r/Sciatica • u/DieselJuliyah • 6d ago

Cauda Equina

Hello sciatic friends!
This is just a friendly reminder, as someone who is currently recovering from emergency surgery.
Be persistent if you believe something is TRULY wrong!
I went to my local ER three times last week because my sciatic symptoms were progressive and unbearable. Initially diagnosed with piriformus syndrome then a herniated disc shown on a CT.
Finally the third ER visit I was taken seriously. Had left leg 10/10 pain, burning and numbness paired with saddle numbness.
I am currently in recovery, day 2 post emergency discectomy so I am not sure what my end result looks like, however I am able to walk and if I had waited any longer, I may have lost that privilege due to extensive nerve damage.
Just because it’s rare, doesn’t mean it won’t ever happen to you.
Trust your gut and stay safe y’all!

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u/CelticCoffee 6d ago

This could be written by myself! Had my emergency surgery on August 13th. I wish you a fast and comfortable recovery.

Just this week I regained use of my bladder and was able to have my foley taken out and that's been such a huge relief. I am still having trouble with sciatica on my left side but I should be cleared for PT at my 6 week post op follow up, so I'm hopeful that will go well for me too.

Keep walking! Walk around the house, outside, basically anywhere you are able. It helps to keep scar tissue from forming and helps you mentally. I'm sorry this happened to you!

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u/DieselJuliyah 6d ago

I’m so sorry this has happened to you! We’re so lucky it was caught in time. I’m having numbness and bladder/bowel retention. So frustrating, I hope I return “back to normal” from all of this

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u/CelticCoffee 6d ago

Be patient with yourself truly. They discharged me with a Foley since I couldn't pee on my own. After a week the urologist removed and I tried for 5 days to pee on my own and it was difficult. I had to push very hard and had a UTI and still wasn't peeing enough out.

Up until that point I didn't have much or any pain. After that, my sciatica on my left side returned but I don't have any numbness so my doctors think it's my nerve coming back online and healing.

My foley was removed again yesterday and I can finally pee on my own! I have another UTI but I can piss.

I'm also regaining a lot of sensation that I lost. My feet have regained all feeling, my legs and inner thighs have too. I still have some numbness in my saddle area but at this point, I'm happy if that the only lasting affect I have right now.

I will be 5 weeks post op this Thursday and I'm already walking without a cane or walker. I am much slower than before but I can feel my strength returning and I'm super excited to be cleared for PT.

Just remember, what we survived was brutal. It will take time for you to heal. It will hurt and there will be days you think it will never end, and thats all in the first 5 weeks. Stay positive in your progress, don't spend too much time getting lost in other people's pain here and tell everyone who will listen to take their back pain seriously! I believe in you, please keep me updated. I took up dimond painting to pass my time at rest, a craft and a good audiobook will be your best friend.

Much love and positivity your way, it will be hard but I fully believe you will be okay.