u/lil_bear_

Any bilateral sciatica sufferers here? What does it feel like?

I've been suffering severe back stiffness for 10 months which worsened 6 weeks ago and suddenly became accompanied by very deep aches in my hips, glutes and thighs, as well as shooting pains. Occasionally includes foot on one side. Begun physio which has given some temporary relief but nothing seems to be helping fully. Have also had severe rib/chest/shoulder blade/arm pain, so my GP has referred me to a rheumatologist instead of a back specialist. I'm concerned it could be ankylosing spondylitis, my GP mentioned fibromyalgia.

So my question for you: what does bilateral sciatica feel like for you? How would you describe the pain? What helps or hurts? Trying to understand if my lower body pain is expected sciatica and the upper body pain is separate, or if one of those conditions I mentioned is likely.

(Disc bulge identified at L4-5 in early December MRI, but at the time was abutting but not compressing the nerve. Blood panels taken in March showed inflammation, and were taken again in mid April and inflammation had risen. Inflammation markers here being CRP and Ferritin. But I'd had chest colds from start of Feb to end of March, not sure how long those could affect inflammation showing in bloods.)

I've been suffering severe back stiffness for 10 months which worsened 6 weeks ago and suddenly became accompanied by very deep aches in my hips, glutes and thighs, as well as shooting sciatica pains. Also includes foot on one side, which I think actually began months ago but I assumed I had plantar fascitis. Begun physio which has given some temporary relief but nothing seems to be helping fully. Sciatica usually affects one leg, so my case is already a bit unusual for expected sciatica. I then began having severe rib/chest/shoulder blade/arm pain, so my GP has referred me to a rheumatologist instead of a back specialist. I'm concerned it could be ankylosing spondylitis, my GP mentioned fibromyalgia.

So my question for you: what does ankylosing spondylitis feel like for you? How would you describe the pain? What helps or hurts? Trying to understand if my lower body pain is expected sciatica and the upper body pain is separate, or if one of those conditions I mentioned is likely.

Pain is waking me up during the night and stiffness and hip pain is severe in the morning. I can't drive or attend my office, so working from home. I find that sitting propped up on a bed with pillows behind me and pillows under my thighs, with a heat pad is my main way of being comfortable. And while walking is occasionally difficult and sometimes I'm limping, walking for longer periods does not seem to worsen the pain and seems to loosen me up. But it's hard to begin walking while in pain.

(Disc bulge identified at L4-5 in early December MRI, but at the time was abutting but not compressing the nerve. Physio has said disc bulges are common and not always the cause of sciatica. Blood panels taken in March showed inflammation, and were taken again in mid April and inflammation had risen. Inflammation markers here being CRP and Ferritin. I don't know how long these would stay inflamed following a chest infection though, I had had chest colds from start of Feb to end of March. Original back stiffness came on during the gym, so I chalked it up to a gym injury, but it never went away, obviously. )

I'm trying to get an appointment with a rheumatologist but it will be the June at the earliest, more likely August. I don't know how I can cope with this pain until then.