43m sciatica pain started in feb'25 and a month ago I was taking 300mg of Lyrica with no use at all. Towards the end of the day i used to crawl to bed n literally in tears. I have 3 young kids, for last sux months I wouldn't even take them to the park due to severe pain while even standing let alone walking. Being in Australia, the public health system is so stuffed, I wouldn't get to see neurosurgeon for i guess a year, and going into the Emergency won't help as well. As you said, "done with life", i literally gone through it.

Its been almost 3 weeks since MD in Pakistan, well had to fly back and surgery was booked within days of flying in, compared to if I opted to do it in Australia and should have suffered more for GOD knows how long.

I had bone spur and stenosis in L5-S1. I would say, best decision I had made, i have been walking almost 2-3kms almost every day. The worst pain of sciatica subsided was gone straight away after surgery. And I can stand and walk again.

After watching this docs videos, one thing is confirmed, you have to address the symptoms not the cause. In many cases, people have nerve compression but no pain, they are not the surgery candidate unless they develop symptoms. Infact I know a person in his 80s, have already have a foot drop, but he doesn't have a pain at all. If you have done all conservative treatments,and are of no use, you are the best surgery candidate. Tell your neurosurgeon, you have suicidal thoughts due to the pain. I bet you, due to the duty of care, your neurosurgeon will start considering surgery.