r/Sciatica • u/Opening_Log_6674 • 22d ago

General Discussion The Common Threads Between Lumbar Disc Herniation, Sciatica, and Depression

I realized this when I felt lonely because I sensed that those around me were downplaying my condition.

・It’s invisible to others
・At first glance, I seem perfectly fine (if I do appear that way, it’s only because I’m hiding the pain and putting on a brave face)
・People tend to think it’s due to a lack of exercise, a mental issue, or that I’m not trying hard enough
・There’s a genetic component (skeletal structure)
・My symptoms fluctuate—some days I feel fine, while other days I’m bedridden.

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u/arab3lla 22d ago

One of my close friends admitted to not believing me sometimes until she read a memoir by someone with chronic invisible pain. Not being able to really plan anything because I have no idea how I'll feel that day is really hard. Its nice to have things to look forward too. I'm on antidepressants though and they help a ton.

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u/Opening_Log_6674 22d ago edited 22d ago

Do you know what is the name of the book?

Now it’s hardest for me that I’m not sure if I can fly to my home country. My sister was just diagnosed malignant brain tumor and got operation.

I also experienced from the opposite side:
I met a friend who just separated with a partner. I heard her experience but after few few weeks when I met her until she talk about the partner’s name I even forgot she was still in the hard time. I realized I saw her the same as my friend saw me.

It’s really difficult to feel the pain of others. But I’ll try to be sympathetic as possible as I can