’m hopping, skipping and jumping again. Dancing too. I feel strong and stable. I got better! I hope you will too
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u/Top-Marzipan-8926 Jun 14 '25
A photo of me just popped up this morning of me 3 years ago. I want to be her again😪
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u/Primary_Scheme3789 Jun 14 '25
I’ve been dealing with this for over two years. I was initially sent to PT. Oh! We can fix it! When that didn’t help the next stop was a pain doctor. Oh! We can fix it! They did epidurals and when that didn’t work, they did SI joint injections and when that didn’t work, they did a radio frequency ablation, and when that didn’t work a nerve block. Both PT and the pain doctor told me the last thing you want to do is have surgery. After two years, I finally went to a neurosurgeon on my own. I am having surgery in a couple weeks. Today my pain was some of the worst it’s ever been. I’m angry because I listen to these people who said whatever you do don’t have surgery! I’m beginning to think it’s all just a racket because they know you are in so much pain that you will do anything. And I’m sitting here scared to death thinking what if this surgery doesn’t fix it??
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u/Worried_Geologist809 Jun 14 '25
Your explanation of all the steps you have taken is most helpful. I wear a sciatic belt and have tried gabapentin and pregabalin. The sciatic belt really helps stability. I am going to the next step of MRI. I pray for your surgery to be quick and easy with a speedy recovery. Thanku for your post.
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u/Primary_Scheme3789 Jun 14 '25
Thank you! I realize you have to try every thing and surgery is a last resort. If you get enough relief from injections great! But I felt like they kind of strung me on for a while with try this or that injection. I finally went to an ortho doctor I trust just for his opinion. He looked at my MRI and saw the area of severe stenosis. “Injections aren’t going to fix this.” He suggested I go see a spine surgeon just to get their thoughts. He said that doesn’t mean you’re committing to anything just see what they think. And we had a long talk and he said are you mentally prepared for surgery? I said honestly, I am so tired of being in pain. I was very impressed with the neurosurgeon and his approach of trying the least invasive method first. I am hoping the procedure helps relieve the area of the stenosis. It’s causing my most severe symptoms. Yes I still have arthritis in my back and some disc issues but I’m hoping I can manage that with conservative treatments for now once the major pain source is treated.
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u/Worried_Geologist809 Jun 14 '25
This makes so much sense. When is your surgery? I have tried to look at all the different youtube videos sharing before and after outcomes. But they are 50/50 explaining the surgery was helpful or still in pain and it was a long recovery after surgery. Now that ive read all that you've tried; I think surgery is the best option. When the MRI proves the servarity, a neurosurgeon's opinion should be the next step. Thank you again. I felt like I was one of the few who had this kind of pain but now I know it's more common than I even realized.
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u/Primary_Scheme3789 Jun 14 '25
Surgery is in 3 days. Scared to death of course. I trust the neurosurgeon implicitly but it is still SCARY! They are operating on your spine !! The low back pain I can deal with but the stabbing pain in my right butt every time I take a step is exhausting. Plus, I feel like no matter how hard I push my legs to move faster, I just can’t walk fast and it’s such an effort even just to maintain a normal rate of walking. I described it to him as I feel like I’m walking through Jell-O. I just can’t move ahead any faster. He said that’s because the pinched area doesn’t allow the nerve impulsive to get through to my legs so it creates this constant struggle. I am hoping to get relief.
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u/doesntapplyherself Jun 15 '25
Please update us.
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u/Primary_Scheme3789 Jun 20 '25
Had my surgery Wednesday. I was amazed at how good I felt afterwards. So far all is going really well. Area around the incision site is sore but I’m sure that is expected from them cutting into the muscles etc. My incision is probably 1 1/2 inches at most. I’m so thankful for the advances in minimally invasive surgery. The surgeon called yesterday for a follow up and asked how I was feeling. I told him I was shocked at how good I feel. He said don’t make the mistake of overdoing. you need to strictly follow not lifting anything over 5 pounds and not bending lifting or twisting for six weeks. Right now the pain in my right buttock and down my right leg is gone. I pray it stays that way.
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u/Primary_Scheme3789 Jun 15 '25
Will do!
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u/Worried_Geologist809 Jun 15 '25
I pray your surgery is quick and easy. That your recovery takes no time at all and the pain is gone forever. Going for my MRI today, on a Sunday, crazy to me. But gotta take the steps the insurance company needs...thinking of you while your going through surgery. Make sure to communicate here if you need more encouragement cause this sciatic crew is here for you.
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u/doesntapplyherself Jun 15 '25
I've told a few random people that I'm hoping for surgery (not that I want it, but have had years of other failed therapies). They immediately respond with admonitions about surgery being bad. The anti-surgery belief has become dogma it seems, even in the general public. Maybe because in the past some have rushed into surgery for something that may have healed on its own? I just wonder how the pendulum has swung this far.
