Sciatica?

[oldbanger]

Obviously, I will have to make time to see the doc sometime soon, however in the meantime you lot will do

I've had pains in my left hip for the last 3 weeks. At times the pain has gone right down the outside edge of my leg - worse when sitting rather than walking. It's not a sharp pain, more of a dull but persistent ache. I also have pins and needles in my left toes. I've had a bit of a weakness in that side for years, not 100% sure why but I did fall down the stairs a couple of times in my 20s due to stupid footwear choices and I also sit with left leg over the other and leaning to the right so it might be poor posture. However 3 weeks ago I ended up trying to sit cross-legged for over an hour and this is where it all started - my hip basically siezed up.

On top of that I've started falling over - 5 times in 3 weeks now. I'm not just spontaneously falling - I'm slipping/tripping and it's always the left foot that's going. It's as if my left leg/foot isn't quite where I think it is.

Could this be sciatica? Is my leg going to fall off?

I hate getting old

[oldbanger]

Aww thanks guys - only another 30 yrs to retirement left

[oldbanger]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

oldbanger said:

I hate getting old

More than dying young?

Those are the two choices, I'll take getting old all day long.

Yes you are correct, thanks

[oldbanger]

Simon Brooks said:

My surgeon referred to the constant tripping as a result of what he called drop foot, where as you said the position of the foot feels like it is doing what the brain says but the reality is slightly different

Sounds like a prolapsed disc pressing on the nerves, see if you can wangle an MRI from someone to find out what's going on

Thanks - guess this means that I ought to take it seriously. Getting to the docs is a major hassle so I try to avoid it to be honest

[oldbanger]

Thanks for all of the replies. I have booked myself an appointment for the end of the week so we'll see where that leads.

[oldbanger]

Doc's referring me for an x-ray of my hip. On another note, the pins and needles have have unfortunately spread aince speaking to the doc so a slipped lower disc is looking more probable, personally.

[oldbanger]

There isn't much pain, certainly nothing unbearable, and the worst pain is specific to my hip or radiating out of it, particularly in certain positions, hence the possibility of damage to that hip needs to be ruled out. That's why I'd been told I'll be going for an x-ray, then possibly a musculo-skeletal referral after.

I'd also started trying to conciously improve my posture when sitting which is when I started to experience pins and needles and pain right across my lower back, but apparently it's not an emergency unless I'm incontinent which is actually a relief. I have now also been told I'm getting a referral for physio and that the physiotherapists can refer me on for further treatment/investigsation themselves if required.

The tripping - my foot isn't slapping around or anything, but it does seem to be maybe 5mm out from where I think it is, if that makes sense, meaning changes in the ground level are a bit harder than they used to be.

I've also now been taking Mg supplements , which I'd stopped a while ago due to laziness, as Mg is required for Mg repair/function.

Thanks for all of the advice and similar stories. They really help.

Edited by oldbanger on Tuesday 9th October 20:14

[oldbanger]

Just a little update.

Hip x-ray came back normal, but I got referred for physio.

Physio says there's nothing they can do and to do leg lifts. Byeeee...

Pain has receeded a lot, just a niggle now. Still can't sit cross-legged for more than about a minute though, but I stopped falling after the first 3 weeks.