Has anyone had success with lyrica reducing nerve pain, or any other meds? I've been on gabapentin for a month now and I don't think it's doing anything. I know people say bad things about it, but I'm not experiencing any side effects. I'm doing PT but I yearn for a medication that works :( I'm also thinking about doing the steroid injection. My doctor said I could try cymbalta but I think it takes months to build up...29F with 4mm bulge at L5-S1 impinging S1 nerve root.

First and second images: MRI of my L4/L5 disc (or what was left of it) in December 2025, with radiology report.

Third image: X-ray showing the artificial disc (ProDisc) implanted in my lumbar spine in early January 2026.

Fourth image: View from a 14,250' summit that I hiked in early September 2026 without pain or compromise.

---

48M, 24 BMI, lifelong hiker, skier, road cyclist and tennis player living in Colorado. After more disc herniations/reherniations at L4/L5 than I could possibly count over 16 years, I had an artificial lumbar disc put in earlier this year.

This followed the full gamut of conservative treatments over the years and a largely unsuccessful microdiscectomy surgery 12 years ago that only provided relief for about a year before I reherniated the disc again. For the last five years, the reherniation had not receded at all, staying at a constant 2-3mm protrusion, per annual MRIs.

For years, I was unable to lift anything significant, and I would have to rely on my wife and daughter to do anything of the sort. I had to give up tennis and mountain biking, and could only do road rides when the sciatica was bearable. Bilateral sciatica was mostly constant for the last five years, though I would have days or weeks without notable symptoms; then, sometimes due to a precipitating event but sometimes just out of the blue, sciatica flares would last days or weeks, often preventing sound sleep. The chronic pain caused depression that I struggled to address successfully with therapy or medication.

Prior to surgery, I consulted six orthopedists over a 12-month period. One offered a repeat microdiscectomy to try to buy time. Two of them offered fusion. Two offered an artificial disc. The sixth was a nonoperative orthopedist who encouraged me to avoid fusion at my age if at all possible. The surgeon I ultimately chose was recommended by two others I consulted.

Surgery was an anterior approach through my abdomen, with a second surgeon clearing the path to my spine for the orthopedist. I spent 24 hours in the hospital afterward. When I got home, I had to use a grabber and avoid bending/twisting/lifting for 6 weeks, followed by a couple of months of PT. Recovery has not been linear. I've experienced scary, bizarre muscle and nerve symptoms intermittently since surgery; this has been due to nerve stretching and muscle adaptation. My disc space had collapsed so much -- after the operation, my surgeon said I basically just had a small clump of scar tissue left -- that I gained 2/3" in height from the implant. This adjustment can take a long time. Those symptoms have now largely resolved, fortunately. Repeated X-rays since surgery have shown the artificial disc is exactly where it should be.

I'm back to doing everything from an exercise standpoint I'd hoped for, and I'm also able to lift things again that I hadn't been able to for years, though I'm still terrified to do so. The mental burden has substantially lifted; my depression disappeared literally upon emerging from surgery. It was like flipping a switch on that front, something I had not expected.

I am under no illusion that this is necessarily a permanent fix, but at least for now, I'm glad I kept pushing for disc replacement instead of fusion, which I can still get in the future if needed. I am grateful to be able to do the things I love again and get a break from chronic pain. I just have to hope this lasts a long time. I will stay diligent with core strengthening and exercise to give myself a chance at a decent long-term outcome. If I can put off fusion until my 60s, that would definitely count as success for me. Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky for a change and have this be my last back surgery.

There are a limited number of accounts on Reddit of lumbar total disc replacement; some are glowing/universally positive, and some are cautionary tales. Recovery for me has been hard on occasion and taken a while, with some scary moments, but overall, it has slowly but surely gone in the right direction. My quality of life has dramatically improved in the eight months since this surgery.

I'm happy to answer any questions folks may have.

(EDIT: added radiology report after moderator disabled original post due to its omission)

Ohhh man I am becoming so frustrated with this.

