1. < Spine Health

Sciatica and Mental Health

Posted by kaptainkat @kaptainkat, Dec 30, 2022

I have been nosing around for connections between my emotions and my sciatica. Mostly I find articles about how or whether one's emotions AFFECT their sciatica. When various stresses can bring on episodes of pain.

I am NOT seeing much on depression brought about by sciatica. Feeling useless, hopeless, just wishing it would END.

I HAVE seen articles that suggest sciatica sometimes brings on feelings of guilt and shame. 'Why me?' 'What did I do to deserve/earn THIS????' And the DIS-ability leaves a lot of daily living chores up to someone else while 'we' sit inert barely enduring our pain.

I've seen where some antidepressants are prescribed for lumbar issues as they have a pain killing side effect. I have been on 90mg of Cymbalta for I believe two years now. I fired the psychiatrist that started me on THAT when he/his office/CVS left me cold turkey for a month. My next psychiatrist started me on Mirtazapine a year ago, and we have gradually up that to now 30mg.

My NEW psychiatric nurse practitioner is suggesting we up my Cymbalta to 120, 60 in the AM and 60 in the PM. He will take on that script from my GP. Who also keeps me in Gabapentine.

'Let's try it.' After all, it IS a PRACTICE, isn't it?

Obviously I would love to hear some feedback and other's stories and how they are dealing with their issues.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

jm1 | @jm1 | Jan 31, 2023

Maybe this video from Dr Ian Carroll at Stanford will help. He explains about pain and Cymbalta, Gabapentin, and other meds.


My routine, is Gabapentin, Amitryptyline, various topicals and sometimes Celebrex, lumbar injections 4x per yr, Mckenzie exercises, walking everyday and sometime inversion. My PT also uses neuromodulation and cold lasar, and both MFR and NMT massage.
The video is long but excellent.

REPLY
kaptainkat | @kaptainkat | Mar 25, 2023

Sciatica Relapse... MMMMEEEEEYYYYYYOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.
I Have had a sciatic relapse 'IN SPADES' - if you are familiar with card games. MY cheeks, hips, and legs were off the charts in pain. At some point I tool a motrin, but I don't think it did anything. I could hardly sit up, let alone stand. Somehow it seems ALL I could do was urinate. MANY TIMES. I thought WTH!!!!
.
Went on for TWO DAYS. Could not get up. Neither ate nor drank anything. Couldn't make it to the kitchen!
.
It is mostly subsided by now, but still a little residual pain. The legs, and toosh are still quite sore. At this moment I am on a upholstered [added recliner facing the sun, with a heat pad AND round - tubular - pillow at my lumbar.
.
I am walking unaided but only 10 - 20 feet ere I need to at LEAST STOP, if not stop AND sit.
.
I don't recall doing anything that would have stressed my lumbar. I don't know that I even FEEL much discomfort there AT ALL but my toosh, hips and legs are still a good solid '6'. Down from an 8, when they were barely tolerable, and totally debilitating, except for what I can do on the CatBook or fone.
.
Sent a note to my PT, but she had gone for the day/weekend. I cc's it to one of the front desk ladies and asked that she be sure that MY pt read it ASAP on Monday. If it means $85 for a session the going price sans insurance), it MAY be necessary.
.
(=^..^=)
KK

REPLY
3 replies
kr0808 | @kr0808 | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @kaptainkat "Sciatica Relapse... MMMMEEEEEYYYYYYOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! . I Have had a sciatic relapse 'IN SPADES' - if you are..." + (show)
@kaptainkat

Sciatica Relapse... MMMMEEEEEYYYYYYOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.
I Have had a sciatic relapse 'IN SPADES' - if you are familiar with card games. MY cheeks, hips, and legs were off the charts in pain. At some point I tool a motrin, but I don't think it did anything. I could hardly sit up, let alone stand. Somehow it seems ALL I could do was urinate. MANY TIMES. I thought WTH!!!!
.
Went on for TWO DAYS. Could not get up. Neither ate nor drank anything. Couldn't make it to the kitchen!
.
It is mostly subsided by now, but still a little residual pain. The legs, and toosh are still quite sore. At this moment I am on a upholstered [added recliner facing the sun, with a heat pad AND round - tubular - pillow at my lumbar.
.
I am walking unaided but only 10 - 20 feet ere I need to at LEAST STOP, if not stop AND sit.
.
I don't recall doing anything that would have stressed my lumbar. I don't know that I even FEEL much discomfort there AT ALL but my toosh, hips and legs are still a good solid '6'. Down from an 8, when they were barely tolerable, and totally debilitating, except for what I can do on the CatBook or fone.
.
Sent a note to my PT, but she had gone for the day/weekend. I cc's it to one of the front desk ladies and asked that she be sure that MY pt read it ASAP on Monday. If it means $85 for a session the going price sans insurance), it MAY be necessary.
.
(=^..^=)
KK

Jump to this post

Hello KK,

Had sciatica before and it was literally insane. Can empathize with the pain.

