Sports Injury Turned Sciatica 2 Weeks Later

It’s been three long weeks, day and night of acute pain with my right leg throbbing (thanks to a slipped disc) so I wanted to (distract myself) and provide an update from the first post I wrote.

What was originally and wrongly diagnosed as a swimming-induced injury by the physio I saw, was  recently confirmed to be an injury due to weights I was lifting with a PT, over time.

I’ve used PTs for years previously and never had this issue. I’ve never had this issue full stop- and wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

I could only describe it to the neurosurgeon, I was lucky to see quickly, thanks to private insurance, as someone trying to crack the bones in my right leg and ankle. Sometimes this feeling was accompanied with burning pain or a loss of feeling: pins and needles. It’s odd that sheer pain can be felt with the loss of feeling but here we are!

There were many times I would crawl on the floor in agony wailing-and I’m someone who always prided themselves on having a high pain threshold. Not when it comes to nerve pain. Apparently it’s the worst pain on the pain scale. 

I’m slowly improving and can now walk a few steps more than I could a week ago and the week before that.

The consultant said it can take 4-6 weeks to recover for 90% of people but that the period of acute pain should be over soon as this usually lasts no more than 2 weeks.

Next week, I have scans book, a CT at first and an MRI later if needed (I’m claustrophobic so pushed for a CT initially).

The hardest part of this experience has been that everything in my life had to stop. Mothering three children who need me, work: filming and the school book tour I’m on and any fun I had planned in my life with family and friends.

I had to stop driving until very recently and have depended on my brilliant mum and husband to support me and the kids, all of the time (despite their own work and life demands and being unwell to boot with chest infections).

Even attempting to walk to the toilet was a challenge for me. 

Like I said, I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. 

Now, three weeks or more on (I’ve lost count of time propped on the sofa with a hot water bottle, weeping), the sun is out and we can literally feel the advent of spring in its rays and the blossom trees blooming, and I’m healing.

I spent the day at the beautiful RHS Harlow Carr with its sunny daffodils and cheerful rhododendron blooms swaying in the breeze yesterday and perched on one of their mobility scooters so I could join my family as they walked around the woodland. 

I’m hopeful with each day, normality will resume soon. But normality with a greater appreciation for what truly matters that is: the smaller things in life which were in fact the bigger things after all. The stroll to the local cafe for a cup of matcha, running around the park with my children and doing a job I love.

I empathise completely with those suffering with a disability or chronic illness and have seen first hand how hard navigating public spaces can be. 

I feel indebted to my husband, parents and brother who have been on hand to help me throughout this terrible time and my friends who have helped me round the clock, sending messges, slowers and funny reels to cheer me up: the best kind of medicine! 

Read more about sciatica here and if you’re concerned, please speak to a doctor.