Sciatic nerve pain

[El Conquistador]

Thanks 1911, I will know in a few hours if it works. I agreed to have this done but I am done having surgeries.

 

[thunderchicken]

Well after several weeks of dealing with this sciatica my Dr put me on Gabapentin two weeks ago. I have seen some relief with it so that's good. Yesterday, I finally got to see the specialist (neurosurgeon). He basically said that I need to do physical therapy and he scheduled me for a steroidal injection. He said that if I don't see improvement with the injection, then I would probably need surgery. Surgery would likely consist of grinding away bone to give clearance for the nerve. I don't want to do surgery.
I was shocked he didn't mention anything about losing weight. But I'm working on that anyway.
He said I would be numbed up before being given the injection so that I shouldn't feel much pain.
Ok so, those who have been down this road, what should I expect?

 

[El Conquistador]

I have had a dozen or more injections done over the past few years. For me they often give me some relief and typically only last a week or two.
The reason your surgeon wants to do the injection is to make sure he is in the right spot. I have had 3 of the surgeries you are talking about, the first one lasted a year and the last two not so much. My back problems came from a major injury in 2011. I recently had an oblazion done, this is
where they burn the nerves in the area so you don't feel anything. So far so go, I feel much better now.
Thunderchicken, I wish you luck and a speedy recovery. A bit of advise, after your procedure when you feel good, don't over do it. Wait until it's all healed.

 

[thunderchicken]

Right on. I'll be having the injection done next Friday, so I plan to make it as much of a lazy relaxing weekend as possible. They claim I should be good to go the next day but I'm not making any big plans.

Glad to hear you are getting some relief good luck going forward

 

[1911ly]

I just got injections yesterday. You will feel a sting from the numbing shot. When they get in the area of the nerve you will probably feel some pressure, maybe a slight feeling like you bumped your funny bone in your elbow. It seems to all depend on how irritated the area is. You will feel probably feel some pressure in the area for a few days or so. It's not that bad. I have had up to 8 shots at the same time. I am kind of use to it now. I have been pushing off surgery for about 12 years.

Don't sweat it. I'll put it this way, I'd rather have this done then a have a tooth filled.

 

[thunderchicken]

I just got injections yesterday. You will feel a sting from the numbing shot. When they get in the area of the nerve you will probably feel some pressure, maybe a slight feeling like you bumped your funny bone in your elbow. It seems to all depend on how irritated the area is. You will feel probably feel some pressure in the area for a few days or so. It's not that bad. I have had up to 8 shots at the same time. I am kind of use to it now. I have been pushing off surgery for about 12 years.

Don't sweat it. I'll put it this way, I'd rather have this done then a have a tooth filled.

Well that make me feel a little better about it. Several year ago my mom had some back issue and did the injections. But she was in all kinds of pain from it and her description made it sound like a root canal without anything for pain.

 

[El Conquistador]

Like 1911 said don't sweat it. It's not that bad at all.

 

[boosteds13cc]

The worst parts of the injections is waiting for the injection. Like previously stated you do feel the numbing agent type prick into your skin but it does NOT hurt. Once its time for the real injections
there definitely is pressure. Like it feels like someone has a pen (with the cap on) poking you in that general area and is pressing on it. IT DOES NOT HURT. Just relax and talk to them as much as
you can, I enjoyed how they kept wanting to have conversation to help ease the situation. DO NOT LOOK AT THE NEEDLE I have wondering eyes and once I seen it they noticed my blood pressure rise like crazy.

 

[1911ly]

The worst parts of the injections is waiting for the injection. Like previously stated you do feel the numbing agent type prick into your skin but it does NOT hurt. Once its time for the real injections
there definitely is pressure. Like it feels like someone has a pen (with the cap on) poking you in that general area and is pressing on it. IT DOES NOT HURT. Just relax and talk to them as much as
you can, I enjoyed how they kept wanting to have conversation to help ease the situation. DO NOT LOOK AT THE NEEDLE I have wondering eyes and once I seen it they noticed my blood pressure rise like crazy.

I usually wait until I can barely get around to have them. So that might be why it is a bit more uncomfortable.This may sound weird but I find curling my toes seems to help me a lot.

Some of the injections I get use a long catheter. The doc uses fluoroscope and dye to get it in to place. I really wish I could watch it. when i have had heart caths my cardiologist moves the monitor so I can see the cath. I have had so many of those in the last 20 years. It is cool to watch. I have a device in my chest for my blood pressure. When he looks at it the company name, serial number and contact info shows up. To freaken cool!

 

[thunderchicken]

Thanks for the info everyone it has helped.
I googled and came up with some awful stories but I'm not sure if it was the same kind of procedure or not. Some people talking about losing bladder or bowel function and intense pain during their procedure was making me want to reconsider this. But opinions from y'all has me more comfortable with getting it done

 

[1911ly]

Thanks for the info everyone it has helped.
I googled and came up with some awful stories but I'm not sure if it was the same kind of procedure or not. Some people talking about losing bladder or bowel function and intense pain during their procedure was making me want to reconsider this. But opinions from y'all has me more comfortable with getting it done

You won't have any of this issues.

 

[El Conquistador]

Thanks for the info everyone it has helped.
I googled and came up with some awful stories but I'm not sure if it was the same kind of procedure or not. Some people talking about losing bladder or bowel function and intense pain during their procedure was making me want to reconsider this. But opinions from y'all has me more comfortable with getting it done

you won't have any of this. My doctor offers sedation before the procedure but I have never taken him up on the offer. You may ask if they offer it so it can ease your stress. But if you have been living with the pain this will be a walk in the park.