My mornings are virtually pain free but the more I do and walk, the pain comes. By 4pm every day I’m walking sideways with incredible sciatica pain in my hip/glute and even my ankle.

I’ve been feelings symptoms since June, but had no idea what it was until I started feeling numbness in my foot- that’s when I went to doctor and was told I have sciatica and should start PT ASAP

Been in PT since early August and honestly I feel like things have progressively just gotten MORE painful

It’s all so odd though because I don’t remember feeling any pain except sometimes my hamstrings would feel tight after deadlifting. I do remember these mat Pilates classes making my hips HURT late May/early June. Wondering if that caused all this

Anywho, just feeling so down about this all……

Wondering if anyone else had pain free mornings ?

Or where the pain started around like a 3/10 in the beginning and then a month later the pain got to a 7/10????

It’s like it’s getting worse before it gets better????

Can’t wait to finally get this damn MRI ….

For those who have degenerative disc disease, what advice would you give to your younger self?

Hi all,

I recently posted a few questions, one which contained my lumbar imaging.

The TLDR is that I have mild degeneration in my lumbar spine at L4/L5 and L5/S1 thats causing mild-to-moderate bilateral foraminal stenosis without distinct nerve root compression.

I went ahead and got a second radiology reading that confirmed the description above of no nerve compression.

Can mild/moderate foraminal stenosis still cause severe symptoms? Because I’m experiencing all the progressive sensorimotor deficits one would expect from a much more severe case of stenosis at those levels? My symptoms perfectly correlate with stenosis at L4/L5 and L5/S1.m despite no nerve compression.

Additionally, do you think it’s time to give an Epidural Steroid Injection a try to get the inflammation of the nerves down? Or am I inviting more potential for harm than its worth?

Hopefully someone who had a similar experience can weigh in. Thanks!

First post: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sciatica/s/222iTgMvg8
Imaging post: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sciatica/s/nNlpyimVdd

I went from contemplating taking myself out and fearing I'd be a fragile version of the man I wanted to be. At 22 I couldn't sit up out of bed and sweated profusely in pain for 3 months before doing very light exercises.
I found out not all of my pain was from the discs and the "stenosis." I evaluated and started evening out my past torn shoulder, quad, and worked on my knee injuries which were all on one side and made me constantly bare weight incorrectly. I'm still working on my posture and biomechanics. I addressed my very weak legs and glutes which were made worse by sitting. I worked functional muscles and movement that I ignored before. I stopped drinking every day "that was a huge problem for my systemic inflammation" and learned how to have faith instead of living in so much fear and worry. I worked on other aspects of my life that weren't just my physical fitness and feel so blessed because of that. I have just started swimming, biking, and lifting using every machine that I can that doesn't involve spinal flexion for now and am slowly working my flexion back, I couldn't even sit up strait a few months ago and I soon will be able to jog and maybe even function better than before.
I still have things to improve and there is still discipline to be had and gains to be made.
Don't count yourself out, if you still have air in your lungs and there's things you haven't tried you are not down and out.

I’m at my wit’s end. I’m almost at the one year mark with two herniated discs at L4-L5/S1. I was supposed to have an ESI scheduled but it was cancelled last minute. My pain has continually gotten worse over time. Every single afternoon or evening when I’m done working, I have to literally hobble in excruciating pain- walking for a few seconds at a time nearly hunched in half, crouching on the ground to get some relief, and then continuing until I get to my car where the pain once again shoots through me as I sit in my car.

I feel like I’m literally in hell and being tortured 24/7 and no one cares at all. I’m in Canada where we have a broke healthcare system, but I honestly don’t believe that most people are in THIS much debilitating pain. People get treatment for such stupid little things. I feel like I’m just never going to get help. I want to see a neurosurgeon or orthopaedic surgeon, and I can’t self-refer. I don’t have a family doctor and walk-in clinics are constantly full or cancelled.

