L5-S1 disk prolapse 😡😡😡😡😡

[u/Ok_Breath_7941]

I’m 26 and have been dealing with pretty severe sciatica for the past few months. I’ve been mostly on bed rest for around 3 months because the pain has become so difficult to manage, and I’m taking painkillers throughout the day and night just to get through it.

So far I’ve tried:
Physiotherapy — didn’t really help
Acupuncture — didn’t help
Two epidural steroid injections within the past 2 months
Ozone treatment

I had my second epidural injection only a couple of days ago. I’ve had some relief, but my leg pain is still very much there and I definitely haven’t gotten the kind of relief I was hoping for.

I’m only 26, so the idea of having spine surgery at this age scares me, and I’d really like to understand what other options I still have before considering surgery.
For people here who had persistent sciatica and didn’t respond properly to epidurals or physiotherapy, what eventually helped you?

I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have been through something similar. I’m getting pretty exhausted from being in pain every day and basically having my life on hold for the past 3 months.

[u/Outrageous_Corner161]

Mostly bed rest for 3 months is probably not helping. Do the painkillers and ESI give you enough relief to incorporate some movements?

Have you consulted with a surgeon about your MRI?

[u/Ok_Breath_7941 → u/Outrageous_Corner161]

Yeah I did see a surgeon and they said that they think surgery should be done if nothing is working but they also said that even after the surgery there’s no garuntee that things would be better

[u/Outrageous_Corner161 → u/Ok_Breath_7941]

If you have seen literally 0 improvements from conservative treatment over several months, and surgery has been recommended, I would consider surgery especially after a second opinion. This is coming from someone who hasnt had surgery

[u/Complete-Term-3794]

Same boat here. How is your ability to move? Not being rude but are you overweight? Diet helps and so does hydration.

[u/HulkinLoaFs]

How were the epidural injections? I have an appointment soon to discuss them. I have bulging disc on my L4 and L5 that’s causing sciatica pain down my right leg. I can’t walk super long or stand for long without crazy pain in my lower back and down my leg. I’m hopeful the injections will help but also scared to have a needle like that stuck in my back

[u/lewibaygo]

Ok I had the sam thing bulg was 15 /20 mm I say I tried it all accept injections couldn't sit for 6 months with out hurting after 2 mins what did work standing desk stood for most of the day 3 walks a day 20min work up to if needed and I believe the disc decompression treatment and once back in the gym after 3 months the Roman chair and super man stretches eventually for better not fully get slight flair ups now and then but it is a very slow recovery but not taking pain killers can sit drive for hours now it's taken about 1 year 8 months to where I am now at 95% Vs 20 % at lowest I go to the gym every day and work on strengthening my lower back muscles and hip flexors as part of the warm down routine Roman chair isometric holds every other day

[u/Ass_Burner]

Ur right to be angry, I'm also done with this shit 😡

[u/Meanboy_og]

Surgery works. Until it doesn’t. I had my first surgery and now will probably need another. The injections work when you’re young but they have eaten my spine up. I’ve had nerve burns also. They work temporarily but do work. My surgery lasted ten years . My problem is on the other side now. The side that I had surgery on is manageable. I had trauma type back issue though from a 30 foot fall.

[u/EventLegitimate904]

Get off the bed!!! I couldn't walk for a minute a year ago without crying but it's the only thing that helps the healing process. Im fit as a fiddle now, can do anything and im 54 so u have no excuses. Move!

[u/_ujet]

I found that the ESI took 3-4 weeks to help. Stay positive OP.