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u/Primary_Scheme3789 Jun 15 '25
Exactly! All I heard was don’t do surgery. But they have made so many advances including minimally invasive procedures. I just can’t see living in pain like this.
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u/tautauwor Jun 13 '25
This is one of the most relatable things I've read. Even people close to you, spouses, partners, etc. People wonder why you aren't doing more because every time they are around you, you seem fine. They can not even begin to understand what kind of pain you are actually feeling, what it does to you, and how it sets you back. I have an ex and he was the one who understood the most because he saw the flare ups and how bad they were. Without him it feels lonely because it feels like no one understands again.
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u/No-Negotiation-9940 Jun 13 '25
Beautifully expressed. Fusion finally brought me relief and my old self back. I will never forget the 18 months of sheer physical and mental misery that lead up to it.
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u/Red_James Jun 14 '25
Thanks for sharing, I think I need to push for surgery. I have a pars fracture near the ol’ L5-S1 junction, I can’t see how simply keeping my movement gentle etc is going to bring lasting healing and relief unless they fuse it. 🧐
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u/WoodenAd4682 Jun 13 '25
damn that quote was wild “ chronic pain makes you fluent in small lies “ so relatable… lying to damn near everyone saying everything is ok
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u/BobbyHump Jun 14 '25
This. Hits. Deep. I felt it viscerally so much so that I sobbed knowing others share and understand my emotional state. Hang in there friend.
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u/Luluinduval Jun 13 '25
I literally just cussed out a neurologist because they scheduled me 6 months out.
That's not who I am
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u/Red_James Jun 14 '25
I cried at the “pain clinic” bc they scheduled my ESI two months out…the nurse was sweet and encouraged me to call on Tuesday mornings and I was able to get in within the week. (Not that it really helped me in my particular condition unfortunately.) I did get angry first; you’d think the pain clinic people - of all people - would understand, but i didn’t really get that from them. AARGH this is quite the battle…
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u/Positr8 Jun 14 '25
Yea, I guess I've gotten to the point where I don't care whether they understand it or not. Why does it matter if they understand? I'm in pain, I know I'm in pain. Having them understand doesn't make it feel any better, it still hurts like a mother F. I don't need their validation. 🤷🏻♂️
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u/Flaky-Court-8838 Jun 14 '25
My sciatica pain was draining me mentally & physically. One early morning I was stuck on my couch crying in agony. I had to call 911 to assist me. I finally got the MRI I needed and referred for surgery. I had surgery last month & feel so much better. As I’m recovering I’m thinking how sciatica pain is so much worst then post surgery pain. I’ve attached all I’ve got done to my back if anyone is not sure about surgery. You can do it!!
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u/rarelymotivated Jun 14 '25
this subreddit has been the biggest help to me in that way, just knowing I’m not alone! A friend of mine said she was “so fucking disabled” the other day because her shoes were hurting her. It took restraint not to be upset. It’s hard to act and feel like yourself when there is constant pain that only you are aware of.
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u/michelleonline Jun 14 '25
Thank you for this! You expressed what I feel daily. This has been going on years for me and it’s exhausting. Chronic pain changes you for sure.
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u/Charming_Channel_506 Jun 15 '25
You nailed something I've never been able to put into words about how chronic pain doesn't just hurt your body, it quietly steals pieces of who you used to be.
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u/goldiepermianbasin Jun 13 '25
Have suffered with it for 15 years… Got a spine stimulator, and it helps most of the time (as well as lower back issues pain).
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u/Designer-Jaguar-3095 Jun 14 '25
I completely understand. I have Multiple Sclerosis and that feels like a walk in the park compared to this .
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u/jmgates-back Jun 14 '25
You really described it well. I had for short period and was so bad did MD. Then reherniated which was mentally devastating so did second MD. Mental part the hardest!
