fortyfab said on 11 May 2010
After reading everyones comments, I no longer feel alone as a sciatica sufferer. I have never ever met or read about others who suffer as badly as I do. Until now! I was only 18 when I was struck down and here I am 19 years later - STILL suffering. I had sciatica 24/7 for at least 10 years. I now know that overcompensating for the pain probably caused much of it as well. Professionals weren't as educated back then as they are now and I spent thousands of pounds on alternative treatments to find a 'cure' but to no avail. The Alexander Technique broke the cycle of pain to start then I began pilates followed by yoga. My chronic attacks subsided. Last year was a relatively painfree year but only last week I had a chronic attack. As many of you have said, the pain is unbearable. I can no longer tolerate it and it gets me unbelievably down. I am on anti depressants. Sciatica has, to a certain extent, ruined my life: my career for one. I used to be extremely sporty but had to give it all up. I daren't try to do too much exercise in case it flares up. When I don't get sciatica, I get other pains - nerve pain in either of my thighs, severe muscle spasm in my buttocks, pain in my hips. I'm almost always in some kind of pain. I can't tolerate high dose painkillers as they upset my stomach. My thoracic spine is stiff therefore I also suffer pain around my shoulder blades daily of different intensity. I don't know how much more I can take as I have suffered pain for more than half of my life. Mr dr only prescribed painkillers last week and a physio referral. I've had an MRI about 5 years ago and it showed minimal/normal bulging of discs. I have no idea if I have 'real' or 'false' sciatic as this cannot be proven. As far as the NHS are concerned, I am a normal healthy adult yet I suffer such chronic pain. I hope to regain my muscle memory back with physio and better flexibility in my thoracic spine. I constantly fight with my posture. I'm a mess!!!!
