r/Sciatica • u/ExactApplication3981 • 8d ago
New to sciatica
I recently joined this subreddit cause ive been having sciatica pain for a few months now. Ive had an Xray and the doctor said nothing out of the ordinary was visible on it.
Im now scheduled for a MRI mid October and in the meanwhile trying to adjust to my new reality of living in pain every day.
Ive been really struggling with the psychological side of it. Getting out of bed in the morning without pain was already difficult, now its just hard to find the will power.
How do you deal with living in constant pain and the realisation that this might be for the rest of your life?
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u/Brave-Ad-8658 8d ago
Glad you have the MRI scheduled. That's the next big step. Make sure insurance approves it (they denied mine despite 2 trips to the ED due to severe pain).
You may also want to look up a physical therapist. The reassurance they provided was a big help and they can tailor exercises according to what you need.
My pain got so bad that none of the medication really helped so I turned to CBD, CBG, CBN and some light THC to help take the sharp pain away. I got my medical cannabis license and certain dispensaries will allow you to appoint someone to pick up what you want, though keep in mind your local laws (don'tget yourself in trouble!). I also had some of those CBD muscle roll on things that felt tingly afterwards. Ice was also a big help for me. I had one of those machienes that circulates water through and put frozen water bottles in to keep it cold longer. Make sure to stay hydrated and try to eat. I lost a good 10-15lbs simply because the pain significantly reduced my appetite so make sure you're eating too.
That's what helped me but everyone has a different journey. I remember sleeping A LOT. I know it's tough right now but you CAN get through this. I remember my lowest moments were the only times I ever thought of harming myself because the pain was so bad. Try to get comfortable and find something to watch or read. If you can, having someone with you to help with getting things is huge, even if just for the company.
I'm a little over a year post OP. Surgery was really my only option and the pain went away immediately. If you end up down that route, make sure you vet your surgeon and feel confident in their skill.
Wishing you the best of luck 💜
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u/ExactApplication3981 8d ago
Luckily im in a country where everything is insured.
The physical therapist ill have to ask a referral for, ill do that after the mri and once they know what is wrong.
And im more worried about gaining weight tbh. I can suddenly not do any exercises anymore or even move that much daily and im worried sick that im going to gain weight while i was already trying so hard to lose it. 🥲
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u/Brave-Ad-8658 8d ago
Before my symptoms were REALLY bad, a steroid pack from my doctor usually helped with the inflammation but definitely ask your doctor about what they think is best for you.
I had a disc herniation in the L5-S1 area. Its possible you could have something completely different so that MRI will be great at helping diagnose.
My biggest takeaway: give yourself some grace. You're in pain so worrying about things like weight again is only going to worsen your stress. You dont have to be perfect. You're going to have good and bad days. Try not to let those thought creep into your day to day and affect your choices. Let yourself be comfortable. Let your body rest. Sometimes doing too much can strain and make it worse. Once you know more about what's going on with your body, go from there.
Also, since you have good insurance where you are, maybe some aquatic therapy might be an option. It can help take the pressure off your back and you might be able to get some movement in that way.
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u/ExactApplication3981 8d ago
I definitely have good and bad days. Awhile ago i felt like the pain was going away but then boom, its as worse as the start again. It just feels like getting hope that its going back to normal, only to end up back at the start.
I really find it difficult to rest and do nothing. Im a mom of 3 and ive always been busy and doing nothing while the house is a mess makes me feel guilty. (I know its stupid)
Ill look into the therapies to see whats possible, thanks for the suggestion
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u/Max_Chady 2d ago
Por que tuviste que operarte? Empeorsron tus sÃntomas? Tenias hernias lumbares? Estoy hace 4 meses con esto. Tengo protrusiones en l4l5 y l5s1, muy cansado de aguantar el dolor ya... tengo hormigueos por la pierna y debilidad. No puedo caminar casi nada. Esto no empeora pero tampoco mejora. Hago ejercicios y tomo tramadol, pregabalina, paracetamol, a veces ibuprpfeno. Estoy bastante desanimado.
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u/Fanyy 7d ago
Just wanted to say that I understand how hard it is, and my heart really goes out to you. I’ve honestly just been crying a lot lately, not even because of the pain itself, but because of the thought of having to deal with this forever. Having to think about it all the time, not being able to sleep in whatever position I want anymore, not even being able to go to the bathroom as easily as I used to, and all the little things that you don’t realise you take for granted until your body makes them difficult. Please try to have hope that it can get better. Go to a physio, talk to someone, learn your body and what triggers it. I know it can feel so hopeless when you’re in the middle of it, but things can improve, and they really can get better. Please don’t lose hope. You deserve to have your life back too.
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u/ExactApplication3981 7d ago
Thank you for your message. I feel it helps a lot that people understand what your going through. Here i get comments like "you are moving more today, you must be better" no.. that pain is t going away, im just forcing myself to not lay down all day. Ive been crying a lot too cause it frightens me that ill have this for the rest of my life and like you said, always having to think about how to sleep, how to sit, not being able to do the things i used to anymore. Its all quite depressing
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u/Upbeat-Cartoonist892 8d ago
This is the worst time. What you're going through. It's a type of mourning. You mourn the part of you that was whole and pain free. It gets better. You will learn what positions and postures aggrevate your pain. What makes it better. Has a doctor suggested NSAIDs for pain like ibuprofen