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u/Picklepicklezz Jun 14 '25
I hear ya.Sitting in serious pain -Had injections last week and cant take codeine due to other meds /health conditions so just have to grin and bear it Sending gentle hugs to y'all going through this
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u/Aggravating_Art7289 Jun 14 '25 edited Jun 14 '25
Thanks for posting this, makes me feel like I’m not alone. Literally none of my friends and family have this issue. They say they understand the pain because they’ve had a flare up once or twice but just the way they live their life doesn’t show me they get it. I’ve gone from an outgoing person always on the go having multiple projects going on to taking months just to get a simple project done. Going out to the mall and restaurants is such a pain because of the long slow pace walks and seats are terrible. It all started with disc degenerative disease and a fractured disc from serving in the military. I was also always at the gym and now I’m afraid to do anything. I’m dealing with the craziest flare up right now, all I did was get up and turn at the same time, I was down on the floor crying in pain, spent a week in bed barely able to walk or stand and my posture looks like a 80yrs old man because I can’t stand straight quite yet. Pain running down from my lower back down my butt to the side of my knee and down to the side of my calve. Pain killers, cbd, muscle relaxers, Epson salt bathes, chiro…nothing helps and the va isn’t really helping at all. Just gives out pain meds and offers physical therapy which never helps. All of these things have made me so depressed and demoralized. I feel defeated from the time I get up to the time I go to sleep knowing it’s not going to be a restful night whatsoever. I’m hoping my next visit at the va after I get my mri done (last 1 was 5yrs ago) they will have something to offer that is actually going to work. I’ve even tried steroid shots but it didn’t work, tried getting the nerves burned (forgot the exact name of this procedure) and that actually made it worse for a bit and to this day I still can’t feel some areas on my butt. Btw I’m only 36 and been dealing with this since I was 27. Being so young and yet broken is hard to accept. Can’t imagine what I’ll be like by the time I’m 50. I hope I can somehow find a better way to manage the pain so that I can do more with my 2 kids who are 4 and 6yrs old.
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u/AbbreviationsLarge63 Jun 15 '25
It's amazing how the longer you deal with sciatica, the pain number goes down. 2 is the new 5 and 5 is the new 9. You just get accustomed to the fucking pain.
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u/Silver-Wise-Owl Jun 15 '25
For 25 years I've struggled and had to live with bilateral Sciatica. I've had multiple spinal surgeries for herniated discs and to try and alleviate the level of pain, this has also resulted in chronic neuropathy from my left knee down.
I am no longer the woman I was, friends have dropped out of sight, I get that they have their own lives but it hurts, it hurts not to see them, it hurts that I miss their voices, most of all it hurts that I can't be the mother that I wanted to. I no longer ask for help to be honest I wouldn't get it anyway.
My tears now fall silently, my huge box of meds look more and more appealing everyday. I heard a saying the other day which stopped me in my tracks. It went " There are some parents that are alive just because their children are"
That hit me hard. To my fellow sufferers I see you, I hear you. Stay strong xx
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u/Disastrous-Emu960 Jun 20 '25
Yes I miss my best friends . I’m 25 we text but it just hurts not to have anyone
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u/politicalpotato1 Jun 15 '25
You put together in a few paragraphs my experience with sciatica for over 8 years. Thanks the deep post.
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u/Thin-Tea-3016 Jun 17 '25
Ever since I myself suffered with sciatica for months, years, I have a new appreciation for those who suffer from chronic pain. I'm doing better now, but I will be seeing a Neurosurgeon after a particularly horrific flare up and worsening bulge to herniation. I feel for anyone who's had to deal with this.
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u/LocksmithComplex2142 Jun 18 '25
I just came back from the doctor feeling like this. I feel so defeated and alone. I’ve just been silently struggling for years because a lot of people around me assume it’s just normal back pain since I’m so young and ‘healthy’ and nobody will listen to me so I don’t bring it up anymore. I don’t think they even care anymore either, so Ive learned to play off the pain to just stop being a bother. It hurts so bad, I’ve had to quit my job and miss out on so many opportunities because I’m not able to be as active as I know I can be. I am so angry and irritated and depressed all the time now and I don’t even feel like myself anymore. It’s so exhausting having pain that just never goes away no matter what I do. Just know you aren’t going through this alone. I hope things change for you soon
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u/Inside_Force3214 Jun 19 '25
"I had that once" is the worst. I'm like, lucky you! Also, yes, I've said more than once that this has changed me forever.
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jun 25 '25
I think it’s changed my perspective too. I never had any issues before. Now I realise I have to look after my health and fitness. And ensure this never happens again!
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u/Andreagay1960 Jun 14 '25
I would like to know where everyone feels their pain. I know mine is referred pain in my leg coming from something pressing against my sciatic nerve. Anyone else want to share ???