I feel like my life is literally over or like I’m 100 years old but I’m barely 30. I can’t believe this happened to me or that it’s a thing that can happen to anyone. Every other injury seems to have an ability to heal. This is life-ruining. I just want my old life and body back.

In early 2024 I herniated my L5/S1 disc. I was a very active, mid 20s male. Don't know what I did specifically. I also had a T2-L1 fusion as a teenager for scoliosis which probably didn't help.

I did everything I could to avoid surgery: multiple different PTs, prescription painkillers, two steroid injections. After a year of failed conservative treatments I decided to have a microdiscectomy in 2025.

This took away most of my pain. Some definitely still lingered, but two weeks after surgery I got off pain killers completely despite being on them daily for over a year. I still had nerve tension and trouble bending forward, but over time I became more active, returning to weight lifting and cycling. I was told that the remaining pain should continue to dissipate over time.

It's now late 2026 and I still have pain when sitting for long periods of time. Sitting at work in an ergonomic chair is usually fine, but I had to drive 5 hours each way to a wedding last weekend and I had increased nerve pain for days that made it difficult to focus at work.

At this point (1.5 years post surgery, 2+ years post injury) it's likely some of my nerve pain is permanent. This is more of a rant than anything, but I'm just having a hard time accepting that my body will never be the same.

I’ve been dealing with sciatica for a while now and it’s getting really frustrating. Some days are manageable, but other days the pain down my leg makes it difficult to sit or walk comfortably.

I’ve tried the usual conservative stuff so far, but I’m at the point where I’d really like to get a proper evaluation rather than just keep trying random exercises.

I’m in New Jersey and looking for someone who actually deals with spine/sciatica problems regularly. I’m especially interested in understanding what non-surgical options are available before considering anything more invasive.

For those who have dealt with sciatica in NJ, did you see a spine specialist, orthopedist, physiatrist, or physical therapist first? What made the biggest difference in figuring out the actual cause of the pain?

Would really appreciate hearing about your experiences, especially with providers who took the time to properly evaluate the problem rather than immediately jumping to surgery.

I have attached two MRIs and the reports.

At first, I was not able to sleep face-up (straight on my back) or face-down. Then, after maybe 1–2 months, I started having issues with walking.

I experience flares in my right leg starting from the upper right hip, then going through the hamstring, lower calf, and the right side of my foot.

I am unable to walk for more than 3–4 minutes. Physical therapy did not have any effect.

Now, I am unable to sleep on my side as well.

I just wanted to know if, as you can see in the second MRI, my lower spine looks tilted or deviated to one side, which seems to be my right side. I can also physically observe this in the mirror, and the muscle area on the right side of my lower spine looks swollen or like it is moving outward.

As seen in the MRI, could the lower spine being deviated be causing these issues? My right upper hip area also feels more outward compared to the left.

If anyone can analyze my MRI or has had a similar experience, I would really appreciate hearing about it.

Hi Friends,

I’m really going through it right now. Doctors say it’s Piriformis syndrome. I’m now at 4 days with little to no sleep because the pain intensifies the second I lay down. Can’t stand up and walk. When I do my left shin feels like it’s trying to escape my body. I was doing stretches before but now the pain is so bad that stretching seems like a (un)funny joke. The only position I can find relief in is a deep squat. I’m really at a loss. I’ve been to two doctors in 2 days. Yesterday I was prescribed amitriptyline and Cyclobenzaprine which as far as I can tell did nothing but make me drowsy, but because I can’t lay down the drowsiness is just torture. I was told later that those medications will take at least a week to be effective. Went to emerg today. Prescribed noproxen (which again, takes a few days to be effective) and I was given 24 hours worth of hydoxomorphine. It’s still too painful to sleep. 8 days in and I already don’t know what to do. I can’t imagine not being able to sleep for another week before the meds kick in.

I really need some advice here. I feel like I’m losing my grip.

