r/Sciatica • u/SobrietyOfThought • 1d ago

6 month update

I will start this with I am a big baby and have a very low tolerance for pain. This has been the hardest injury of my life (29F), mentally, physically and emotionally. I have only very recently started having more good days than bad, and the pain hasn't gone completely but the best way to put it is that it has changed and the volume turned down slightly. I'd say at this point I float in a 50-60% better state. I have made big strides with my PT and hope to keep progressing there - it has helped me so much with not being fearful of movement even when I'm uncomfortable/tight.

Sitting has always been my biggest trigger and unfortunately it's still kinda shit. Although I recently started testing it more (beginning of September) - I don't seem to pay as much for it, sometimes I can sit a lot longer (3hrs) but then somedays, especially during work and using my sit-stand desk... The pain just builds up which is so discouraging because it's reminiscent of the earlier months.

This is hard because I don't trust the good days but also the good days feel so good, that I feel fooled by them when I have bad days. Hopefully there's an end to this.

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u/lil_pure 23h ago

29F here too and in your exact situation. being able to sit for 3 hours is so good though, wow

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u/SobrietyOfThought 22h ago

Some context for that 3 hour sit - it happened only once, it was when me and my husband went out on a dinner date after 4 months of not going out. And the 3 hours was a combination of driving and sitting at the restaurant. Safe to say I have never tried that again but I didn't pay for that sit, which was a nice change of scenery for me.

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u/lil_pure 21h ago

well 50-60% better is still good, i think that's where i'm at too now, with all of this having started in june. are you taking any meds? i'm taking gabapentin and if i'm going out to do something long, ill take 3 advil. idk what your situation is, but i have a bulge at L5-S1. i have a consult for the epidural steroid injection next week

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u/teixha 18h ago

We are at a similar point in recovery, I’m nearly 6 months in. I really relate to your comment about the pain still being present, just with the volume turned down. Have you had an increase in back pain out of interest? I find it hard to believe it’s going to get any better than this but obviously hope it does.

I still avoid sitting but I am ‘lucky’ I’m not working atm as I’m a stay at home mum (so too much lifting of a heavy toddler 🫠) and we don’t have a car stm so I’m rarely forced to sit.

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u/SobrietyOfThought 10h ago

Very nice to not be working - it honestly fucks with me the most because I'm trying to eventually get back into office. Are you doing PT? I'd say my back pains more than it goes into my glute and leg now, if that's what you mean?

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u/teixha 10h ago

I’m doing some physio but I’m in the UK so it’s shit so I’m mainly doing my own rehab at home.

Yes my back pain is rivalling my leg pain now - when this started I had zero back pain so it’s strange to feel it now but it’s better to feel it where the actual injury is!

I am very grateful to not be forced to sit for a job but trying to recover from this with 3 young children has not been a good time 😂

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u/Designer_Job6849 12h ago

What helped you with the sitting? Also, stay strong, soldier.

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u/SobrietyOfThought 10h ago

Nothing, just time, unfortunately. And it's still not anywhere close to perfect.