Okay, I’m officially tired of being in pain.
I went to the orthopedist yesterday. A short visit, basically reiterating what I already knew: I have a herniated lumbar disc (L5-S1) that’s putting pressure on the sciatic nerve, thus causing the near-constant discomfort in my left leg and thigh, for which I need several weeks of physical therapy. He also referred me to another doctor to discuss epidural cortisone injections, which can often help ease the swelling and take pressure off the nerve. (There’s some debate, apparently, about their efficacy, so I may just stick with the PT.)
Now I just need to choose a physical therapist (from the long list the orthopedist gave me) and make an appointment.
I had the epidural injection for my back and it definitely helped.
Ouch. Sorry to hear this is being so troublesome. I hope it doesn’t put a damper on your capfest plans.
Well, good luck with all of that. I never had the injections, for that same reason – they don’t work for everyone. I prefer stomach destroying doses of ibuprofen, the occasional vicodin, and some oral steriods when it gets really bad. But hopefully you can get it healed up and it won’t bother you anymore.
I understand that this is something I may never be totally free of, that I’ll need to stay active and stretch pretty much the rest of my life to keep it from acting up again. But if I can get this near-constant sciatic pain under control, can begin to sit comfortably again and actually regain some range of motion, and cut back on the Aleve at least a little…well, really, that’s all I’m asking.
I’ve only had the one initial appointment with the physical therapist, but so far it seems to be working a little. I know I felt better after the first session — although it’s tough to tell, since I usually feel better at the end of the day anyhow. I did my stretches this morning, though, and I think I was in slightly less agony on the train to work this morning.