Diagnosis for cause of Sciatica

[mariska12]

My husband has been diagnosed by his GP with sciatica, with pain running down lower back thru buttock to foot on the left side.  He is in alot of pain and has been given steriods w/o much success.  I thought he should get an mri to help diagnose the cause but the GP says, based on his range of motion exam, its not a degenerative disc problem and mri not necessary.  He has been prescribed physical therapy, but I'm concerned this may just be dealing with sypmtoms not cause.  

Help!  We're planning a big trip in about 3 weeks and he needs to be able to walk.

Thanks!

[opus88]

Nonna is soooo right I had suffered with sciatica for a number of years b4 being told this nerve pain is d/t the pinched nerves in my spine.
Like I said I too suffered alot of needless pain....until one specialist put me on the neurontin(gabapentin)...this was a miracle drug for me too!
I have been on this drug for probably 5 years at 1800mg and haven't noticed any side effects at any point in treatment.
whatever the side effect if I did feel any I would NEVER give up this med. with even one missed dose the pain returns...
I take 600 a.m. and 1200mg p.m....but do play with mgs. depending on the pain level and timing each individual day.
good luck

[Tuckamore]

Hi Mariska,

I would share your same concerns. As you know sciatica is not a disease condition, it is a symptoms. It can be caused from several medical issues. I have severe sciatic pain and I have SIJ Dysfunction.

An MRI may or may not reveal the cause of his pain. If it is the SIJ an MRI will not diagnosis it. However a disc issue or nerve root cyst or impingement or similar conditions will show.

You are time restricted. I doubt that you can get into a orthro or neurologist for a consult and have an MRI in your three week time frame. If your PCP is unwilling to order the exam you have little choice but to seek out another physician. You may want to approach your GP with that thought. Explain your concern. Ask for a definitive diagnosis, one way or another. I don't think that is too much to ask. It does sound to me as if he is treating the symptoms rather than the cause. And in some situations that may be ok. However your husband remains, in your words " in a lot of pain" and it does not appear that the GP's treatment has produce desirable results.

You didn't say how long you have seen this GP. Remember physicians are service providers. If they do not provide service that meets your expectations it is time to look for someone who will. You pay for this service and no physician is caring for you out of the goodness of his heart. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying he should. I'm just trying to making my point that they are service providers.

Best of luck to you. Please let us know how your husband is doing. I'm hoping you will have a great vacation and that your husbands symptoms will be improved by that time.
I'll look forward to your updates.

Tuck

[Nonna1109]

That is the same way my sciatica was - only in the right side.  Had a couple numb toes and felt like a stone bruise on the bottom of my foot along with the horrible pain in my leg.  Mine was caused by herniated disc on the nerve.  Had 2 laminectomy which failed and still had the sciatic nerve pain.  I found out about a med called neurontin (generic is gabapentin) and within an hour of starting this med the pain had let up quiet a bit - the next morning the sciatic nerve pain was about 97% gone.  I have told several people who have had this type pain and they have gotten their dr to prescribe for them and it has worked well for all of them.  It did not help my back pain but certainly was a miracle for that sciatic nerve leg pain.  Good luck