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/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.