Sciatic nerve damage - now looks liek something different

C

Countrygirl

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At the end of Feb some of you were fabulous with words of advice about damaged sciatic nerves (after trip to a&e).
Well after 7 weeks of not riding, I did get back on. Had a play on the xc course did a couple of jumping clinics etc, generally riding 5ish times a week. Thinking that it would heal in time and just needed to get on with it for now.
After a couple of visits back to the GP had more xrays etc. Nothing came up. Well, saw another dr a few weeks ago who could not undersatnd why I was still in so much pain, sent me off for lower spinal xrays - which I thought had been done when in a&e and last time I went for xrays, apparently not!
Results were due back in 5-7 days, I get a phonecall within 24 hrs! Apparently the shadows where my discs are are too small and GP seems to think they have been damaged.
Off to spinal physio in 3 weeks time for an assessment, hopefully I will now be able to have an MRI and get referred quickly. I am really fed up.
I ended up having 6 weeks off from 1 of my jobs (luckily only part time, as other jobs I work from home). I still cannot do the shifts I was doing before.
Can anyone give me any advice on what may happen now and the consequences?
Sorry for the rambling.
 
only an MRI will tell you if you have damaged your discs. Then the decision can be made as to future treatment. I ruptured 2 discs in my lower back, I went privately for an MRI as I was told it was an 18 month waiting list on the NHS. The private consultant saw my MRI results and had me in and performed a microdisectomy within 5 days of seeing my scan. My discs had burst, the innards had wrapped themselves around my sciatic nerve so it was no wonder I was in such agony. 12 weeks after the op I was allowed to ride again. I was stiff and prone to back ache, but now 8 years later my back is great. I have to ensure I keep my stomach toned and make sure I only sleep on decent beds, and never let my back get cold, but I can do everything. I ride, I compete, I backed my own youngster, I muck out in fact i do everything i want to do. Having the MRI was a total break through. up till then I had had loads of physio, loads of chiropractic, and loads of pain relief non of which worked.
Don;t panic, have the MRI and then take it from there. Good luck.
 
Thank you Bosworth, good to hear some positive news.
I am stressing with all the waiting around. I hope I do get the referral for an MRI and then At least I will know a bit more about what is going on.
 
you can always pay to have an MRI privately, and to be honest if there is a long wait list in your area you are entitled to go out of area to have one on teh NHS. a friend of mine has just had one on teh NHS and it was a 6 week wait. She was ok with that, but another friend paid for one and got it within 3 days. She then paid to see the consultant privately and he told her what was wrong and then put her on his NHS wait list. If she gets worse he will treat her privately, if she remains the same she will stay on his NHS list until it is her turn. Insist on the MRI, it is the only thing that will tell you accurately what is wrong, and be very careful about any physio,chiro treatment until you have the diagnosis as they can make you worse.
 
Bosworth thank you for all the info.

I will wait till my appointment on the 23rd and hopefully then will find out how long the wait will be. I have been sent for a spinal assessment as my GP says round here it is the fastest way to get a referal for an MRI.

I have refrained from going to a chiropractor as I still have swelling 6 months down the road.

Probably haven't helped myself today as rode side saddle for the first time ever!! Only for 5 mins but I think it stretched me a little bit too much!
 
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