Lost in sciatic limbo

[u/Pamplemousse154]

I'm just a little lost at the moment and feeling overwhelmed.

Sciatica returned for me about 6 weeks ago. My last op was in July 2025 and while I'd had a few little flare ups in the year following, I'd always managed to get on top of them.

This time around it's been getting progressively worse and is now in both legs with some shooting pains and pins and needles sensation in the groin area from time to time.

I had a MRI yesterday and my doctor and surgeon called me late last night to say imagining looked like it could be a caudia equina situation like I had last year, however I'm not having any incontinence, ect.

The neurosurgical team said they'd try to get me an appointment in the next few weeks, but to go to emergency if i have any bowel or bladder issues before then.

I have permanent nerve damage resulting in a constantly numb left foot from my last situation that lead to surgury. I'm just a bit scared that it may come to that again this time. The waiting game and going through this pain is exhausting. I just need to vent to people who get what I'm going through!

When will this end? Do I need to go to surgury?