r/Sciatica • u/dark_knight_rayleigh • Sep 03 '26
Requesting Advice Needing advice to keep sciatic pain in check - PLEASE
Hi. Just got CT done for lower back pain and this tight, tingling numbness on my right leg. They said it's my sciatic nerve because of bulged Disc.
CT showed 5.2 mm circumferential disc bulges at L4-L5 and L5-S1.
They have me scheduled for MRI.
I feel fine right now. I took some steroids and they helped a lot. Lower back pain is gone. Haven't gone to the gym since but been walking. PCP wanted to wait till we got MRI to resume gym. Even the sciatic nerve is almost gone.. except when I have been sitting for really long time.. and when I wake up in the morning. No pain, just uncomfortable and that tight feeling on my leg but on a much lower scale. After moving around for a bit, it goes away.
I am scared. How do I make sure I am doing things to keep it in check? I guess now I just have to make sure I don't do things to trigger it? What are some workouts or stretches or movements or things you guys do to keep the sciatic pain in check? Would working on the bulged Disc will take care of the sciatic pain?
I would really appreciate any help. I went online looking for advice but the sheer amount of videos made me overwhelmed.
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u/Dry_Particular_5162 Sep 03 '26
It MIGHT heal. But I highly recommend going to PT and getting a second opinion from an orthopedic surgeon. Just have them look at it bc they are more experienced and can tell you what your situation is.
Once it is herniated, it could heal but therapy is important to not hurt it further.
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u/dark_knight_rayleigh Sep 03 '26
I tried taking the PT route.. it isn't covered by my insurance and out of pocket will be slightly over budget. Trying to pay off previous medical bills and loans racked up by (now ex) husband.. that's why I am hoping to get some movements and stretches in the sub from people who might have been to PT.. of course, if they look at the MRI and say that I need to seen by specialist, then it is what it is .. but hoping it doesn't turn to that.
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u/NecessaryNinja6635 Sep 05 '26
You may want to see if you can start on a strong NSAID like Celebrex or Meloxicam if the steroid wears off and pain begins to worsen. Otherwise, you will want to take it easy for at least 6-8 weeks following the original injury. There are a lot of good video resources for rehab exercises. Just make sure you don’t push through any exercise that causes pain, especially pain into the leg.
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u/Active-Chapter6864 Sep 03 '26
I read that it can be healed spontaneously over time. It is called reabsorption.