Sciatica due to spine problems
 

Hi everyone,

I've had sciatica for about 4 months. It took awhile to get diagnosed with spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and arthritis in my spine. I had an MRI that confirmed my condition. At first PT helped ( I started in January) but about 3 weeks ago I had a setback, probably because I sat too long at an event.

Apparently I'm not a candidate for surgery because I have too many bad places all over my spine.

I had to stop PT and just started again, but I am much worse. I am in pain except when standing or walking. It's terrible to drive or even be in a car! Advil and Tylenol don't seem to do much. I went to an acupuncturist last week. Didn't help yet.

I had an epidural cortisone injection about 3 weeks ago but it apparently didn't work. I see the pain doctor again tomorrow. He prescribed gabapentin and I've taken it for 2 days so far. It puts me to sleep after 2 hours but my pain returns and I have to stand up. The pain has been up and down one side, foot up to upper thigh.

Can anyone relate to any of this?

I ended up with sciatic nerve damage from hysterectomy in the 80's, terrible time back then. I've done a lot of work and do stretches every day to stretch out that area in my buttocks.

SOME PT's specialize in Pelvic Floor Work and I've had two in my life work on me with their work...it works!!!!! No Surgery, please don't think that. More surgery just gives us more problems no matter what they tell us it will do for us. Unless EMERGENCY. C

Hi rainbow8

Welcome to NeuroTalk; I hope that you will find the community as knowledgeable and supportive as I have :).

I am sorry to read about your sciatica.

The Spinal Disorders forum (https://www.neurotalk.org/forum22/) is worth checking out - please feel free to share your story there.

Best wishes.