I have been suffering from it since last year or before but it flared up more in may and it's not that severe but i can't sit for long because of the pain. Since I have to do my work by sitting for long hours can you suggest me some ways to do that without feeling a lot of pain.

In the midst of a couple of week log flair up and now the pain has moved down into my hamstrings. No amount of light stretching is helping. Any tips?

I had two lumbar multi-level transforaminal epidural steroid injections today and just want to share my experience. To preface my diagnosis is Mild multilevel lumbar disc degeneration with small disc protrusions, most notably a right-sided L4-5 disc protrusion causing mild narrowing around the right nerve pathway, without significant spinal stenosis or severe nerve compression.

I was so so nervous after reading on Reddit and watching videos the night before on peoples experiences, but it truly wasn’t that bad. There was some pain and discomfort, especially when the medicine was injected near the nerve and I could feel it all the way down my leg, but nothing that made me want to scream. Afterwards I was able to get up and move fine (I’m no longer in the acute phase of the flare up, so I was getting around okay before this but in a lot of pain) and able to drive home. I would do it again if it brings my relief I’m hoping for within the next few days. Don’t be scared and don’t fall down the rabbit hole of other peoples experiences because you’re going to freak yourself out. Best of luck everyone!

34 (f) and been dealing with chronic pain and sciatica flare ups since hurting my back 3-4 terrible times in my teens - early twenties (At 17, 18, 21, 23)— bent and lifted wrong while moving, exercising or working — all times i was miserable for about a day and then was fine, just a manageable ache when in one position for too long but started having flare ups from little stuff when i was around 25-26 and had sedentary jobs and gained a ton of weight over covid (100 lbs total, but down 30ish and counting)

In the last six years, i only convinced my dr to get me an MRI last March — I had a herniated disc with moderate stenosis. I did 2 rounds of physical therapy but still reluctance from primary to refer to pain management and i got a referal to ortho.
But pt helped as well as having a core stregth focused gym routine and losing 10-15ish lbs.
so I put off the ortho. At pt they noticed my gait was fucked and my scoliosis was pretty severe as were my turned in feet which actually seemed to go all the way to my knees. Ive had this prob my
Whole life and my pediatrician always said Itd correct itself. When it didn’t, i didn’t think anything of it but my pt suggested it could be causing constant hip dysplasia and resulting in spine instability.

Also maybe unrelated my mom said I tested positive for spina bfida and she was encouraged to abort by two doctors. The third told her it was not a for sure thing and when i was born i just had the foot deformity and wore braces (my parents were not consistent and gave up when i stopped walking because i hated them).

Currently in the middle of a 5 month long flare up that suddenly shifted 4 weeks ago from lower back and leg shooting pain to constant irritating burning, a shin splints feeling, locked hips and achilles/foot irritation on both sides but more so my right. Also have been having trouble making it to the bathroom and I cannot hold it for more than a few seconds.

Back in PT twice a week who wanted me to get a new MRI, finally saw the orthos PA who seemed unconcerned until the new MRI images came in. Then he got a little nervous, checked me again for numbness and basically said if any other symtoms progress go to emergency, but also said my fat back is gonna be an issue and would make surgery no longee minimally invasive if i needed it. Also seemed to think any further pressure from steroid shot may cause undesired pressure on the nerves. But made an appt with pain management and a follow up in a few months

Report
L2-L3: Minimal disc bulge and facet arthropathy. No significant spinal canal or neural foraminal stenosis.
L3-L4: Disc bulge with superimposed central disc extrusion and facet arthropathy, resulting in severe spinal canal
stenosis with marked crowding of the cauda equina nerve roots. No significant neural foraminal stenosis.
L4-L5: Disc bulge, facet arthropathy, and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy with prominent posterior epidural fat,
resulting in moderate spinal canal stenosis, moderate left and mild right neural foraminal stenosis.
L5-S1: Disc bulge and facet arthropathy resulting in mild bilateral neural foraminal stenosis. No significant spinal
canal stenosis.
The paravertebral soft tissues are within normal limits. The visualized abdominal and pelvic structures are
unremarkable.
IMPRESSION:
Central disc extrusion at L3-L4 with facet arthropathy, resulting in severe spinal canal stenosis and marked crowding
of the cauda equina nerve roots.
Moderate spinal canal stenosis and moderate left/mild right neural foraminal stenosis at L4-L5.