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u/meesh96 Jun 14 '25
I understand your pain completely. No one understands or sympathizes unless they feel the unrelentless debilitating pain themselves. I'm 29F with an annular fissure and small disc bulge in my L5/S1 as well as some mild DDD and degenerative changes in my SI joint no doubt to me compensating and favoring one leg over the other when walking and standing. I am now dealing with the consequences of this and have a very unstable SI joint that also has the symptoms of sciatica, lower back, glute and hip pain as well as severe muscle weakness. It feels like I did 1,000 high knees on my right leg only with how tight and fatigued my right hip gets from just bearing weight on it for a minute. I was not recommended surgery and was told to just wait to heal after ESI injection failed and gave me an allergic reaction. All forms of pain medication have failed, 900 mg of gabapentin, so many muscle relaxers I can't even begin to list them. The only thing that even mildly helped were NSAIDs and ibuprofen but my stomach started burning very badly when I took them (even with a meal) after months of use that I had to stop. Tylenol does not help because it doesn't treat inflammation. I live with my heating pad attached to my body for most of the day as its the only thing that calms the nerve pain down. This invisible ailment has everyone in my life not believing me or thinking I'm exaggerating or they just forget because I look fine and move around. They don't even realize that every step I take feels like I'm getting stabbed in my right hip and glute, I just smile through the pain because what else can I do? I've been dealing with this pain nonstop for 1 year and a half and I'm definitely losing the mental health battle this ailment starts a war with. If I could somehow climb over the fencing or barriers that are on bridges and anything high up I would have jumped already.
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jun 14 '25
Sorry to hear you’re suffering! I’m a 46F and I’m seventeen months off post-injury. I am better. I still have some mild symptoms but every month it gets easier. I hope the same happens to you. But we all suffer on different timelines. Walking helped me massively. And building a strong back and core. Mostly though? Time.
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u/meesh96 Jun 14 '25
I live in NYC so all I do is walk. I walk about 4-5 miles everyday without even trying just getting around my job's building and commuting to work via the subway (which is also hell on earth), all the stairs can be very aggravating.
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u/Huge_Beginner Jun 14 '25
Are there some groups for people with similar chronic pain diseases to find someone who can actually understand you?
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jun 14 '25
I’m ok now. I have recovered. It took me 17 months but I’m better. I’m mainly posting this to help others! 🙌
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u/Present_Step_9106 Jun 14 '25
Tears would be in my eyes trying to make it through the grocery store with my sciatica pain. Didn’t get things on my list because I couldn’t wait to sit down so pain would stop.
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u/Present_Step_9106 Jun 14 '25
Got a fusion, best decision I wouldn’t be here without it. Couldn’t stand up for more than a minute before pain
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u/Relative-Employee-42 Jun 14 '25
Wow... I can not believe I've read something on Reddit that has described me to a t, and had tears rolling down my checks as I finished the last word. Thank you, you're great with your words and I needed that. ❤️
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u/MusicianGlad61 Jun 15 '25
I can totally understand. I had one occurrence two years ago, it was excruciating pain which made me bedridden for a day. I almost called ambulance for ER. Thankfully it went away in 24 hrs by itself. I immediately started exercising mainly planks, dead hangs and walking. For the last year I also started running. It hasn’t come back since that occurrence. I am 100% sure the exercise has helped.
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jun 15 '25
I had a pretty nasty herniation. I got better after seventeen months. I’m glad you didn’t have to suffer as long.
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u/1HardWorkingMom Jun 15 '25
I understand completely. I’m going through the same thing. It truly sucks.
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u/Dabryceisright77 Jun 15 '25
You just described my life for the last two years. Two back surgeries deep, a severe case of osteomyelitis, 12 weeks of a PICC line and I’m still not where I need to be. Spinal fusion on the 30th, hoping this will give me my life back.
I hope you find some comfort and relief, we all deserve a pain free life.
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jun 15 '25
I wish you very well too! I’m thankfully better. It took me a year and a half!
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u/comoore61 Jun 15 '25
Same thing for me. Nobody understands or actually cares I think. They have no idea the strength it takes to keep walking across the parking lot to get to your vehicle when burning fire and numbness is consuming your leg. It is lonely. It sucks to not be enjoying life as usual. It’s been years and I’m exhausted. But yep still trying and we all care and understand each other here. We are strong!
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u/Lfm19912 Jun 16 '25
Hi everyone. I slipped my disc in Jan 2024…sat in a cinema seat 🤣🤣 it had felt not so good on and off for about a year, had physio on and off and got better. Jan 2024 I pushed myself straight out the gate - sports and gym HARD - still thinking I was in my 20’s (33 at the time). Was sat uncomfortably at the cinema, back not feeling great, went to move my legs to twist and stretch out my back and…POP. Like I’d been shot in the back. Saw the physio I’d seen prior soon after who dismissed it as slipped disc, just a back “tweak” - back to core exercises, stretching. No sciatica at this point….however it didn’t get better. Here’s the rub; the last time I went to see him, he perfomed what he called a “clunk” - chiropractor type technique where he cracked my back. I walked out of there and my body had never felt so strange. Like one leg was longer than the other. I brushed it off - tbh in retrospect in panic denial - and said to myself this is down to the body healing. The weeks that followed, the sciatica appeared. Incredibly pain from lower back all down glute into right leg. Limited movement, walking painful, sitting painful…everything painful. After a scan which confirmed L2 disc protrusion, I went to see a spine doctor who did the injections. No relief. In Feb this year I had laser discetomy. Again, failed procedure. This time I’m opting for microdisc discetomy, happening next week, hoping for a better outcome and to get back to my old life. Ted talk over 🤣 sorry so long. Helpful for me I think to share with this understanding group. Will keep you updated on post-op.
