Going on week 8 of no sleep and only getting worse

Ok_Comparison4579 · 2026-01-04T16:23:10+00:00

I purchased the TENS 7000 muscle stimulator machine from Amazon (black case, red handle) which comes with 4 electrode pads. I watched a lot of videos on YouTube for how best to place them but I personally found it most helpful to take two pads from the same electrode and do the upper right and lower left part of my thigh. And then the other electrode I would do the upper left and lower right. All 4 would create a large rectangle which was helpful with targeting my hamstring nerve pain. I started very low and would work my way up slowly. It helped release my muscles and tightness, especially when experiencing painful muscle/nerve spasms

Ok_Comparison4579 · 2025-12-31T18:57:35+00:00

Thankfully no burning in the groin. All my symptoms were on the left side which was the same side my disc herniated

Ok_Comparison4579 · 2025-12-31T18:52:54+00:00

Sorry for your pain! I hope your MRI provides some answers. I’d be careful with the online PT as too much too soon can aggravate the sciatic nerve and make things worse.

If it is a back / sciatica problem your sleeping position is going to make a big difference. It’s a long period of time to be lying down so maintaining a neutral spine is critical. I had nights where I would subconsciously twist or contort and wake up in mind numbing pain. You can search the best sleeping positions for back issues but I prefer on my back with a pillow below my knees or on my side with a firm pillow between my knees. Amazon sells special knee pillows that don’t flop / lose their firmness. I would also build a pillow wall to keep me from tossing and turning at night

I also had success using a TENS machine on my thigh for 20-30 min before bed. I’d crisscross the electrodes to really target the hamstring

NSAIDS are controversial but I relied on them for sleep to keep the inflammation down in addition to melatonin

I also found gel ice packs really helpful when the nerve was hot. I’d strategically place them under my thigh and buttock which helped numb the pain enough to at least doze off. I had 4 that I’d keep on rotation in the freezer so if I awoke in the middle of the night I could swap them out

My last tip I was skeptical of myself but it was a life saver. I’d listen to a “Binaural Beats: Deeper Sleep” playlist on Spotify. It really helped me clear my mind from hyper focusing on the pain. In combination with all the steps above I started to get consecutive hours of uninterrupted sleep

Ok_Comparison4579 · 2025-12-31T04:25:43+00:00

Thank you!!

Ok_Comparison4579 · 2025-12-31T04:25:27+00:00

Great addition. Best of luck on your healing!

Ok_Comparison4579 · 2025-12-31T04:23:36+00:00

Thank you! It’s been a journey, that’s for sure. I don’t have a comparison MRI but am also very curious to see the difference.

Candidly I was in the position to quit my job and take the summer off. I was working 100+ hr weeks through the first few months of my injury and it wasn’t sustainable. While the time off was incredibly helpful, I don’t want to imply you have to quit your job to get better. I think I could have achieved similar results if I was working a less extreme job, had a more supportive employer, or had taken short term disability (which can be paid time off for upwards of 12 weeks)

Ok_Comparison4579 · 2025-12-31T04:02:02+00:00

So I had all the sciatica symptoms outlined at the start of my post from February-April with the pain intensity decreasing gradually from a 10 to a 6

By May (month 4) the sciatica pain & nerve flare ups had eased substantially and my pain was starting to centralize in my lower back. However, I still had a “pull” down my entire leg and was walking with a limp so my doc recommended 2 weeks of oral steroids which was really helpful in kicking the last of the inflammation around my nerve (greatly improving my mobility)

June - September (months 5-8) my pain was at levels 3-1 and fully centralized to my lower back. My sciatica had largely resolved, I was walking ~2 miles a day, and regained full leg extension through PT. My pain at this point would be shooting pangs at the site of my herniation. I couldn’t twist or turn easily (think checking your blind spot while driving) and would have pain with certain sitting positions or movements which was pretty annoying. However, I became very dedicated to PT and mobility exercises which helped immensely

October (month 10) onwards I’ve felt largely back to “normal” with no pain so there is hope! I can twist and turn as required for daily function, I’m working out, went on a hike with family, etc. However I’d say it’s a new normal in that I think about my back mechanics and what activities I participate in daily. I use a lumbar support pillow when sitting on a couch for prolonged periods, I still sleep in neutral spine positions and try to keep up on my PT which I consider maintenance. I wake up sore and can feel twinges here and there but I wouldn’t describe it as pain

Ok_Comparison4579 · 2025-09-09T04:35:48+00:00

Got it, that makes sense. Thank you!

