re: Sciatica is kicking my arse

I am currently laying face down on the couch, because it's the only thing I can do and not he in excruciating pain.

I've had back pain for years but in the last month it changed completely. I have a very bad L4/5 herniation.

I always swore I would never do any surgery on my back, but I am praying to get on the surgery schedule for next week

I have an ongoing issue that i can't seem to find any relief. Higher mileage runner for 6+ years (2500 miles/yr avg). over the past year i've lost "feeling" in my foot. its not pins and needles asleep, its not numb as I can still feel stuff its just rather muted and in general feels like I don't have control of my foot. normal turnover motion while running is off, seems very unstable and each step feels difference. my feet feel completely different in my shoes like the "bad" foot feels sideways or shoe is on crooked. its difficult to describe and is beyond mentally frustrating. i occasionally have "burning" sensation in outer thigh area. I've had xray, mri and emg but DR doesn't see anything definitive. not sure what else to do. mri reading
11-T12: Evaluated on sagittal imaging only, there is a posterior disc bulge/herniation which results in mild spinal canal narrowing.

T12-L1: Minimal disc bulge. No significant spinal canal stenosis or neural foraminal stenosis.

L1-L2: Mild degenerative disc height narrowing. Small disc bulge with superimposed shallow right central disc protrusion. Mild spinal canal narrowing. No significant neural foraminal stenosis.

L2-L3: No focal posterior disc herniation, spinal canal stenosis, or neural foraminal stenosis.

L3-L4: Minimal disc bulge. No significant spinal canal stenosis or neural foraminal stenosis.

L4-L5: Minimal disc bulge. No significant spinal canal stenosis or neural foraminal stenosis.

L5-S1: Minimal disc bulge and superimposed shallow central disc protrusion. No significant spinal canal stenosis or neural foraminal stenosis.

IMPRESSION:


1. Mild degenerative changes of lumbar spine:
- Mild retrolisthesis and mild spinal canal narrowing at L1-L2.
- No significant lumbar neural foraminal stenosis.

2. Mild spinal canal narrowing at T11-T12.

Thanks. I’ve considered that too as it feels like someone is crushing my hip when I get into the wrong position, which is most.

On a positive note, the pain in my foot and shin are mostly gone after finally figuring out a way to keep my foot raised without pain. Blood has pooled pretty bad in my foot and it was warm to the touch, all due to not being able to lie down or get my foot above my heart.

Can’t walk because of the hip/shin/feet pain

Sciatica is brutal and can be debilitating at times. A cortisone shot in the but with a depo medrol dose pack really helps.




Disclaimer: This is not medical advice from a doctor

McGill Big 3 didn't seem to do much for me either. Every case is different but ATG kept me out of a 2nd surgery

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It sucks a lot, especially because I'm only 37 and know the long term prognosis for back will likely be a fusion at some point

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Man I would do almost anything to avoid a back surgery at 37.

What form of exercise do you normally engage in?

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ended up being piriformis syndrome

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How do you know? Just curious

But if it is, an elevated pigeons stretch should help

Try acupuncture