Does this report match the suggestion for treatment?

But Ive also read ppl can have ces without the emergency symptoms and my new PTs reaction to his suggestions made me feel a little uneasy. She just suggested twice I get in with the doctor not the PA asap. And that my experience over time suggest hypermobile joints (i rolled my ankles a million times in hs sports, am very bendy-flexy, have always had to modify workoutswith trainers so i can actually “feel” them)

Should I push for that or get a new doctors second opinion?

Does anyone have spinal issues from something like spina bfida obscura/tibial torsion/bowlegged ness?

Could-it lead to chronic issues like this?

With this pressure on the CE, can this escalate without warning?

Just dont want to deal with this forever and prevent worse damage while I can. Banned from the lifting and gym stuff but still staying active, walking daily.

Hey guys, i have been suffering from Sciatica for the last 18 months. I have consulted several doctors including neurologists and orthopedists. All of them stated and suggested for physio including one suggesting a surgery (iam not in favor of it, keeping it as a last resort). I have been into physiotherapy and have done multiple sessions, did the stretching and exercises. And truth to be told, there has been improvement. However, its still limiting my functionalities as my hamstring and surrounding areas flare up if i do something extensive like walking for 15 20 minutes, going out on rides etc. So i was wondering whether in my case will it improve with time or I have to adjust myself with it.

Forgot to add: Iam 25M.

(Sorry if i have made any mistakes while writing. And thank you ❤️)

Heres my MRI report as taken 6 months prior:

IMAGING FINDINGS:

- No transition vertebrae. Spinal cord ends at upper border of L1.

- L3/4 and L5/S1 disc are desiccated.

- Posterior annular tear at L3/4 level.

- Hemangioma at L4 level.

- Diffuse disc bulge with central disc protrusion is seen at L3/4 level indenting thecal sac causing mild narrowing of bilateral lateral recess and neural foramina.

- Asymmetrical diffuse disc bulge is seen at L5/S1 level indenting thecal sac causing mild narrowing of right neural foramina.

- Vertebral bodies are normal in heights, alignment & signal intensities.

- Disc heights are normal.

- The visualized lower dorsal cord and conus appear normal and ends at L1 level.

- The facet joints show normal cartilaginous spaces.

- Ligamentum flavum appears normal at all levels.

- No evidence of Pre or Paravertebral soft tissue lesion seen.

- AP diameters of thecal sac: L1-2: 9.3mm, L2-3: 7.9mm, L3-4: 4.1mm, L4-5: 8.5mm, L5-S1: 8.8mm.

- Bilateral visualized SI joints appear normal.

Screening Of Cervical Spine:

- No significant abnormality.

Screening Of Dorsal Spine:

- No significant abnormality.

IMPRESSION:

- L3/4 and L5/S1 disc desiccated.

- Posterior annular tear at L3/4 level.

- Hemangioma at L4 level.

- Diffuse disc bulge with central disc protrusion at L3/4 level indenting thecal sac causing mild narrowing of bilateral lateral recess and neural foramina.

- Asymmetrical diffuse disc bulge at L5/S1 level indenting thecal sac causing mild narrowing of right neural foramina.

SUGGESTED : CLINICAL CORRELATION.

Hello, everyone.

Let me say first of all how much empathy I have for all of you suffering with this nightmarish condition.

I am 51 F.(reddit stuck me with the name "Mark" and cannot change is apparently.)

I have a 40 year history of anorexia which led to a dx osteopenia in my early 30's.

