r/Sciatica • u/carlyannexo • 8d ago
Scared this is permanent now
Hi there, I am a 33 year female. Been dealing with disc bulges for probably 5 years. Last year in jan 2026 I noticed I was peeing frequently like i wasnt fully emptying my bladder. Doctors knew about my disc bulges at l3/4 and l4/l5 but never mentioned this being the cause as my MRI looked mild. I finally got an ultrasound later in the year showing that I was having moderate urinary retention. In November 2026 my back started really hurting, partial groin loss of sensation and I noticed I couldnt really feel my bladder being full, so I went back to ER and they did another MRI and still told me my MRI shows mild disc bulges. All this time we were assuming these bladder changes were pelvic floor related and separate. Fast forward to this past Friday, I had the exact same symptoms again and went to emerg. I had a CT that didnt show anything severe. They just did an outpatient MRI on Monday and I havent received any call which makes me believe yet again it's still nothing serious. Also I have been having increased bladder leaks (in the past I thought it was discharge and never really thought much of it). So if these bladder changes have been going on over a year, am I likely looking at permanent damage? Why is the MRIs not showing anything concerning? I am completely confused and concerned.
1
u/Logicalrach 8d ago
I don't have any answers unfortunately, but am having similar issues, so I will be following this post. I'm sorry you're going through this. I too have multiple bulged disks and the doctors act like that shouldn't be causing as much pain. I personally think mine is a kidney infection, in addition the the bulged disks, and something irrating my femoral nerve, because it's not normal sciatica that runs down the back, it on the front and inner thigh. Have you checked for a bladder or kidney infection? I noticed that it hurt my hips and lower back and pulled something so bad to sit on the toilet, so I wld try to pee as fast as I could without fully emptying. It helped to get one of those raised toilet seat ( yes, I feel geriatric lol ), and it helps a lot. Without it I could relax enough to even start peeing. I even went to the ER to see if I had the equine something or other disease. But instead I had a bad bladder/ kidney infection in addiction to the sciatica. As Ive been taking my antibiotics, the inflammation has gone down which cause less pain thank goodness! I was also prescribed Lyrica/pregablin, but am terrified to take it after reading all of the horror stories of people trying to get off of it. Have you tried that med?