Hello,
My name is Clair and I suffer with sciatica and have done so for 9 years. I will always remember that first bout of pain, and being totally confused with what was causing it. I had just become a new Mom, and was holding my son, when a sharp pain tore down my right leg and just lingered with the pain power switch on full. I remember crying out to my, then, partner as I stood up in a vain attempt to resolve what ever the cause was. As the pain just came and went I didn't see a Dr as I was being a New Mom and returning back to my job, and suffering with postnatal depression.
it wasn't until a couple years later that I had another painful flare up which resulted in me seeking help from my Doctor. He referred me to physiotherapy, and following the set exercises, I stupidly thought, yeah, Job done and carried on with life. After my Daughter was born I had another flare up and again, after physio, the pain settled and I learnt to live with the dull ache that was now running down my left leg with a pins and needles senation each time I bent the leg.
If the pain got particulary uncomfortable, I'd just grab a couple of paracetqmol and get on with a busy job and taking care of my family. When I had to do any type of physical task it took me ages.....like in 2010 when I moved house, it took me ages to get the motivation to pack and then it took weeks and moving day was absoulute torture, but I battled through. doing any really physical job took it out of me.
About 6 weeks ago I had a niggly sore throat and made an appointment to see the Doc. Had to wait a week before I could see him but stilll agreed, as not one to really make a fuss. In that week I had the worse flare up in my 9 year history. Now a single Mom to a 9 yr old and a 4yr old that week was pure hell. I got out of bed and the pain would intensify down my left leg within 5 mins till the point I could not stand. Taking the kids to school was torture and when I finally got home I was howling with the pain. The only releif was crouched on all 4's in a ball on the floor. Eventually, after over dosing on nurofen plus, so I could get the max dose of codine in my system and still not getting any relief I phoned the out of hours doctors. They prescribed tramadol, but still taking the max dose of that still gave me no releif. Finally, the day came to see my own Doc and he prescribed me diazapam. within 24 hours the pain had eased and I was hsppy. (most prob a side effect of the meds lol). I also went for x-ray, results of which is chronic disc lesion L5/S1.
A week later the pain started in my right leg. at this point I had altered feeling in my left leg, I couldn't feel my left foot from the two little toes outwards, my groin had started to go numb from my bum cheeks forward. So I went back to the docs. A different Doc saw me who reluctantly prescribed diazapam. Even this had no effect this time. But she did refer me for the MRI
At last, my referral to physiotherapy came through, It had been 4 week of pure pain and I was very eager to tell them all my symtoms and leave with a set of exercises that would make me all better. This didn't go to plan, and I left with one exercise, a warning that if my "saddle" part of groin loss feeling or I lost control of bowel or bladder to go straight to A and E. Goodbye see you in 3 weeks!! I was angry, devistated and upset. I couldn't last another three weeks like this...I could barely walk!!
I went on line and found some simple exercises and started doing them. My referral came through for MRI on the 14th June.
Doing the exercises have really helped with the feeling of pain. I'm still having difficulty with loss of feeling in my grion, bum, back of both legs, and half of my feet. Also with stairs and general walking. I now can at least sit for longer than 10 mins in one position.
I went for MRI and was told results would be 2 weeks. That was on Thursday. Three days later I go for my second physio, now with the new hope that exercises will help me so lets manipulate and get this sorted. Again, guess what? that didn't go to plan.....
The MRI has shown that I have a large disc bulge that needs surgery to correct this as a matter of urgency I must consult my GP (as they did the referral for the MRI). He has sent an urgent referral to a consultant at Sandwell general.
My intention with this feed is to tell a honest and frank account of the pre op appointments and of the op and post op care. I have read many horror stories on this feed from way back in 2008 and it has scared me a little. but I have no option but to have the op if I want my feeling back. So I thought I would help others while I'm doing it.
So as things are today, I will keep doing my exercises to build up my core muscles. I willl carry on losing the weight (I've lost 23 lbs by changing my eating habits, as I'm not silly and understand that carrying weight doesn't really help me any with this condition) and I am waiting on my first appointment to meet the consultant who I'm hoping will change my life, by doing this op, for the better.
You can wake up now!! I've finished lol. .......until the next time!!!
Hi Clair,
My heart goes out to you for the pain and obvious suffering you have had to endure for so long 🙁 I will pray that your surgery is swift and gets you up and running around without any more pain :dogrun:
I will watch this space for your next update! God Bless!
Update.
It has been a week since I went for my physio and was told the result of the MRI. A week since the Dr sent off for an urgent referral to the consultant at Sandwell General. I was at my kids sports day today, and my phone rang with a number I didn't recognise, but I answered it and it was the Dr trying to get me an appointment with the consultant.
The first available appointment is the 9th July at 7pm, I said I''ll take it!! It is at the West Midlands Hospital not Sandwell but I really dont mind what hospital it is at as long as I get to see somebody and we come up with a treatment plan.
