First time with sciatic nerve pain. Maybe from squats? Something else?

GSgator

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Good luck and be careful mine finally cleared up a few weeks ago it lasted a few months . The last 4-5 weeks scared the shit out of me I was literally disabled. I couldn’t fucking walk more then 10-15 feet and the pain from my glute forced me to find something to sit on then the foot would BUZZ . It also landed me in the ER in the middle of the night with pain I’ve never experienced in my life .
 

Mind2muscle

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I can relate to the OP. Spring of 2022 I sneezed and felt a sharp pain start in my lower back and radiate down to my foot. Pain got so bad I was limping and some days could barely climb the stairs. I tried PT for about 8 weeks with modest improvement. I then tried one corticosteroid injection which was unhelpful. MRI confirmed lumbar disc pressing on sciatic nerve. I was lucky to have found a surgeon who performs endoscopic microdiscectomies. The procedure is 30 minutes and conscious sedation is used so you are awake. It’s been a little over 6 months and the sciatica is overall gone. I do still have lower back pain which is chronic for me. I don’t do any exercise that hurt or cause me any discomfort. Squats and deadlifts for me are out. I know the recovery of someone who gets the standard microdiscectomy can be iffy but if you do go down this route I would recommend finding a surgeon who performs this procedure endoscopically. Good luck to you.


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lifter6973

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I can relate to the OP. Spring of 2022 I sneezed and felt a sharp pain start in my lower back and radiate down to my foot. Pain got so bad I was limping and some days could barely climb the stairs. I tried PT for about 8 weeks with modest improvement. I then tried one corticosteroid injection which was unhelpful. MRI confirmed lumbar disc pressing on sciatic nerve. I was lucky to have found a surgeon who performs endoscopic microdiscectomies. The procedure is 30 minutes and conscious sedation is used so you are awake. It’s been a little over 6 months and the sciatica is overall gone. I do still have lower back pain which is chronic for me. I don’t do any exercise that hurt or cause me any discomfort. Squats and deadlifts for me are out. I know the recovery of someone who gets the standard microdiscectomy can be iffy but if you do go down this route I would recommend finding a surgeon who performs this procedure endoscopically. Good luck to you.


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I remember your situation. Good to hear you are doing better.
 

Kraken

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I never really had upper body work affect my lower back.

If I were you Id focus on getting your strength back in effected leg through other avenues before going back to squats. Once you accomplish that, then start low weight on squats.

You have to see what lower body lifts work the best for you that don't bother your affected areas. In today's gyms there are a shit ton of machines making it easier for workarounds.

Thank for the advice! I'll take it.

Good luck and be careful mine finally cleared up a few weeks ago it lasted a few months . The last 4-5 weeks scared the shit out of me I was literally disabled. I couldn’t fucking walk more then 10-15 feet and the pain from my glute forced me to find something to sit on then the foot would BUZZ . It also landed me in the ER in the middle of the night with pain I’ve never experienced in my life .

Yup, pretty much that except for the ER trip, although I had to suck up pain a few times that was so bad I was nearly in tears. Really, I'm not a wimp. For me sitting was the worst. Good luck I hope you stay better!
 

Kraken

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MRI confirmed lumbar disc pressing on sciatic nerve. I was lucky to have found a surgeon who performs endoscopic microdiscectomies. The procedure is 30 minutes and conscious sedation is used so you are awake. It’s been a little over 6 months and the sciatica is overall gone.
Wow that must have been one hell of a sneeze! I had my MRI on the 27th and I'll nag the doctors this week. They gave it to me on a CD, and of course I have not had a CD reader for years, but I wouldn't know what I am looking at anyhow.

Thanks for the info about that procedure, I'll absolutely keep that in mind
 
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Be very careful with painkillers and steroids, you want to feel everything, so you dont fuck it up worse.
my 2cents
best of luck.
 

Kraken

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Well, just got this message from my doctor. Not great news but at least I'll get some informed advice.

I was able to track down your MRI results. Your results show a potential bulging disc and some severe degenerative disc disease. I will refer you to a Spine specialist so they can get a closer look at this. You should hear from them in the next week with an appointment.
 

DF

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Here's some basic info I wrote up years ago on disc herniation.

 

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