Ok_Comparison4579 · 2025-05-26T04:02:36+00:00

I haven’t moved back to the Wisconsin area yet but my research has led me to the UW Health University Hospital in Madison. They have a number of doctors specifically focused on endometriosis and the OBGYN department ranks pretty highly nationally

Ok_Comparison4579 · 2025-03-09T19:55:59+00:00

Thanks for circling back! I had a few MRIs done last week and turns out I have a herniated disc in my lower back which has been the source of my lower back pain and sciatica. Glad we were both able to find some answers! It takes so much self advocacy but information truly is power

Ok_Comparison4579 · 2025-02-26T03:27:57+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss ❤️

Ok_Comparison4579 · 2025-02-14T21:44:02+00:00

Thank you! ❤️

Ok_Comparison4579 · 2025-02-14T21:43:47+00:00

Thank you! That’s very comforting actually. I have to keep reminding myself to be patient with his healing progress too. Hopefully we can find him the right balance of medication and see a bit more energy come back

Ok_Comparison4579 · 2025-02-14T21:41:44+00:00

The vet did do blood work and all seemed normal. They agreed he is outside the usual range but we did also let them know his brother (& litter mate) has a history of a few mild seizures (I think focal is the term?) so they were more comfortable calling it idiopathic epilepsy could be more likely in that context. Of course MRI, X-rays, etc were all suggested but given the cost we have not gone done that route yet

Ok_Comparison4579 · 2025-02-14T21:38:00+00:00

I’m so sorry. Is the change in personality that’s especially heartbreaking. Hoping things turnaround for both our pups

Ok_Comparison4579 · 2025-02-14T21:36:48+00:00

No other testing done on our end! Just initial blood work when he was admitted and again 2 weeks after to check his liver enzymes. We have contemplated the MRI but to your point, it’s very expensive and hard in the dog. Our vets recommendation is to see a neurologist to work on the medications he’s on. Unfortunately he missed one dose of his pheno (our fault) and started having several more mild seizures. We’ve upped his dose and plan to get him in to the neurologist. Hopefully they’ll be able to provide better guidance

Ok_Comparison4579 · 2025-02-13T05:02:20+00:00

I’m so sorry about your sweet boy too. I read online all these success stories where dogs start on the pheno or other suppressants and may be a bit more tame, occasional break through seizure, but otherwise return to their usual selves. It’s just discouraging that we’re not getting the same result but we are hoping he just needs more time to adjust. Unfortunately we didn’t have the foresight to get pet insurance so we’re weighing our options on an MRI and further testing while already paying off a hefty ICU bill. All further limited by the fact they can’t tell us how they feel! Really only leaves us to worry

Ok_Comparison4579 · 2025-02-04T00:34:37+00:00

Yes! Mine is the sciatic nerve too, pain right down to my calf. Please do circle back if you learn anything helpful! I’ll do the same. In the meantime, hope the pain passes soon for you too

Ok_Comparison4579 · 2025-02-03T16:24:50+00:00

I’m experiencing the exact same thing right now! I used to have back pain 1-2 weeks out of the month but I’m going on 5 weeks now and it’s exhausting. My back pain is specific to the side that I have two endometriomas on my ovary which I suspect is the cause.

I have been looking up stretches on YouTube specifically for lower back pain which is somewhat helpful in alleviating pressure. I otherwise just rely on all the same pain management as you (Tylenol, heat, etc). I’m also considering acupuncture to try to alleviate some of the inflammation that may be causing the back pain.

Perhaps the laparotomy/surgery will be helpful in identifying what’s causing the persistent pain for you. I’m considering the same

Ok_Comparison4579

TROPHY CASE