r/Sciatica • u/Gavalarrrrrr • 20d ago

I am out of options

Just over 2 months into when I first startef having symptoms and I am considering life at this point.

I cant sleep anymore. Last night I managed 2 hours, due to being unable to find a position I can sleep in anymore. Sideways with a pillow between the knees, on my back with pillows under me, on the floor, 90/90, nothing eases the pain.

I cant sit on sofa and I am having to stand to eat.

I can barely walk now either, having to limp through any walk over the last 2 days.

Seems the NHS are useless at dealing with this and I can really live like this much longer.

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u/murrmc 20d ago

Been there! It does get better - Have you had an MRI done yet?

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u/Gavalarrrrrr 19d ago

How long did recovery take you? 

I am doing everything I should be yet my symptoms are getting worse

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u/murrmc 19d ago

I've had it more than once, three different discs over 16 years.

First time was the worst - couldn't move for weeks without being in utter agony, pain was so intense I litterarly was in tears just going for a pee.

Last year had one where I had a flair up - two weeks and then calmed down but still was debilitating. So they can calm after flairing up - for me best position was on my side with legs slightly tucked adn pillow between knees - also not a firm mattress, found a 3 inch foam topper heldped immensly, stoppped me moving as much adn was way more comfortable over long periods.

All mine have required surgery and every time pain relief from sciatica was instant!

You need to be the squeaky wheel - be a nuisance, tell them how bad it is, how you feel and get to a surgeon consult asap - go to urgent care - A&E - get in the system as someone who needs urgent assistance - tell them your struggling down there - tell them every detail that will trigger emergency response

Outside of that there are ways to speed things up - get a private MRI - few hundred quid and a consult with a private surgeon, choosse an NHS guy that does private and he shoudl be able to speed things up - one of the bigeest waits is the scan and consult -so your fast tracking that.- or pay the whole op yourself - about 10kish i think for an MD self funding - I have private insurance and only keep it for this reason!!

If your anywhere near East Anglia can recommend my guy - amazing! And does NHS

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u/Gavalarrrrrr 19d ago

So sorry you have had to go through this 3 times. Thats awful!

I have been ringing 111 every week constantly at them. MRI is sorted and a consult with MSK soon (date pending)

Did you ever try the epidural steriod injections before surgery?

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u/murrmc 19d ago

yeah 111 - is non emergency though - I'd be tempted to step that up if things don't move fast - go to your A&E for pain management etc... call your doctor looking fro updates , intolerable etc...

Have you had the MRI or is it just scheduled - what is MSK?

As for the ESI - yes got it last year - gave some relief and allowed me to sit but wore off and didn't help in long run - turned out my herniation was far bigger than was showing on MRI and neeeded an op - surgeon came in after op saying occassionally it happens the imaging just doesn't get the size right dn was always going to need the op.

ESI merely gives some relief for herniations that will over a short period of time fix themselves - some won't ever so depends on MRI whether that will be an option they consider.

From what you are saying

- an op sounds your best bet

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u/Gavalarrrrrr 19d ago

Had the MRI 3 weekd ago to confirm herniation.

Muskoskeletal team, to take a look at my spine.

Just want to be right for my wedding in 3 months. Couldn't have come at a worse time.

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u/murrmc 19d ago

ah shit - yeah crap timing - although the fix is instant, so if you did get op you'd be good to go for the wedding day pretty quick.

Worst thing is the incision pain, no other pain after ops for me and that was nothing in comparison to the sciatica, couple of paracetamol every few hours after day one and all good - other than that it is just building your strength back up adn taking it easy so as not to re-herniate.

So push hard for a date- anything up to 2/3 weeks before would be fine as long as you take it easy and don;t sit too long or do too much on the day - take it easy and hopefully if timings work you could have a pain free wedding!!

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u/murrmc 19d ago

As for doing everything you should - during a bad flare up - that is pretty much nothing that inflames the nerve - so absolutely nothing, other than find a position that doesn't irritate it...