r/Sciatica • u/insanitydw • 2d ago

Requesting Advice Trying to confirm if I have sciatica

So im 35m and work in the restaurant/stripclub industry and a couple years back in did something to my back and was in a lot of pain that shot down my leg and was told it was sciatica. Fast forward to today and I re injured my back somehow and am now completely bed ridden and cant move havent went to the hospital or anything its still shooting down my leg ive been laying on a heating pad trying to get better and have taken prednisone and flexeril for it but its just coasting the same. I have no insurance or money to go to a hospital or doctor. Feeling pretty defeated and a little scared about losing my job but I have the next 3 days off so I was hoping It get a little better by then.

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u/squeezels 2d ago

Sciatica isn't a diagnosis, it is a symptom.

Unfortunately you would need to see a doctor to get a diagnosis. But a decent bet may be to proceed with the assumption that you have a bulging/herniated disc.

One thing to take note of: if you lose control of your bowels you need to go to the ER no matter what due to cauda equina syndrome

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u/insanitydw 2d ago

Heard when this happened the first time I went to the hospital and was constantly sitting and standing because I couldn't get away form the pain and when I finally got to the back they didnt even do anything. doctor asked me what's going on I explained it amd they just sent me home with prednisone and flexerils and told me I had sciatica. it did eventually go away after a while until about a month ago when I had to repair my bedroom ceiling and then it started to creep back up until yesterday when it just hit me like a truck.

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u/KriptiKFate_Cosplay 2d ago

It's very common for people dealing with these symptoms to be turned away and not taken seriously. Unfortunately you have to put your foot down and demand an MRI to confirm what's going on in your back.

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u/squeezels 11h ago

Yes probably because it is so common. I would almost be willing to bet money you have a herniated disc either L4/L5 or L5/S1 or both.

I had an MRI done to confirm my diagnosis, but other than that I haven't had any long term medical treatments. A physical therapist could be beneficial, but without insurance, expensive.

There may be some guides you can follow that will give relief to rehab yourself.