sciatica and calf pain

Hello everyone. I've been reading allot of the info here and there is alot of really good advice and knowledge, although incredibly unfortunate that this many people suffer daily.

I am 44 years old and recently unemployed. Injured at work over three years ago and diagnosed with spondylolisthesis l-5 s-1 and bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing. Initially treated with pt and backed out of surgery. Fast forward to today, the pain that has always been in my back is know into my legs. Was seen in the e.r. and doctors said it was sciatica. This started in my right leg as numbness and tingling but now is incredibly painful in the right and numb in the left. I am getting severe pain in my calf and like needles sticking in my foot. Does anybody know if this means my condition is getting worse? Good luck to everyone who is suffering, and thank you.

Thank you very much!

Unfortunately I have no income and no insurance to see a doctor. I went to the e.r. about three weeks ago and the Dr. said it was sciatica. He referred me to an orthopedic but can't afford it. He also said I needed another mri to determine severity. I have had the numbness and some pain since first injury, but this really hurts. I like to think I can stand pain but this comes close to tears. I can;t sleep, sometimes can hardly walk, and get no releif from ice, heat, ibuprofen, etc. Do you have any trouble with balance and climbing?

Another way to help relieve sciatic pain is to take an anti-inflammatory like Aleve, and use alternating ice/heat on your upper glutes. The sciatic nerve can get squeezed by a small muscle buried deep in your glutes, called the piriformis. Look up piriformis syndrome.

Hello Bvl, you can file for SSD without having an atty in the beginning stages. You can apply online for SSD. Something else I suggest you do is check into filing for Medicaid through the state you live in. If you can get approved for Medicaid then you can get some medical treatment. Are there ay clinics that will see people based on their income? Do or did you ever have a primary care physician? This dr can write a script for the Gabapentin and always ask any drs office if they give a discount for cash paying patients. Many drs offices do this because it keeps them from having to jump through the hoops of filing with insurance.

Any way, I wanted to pop on and say hello and welcome aboard.....Susie

Once again, Susie has beaten me to the punch. You can begin the preliminary filings for disability online, I wouldn't worry about a lawyer yet. To determine disability you will have a physical exam, which they pick up the tab for.

Don't expect too much from the initial filing for disability. I've heard varying numbers, but somewhere between 7-9 out of 10 get denied initially, but you can appeal. That's when a lawyer comes in. But you still don't need one. Helpful, but not necessary. I did my own appeal, and it went through in like 3 weeks. The first one dragged on for months.

And many places now do have no to low cost medical facilities (You may not see a doctor, but a physician's assistant) that base their fees on a sliding scale. The one I go to has a minimum of $25 to see my psychiatrist (It also has dental and a pharmacy, all sliding scale). A 20 mile drive, but worth it. But know ahead of time that many of these clinics don't do pain meds. At the one I go to, the dentist writes very restricted pain meds, but not on the medical side. Can't say I blame them, otherwise they wouldn't get to see any "real" patients.

If you do get disability, beware the donut hole, which I am in the middle of. This varies from state to state, but where I live, I get juuuuuust a little too much from disability to qualify for medicaid. And you do get mediCARE after being on disability, but only after waiting a mandatory 2 years. There is no way around the 2 year waiting period. No appeal. I got 1 year to go, but I've been out of pocket for all of my meds and everything else. Gotta love the government.

Not trying to scare you, but these are my own experiences, and I'm sure others have their own. Wheels turn slow sometimes, but they do turn. Good luck.

Though re-reading your initial post, since the initial injury was sustained at work, unless you have a closed settlement with the former employer, a case could be made that the pain you have now is related to the injury. Maybe check with a lawyer? Perhaps

I Am Not a attorney, doctor, social worker, fisherman, trapeze artist, acrobat, golfing instructor, NASCAR driver, Iron Chef, archer, nail technician, locomotive repairman, or almond farmer. Your results may vary.

Thanks so much to everyone who has taken time to help! I have contacted a couple of attorneys regarding the pain I am in being tyed to a workers comp issue. Still awaiting a response. I am probally going to go ahead and file disability. I have read alot of horror stories about the way people are treated from these doctors. But hopefully I van at least get some documentation. I also visited the site reccomended in the chronic pain 101 article and they have closed the site.

I am beginning to realize that this is going to be a fight no matter what. I have often just sat ina chair trying to find a posture that doesn't hurt and get so angry. I have worked my whole life from growing up on a farm to being a paramedic and part of a technical rescue team. I live in a hotel room, fortunately owned by a friend. When I was working I would do maintenance work for him, I think this is the only reason I have a roof over my head.

I cannot express my thanks to all who have took their time to help. Knowing that I am not alone is more reassuring than anyone knows. While I am new to this site I will help anyone as much as I can.
Thanks again!!