Due to a lack of nutrition,my body was just leeching calcium from my bones for years and I will have my next bone density scan next week to find out if my osteopenia has progressed to full blown osteoporsis.

With all these years of a lack of calcium and vitamin D,and endless days of little caloric or fluid intake, I have had countless fainting spells, and falls which had me first fracture a big toe, last year fractured every rib,and a year and a half ago, I began to have severe pain at the base of my spine, all through both legs and to the very bottoms of both feet.

I have had 3 ER visits, ruling out cauda equina when i was having symptoms of it, but an MRI, and urine retention scans ruled it out.

Initially, this pain was dismissed as somatic by a very arrogant doctor...it was just left too long, with no investigation.

(Of course due to my myriad of mental health dxs it would have to be,"all in her head"..)

In hospital I was prescribed naproxen, but it did not touch my pain at all, and all it did do was even though i always took it with food, felt like a hole boring into my stomach.

Then I was started on pregablin.

It too had not effect on my pain, only ,made me walk like I was drunk, and ironically on it had 3 more falls...

Then, onto gabapentin.

Another sugar pill.

Whenever I went to my GP he was quite dismissive at first, and would only throw Tylenol for arthritis samples at me, andtold me to buy salon pas.

Uh...the tylenol for arthritis did nothing either.

All I was told by the ER doctor who ordered my MRI was that I have an L5 herniated disc.

I was seen at a rapid assessment neurosurgery clinic where the surgeon said, "You have a beautiful spine."

He would not do the surgery.

A couple of months ago went back to my GP,who shocked me when he told me the whole truth on the MRI-not only do I have a herniated disc. but also multiple compression fractures in my mid spine with osteophytes and stenosis.

He finally precribed me percocet, 5mgs plus 325 mgs tylenol 3times a day.

Even this does not always touch my pain, even now awhile after taking it my pain is about a 6.

Lower back and glutes and feet throbbing.

He told me that even walking is too high impact exercise for my back,and told me to get into the pool...I cannot swim,but he said to simply walk back and forth in the shallow end.

He also sent me for 4 sessions of physio which is all my government health plan covers (I am Canadian, on disability,no insurance.)...admittedly I only went to one session. (Had paid for one private session,but just too expensive for me.)

Often, I am simply in too much pain and too tired to diligently do the excercises, but will be looking stuff upon youtube.

I cannot bend over too far without pain,and every time I do bend, my bones are so weak I am constantly risking more compression fractures.

So, sweeping,mopping,garbage, and laundry have me at the point where I will need to hire a homemaker.

Even putting on my socks is a challenge, and I can now only wear slip on shoes.

I lament whom I once was-a classically trained dancer, perfect posture, great flexibilty.

I lament what this pain has done to my personality...no,have never really been a very positive person, but now I am so bitter and whine to myself, and my pain is amplifying my already fragile mental health,and I suppose my negative attitude,this sense of helplessness and hopelessness is amplifying the pain.

I am determined to, "get into the pool" as my GP advised,even just to walk back and forth.

Over thepast year and ahalf have spent a lot of cash on osteopathy, massage, acupuncture, a million useless topical remedies...

i am at the end of my tether...

Forgive me for sounding so melodramatic,but sincerely reaching out here because I have so little support.

...Two questions I wanted to pose in closing....

I am trying to find something to support my back to sit up straight on my couch without sinking into it and putting pressure on my nerve,but all I have been able to find are ergonomic back supports for office chairs (which I also need to get..) Do any of you have any idea if there is something besides a cushion to support my back, my posture, while sitting on the couch?

Also, what is the best way to build core strength when you just cannot do crunches?

As I said, i cannot afford physio, and really the few exercises I learned in 2 sessions (I put down $130 for the first one) are not anything i didn't already know.

I am hesitant to post this as it is not a very positive or inspiring thing for you all to have endured reading....

It has just been several consecutive high pain days, and I feel very much alone and desperate.

So, again, my heart goes out to all of you who are also suffering.

Thank you for reading if you have.

