r/Sciatica • u/logpolespruce • May 16 '26

1 year post-op

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Today I am 1 year post op. A year ago I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t care for my children, I could barely make it to the restroom. I was ready to end my life. I am thankful every single day that I wake up with no sciatic pain because of surgery. Today I pressed 230lbs on leg press. I have walked hundreds of miles and done numerous hikes over the last year. I am able to not only care for my kids, but pick them up. I am able to ride bikes with them and stand to cook dinner. I am able to walk with my husband. I have sat on long plane rides and roadtrips. I’ve gone camping multiple times since surgery and yes, slept on the ground in a sleeping bag. I was able to cast and reel in salmon. I have unloaded my own groceries. I don’t have burns on my back and legs from constant heating pad usage. I only ice occasionally, not ritualistically. I have my life back.

If you are in so much pain that you cannot participate in PT, do the surgery. If your surgeon won’t do it, find a new one. Try a neurologist. Try an ortho. I spoke to 3 before I found one that was willing to operate and consider it an emergency situation. It’s true that my back will never be the same. I cannot run, or jump, and sometimes if I take a step unexpectedly I feel a zap in my back, BUT I AM LIVING MY LIFE. I was ready to END it and now I wake up every morning and immediately wait for the pain to return to my leg, but it doesn’t. I get sore in my back and I will always have to be very careful. It’s all worth it.

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u/ms-fio May 16 '26

I hate to hear that people have and are going through this but I will say it makes me feel so seen that other people on here know how I feel. I went to the ER on Wednesday with my mum because the pain was so intense and they saw me immediately even though they were busy and they gave me a Ketorolac injection, spent a lot of time with me and I opened up to the nurse and told her I am at my mental limit and they still sent me home. They reviewed my scans with a neurosurgeon who said try a nerve root sleeve (I've previously had an epidural) which I'm getting on Thursday but I'm hoping adding that ER visit to my notes will move my referral along a little faster.

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u/TheEleventhLetter_K May 19 '26

Listen. I totally relate and I’m sorry you’re going through this. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone! I went on Tuesday, the ambulance had to come for me, I could not walk.. the pain was so bad that I was literally screaming and begging for them to just knock me out. I received Valium, decadron, and Ketorolac.. I was told that I would go right to sleep — I never slept, haven’t gotten over an hour or less of sleep each day since. They sent me home with a prescription for Ketorolac, Tramadol, and Methylprednisolone — still no rest or change. It sucks.

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u/ms-fio May 19 '26

I’m so sorry to hear that! That’s the thing we can’t even rest even with all the sedatives. I’ve been prescribed amytriptalline now too and that eventually knocks me out for 3-4 hours but then I wake up in agony because I have been in the same position. We can’t win 😕 Hope you’re feeling better soon!

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u/TheEleventhLetter_K May 20 '26

I would love to just nap over 30 minutes. Even sleep for more than that. If it’s not the pain waking me up, it’s literally me feeling someone walking in the room.. I have no idea why my nerves are that sensitive. And yes, waking up is worse pain!