Newly diagnosed sciatica ... what to expect ?

shelovestobuystuff

I have collapsed tendons in my heels too,I had no idea that could possibly be connected to the spine problems.The other red section,I had pelvic displacement also which was problem for about 3 years after I had my last baby so all the red areas in the diagram in your post tenacioust123.
Thanks,
I will look into it further and see what can be done to address all of it

shelovestobuystuff

Have any of you managed to find a chair which is bearable to sit on.I know when its really bad you just have to lie down but bad support must make it worse.What are the best chairs for back problems?

Poppy9

I'm convinced my back became much worse as a result of a C-Section which cut through my stomach muscles. Previously when examined doctors would comment on how hard my stomach muscles were but now I have a shelf above the scar!:o

pipkin71

shelovestobuystuff wrote: »

Have any of you managed to find a chair which is bearable to sit on.I know when its really bad you just have to lie down but bad support must make it worse.What are the best chairs for back problems?

I've found a coccyx support cushion helps a bit, rather than a particular chair. They cost around £20 but I thought it was worth getting.

pipkin71

tenacioust123 wrote: »

This diagram may be helpful, it shows which nerves effect which area.

http://www.sci-recovery.org/images/dermatomes.jpg

Thanks for that tenacioust.

I have problems from L3/L4/L5/S1 and S2, so get quite a range of symptoms from all those.

tenacioust123

I'm similar to you Pipkin

I have had a fusion of L4/L5, but have a large bulge of L3 and symptoms from S1, of to see surgeon tomorrow. Hopefully will find out what the next step is.

I_know_my_ABC_and_my_CMYK

zappster1966 wrote: »

Hi peeps,

I've been off my work the last few weeks with severe back pain in the small of my back. Can't drive, difficulty walking any great distance, awkward sitting, awkward standing ... feel like I've aged 20 years in the last 4 weeks !!

Came on suddenly when I bent over one morning to pick something off the floor - agony, passed from being fit to a cripple instantly.

Umpteen trips to the doctors since, can't help but feel their fix amounts to nothing more than painkillers & medical certificates and a hope "it'll go away". Finally sees a doctor yesterday who diagnoses Sciatica ... but still they can't diagnose the cause, he reckons it could be a slipped disc, degeneration of the disc or nerve damage ... but they can't give me a definite cause.

Given I don't know much about the back & that this sciatica diagnosis covers a whole multitude of sins, what should I expect from my GP when it comes to further tests etc ? Many folk have suggested to me getting a scan or an X ray, which sounds logical ... but it's never offered.

All I've got on my medical line is "lower back pain" ... and I'm getting grief off my work for the vagueness of the diagnosis ... "what's wrong with your back ?", "why can't they tell you ?", "go see another doctor" ...

I just feel like I'm stuck in the middle.

What should I reasonably expect from my GP in these circumstances ?

Thanks peeps.

I really do sympathise as I have this but I think mine is aggravated by fibro. One thing I have found that help is massage on my lower back, not too firm pressure but gentle. Maybe you could ask your partner or a friend to help out just make sure no pressure is put onto the spine. keeping it moving helps as well and pain killers (sometimes). I hope it eases off soon for you.

pipkin71

Hope you got on ok today tenacioust.

Pipkin xxxx

tenacioust123

pipkin71 wrote: »

Hope you got on ok today tenacioust.

Pipkin xxxx

Hi Pipkin

Well surgeon has refered me to anaesthetist to try out a nerve block, as most of my pain seems to be coming from the nerves damaged during surgery so fingers crossed that will give me some relief.

Thanks for asking

TT xx

pipkin71

tenacioust123 wrote: »

Hi Pipkin

Well surgeon has refered me to anaesthetist to try out a nerve block, as most of my pain seems to be coming from the nerves damaged during surgery so fingers crossed that will give me some relief.

Thanks for asking

TT xx

Have a read about the epidural nerve block before going ahead with it tenacioust. It's one of those where it works for some but not others and for some it led to more pain.

I couldn't go through with it but as a lot of your pain seems nerve related it may well bring some much needed relief.