 

[1911ly]

you won't have any of this. My doctor offers sedation before the procedure but I have never taken him up on the offer. You may ask if they offer it so it can ease your stress. But if you have been living with the pain this will be a walk in the park.

He can ask for some Valium. But to it a day or so ahead of time so you have it on hand. The Dr will probably prescribe it. My Dr always offers to prescribe a few pills ahead of time. I don't need them. But unless you are a anxious or nerves person you should be ok. But you can ask if there is any concern. No need to fret if you are worried check in to some sedation.

 

[thunderchicken]

He can ask for some Valium. But to it a day or so ahead of time so you have it on hand. The Dr will probably prescribe it. My Dr always offers to prescribe a few pills ahead of time. I don't need them. But unless you are a anxious or nerves person you should be ok. But you can ask if there is any concern. No need to fret if you are worried check in to some sedation.

Yeah I'm really not worried about it anymore. My biggest concern was how much pain to expect. I feel gtg now

 

[boosteds13cc]

Thanks for the info everyone it has helped.
I googled and came up with some awful stories but I'm not sure if it was the same kind of procedure or not. Some people talking about losing bladder or bowel function and intense pain during their procedure was making me want to reconsider this. But opinions from y'all has me more comfortable with getting it done

Im a baby when it comes to needles. I for some reason get all light headed and want to pass out ( thankfully i dont). I went through injections 7 or 8 times. The staff is what makes everything feel as pleasant and goes as smooth as it can be. Hell my bp shot up to 200/120 just when they put a IV in me. You got this!

 

[thunderchicken]

Im a baby when it comes to needles. I for some reason get all light headed and want to pass out ( thankfully i dont). I went through injections 7 or 8 times. The staff is what makes everything feel as pleasant and goes as smooth as it can be. Hell my bp shot up to 200/120 just when they put a IV in me. You got this!

How long does the whole procedure take? And why would you need an IV just for a shot?

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Best of luck thunderchicken. Just found out yesterday that DoggyMama is going to need surgery on her neck sometime in the next couple of months (at least that's what they're recommending). For the past couple of years, she has had tingling and weakness in her arms and legs. Up until yesterday it had been chalked up to her fibromyalgia and neuropathy. In the past few months, it's gotten bad, to the point where sometimes her legs would just "stop working" and she'd fall and had a hard time getting back up again. If I'm around I have to help her up and she literally becomes dead weight - just can't get her legs under her to help me get her up.

Again, we thought that with her fibro and neuropathy, plus the weakness from going through chemo and radiation at the end of last year was the cause. Yesterday she finally went to a neurologist and she's been diagnosed with cervical myelopathy. 20 years ago or so, she had a plate put in her neck and now the disks near that sight are degenerating and putting pressure on the nerves. It will require surgery to go in and relieve the pressure and restore full function to her extremities. It basically affects everything below the neck.

And as I was in the middle of typing this, she just got out of bed and fell again. Got her to the recliner for now.

 

[thunderchicken]

Best of luck thunderchicken. Just found out yesterday that DoggyMama is going to need surgery on her neck sometime in the next couple of months (at least that's what they're recommending). For the past couple of years, she has had tingling and weakness in her arms and legs. Up until yesterday it had been chalked up to her fibromyalgia and neuropathy. In the past few months, it's gotten bad, to the point where sometimes her legs would just "stop working" and she'd fall and had a hard time getting back up again. If I'm around I have to help her up and she literally becomes dead weight - just can't get her legs under her to help me get her up.

Again, we thought that with her fibro and neuropathy, plus the weakness from going through chemo and radiation at the end of last year was the cause. Yesterday she finally went to a neurologist and she's been diagnosed with cervical myelopathy. 20 years ago or so, she had a plate put in her neck and now the disks near that sight are degenerating and putting pressure on the nerves. It will require surgery to go in and relieve the pressure and restore full function to her extremities. It basically affects everything below the neck.

And as I was in the middle of typing this, she just got out of bed and fell again. Got her to the recliner for now.

Oh wow, that does sound terrible. Best wishes for your wife and you as you care fot her.

 

[1911ly]

Best of luck thunderchicken. Just found out yesterday that DoggyMama is going to need surgery on her neck sometime in the next couple of months (at least that's what they're recommending). For the past couple of years, she has had tingling and weakness in her arms and legs. Up until yesterday it had been chalked up to her fibromyalgia and neuropathy. In the past few months, it's gotten bad, to the point where sometimes her legs would just "stop working" and she'd fall and had a hard time getting back up again. If I'm around I have to help her up and she literally becomes dead weight - just can't get her legs under her to help me get her up.

Again, we thought that with her fibro and neuropathy, plus the weakness from going through chemo and radiation at the end of last year was the cause. Yesterday she finally went to a neurologist and she's been diagnosed with cervical myelopathy. 20 years ago or so, she had a plate put in her neck and now the disks near that sight are degenerating and putting pressure on the nerves. It will require surgery to go in and relieve the pressure and restore full function to her extremities. It basically affects everything below the neck.

And as I was in the middle of typing this, she just got out of bed and fell again. Got her to the recliner for now.

Dang it DD. So sorry to hear that about the misses. You both are in my thoughts and prayers. As are all of you!

 

[dshaf]

Going to Chiro Was the worst thing my wife did. She immediately had to have surgery on the worst herniation her surgeon said he had seen. I would do physical therapy and stay away from chiros and surgeons if at all possible