Sciatica nightmare

Hello everyone,

First of all, I wanted to let you all know that each and every one of you have all my empathy for what you are facing everyday...

I actually registered here quite awhile ago, but the irony is I have been in too much pain most days, while also being plagued by some kind of nebulous equally debilitating chronic fatigue to even compose a post...

But I am on this board seeking support for what I have been enduring now for over a year.

I was diagnosed with an L5 herniated disc with spinal stenosis resulting in bilateral sciatica after an urgent MRI which ruled out cauda equine syndrome.

(6 months before being correctly diagnosed a doctor told me it was "just" somatic pain, and did no investigation.)

Anyway, most days the pain radiating from my lower back into my legs and right down to the soles of my feet has been debilitating, to the point I will have to hire a homemaker to come and sweep and mop, do my laundry, and clean my bathtub as it is so painful to bend from the waist.

I was initailly taking pregablin,with no relief, and horrible side effects.
Could not walk properly, had a few falls, double vision.

Now i am on 400 mgs of gabapentin which seems not to touch my pain either.

I am also prescribed 1000 mgs of acetominophin up to 3 times a day, but since it is like a sugar pill, I rarely take it.

I have been to the ER twice when the pain was too intense to bear.

The first time, I had the MRI and was sent home with a script for naproxen, which I have found can even hurt my stomach when I take it with food, and as well it too does really nothing to alleviate my pain.

My doctor referred me to a pain clinic months ago, but the waiting list is insanely long.

The second time I went to the ER, the doctor was very empathetic and validating, and gave me a short script for oxycodone, of course with no refills, but for a few days I was blissfully pain free.

I was referred to a neurosurgeon who said there was nothing he could do...

In the meantime I have spent hundreds of dollars on osteopaths, massage, acupuncture, and all manner of useless topical stuff to no avail.

I know I need to excersice more, and I stretch several times a day, have started walking which supposedly ought to help, but my heels hurt when I walk.

I am going to be 51 this year, but already use a cane.

I also have a myriad of mental health conditions which my pain is exacerbating.

I cant really afford it, but tomorrow first thing I am going to make an appointment to start physio.

(I am leery of chiropractic, but if all else fails I suppose I might try that too.)

I never learned how to swim, but I have read to even walk frontwards and backwards etc in a pool can be helpful.

As I write this, my back, glutes, legs and feet are absolutely throbbing.

Forgive me for whining, I know so many of you are trying to cope with far worse, but I feel so isolated and needed to reach out here...

I am Canadian by the way, so hope ok to be here, I respect The Mayo Clinic a great deal...

Thank you for reading if you have, and sending you all much compassion.