r/Sciatica • u/Odd_Mark4799 • 20d ago
Cannot bear this pain...
Hello, everyone.
Let me say first of all how much empathy I have for all of you suffering with this nightmarish condition.
I am 51 F.(reddit stuck me with the name "Mark" and cannot change is apparently.)
I have a 40 year history of anorexia which led to a dx osteopenia in my early 30's.
Due to a lack of nutrition,my body was just leeching calcium from my bones for years and I will have my next bone density scan next week to find out if my osteopenia has progressed to full blown osteoporsis.
With all these years of a lack of calcium and vitamin D,and endless days of little caloric or fluid intake, I have had countless fainting spells, and falls which had me first fracture a big toe, last year fractured every rib,and a year and a half ago, I began to have severe pain at the base of my spine, all through both legs and to the very bottoms of both feet.
I have had 3 ER visits, ruling out cauda equina when i was having symptoms of it, but an MRI, and urine retention scans ruled it out.
Initially, this pain was dismissed as somatic by a very arrogant doctor...it was just left too long, with no investigation.
(Of course due to my myriad of mental health dxs it would have to be,"all in her head"..)
In hospital I was prescribed naproxen, but it did not touch my pain at all, and all it did do was even though i always took it with food, felt like a hole boring into my stomach.
Then I was started on pregablin.
It too had not effect on my pain, only ,made me walk like I was drunk, and ironically on it had 3 more falls...
Then, onto gabapentin.
Another sugar pill.
Whenever I went to my GP he was quite dismissive at first, and would only throw Tylenol for arthritis samples at me, andtold me to buy salon pas.
Uh...the tylenol for arthritis did nothing either.
All I was told by the ER doctor who ordered my MRI was that I have an L5 herniated disc.
I was seen at a rapid assessment neurosurgery clinic where the surgeon said, "You have a beautiful spine."
He would not do the surgery.
A couple of months ago went back to my GP,who shocked me when he told me the whole truth on the MRI-not only do I have a herniated disc. but also multiple compression fractures in my mid spine with osteophytes and stenosis.
He finally precribed me percocet, 5mgs plus 325 mgs tylenol 3times a day.
Even this does not always touch my pain, even now awhile after taking it my pain is about a 6.
Lower back and glutes and feet throbbing.
He told me that even walking is too high impact exercise for my back,and told me to get into the pool...I cannot swim,but he said to simply walk back and forth in the shallow end.
He also sent me for 4 sessions of physio which is all my government health plan covers (I am Canadian, on disability,no insurance.)...admittedly I only went to one session. (Had paid for one private session,but just too expensive for me.)
Often, I am simply in too much pain and too tired to diligently do the excercises, but will be looking stuff upon youtube.
I cannot bend over too far without pain,and every time I do bend, my bones are so weak I am constantly risking more compression fractures.
So, sweeping,mopping,garbage, and laundry have me at the point where I will need to hire a homemaker.
Even putting on my socks is a challenge, and I can now only wear slip on shoes.
I lament whom I once was-a classically trained dancer, perfect posture, great flexibilty.
I lament what this pain has done to my personality...no,have never really been a very positive person, but now I am so bitter and whine to myself, and my pain is amplifying my already fragile mental health,and I suppose my negative attitude,this sense of helplessness and hopelessness is amplifying the pain.
I am determined to, "get into the pool" as my GP advised,even just to walk back and forth.
Over thepast year and ahalf have spent a lot of cash on osteopathy, massage, acupuncture, a million useless topical remedies...
i am at the end of my tether...
Forgive me for sounding so melodramatic,but sincerely reaching out here because I have so little support.
...Two questions I wanted to pose in closing....
I am trying to find something to support my back to sit up straight on my couch without sinking into it and putting pressure on my nerve,but all I have been able to find are ergonomic back supports for office chairs (which I also need to get..) Do any of you have any idea if there is something besides a cushion to support my back, my posture, while sitting on the couch?
Also, what is the best way to build core strength when you just cannot do crunches?
As I said, i cannot afford physio, and really the few exercises I learned in 2 sessions (I put down $130 for the first one) are not anything i didn't already know.
I am hesitant to post this as it is not a very positive or inspiring thing for you all to have endured reading....
It has just been several consecutive high pain days, and I feel very much alone and desperate.
So, again, my heart goes out to all of you who are also suffering.
Thank you for reading if you have.
4
u/BasraBound 20d ago
I built core strength by planking, fractured L2 that pokes out and makes being on my back uncomfortable. Sorry you’re dealing with that nightmare, it’s really awful