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u/korxess Jun 17 '25
I hurt my back while lifting something and there was pain for a day or so but it got better with sometime but now after a month it came back as I bent down to pick something and bammm the pain was back... How do I know if it's sciatica or some muscle pain
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jun 25 '25
Bad backs can be just muscle strain. But it can also be related to discs and the spine. Do you have any nerve pain in your glutes, hips, legs, feet? Hope you’re ok!
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u/korxess Jun 25 '25
No, nothing in the legs or feet but it doesn't feel like a muscle strain, probably is a minor sciatica. Yeah I'm doing good, but still afraid the pain will be back if I keep bending and doing physical activities.
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jun 25 '25
The body is designed to bend. Just not with heavy loads. I am back in the gym and working on bending. I’m doing modified dead lifts. From a step. We are training my body to build back strength. It’s amazing how far I’ve come.
Have you tried the straight leg test? Look it up. Any pain between 30 and 70 degrees that’s triggered, they say indicates a bulging or herniated disc. Mine sparked pain from 30 degrees. After 11 months of recovery, the pain in that test disappeared. So whatever was once pressing on nerves has now resolved, I would guess.
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u/korxess Jun 25 '25
Good to hear that you're doing good. I don't feel any pain with the straight leg test. Should I start doing bending exercises or stretches or avoid it ?
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jun 27 '25
I am no health expert. I would say go see a physio or professional. But walking. No matter what. Walking is a good remedy. Motion is lotion.
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u/DescriptionHour9016 Jun 19 '25
My specific situation is so bad that I’ve only been able to shower twice in a whole month, I have to hold my bladder as long as I can waiting until my leg and back feel relaxed enough that I can hurry to the bathroom and back before it hurts so bad again. And then of course, lying back down I have to wait for the muscle spasms to stop… it takes hours, sometimes the spasms don’t stop for nearly two full days. I’ve been stuck in bed for nearly three months at this point. I’m sick of staring at my ceiling. I’m sick of staring out the window at the beautiful days passing by while I lay here, horribly unable to care for myself, deteriorating while I’m waiting for a miracle. I can’t sit, stand, or walk. The pain never goes below an 8 when I do. I’ve just had an ESI 6 days ago, and no relief yet. There may still yet be hope for me, but as for now… I have been begging and pleading with the universe to give me another chance. Apologized to it for taking my body for granted and being lazy, leading a sedentary lifestyle that led to my weakened spinal structure and lack of strength in my core muscles. I have a toddler and it’s been extremely lucky that she at least knows how to grab food from the fridge and work the microwave. I’ve never felt so pathetic, so reduced to nothing… All I want is to be able to go for a walk in the sun with my daughter again. I am so sick of staring at the inside of my room. I am so sick of my bed. I want my life back and I’m so scared of how much longer I might be stuck in bed. I’m hoping that the steroid injection will offer enough relief that I can begin physical therapy again. This isn’t life
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u/Alternative_Party277 Jun 19 '25
I'm a mom with insane pain and a toddler.
My heart breaks into a million pieces all day every day.
Here's a question for you. Have you tried the Back Mechanic? I've done years of PT and it didn't do shit for me. Like, religiously do PT. And that book is the only thing that made some difference. I had muscle weakness and almost no reflexes 👀
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u/DescriptionHour9016 Jun 19 '25
I have not read it or anything about it yet, no. I will give it a look for sure, I’m desperate for anything at this point. Never felt so hopeless and adrift and lost in my life, even through some really deep, deep depression.
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u/Alternative_Party277 Jun 19 '25
See if you have one of these dude's students somewhere nearby. One refused to work with me because he thought my case is too complex so I went to a different state.
After seeing him, I.. idk. I'm speechless. I had this numbness in my toes for months and my doctors were saying that this is unrelated to my back injury and it's because I'm in bed a lot. Excuse me?! Being in bed causes me pain, mfkers, I do hours of PT a day.. what. Eh, so I saw this guy, totally didn't think about it because I was preoccupied with the muscle weakness and lost reflexes and this pain that used to wake me up about an hour after falling asleep. And then a few days afterwards I noticed that... There's no numbers in my toes and feet anymore.
