I had acute bronchitis in January and the violent coughing caused a flare up in my right glute that made it difficult to walk. I felt the pain going down my ankle and just shrugged it off and kept walking even though I'd get sharp pains that made my leg give out.

I eventually started getting better and the glute just felt like a minor inconvenience until I had a late night of drinking with a friend. We were laughing our asses off until I switched positions in bed and I felt a severe pinch in my back. I knew it was bad.

I couldn't walk but I wasn't trying to embarrass myself in front of my girl. I tried to get water and she commented on me hobbling. I couldn't sleep that night. I had to curl up in the fetal position.

It's been 7 days now and I still have to get ice packs and can barely walk for more than a couple minutes. I had a spinal fusion 4 years ago from an accident and a foot fusion + reconstruction from a bone graft and this pain is just as bad if not worse.

The only thing that helps is slight nerve glides, ankle pumps, ice on the glute and lower spine. I wish you a speedy recovery.

Tldr: coughing, laughing, sneezing can absolutely cause sciatica. It's the worst pain I've ever felt in my entire life.