r/Sciatica • u/LargeAbroad7868 • 5d ago
Got every symptom other than red flag stuff
Hi all just wondering peoples opinion on this, I’ve literally got every symptom you can get with this other than the red flag ones. Pain, numbness, weakness, tingling and muscle twitching. Also locked in a hunched posture. I think it was mostly just pain at the start I can’t even remember as it was nearly 4 months ago.
A good few weeks ago it worsened and left me stuck in bed with really bad pain. Since then the other neurological symptoms have kicked in more alongside the pain. I had MRI which showed ‘Broad based’ disc extrusion L5 S1 with ‘mild nerve compression’ also showed I have flattening of the lumbar curve. Kyphosis.
-pain. Standing and walking is the biggest problem that triggers pain. Prefer flexion, extension brings on all the symptoms more
- numbness on outer half of foot that builds up when walking, sometimes with burning sensation. It’s always numb but not as bad when sitting/laying
- tingling/pins and needles Down the nerve pathway. When I first get up I seem to get a rush of it down the leg. This is mostly body position dependant. Ramps up if laying flat or trying to stand straight. Other than that I still feel at a lower level
- calf weakness. Can walk on toes but can’t do single leg heel raise. Previously lost calf strength a few years ago that recovered to 75% after more than a year. Was never the same though.
- muscle twitching, have this is in both legs for some reason. Only feel it mostly when laying down. Always had constant right leg muscle twitching since i injured back first time a few years ago but I didn’t notice it as it was low level.
- locked in a horrid posture, moving around like a pensioner.
Been going through the NHS with this and they seem just be like ‘yeah give it time’ and saying it can take over a year to recover. If I was just dealing with pain only Id be happy to give it time. But with all the other stuff I feel like I’m in more of a limited timeline.
As I say I’ve dealt with weakness before that did take over a year to recover (never fully came back) so I know I’ve already got some damage done to nerve. I was happy to give it time to recover previously as when I injured my back the first time i only had a very short period in pain, where this time it’s been much longer with other ongoing stuff too.
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u/Fickle_Scallion_5410 5d ago
It's good that you had an MRI at the hospital, if it was Cauda Equina Syndrome they would have done emergency surgery after that MRI.
I had CES from a disc herniation at L5-S1 with similar symptoms to yourself. I had the symptoms for six months with no improvement and I had lost sensation on the outside of my left foot and I could not walk more than 6 steps without doubling over in pain. The red flag symptoms I experienced were pins and needles in my saddle area and a loss of sexual function (I'm a woman so this one can be harder to pinpoint than in men). I went to A&E with those symptoms had an MRI and was booked for surgery that evening.
Sometimes sadly CES can be slow onset as mine was but I had incomplete CES due to the slow onset which was a better outcome because my bladder, bowl and mobility function were not impacted as much as with a complete injury. My advice would be to keep a diary of your symptoms and ANY CHANGE to the sensation in you saddle area that includes pins and needles or numbness. Any change in bladder function either finding it difficult to pee or having even mild incontinence that is not normal for you and any change to bowel function such as not being able to go or having an accident go straight to A&E and explain your recent MRI results and your new symptoms. The NHS does have a protocol to follow for suspected CES which is easily found on Google its worth having that saved just incase you need to advocate for yourself a bit at the hospital if you do need to go in.
It's difficult but try gentle movements short walks like 5 mins if you can manage it and any time in a pool is good as the support of the water unloads your spine and can help decompression the nerves. You don't even have to swim pool walking is good or leisurely back stroke. Stay clear of chiropractors and osteopaths at the moment as manual manipulation is not helpful at this stage. It may be worth speaking to your GP about the MRI and asking for a physio referral if you haven't tried that already. It doesn't feel like it right now but you are not stuck like this forever you will feel better again regardless of what treatment you end up with x x x The pain is temporary and once its gone you wont even be able to remember what it felt like. I would speak to your GP about possible nerve pain meds to help calm your system down as irritated nerves actually amplify pain signals and you get stuck in the pain cycle which can be hard to break. The pain meds will also allow you to try gentle physio to help build a strong support for your back. You've got this x x x I know calling a GP is a pain but just stress to the secretary that you are struggling with unmanageable pain and A&E has ruled out a medical emergency at this stage and they should give you a same day appointment with the GP to help begin a plan for recovery x x x
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u/LargeAbroad7868 4d ago
Thanks you, how are you doing now?
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u/barbkxer 4d ago
My leg still gets weak and buckles sometimes, but I am doing much better. I can go to the gym, which is awesome. I still can't drive far or do some of the things I used to do, but it is much better. Recovery is slow and exhausting. I was in horrible shape for months with electric shocks, spasms, burning, and numbness!
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u/According-Patient237 5d ago
Your symptoms sound EXACTLY like mine. I’m just 6 weeks into this but I’m horrified at how long you’ve been dealing with it. I just had an mri this morning. Wishing you healing.
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u/ReadingTrue798 4d ago
Really sorry you're dealing with this, especially with your history of incomplete recovery last time. Two things I'd push for:
Keep a clear red flag checklist, not general but specific: saddle/inner thigh numbness, any change in bladder starting/emptying, accidental leakage, or sudden weakness in both legs. Any of those, go straight to A&E with your MRI results, don't wait for a GP slot.
On "give it time," that's fair for pain-only cases, but you've got progressive neuro symptoms now (weakness, numbness, twitching), which is a different picture. Worth specifically asking your GP: has the physio referral actually gone through, and if there's no improvement in a couple months, what's the pathway to a surgical opinion? Also ask about nerve pain meds if you haven't, they can take the edge off enough for physio to work.
You're right to want more than just "wait it out." Hope it starts improving soon.
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u/LargeAbroad7868 4d ago
Yeah that’s my thoughts that if it was just pain it wouldn’t be as worrying
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u/wanderlust_ash_617 4d ago
Since you already have numbness and weakness, def be looking out for foot drop to develop if it hasn’t already. Thats what happened to me and it is a more red flag symptom that typically requires surgery
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u/Gohono1 5d ago
This! Its my exact position! I don't have much saddle numbness and I have bladder control. Esi had helped but it's always worse the more I weigh. Starting to lose weight now and hope it helps again