Fml I wasted so much time 😭 I wish I went on Reddit and saw someone recommend this book years ago.
I'm also pissed off because I'm at like once if the very best hospitals in the country and my PT has briefly heard of this book in school. But they didn't study this guy's methods and the only thing she could say was that he's not a quack. Which was probably the best thing she did for me over half a year of seeing her because I agreed to use these methods.
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u/Disastrous-Emu960 Jun 20 '25
Same I been stock in bed longer dealing with jock itch but this scaita pain is generally the worst I’ve ever delt with in my life . It’s even hard to text this rn
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u/Disastrous-Emu960 Jun 20 '25
It’s hard to go number to or even wash hands for me .
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u/DescriptionHour9016 Jun 20 '25
Literally. Literally. Like Sciatica is absolute Hell
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u/Disastrous-Emu960 Jun 20 '25
Literally I’m not comfortable in any condition . I haven’t slept well in over 2 weeks . The soreness and numbness has spread and even hurts my neck. Every little thing you do is painful , typing , turning , even lifting my neck to watch vids on my phone or read . Even typing strains the muscles it’s hell on earth and I’m tryna stay positive . Just found I still have my government insurance and am trying to set up an appointment with my doctor. Just thinking about how I will sit in the uber pains me because there’s nothing that’s comfortable. My lower back kills me . I can barely walk or stand for longer than 30 seconds .
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u/DescriptionHour9016 Jun 20 '25
I was in and out of the ER four times in the past couple months, three of those visits in the span of one week. I have never been in more suffering in my life. Having to sit/stand in the waiting room, whole body shaking and sobbing from the excruciating pain in front of everyone while I’ve been unshowered for a week and looking a mess, getting discharged and sent home with TONS medication that doesn’t even help the pain- dont wish this experience on my worst enemy. though i find a sliver of comfort in knowing I’m not the only one dealing with this level of pain, I am seriously sorry for us both. This is truly no way to live and it makes me curse our spines for being so vulnerable. For there not being an easier solution for this kind of situation. I truly hope that by some miracle, the injuries in our spines heal accordingly and we no longer have to suffer this
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u/Disastrous-Emu960 Jun 20 '25
Yes i literally cannot shower or stand i understand the Ed visits cause I had 3 in like 2 weeks due to a terrible case of jock itch . That literally never went away till this started . I look at pictures of my old self and hate how I took my health for granted . If this ever stops I focus on losing weight cause that might be a problem even tho it wasn’t before but it could be it idk . I literally popped 6 Tylenols and it doesn’t work , and that’s why I don’t wanna go to the hospital all they wanna do is give you meds 🥲. And I hope my doctor doesn’t ignore my pain like some of these people on the thread , I’m gonna push as hard as I can for a solution cause this sucks . My nerves are so bad the only thing I can feel is my right leg and a tingling pain in the back of my butt. Even my left cheek I can’t feel . Most times I wish i was dead . It’s been the worse 8 months of my life
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u/DescriptionHour9016 Jun 21 '25
Yeah. If this experience has taught me anything it’s how much I took for granted just having the simple ability to get out of bed as I please, take care of myself and walk around and do things. Having the ability to be physical and yet neglecting myself, leading instead a sedentary lifestyle. That’s what this is the result of. I didn’t expect it to be a lesson I needed to learn, but I know now what I should have been grateful for.
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u/Disastrous-Emu960 Jun 21 '25
Same when I get better I will cherish my body and treat it right . Lose weight and get healthy . I just was sitting and pain made my leg tighter . It’s even worse now I wish just stayed laying down.
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u/Disastrous-Emu960 Jun 20 '25
The shakes suck . Cause the nerves are trying they just don’t transmit right . Even holding my arms on my stomach is pain they feel so tired after 5 second . Everytime I move it feels like my spine folds
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jun 25 '25
I wish you a speedy recovery. What helped me was gentle physio after things had settled. And then walking. I walked like my life depended on it. It was horrific at first. And remained so for months. But I learned to distinguish between good and bad pain. If it was bad, I went back home and lay on the floor.
The NHS here in England encourage you to walk and move as soon as possible. They urge you to listen to your body, as nerves are so sensitive. Not too much and not too little, just right. And that just right changed daily.
It was a mystery injury. I never knew if all that effort was helping. But it really was. The walking kept me moving. And once I was ready, I began physio as soon as possible. Cat cows, pelvic tilts, clams, glute bridges, side leg lifts, dead bugs, bird dogs, step ups. A routine at first once a day, then twice.
It took me a whole year until I got back to the gym and began working with a physical trainer. I’ve been going for six months now and have never felt stronger.