Regards,
Kerrey

REPLY
kaptainkat | @kaptainkat | Mar 26, 2023
In reply to @kaptainkat "Sciatica Relapse... MMMMEEEEEYYYYYYOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! . I Have had a sciatic relapse 'IN SPADES' - if you are..." + (show)
@kaptainkat

Sciatica Relapse... MMMMEEEEEYYYYYYOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.
I Have had a sciatic relapse 'IN SPADES' - if you are familiar with card games. MY cheeks, hips, and legs were off the charts in pain. At some point I tool a motrin, but I don't think it did anything. I could hardly sit up, let alone stand. Somehow it seems ALL I could do was urinate. MANY TIMES. I thought WTH!!!!
.
Went on for TWO DAYS. Could not get up. Neither ate nor drank anything. Couldn't make it to the kitchen!
.
It is mostly subsided by now, but still a little residual pain. The legs, and toosh are still quite sore. At this moment I am on a upholstered [added recliner facing the sun, with a heat pad AND round - tubular - pillow at my lumbar.
.
I am walking unaided but only 10 - 20 feet ere I need to at LEAST STOP, if not stop AND sit.
.
I don't recall doing anything that would have stressed my lumbar. I don't know that I even FEEL much discomfort there AT ALL but my toosh, hips and legs are still a good solid '6'. Down from an 8, when they were barely tolerable, and totally debilitating, except for what I can do on the CatBook or fone.
.
Sent a note to my PT, but she had gone for the day/weekend. I cc's it to one of the front desk ladies and asked that she be sure that MY pt read it ASAP on Monday. If it means $85 for a session the going price sans insurance), it MAY be necessary.
.
(=^..^=)
KK

Jump to this post

After 8 months and 41 sessions sciatica was 'manageable'.
.
And a week later, I spent a day feeling like a railroad spike had been driven through my right foot. Now and then it woud get a twist, and then and now a second spike!
.
Eight hours in ER and exrays later report arthritis in the foot. So I am BACK AT the same rehab place, but under a different 'prescription'.
.
The relapse effects are pretty much gone by now, but I did write to her about it, and will be sure to at least discuss it.
.
Thankmew for the response.
(=^..^=)
KK

REPLY
Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Mar 29, 2023
In reply to @kaptainkat "Sciatica Relapse... MMMMEEEEEYYYYYYOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! . I Have had a sciatic relapse 'IN SPADES' - if you are..." + (show)
@kaptainkat

Sciatica Relapse... MMMMEEEEEYYYYYYOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.
I Have had a sciatic relapse 'IN SPADES' - if you are familiar with card games. MY cheeks, hips, and legs were off the charts in pain. At some point I tool a motrin, but I don't think it did anything. I could hardly sit up, let alone stand. Somehow it seems ALL I could do was urinate. MANY TIMES. I thought WTH!!!!
.
Went on for TWO DAYS. Could not get up. Neither ate nor drank anything. Couldn't make it to the kitchen!
.
It is mostly subsided by now, but still a little residual pain. The legs, and toosh are still quite sore. At this moment I am on a upholstered [added recliner facing the sun, with a heat pad AND round - tubular - pillow at my lumbar.
.
I am walking unaided but only 10 - 20 feet ere I need to at LEAST STOP, if not stop AND sit.
.
I don't recall doing anything that would have stressed my lumbar. I don't know that I even FEEL much discomfort there AT ALL but my toosh, hips and legs are still a good solid '6'. Down from an 8, when they were barely tolerable, and totally debilitating, except for what I can do on the CatBook or fone.
.
Sent a note to my PT, but she had gone for the day/weekend. I cc's it to one of the front desk ladies and asked that she be sure that MY pt read it ASAP on Monday. If it means $85 for a session the going price sans insurance), it MAY be necessary.
.
(=^..^=)
KK

Jump to this post

Hello @kaptainkat. I am sorry to read about your sciatica relapse. You will notice that I have moved your post back to one of your earlier discussions on sciatica and mental health, which you can find here:
- Sciatica Relapse...: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sciatica-and-mental-health/

I did this so your update would be shared with the members who have already joined you.

Have you tried any exercises and/or stretching that may give you some relief? Here are some if you are interested: https://www.healthline.com/health/back-pain/sciatic-stretches#What-is-the-sciatic-nerve?

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