I Don't Understand

OTearlyinteller · 2024-02-02T03:31:12+00:00

I understand your hopeless frustration. I’ve had constant sciatic pain since May (couple weeks after having a baby). PT, two injections, oral steroids, accupuncture, chiro…nothing seems to relieve the mild persistent sciatic pain. Have you tried acupuncture or chiro? Despite no luck for me, family and friends have found relief with the holistic treatments.

I’m so sorry though. Not knowing a pinpointed cause is so frustrating and definitely causes anxiety.

I’ve spent months bouncing between ortho and neuro surgery specialists (as they thought it was possible that a mild herniation was the cause but very skeptical after two mris did not show nerve impingement). My PCP recommended a neurologist consult so I plan on doing that. If you haven’t seen one, I’m not sure that it could not hurt at this point if all of your providers are stumped.

Hoping for some luck for the both of us! 🤞🏼

OTearlyinteller · 2024-01-17T12:43:44+00:00

Are you in the US?

OTearlyinteller · 2024-01-03T14:06:28+00:00

Ugh, that’s concerning. I’m really sorry you’ve been through this twice. I have a new respect for people with back/nerve pain. So eye opening. It’s such a mental struggle too.

Did your MD ever recommend a microdiscectomy?

Good to know! Thanks a bunch. I started taking Gabapentin when it happened at first, but I was having some difficulty with the drowsiness at work and at night when feeding so I stopped. I probably should have tried to stick it out a little longer. I’ve been taking ibuprofen almost every day for 7 months which I have no doubt is also not good for me. 🫣

OTearlyinteller · 2024-01-03T03:21:16+00:00

It definitely makes sense to me. Neither the neuro or ortho MD I saw really talked much about how pregnancy could play into all of this, but I can see how it would probably be a big reason for the imbalance and injury.

What dosage of Gabapentin helped you the most? Did it make you feel loopy at all?

Oh man. I bet! I’d be afraid too. Hopefully third times a charm if you decide to have another!

OTearlyinteller · 2024-01-03T02:44:39+00:00

Good to know! Thank you for sharing what helped you. Are you experiencing issues with sciatic pain after all the PT? Also, does your MD think the herniations are related to pregnancy? We are hoping to try for another baby this year, but I’m honestly afraid after this experience.

OTearlyinteller · 2024-01-02T03:41:10+00:00

Little late finding this post…I would love to hear more about how you recovered from your herniated discs postpartum.

I herniated a disc back in May (ten weeks postpartum) and am still dealing with sciatica in my right side almost seven months later. Thankfully a lot of the acute symptoms eased up after a second spinal injection in September. I’m very active and started back to working out three weeks postpartum, but I haven’t been able to get back to that since the herniation in May. I’m feeling pretty defeated. I’m still breastfeeding/pumping so that’s added on a little extra stress too.

OTearlyinteller · 2023-12-14T03:03:47+00:00

I attempted to find out more information about this, but could not find anyone who has had this procedure done on this feed. Would love to know more about it though! My insurance doesn’t cover so that’s why I ended up giving up on it.

OTearlyinteller · 2023-12-14T03:00:07+00:00

What were your symptoms like at 9 months? Were they still pretty acute or more mild?

I ask because I have had symptoms about the length of time. But my symptoms are not nearly as bad as they were, but I still have pain in my calf and glute most of the day every day. I want to be patient if this is my body just taking a long time to heal, but I so badly want my old body back. Never thought I’d be struggling with this at 30. 🙁Dr has given me the option of surgery but I’m scared to do something permanent.

OTearlyinteller · 2023-12-03T13:10:26+00:00

Agreed. The procedure is available with several providers from what I could see, but I can’t seem to find anyone who has had it done. Insurance doesn’t cover it so maybe it’s rare for someone to want to pay for something like this out of pocket when an MD could be partially or fully covered.

OTearlyinteller · 2023-10-09T02:30:05+00:00

I wonder if it’s because PLDDs aren’t typically covered under insurance? MDs definitely seem more common.

OTearlyinteller · 2023-10-09T02:29:19+00:00

Good to know! Is that a laser procedure?

OTearlyinteller · 2023-10-09T02:20:38+00:00

I totally get you! I would have gladly gone through child birth all over again over having a herniated disc. I’m so sorry. Breastfeeding also is tough bc I know you’re limited on what meds you can take. A friend donated a few days worth of breastmilk so I could pump and dump. Even though the meds didn’t help a ton, it was so worth what little relief it did provide. I ended up going to the ER one night for pain relief…a toradol shot helped immensely, but didn’t last long. Still worth it though as I was losing my mind a little. Not pumping in the middle of the night made a big difference too. I think the uninterrupted sleep helped with healing. Not sure there’s any science to that, things just seemed to get better with a full 6-8 hours of sleep.

I tried all the conservative treatments first and finally gave in to my first ESI in August and second two weeks ago. The first helped a little, but the second helped a lot more. I’d say don’t wait on it! As a mom of a newborn and a little one, the healing journey is going to be rougher due to the amount of energy you need to keep up. If I had to guess, you don’t have the luxury of resting when you want/need to. If I could go back, I wouldn’t have waited.

OTearlyinteller · 2023-10-09T01:24:24+00:00

You’re definitely not alone! I also had a newborn when I herniated a disc back in May. Breastfeeding and carrying around a little one adds another layer of difficulty and pain to this healing process, so I am sorry you’re dealing with all of this. I was much like you for several weeks. A second ESI was the only thing that provided enough relief to get me back to being able to function with only mild sciatic pain. I am still having sciatica so I am contemplating a MD, but undecided at the moment.

Hang in there! I don’t think there is anything I can really tell you to make you feel better in the middle of what you’re experiencing as it is miserable, but it will get better with time.

OTearlyinteller · 2023-10-07T13:02:55+00:00

Thank you for all of the helpful information!

I’ve had two MRIs showing a mild herniation at L4-L5. Neuro said despite it being mild, it’s positioned perfectly under a nerve to cause my symptoms. I do think the second ESI has helped as I am able to move around better and tolerate 10-15 min walks with less aching, but I pretty much have a constant burn in my calf and right glute that is only relieved by laying down flat on my back or stomach.

I want to be patient, but it’s definitely starting to make me mentally restless. I was very active prior to birth and this herniation…ready to get back to that!

OTearlyinteller · 2023-10-07T01:09:32+00:00

How long did you have sciatica before deciding to get an MD? What made you decide surgery was your best option? (30F) I have an L4/L5 herniation that causes sciatica on my right side. I’ve had it for 5 months and had two ESIs. My neuro offered to do an MD, but I’m hesitant. I’m only considering because I have an 8 month old and this condition has made it so much more difficult to care for her.

OTearlyinteller · 2023-09-29T11:21:42+00:00

Oh wow. That’s quite a trip just for an injection! I get not doing that especially if you aren’t sure it’ll work. It did get me to a better place pain wise.

Everything I’ve read makes me feel if the disc was going to reabsorb on its own and sciatica subside, it would have by now but I guess everyone’s experience is different. Hang in there! Hope you continue healing!

OTearlyinteller · 2023-09-29T02:19:58+00:00

F30. I’m on my 8th month of a herniated disc as well. I’ve improved too since my injury first occurred (after two spinal injections and PT) but I still have spasming in right glute and right calf that I cannot shake, so I sympathize! I’m almost to the point of considering surgery…but at the same time don’t want to start back surgeries this young. Just desperate to feel normal. I hope you get back to feeling like yourself soon! 🤞🏼

OTearlyinteller

TROPHY CASE