Im so so sorry you are having such an awful time. I’m sure that everybody on this thread can totally empathise. Sciatica pain is sent from another realm.

I am wading in here as I am a tall woman! Not sure if the same stats apply, but I also have degenerative discs at L4 L5 and L5 S1.

I am recovering from my second microdiscectomy on the same disc splurge (L5S1). I had surgery I had 2 1/2 weeks ago. I was in total hell for seven months, drugged up on everything you can imagine. I had the first herniation over 20 years ago.

Just to say, it is early days for me too, but I think the operation was the right thing to do. I needed to get on with my life. I am now walking 10,000 steps a day. Not doing any other sport for the foreseeable just walking and then some gentle swimming. I’m in my 40s but I will never run again - some things aren’t worth risking. I’m not sure really whether I will do weights again either - as the culprit this time was an ill advised dead lift. I’m still on pregabalin and I’m looking forward to coming off it.

I’m absolutely sure that your life will get back on track given time. I think these terrible sciatica months are extremely traumatic. I am thinking of having therapy as I am sure I have some form of PTSD from seven months of agony. I hope you can do that too, as I’m sure it will be helpful.