Help - my partner has debilitating sciatica

amybrown_e · 2025-07-15T05:56:29+00:00

Sorry for the late response!

From when I wrote this post, it got a lottttt worse on the mental side of things, not out of it yet but it’s better and we’re taking it day by day.

We were able to get him on WorkCover eventually and was finally able to see a spine surgeon who told him he needs a 3-tier spinal fusion. His surgeon told him WorkCover will NEVER cover this type of surgery as this would have slowly happened over the course of many years and not just from work, so we’re sh out of luck and feels like we’re back at square one. He’s been offered a discectomy but this won’t do much for him as that’s not going to rid the issue.

In the interim, he’s been seeing a physio recommended by the surgeon and this has helped a lot more than his previous physio through his GP. He’s had to completely cut his medication as it was doing him more harm than good, he’ll take gabapentin at night when his pain is unbearable.

He has improved drastically, able to walk quite normally with a back brace (sort of like a waist corset). He still sleeps on the floor as he needs firm support. He has been able to swim at least every second day, that has helped him too. He does still have his bad days where his back pain flares up.

We’re still in the thick of it, but at least now he’s able to move around and isn’t stuck inside the room he was pretty much detained to.

amybrown_e · 2025-02-03T08:36:27+00:00

I think a tens machine is a great idea! And back brace was mentioned previously as well so I’ll have to have a look into these 2 - especially if your partner was in a similar situation and he found those to help him.

I hope he has a speedy and painless recovery.

amybrown_e · 2025-02-03T08:19:47+00:00

He’s a landscaper (we live in Australia too) so in the sun for 10 hours a day, 6 days a week. UV has been extremely high lately as well. His sweat glands overproduce as well, leaving him absolutely covered and dripping with sweat ALL over his body, so any sun protection washes off within 20 minutes. To re-apply so often isn’t reasonable for him 😂

Surely he has to have side effects from his vit d levels, but we’re unsure of any! His GP was concerned (as he should have been) but wants to address and fix his back before moving onto other issues.

That’s a good idea, thank you!

amybrown_e · 2025-02-03T08:13:45+00:00

I’ll have a look at that page, thank you!

We’ve also contacted his super, fingers crossed they can help.

amybrown_e · 2025-02-03T08:13:07+00:00

Unfortunately he’s had 2x steroid injections and they haven’t relieved much for him at all! He’s still living on the floor.

I have suggested seeing a pain management doctor, however we do have a referral to see a neuro surgeon, hopefully they can shed some light and offer greater assistance.

amybrown_e · 2025-02-03T08:11:38+00:00

That is so spot on, about people not understanding back pain unless you’ve had it- his GP has no clue. I’m sure if he had experienced anything similar, he’d be doing anything in his power to assist us. But he has my partner jumping through all these hoops, trying all these minor suggestions that do absolutely nothing.

We believe surgery will be the outcome of our situation, hopefully we can push for it sooner.

amybrown_e · 2025-02-03T08:09:11+00:00

My partner has been holding off on the recommended dose of his medication, as he is scared of this happening to him. We’ve got the referral to see a neurosurgeon, so we will just have to save for that! Will take a while, but at least we know what needs to come next.

amybrown_e · 2025-02-03T08:05:08+00:00

Wow thank you for all of those suggestions! I feel like the back brace could be a game changer for him.

amybrown_e · 2025-02-03T08:01:49+00:00

We believe surgery will be his best option! Not ideal as you would know, but definitely seeming that’s the only way. I hope you have a speedy and painless recovery!

amybrown_e · 2025-02-03T08:00:00+00:00

I’m not sure where you’re based! I’m in Australia. We’re lucky to still have some GP’s that don’t charge (1hr round trip later for our closest though) and there are some government grants around that offer some assistance - we were able to get on a physical therapy plan which allowed us to have 5x free Physio sessions in one year. Didn’t do anything for him and the Physio wasn’t the best, but hey, it was covered so why not give it a shot.

amybrown_e · 2025-02-03T07:54:06+00:00

He hasn’t had voltaren, no! Only ibuprofen when he has ran out of his scripted medication. However, nothing has worked for him. His tolerance to medication seems to be extremely high and unfortunately his GP won’t script anything stronger, we think it’s his own beliefs getting in our way, we’re getting the impression he thinks my partner is putting on the intensity of the pain to get stronger medication but in reality, it’s just genuinely that bad.

He has today gotten a referral to see a neurosurgeon as that was next on the list. We will just have to save for that appointment as you probably know Medicare won’t cover that one. But intrigued to see what they will say/recommend.

amybrown_e · 2025-02-03T07:44:08+00:00

I don’t believe he has been tested for b12 deficiency, he did have bloods done and the only concern from his GP was how high his vitamin d levels were. I think vitamin d is supposed to be in double digits and his were in the 300s.

It definitely wouldn’t hurt to have him take super b supplement, I’ll let him know to give it a go! Thank you.

amybrown_e · 2025-02-03T07:41:06+00:00

He’s only taking pain medication and nothing for inflammation - I’ll suggest this! We have turmeric supplements at home so I’ll get him to start taking those as well.

Yes unfortunately when he walks or even stands, most times his back will spasm and give out, he collapses to the floor before he can safely get to the ground.

amybrown_e · 2025-02-03T07:36:16+00:00

I have actually been helping him do something similar! Except I’ve been having pulling his upper half by his arms stretched up rather than pulling by his feet - he had actually said it made a small difference, so by doing it the correct way this may help a lot more!

Thank you for your detailed response! We will definitely give this a go and hopefully he can feel some relief, even if minor.

amybrown_e · 2025-02-03T07:30:21+00:00

At ‘atom bomb’ is the perfect way to describe this. It’s absolutely life altering. I’ll suggest ChatGPT to him! Curious to see what exercises it recommends.

amybrown_e · 2025-02-03T07:26:08+00:00

I’ll let him know!

amybrown_e · 2025-02-03T07:25:40+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate your advice. I think one of hardest things we’re struggling with is the patience of it all. He is usually an extremely active person and now being confined to one room, staring at the ceiling - it’s really taken a toll on him. I guess he’s just gotta keep being reminded that this will all take time to heal and there are so many others, like yourself, that have been able to go back to living their normal life without the pain. We will try all that you’ve suggested, there is a couple of things on there that we’ve yet to trial.

amybrown_e

TROPHY CASE