So thats the news folks.......Roll on the 9th July.....
.Roll on the 9th July.....
Excellent News! Good to know that you are on the conveyor belt! Don't forget to wear your best underwear for the scan! I laughed my socks off when I had to wear a paper smock with my butt hanging out in the breeze......just for a scan on my knee! :005:
Just so you know.....its bl@@dy noisy when the scanner 'cranks up'! They will give you ear muffs 😀
Thanks Raven.
Hi Raven,
I've already had the MRI. I turned to smock the other way round but had to be careful not to expose my boobs!! Hospital gowns are a nightmare, esp if like me, you are larger than "one size fits all"!! lol.
I would love to see the results of the MRI, I did see the x-ray after that was taken, so I'm hoping that the consultant will have a picture of it.
What was/is wrong with your knee? Hope nothing serious!!
Take care,
Clair. xx
Hi Claire,
I thought I had a lose piece of cartilage in my knee behind the patella which was causing discomfort and weakness. When I had an x-ray nothing showed up so I was referred for an MRI which didn't show up anything either!
Anyroadup, since doing my A&P&N studies I have a great appreciation of all my muscles and possible cause of the problem as just being a strain. Touch wood, I have not had a problem for a couple of years now so alls well with moi! 🙂
Honest, I didn't snigger about you wearing a smock! :005:Mustn't have your bit's popping out.....front or back!!! How embarrassing! They should issue reinforced paper boob-tubes/hamocks for ladies of certain 'ampleness'....politely put didn't you notice! :rolleyes:
My course starts Monday, so I may be stealth for the next 10 days. Promise I will be back!
xx
Hi Claire - as a fellow sufferer (my lesion was L4/L5 - and having survived surgery - I so sympathise. The pain of sciatica is indescribable. As a pharmacist I know way too much about painkillers - but I hope they are helping. Don't be afraid to take maximum doses. Diazepam is a VERY good muscle relaxant. ...and if they have you on Diclofenac or something similar take it with food .
Surgery revolutionised my life. My boyfriend (who had known me for months) realised he had never seen me stand upright properly . Apparently I looked so different after the op.
PM me if you want any advice on drugs
love and light
Sally
PS You have one of the few problems reiki can't help with - until after the surgery when it can help the healing
Regarding mri's, you can get 100% cotton joggers with no metal clips, zips or rivets in most supermarkets, add to that a 100% cotton tee (and Claire, you can get 100% all in one sports bras with no metal hooks or clips, that work well enough underneath for the trip) and you are set for any mri. I bought a set just for my scan visits lol, it must glow in the dark lol. But much better than the awful stuff they offer us to wear and so far (touching wood here) it has been accepted at all mri clinics and hospitals. Still spose I must say that if you do buy stuff and then for some reason they don't let you wear it then don't blame me please.
Thank you for the advice and encouragement!!
Hello All,
Thank you for taking the time to read my "Blog" (lol).
Sally, the doc's will not give me a long course of diazapam, so I'm surviving on Tramadol, diflofenac, paracetamol (plus asprin). This seems to be doing the trick at the moment, along with some exercises that my Boy Friend is teaching me and a couple that I got off line. I've even named my swiss ball "Max" (after the makers name pro-max). The operation has me split down the middle.......I want it to ease the pain, to regain full sensitivity, and also to regain full strength in my legs, I'm having difficulty with walking and stairs!!. (feel old lol). ......And then it worries me because of the unknown...like how long is the recovery, by that I mean when will I be well enough to be able to get the kids to school etc etc. I know that total recovery will take some time and that exercises will play a main part. My Mom also knows this and says she will be nagging me to make sure I do them, (something to look forward to lol). Thank you for your offer of help if I don't understand medications or with what dose I can really get away with 😉 I'm glad that the op went well for you, and your life has improved, Well done!
Cassie, I'll have to invest in one of those!! Don't worry, if they tell me not suitable I will not hold it against you lol. It is very good advice, as I would never have known about it if you hadn't replied, so thank you.
Raven, I hope the course is going well for you. So glad that your knee has settled down for you. Yes, the body works in mysterious ways....My BF was telling me of a clicking sound in his knee, whenever he would go up and down stairs etc, so he went to have it investigated. Turned out that it was a muscle/tendon (not really sure) in his lower back that was "locked" and with physio on that back muscle the knee stopped clicking!! Strange!! . What complicated creatures we are!!
Roll on the 9th July, where I meet my consultant and a more clear picture with time frames will hopefully be explained.
Take care everyone. xxxxx And thanks again!!
Hello All,
like how long is the recovery, by that I mean when will I be well enough to be able to get the kids to school etc etc.
I was back at work within 8 weeks .
My intention with this feed is to tell a honest and frank account of the pre op appointments and of the op and post op care. I have read many horror stories on this feed from way back in 2008 and it has scared me a little. but I have no option but to have the op if I want my feeling back. So I thought I would help others while I'm doing it.