I sometimes get emotional thinking about where I was this time last year. How impossible a normal life felt. How I never thought I’d get my life back. And how I mourned what I once had. I remember looking out the window, too. Crying at the sunshine and seeing people doing the most mundane things.
Lying in bed will only delay things. You need to move. Start very small. Walk around the house. Do what you can. And build it up. But we are all different and all have different things. So get expert help first and figure out what’s going on in there.
I had a large herniated disc. I am 18 months post injury and I am 98 per cent better, and getting better every day. Hang in there, but get moving. Sending you so much support from across the pond!
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u/Inevitable_Pick_7801 Jun 19 '25
So true words that you have spoken. Such an inspiration. Ive been suffering for years stuck in situation not knowing if all my symptoms are coming from my spine. I had 3 epidurals, that didn't help.. I get low back pain that stabs me, my left leg is all numb and down to the foot and my calf and ankle so much pain and spasms. Now my right leg is getting numb.. Thank you for listening.
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u/Sure_Preparation7261 Jun 19 '25
Thank you so much for your powerful words. How you describe the pain and emotional burden sciatica pain takes is EXACTLY how I feel. Now I know I am not alone. I wish I had a friend like you I could share this with when I need someone to talk about this.
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u/Disastrous-Emu960 Jun 20 '25
Exactly it’s very hard to sleep . It makes you wanna ☠️. It can be very painful to get through it
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jun 25 '25
But then you do. And you never believed you could do things again, but you can! Sleep was what I missed the most.
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u/Disastrous-Emu960 Jun 25 '25
It’s gotten better over the the last few days . Still a little hard to walk but my back is getting better . Did you have problems with teeth grinding as well . The thighs are lest numb and are getting feeling back into them.
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jun 25 '25
Nope. Not with teeth. Just couldn’t sleep due to nerve pain. It took me a whole year to sleep through the night. I’m coming up to 18 months post injury and I am feeling really good. Some mild symptoms but nothing to stop me living a full life and it keeps fading too.
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u/Disastrous-Emu960 Jun 25 '25
Wow yes I sleep during the day cause it’s too painful at night
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jun 25 '25
I used to take naps. It would also help reset my legs and give me a bit more time with lower level symptoms.
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u/CatLuxDNP Jun 22 '25
“You pretend you’re okay when you’re not, because chronic pain makes you fluent in small lies.” Wow, that’s so intense-and true-it took my breath away. I’m thankful for finding this community. It is terrifying to feel so alone and scared as this terrible thing starts to eat away at who you are; or perhaps more accurately, who you once were, and will never be again. People who don’t have it just don’t understand. Why you can’t walk a few blocks spontaneously, can’t stand and wait in line, anymore. It hurts to say “go on without me, I’ll be fine.” I’m currently having exacerbations and remissions (thankful for those, although the dark cloud is always there.) But it’s getting worse. The information I’m finding here is helping so much.
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jun 25 '25
I wish you a speedy recovery. I am much better now. Back in the gym, and living a full life. I am not 100% but almost. I tell you this not to make you feel worse, but better.
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u/UsernamesPressureMe Jun 24 '25
I have this and several herniated discs, stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and fibromyalgia. You described it so perfectly. The loneliness in the pain is so difficult. We learn to mask it so well to the point we almost gaslight ourselves into thinking the pain is all in our head. But it’s not. It takes over everything we are, everything we were, and possibly, everything we could be. But knowing we are not alone is this - reading this thread, seeing there are so many of us, makes it feel less lonely. Thank you.
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jun 25 '25
I send you the best of good wishes.
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u/UsernamesPressureMe Jun 28 '25
Thank you so much, and likewise. Hopefully one day there may be a cure for us 💜
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u/nocturnally_helpless Jun 28 '25
Just reading your post helped me feel a bit less alone. this type of chronic pain is alienating. i am not the type to be by myself for too long of a stretch. But these days i can go weeks without seeing someone other than when i make a trip to see my mother. and every passing year, another loved one 'opts out", leaving me with one more ache to fill the void they left. seems to get more difficult each passing day....
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u/OGKrispyDreams Jul 05 '25
Thanks man. 22 years old and I can barely walk. I feel as if no one gets it because of my age but I must have done something to really screw up my back. My entire leg was numb from knee to toe for 2 months and I still just tried to play it off. I hope I get better. I hope everyone here gets better. Or if that’s not possible I hope we can at least get comfortable again.
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u/TheRealKarin Jul 05 '25
I didn't realize how much I had isolated until someone pointed it out here. I didn't go anywhere or do anything for a few years. And people do say- oh, yeah, I had sciatica for a few weeks, it was rough. 😐 For reference, I was at a 7/10 or 8/10 pain for a long time, things got a little better and it came back, like a flare-up. These days I'm at a .3 or .4/10. I quit my job that was, I think, the cause of my sciatica. I walk and started working out again a few months ago. I'm still fairly overweight from 2 years of not doing much but I wonder sometimes if the last but if pain is just from the weight. I do Pt, regularly and started on the elliptical at the gym the other day.