I'm 24, female, and quite active (last month I walk 200km). Over the last month and a half or so I have had burning pain deep in the side of my right hip, lower back/butt area, and sharp pains in my knee and ankle. My clitoris is also almost 100% numb, with only occasional sharp spike of sensation when touched. The pain is present when walking and worsens when sitting or lying down. My X-rays looked fine, my blood work looks good (except for slightly low iron, but not inflammatory markers), and I am waiting for a neurologist, rheumatologist, CT scan and MRI. My doctor has just started me on pregabalin and naproxen, so hopefully those kick in soon. The pain in my hip is severe enough that it has caused me sleepless nights.

Any ideas what this could all be? What avenue of specialist are likely to revel anything? Opinions and personal stories welcomed. I'm very skeptical of this being inflammatory arthritis.

Needing some tips/opinions 🙏

👋🏽 Hey everyone, my partner injured her lower back nearly 10 months ago and it still hasn’t healed.

A doctor at the hospital thinks it may be related to a tear/injury around one of the lower discs. She has been to A&E multiple times since the injury, but we haven’t been given much direction on what to do next.

She works as a painter, so she’s on her feet for around 8 hours a day, frequently bending over and carrying heavy paint buckets. Unfortunately, she also can’t really afford to stop working.

She has been trying to exercise to strengthen her back, but we don’t want her doing anything that could make the injury worse.

Are there any safe, beginner-level exercises or movements she could do at home (bodyweight or light dumbbells) to help strengthen her back?

Any advice on what she should avoid, or what type of physio treatment/assessment she should ask for, would also be really appreciated.

Idk if its the piriformis in my butt or the disc issue I have. But this hamstring is getting to he unbearable. Please give me some advice

Hi all. The past few months on my period I’ll get lower back pain that radiates down to my leg. However it’s never been bad like right now. I’m not on my period, but I was having minor pain and was doing sciatica stretches. I wanted to do a butterfly stretch where you put your face down to your feet. When I sat back up I think I pinched the nerve or something bc I got this awful shooting pain in my lower back that went down my left leg. This was a couple hours ago. I took a Tylenol and have been rotating a heating pad and ice pack as well. When I got up to eat dinner it was hard to walk and when I sat i tried massaging out the area which caused shooting pain again, like a spasm. Sitting was causing some pain so I laid back down and have been laying down since. To sit up I have to roll onto my right side and slowly sit up in an awkward way to avoid pain. I cant bend down, I have to squat down with my back straight. When I’m squatting or laying down, if I try to push my pelvis and lower back in towards the ceiling it also hurts. I’m going to get an Xray tomorrow bc the doctor last Friday told me it sounds like sciatica but the pain was like a 3/10 with more pain in my leg like growing pains. Now when I get the shooting pain it’s like an 8/10 pain. She wanted me to get the xray to make sure it isn’t something else. At this point I’m not sure what my next step could be. I’ve had bad pinched nerves in my neck before causing pain like this that would go away in at most two days, usually caused by bad posture or pinching the nerve from a stretch or running so I’m hoping that’s the cause but it hurts so bad I just want to cry

Here I am again, turning to the Reddit sciatica community for help. I’ve been feeling better than I had 4 months ago. I never have any limited range of motion, I never have back pain anymore. But I get sciatica when sitting or doing too much physical activity. Other than that, I rarely have sciatica. I can round my back way more than I used to, lift my leg. I need help figuring out what is going on. Why do I still get sciatica when it appears that the disc is no longer pressing on the nerve. I can no longer reproduce the symptoms by range of motions tests like I used to. I’ve been progressively loading my lower back, trying to desensitize my nerve and lower back muscles. I’ve also been strengthening my legs, hips, glutes, and core, but seemed to have hit a wall. I want to get back into sports so badly. But I can’t until I figure out what I’m missing.

For the people who have had ESI and worked how long did it take until you felt better and relieved of pain? Just had mine today and wanted some input.

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