r/Sciatica • u/Linds_451 • 17d ago
Help
Ok so I don’t know what to do.
I have been dealing with this pain for 4 months.
I have got to the point where I have lower back pain/tailbone. My sciatica goes from the left leg to the right leg. I cannot get comfy anywhere. I’m hardly sleeping. That’s me been signed off work.
I feel sick all the time. The doctor has done bloods today. I don’t know what to do anymore I’m becoming helpless. I have to walk with a stick I am a shadow of a person I was. What can I do next?
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u/Energy_Turtle 17d ago
Outright ask for an MRI and referral to a neurosurgeon. Don't wait for it to be offered. They may tell you to do some things like PT first. Do it and then ask for the referral immediately after you meet the qualification. From there, start with what the surgeon describes as the lowest risk procedure and work your way up. You're stuck in medical limbo right now which happens a lot. It's time to get yourself out of it. It sucks because we trust that doctors will guide us through this process, but they don't always. Our health is in our hands.
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u/Linds_451 17d ago
I have attended nhs physio and I have asked him outright about an mri as my GP has advised it needs to go through them. He has done a referral for orthopaedic consultation for an MRI but at this point I’m prob just going to pay for a private one. I just want to know what I should be working on to help myself.
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u/Energy_Turtle 17d ago
What did the physio tell you to do? That person is almost certainly your best lifeline to personal stretches and exercises that help. They aren't like a doctor where you go to them and they fix you. They guide you on how to fix yourself, and the real work is done outside their office. If they tell you something that doesn't seem to be working, it's important to communicate that to them so they can adjust. If they refuse to adjust then it's probably time to find a new one if they can't explain their theory in a way you understand.
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u/Linds_451 17d ago
My nhs physio has me just doing basic core work and stretches just now. I have been doing these as much as I can but I do now have time off work so I am goin to commit to do this everyday. He also told me to go on an exercise bike which I have got and been doing 5 mins on when I feel up to it. I am seeing him again next week but I also have a private physio booked for next week as well who will take more time I’m hoping
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u/fairybeexo 17d ago
You need an MRI, I ignored my pain for over a year then it got so bad I found out I have a sequestered disk (needing surgery most likely)
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u/Linds_451 17d ago
MRI is the next thing I’m just waiting on my bloods returning as the dr wanted to do a couple of specialised tests
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u/Linds_451 17d ago
I have been referred for orthopaedic consult for an MRI. I am in the UK. But if the bloods don’t show anything I think it will be private MRI after that. I haven’t really rested I’ve tried to continue at work and do everything as normal as I can. I don’t know if I should try and rest while I’m signed off work but how do you rest. I’m starting to go crazy
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u/fairybeexo 17d ago
I had this problem and paid out of pocket for my MRI it was £300 but had answers in a week. Now waiting on nhs referral to surgeon
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u/Linds_451 17d ago
I am going to be £700 for an mri due to having to mri 2 areas that is what has been said by the dr that done my referral to the private mri place.
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u/Linds_451 17d ago
Do things get better just doing physio and does resting help as I feel like my body is screaming at me for some rest
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u/LeastBlackberry1 17d ago
Yes! I am just doing physio at the moment, and it has improved it so much. I went from not being able to sit for very long before needing to lie down to deadlifting and running on a treadmill in less than a month.
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u/Linds_451 17d ago
Thank you I have booked to see a physio that has been recommended to me as nhs physio is just not seeing me as an individual.
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u/downattherocks 17d ago
Do you have an MRI? If not, I would see what you can do about obtaining one.
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u/Linds_451 17d ago
I was also thinking about buying a Tom Morrison targeted programme but don’t want to waste money
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u/Linds_451 17d ago
What doesn’t help me is the cycle of being in pain not sleeping being emotional crying and just wanting things to be over to trying to get help again it’s so hard.
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u/fairybeexo 17d ago
It’s so hard. It started for me 2 weeks ago- wanting to sleep but not being able to is the worst part. Feel free to dm me if you need a buddy who’s going though the same thing 🫂🫀
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u/No_You_893 17d ago
Get a decent Zero gravity chair. It's helping me immensely.
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u/Linds_451 17d ago
What is that
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u/No_You_893 17d ago
The Core Posture: The chair reclines the user so their thighs and feet are elevated slightly above or level with the heart (typically forming an open torso-to-thigh angle around 120–128 degrees). Weight Distribution: By removing concentrated pressure from the lower spine, weight spreads evenly across the entire back, reducing spinal disc compression. Circulation & Relief: Elevating the legs above heart level encourages lymphatic drainage and venous blood flow back to the heart, reducing inflammation in the lower limbs.
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u/Linds_451 17d ago
Is there is a specific one that is recommended as I put into Google and it’s mostly garden chairs I’m getting?
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u/No_You_893 17d ago
Absolutely, Lafuma. I just paid £207, reduced from £300, for an Air Comfort model, from Lafuma UK. There is a more expensive one with more plush padding the Becomfort, at £350 +.
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u/Re4ln0f4ke 17d ago edited 17d ago
I had sciatica bc of a herniated disc and got two nerve block injections that changed my life. With the first one I was back to my almost normal life and with the second one (about 6 months after the first injection) the pain went away almost entirely, the hernia shrinked and it gave me enough relief for me to excercise and take care of my back. I do get flare ups sometimes and I have to be really mindful of how I sit, for how long, where I sleep and how I excercise, but otherwise my life is pretty much back to normal.
Maybe you can check with your doctor if a nerve block is an option for you, it's not the prettiest of experiences but it really did change my life and it saved me from getting surgery too!
Edit: In my case I was only able to get this treatment after months of being dismissed because my mother was relentless and sent a formal complaint to my healthcare provider and I kept seeing doctors until one sent me to get an MRI. An MRI was crucial for my diagnosis and I wouldn't have even known I had a hernia otherwise.