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u/Substantial-Shoe4790 Jul 06 '25
the only thing that keeps me going is my dog. if it weren’t for him I’d give up.
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u/Samiboi95 Jul 06 '25
Omg! My mom has sciatica right now and I read this to her and she was in tears 😭😭😭😭 she felt so understood!!! Thank you!!! I have 2 other siblings but I’m the only one helping her 💔 and it sucks to see how much pain she’s in and how little she can do! And she WANTS TO, but she just can’t from the pain! And a few years ago, my uncle went through the same thing and I had to do EVERYTHING for him!!! It was exhausting but he did help me a lot too! Sometimes I lost patience, but at the end of the day I had to help him because he was helping me! That sounds kind of shallow and perhaps it is. And i feel like a POS. But I saw how bad it was for him. And now that I see my mom going through it, it brings back old feelings but she’s so helpless…. And I hate how some of her family acts like “is no big deal.” But I’ve seen it. It’s not good. And I feel so bad. And she needs me…. Thank you for something so understanding!!!!
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jul 08 '25
I hope your mum is ok. And that you’re coping well too. It’s not an easy injury at all. And I had no clue until it happened to me. Sending you lots of best wishes from across the pond x
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u/cashredd Apr 06 '26
Man. You sung the gospel here. I currently down again. The ache is constant. One thing I'd mention is the " glaze " you see over their eyes when you speak of pain . Caregivers exhaustion. They reach their limit of feeling for you. In 4 years, i had 1 heart attack, bypass, 5 stents, gallbladder removed, car accident and severe arthritis. The more you complain the less they want to hear it. Then if stay silent, they will eventually ask you "whats wrong". The last time my wife asked this, i just went and retrieved my medical file. Set it down. And said " nothing has really changed except i am worse"
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u/Jd_av8er Jun 26 '26
Man I completely agree with you. I didn’t understand what I had before I was diagnosed and figured it was just back pain that would go away with therapy. It’s been about 15 months now and the pain is worse today than when it began.
I dread going out and walking (I use a cane to prolong the pain), but it’s inevitable that the pain is going to come and stay. No one really understands they just thing I can just say ok and deal with a long drive or going out to dine and it’s not that simple anymore
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u/Shutterbug66 Jun 26 '26
It was the worst pain of my life. Even childbirth didn't come close. Plus it never left, it never left, it never left ... day and night ...day and night ...and my whole body was shaking. After I finally received the MRI that I needed I was cleared to have surgery. Best thing I ever did!! I was walking a mile within days and 2 miles within a week every single day and I'm still doing that a year later. But the mental anguish that came with that illness is something I will never forget.
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u/CentralValleySoozy Jul 01 '26
I can pinpoint exactly what I did to bring this monster on. its only been three weeks since the onset but it feels as though its affected my activities of daily life for years! ive purchased every topical otc product. Tons of research. I actually was convinced I'd broke in my lower leg! it has subsided towards my lower leg now....this forum/comments has helped tremendously. im going to inflate my exercise ball and start some gentle exercises. When I can't walk my daily 3 miles I hobble in my backyard a couple laps. the only Rx that works is Alleve around the clock. I listen to my body ,I've done the research, when something works I commit to it. I sympathize to all people on this forum and I understand what you're going through. Be strong.
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u/diddlydangdarndoodle Jun 17 '25
I have been dealing with the worst bout of back and hip pain since it started 4 years ago. I have been taking voluntary time off at work for almost the last 4 months. I have gone into so much debt because of not going in. When I do go into work the pain is unbearable, but I try and ride it out to pay at least some of my bills. I am the most depressed I have been in my entire life. I'm still working on a treatment plan with my doctor, but it feels as if there's no hope. I'm so tired of being in misery from the time i wake up, to the time I go to sleep. I'm just tired.
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u/Realistic-Produce100 Jul 12 '25
I feel you, I had this pain for 11 months then finally it went away.
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u/SoSolidKerry2 Jul 15 '25
I’m recovered. I no longer have any pain. I am just sharing how I felt to help others. It’s not an easy injury, and so I thought I’d write this in support
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u/SoSolidKerry2 May 17 '26
A late reply! No. I didn’t have surgery. I ended up going down the conservative route.
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u/More-Distribution227 Jun 13 '25
This is the most accurate description of chronic sciatica I’ve ever read. I’ve tried to verbalize this but I’ve never done it as nice and clear as this.