What a story Calire
I hope it goes all well for you on the 9th July 🙂
I have heard many many stories from patients who have back and neck pain and have had for years. I help to run and organise spinal support group meetings in the Teesside area. It is amazing how many suffer; we invite people to come along who have had treatment and those who are awaiting treatment and they find talking to each other very helpful. Good luck!
I met the consultant today
I've been looking forward to today for a while...
So I got to the hospital early, well I didn't want to be late by getting stuck in traffic etc and I arrived allmost an hour early for my appointment.
Eventually (after runing 20 mins late) I meet my consultant and he is a very proffesional chap and I feeel at ease straight away. He asks for the short version of the history and makes notes. He then says that I have a large disc bulge that only surgery can correct. Tells me about some numbers of patients that have had it and total recovery and the small % that don't feel any benefit. In my case because I have loss of sensation in my groin area I could be classed as urgent before irrresversable damage is done (could possibly be total paralysis).
He tells me that he wants to do the operation in the next 2 weeks.
He does some tests on me, you know the usual, lifting of the legs, the reflex tests, Then he asks me to curl my toes towards my head, which I thought I was doing, but apperently not. So then I stand up, he prods my back and asks if I feel any pain, which I honestly do not. Then he wanted me to stand on tip toe, and no matter how hard I try, I just cannot lift my heels off the floor, even when using the aid of a chair.
He says that if I suffer with any bladder or bowel problems while I'm waiting for the op date to go to a&E and then asks me to fill out this medical questionaire in the waiting area.
There I am, filling it out, and the nurse comes across and says that they need to have me in Wednesday for pre-op as the surgeon wants to do it on Friday. I ask. "What does the surgeon want to do Friday?" She replies "THe operation"
The operation,,,,,,on Friday....This Friday!! Yes!!
I was in shock, I thought it would take a while to get on the waiting list and then to actually have the op. It's my Mom's 60th Birthday on Saturday, I have a holiday booked first two weeks in August...Not any more!! Friday people, I'm having the op Friday!!! It has taken so long to get to this point, and now it;s like I'm on a rollercoaster. I'm very happy that I am being taken seriously and the fact that I'm having it done so quickly is perfect. It is what I wanted and now here I am in the week of my op. Wow!!
So these long winded updates will happen faster than i imagined. lol.
Pre Op on Wednesday, and if all goes well in on Friday. xxxxx
Wow!!
Pre Op on Wednesday, and if all goes well in on Friday. xxxxx
Hi Clair! Very pleased that things have moved along swiftly for you. Mmmm..from what you describe it sounds like a ruptured disc? Anyroadup, I wish you all the very best for your operation on Friday. I guess by your enthusiasm you and your other half will be camping out Thursday night to buy the first ticket into theatre :005:
Thank You for you wishes concerning my Holistic Swedish massage course. Yes, I have completed the first block of my training, I have a couch and now ready to practice my craft. It has been an amazing full-on course and incredibly rewarding for me and my fellow students to send each other off to the land of 'nod' in the course of working on each other. Some guys/gals snored really loud! :sleep: The power of touch!
Some-time after your operation and with the permission of your surgeon, I would strongly recommend some form of massage, particularly working on your legs to stimulate your nerves and get the blood flowing properly again and to work out the toxins which will be lurking around.
God Bless xx
A big Let down!!
Since Monday, I had another call to bring the op forward to Wednesday (today) So after arranging the kids school, childcare for the first two weeks, tidied the house, cancelled the holiday, I get another call to come in at 2pm instead of 4pm.
In I go with my bags packed and all the good luck wishes from family and friends. The anesthetiest comes in and tells me that he is not prepared to take the risk because of my BMI. (I'm overweight, I know it's not sensible, but I've been the same size since Monday!!!) So will not be having the operation today at that hospital because there is no emergency facilities there if unfortunately I stopped breathing!! I was crushed!!
My consultant is trying to get me in on his list at the bigger NHS hospital but it is like When? How long is the wait? How long is a piece of string? I now have to sit and wait by the phone. I hate not knowing what is happening. I had tp prepare myself mentally for the op and now it's not happening and I feel lost. I'm putting on a brave face for the kids but inside I'm screaming!! Why get me in just to tell me it aint going to happen? I felt a fool.
Sorry that this post is negative but I'm not happy tonight. I should be under the knife by now but no anesthetist will touch my fat arse!!! I've lost 10% of my body weight to help with this op already, and I understand the weight does put a risk factor on the whole thing. I'm just disappointed 🙁
Thanks Raven
Wow, that sounds interesting!!! I'd love a massage on my legs and lower back. My calves feel very tight from struggling with lack of flexibility in my ankles!! Stroke the pain away, mmmmmmmm sounds ideal. xxxxx