sciatic nerve pain post-endoscopic L5S1discectomy

Posted By Nicole LaFreniere on February 06, 1998 at 03:09:01:









   I wrote about 2 months ago but can't find my message any where so I am writing again.  Last April I had a partial discectomy at the L5S1 level after having extremely severe constant sciatic pain for six months.  Although, the surgery helped decrease the severity and duration of the sciatic pain I still have nerve pain daily.  I had two cortisone injections before surgery and one after.  I really do not want to have any more.  I have had a lot of physical therapy, acupuncture and am trying to exercise more and eat well.  I am unable to work and am limited in how much I can sit, stand or walk before the pain becomes really bad.  My new primary care doctor does not seem very concerned and said that nerves can just take a very long time to heal.  I am afraid it will never get better.  Should I insist he order an M.R.I. at this point or should I just keep waiting it out.
   If I look back over four or five month increments of time I can see some improvements.  Is this normal for it to take so long to heal?  Is there anything more I could be doing to help it heal quicker. Thank you.