I've got a herniated (ruptured) L5 disc that is causing sciatica, due to the fluids from the disc sitting on my sciatic nerve. I'm in an enormous amount of constant pain, and am trying to decide whether or not to have surgery. [more inside]
posted by Framer on Apr 13, 2009 - 13 answers

I have numbness in my leg but no longer have the means to get it monitored. Is there any risk of long-term damage or atrophy if it goes on too long? [more inside]
posted by JamesWilson123 on Mar 19, 2009 - 10 answers

Medical mystery! Useless, rubbery leg: can it be as simple as sciatica or am I in for some bad news? [more inside]
posted by justonegirl on Feb 2, 2009 - 8 answers

I used to get sciatica as a result of a lower back problem. It mostly went away, perversely as I put on some weight. Now, I am losing the weight to deal with the lower back pain itself, and the sciatica is coming back as the weight comes off. Coincidence, or to be expected? It seems kind of backwards to me.
posted by blue_wardrobe on Dec 26, 2008 - 7 answers

Back trouble and pregnancy: Which is worse for a person with a herniated disc, a C-section (which I imagine will compromise the all-important core muscles) or vaginal delivery (which might cause the disk to rupture)? Also, I am prone to sciatica and assume that pregnancy will involve a lot of sciatic nerve pain--can this lead to a permanent worsening of my condition or would it be relieved once I gave birth? [more inside]
posted by HotToddy on May 14, 2008 - 8 answers

I've had burning pain in my thighs since I was a little kid. When I told my doctor about it (at age 30--why I didn't ask before, who knows), she immediately said: "Oh, it's ...", as if it were the most obvious condition in the world. But I can't recall the name of the condition. [more inside]
posted by faunafrailty on Dec 11, 2007 - 7 answers

Weird, pinch-y lower back pain. What's causing it and how can I make it go away? [more inside]
posted by Brittanie on Feb 25, 2007 - 10 answers

Looking for recommendations for good neuro-specialists / doctors in Boston area. [more inside]
posted by Maia on Dec 6, 2006 - 3 answers

Has anyone here ever had (or have) sciatica? I've been going to physio for it, since May, but the healing process is quite slow, I just started going back to the gym doing low intensity cardio. For those who have had sciatica, how long did it take to heal, and is it a lifelong thing you now have to worry about?
posted by bluehermit on Jul 18, 2005 - 14 answers