http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/sciatica-causes-3101.html

The MRI sez  you've got bulging discs in your lumbar spine, Donna.

Hugs from Rosie

hi, sweetie!  good to see you again.<smile>
((((((((((((((donnag))))))))))))) back at you.

hmmmm . . . i'm thinking, though there may not be any nerve root compromise
in your L5-S1 disc (usually the culprit when it comes to sciatica), there
may be inflammation there anyway, (especially considering that the rituxan
hasn't kicked in all the way, yet) and that is possibly/probably causing
your sciatica.  and if that's the case, epidurals might just help you,
because the steroid will be applied directly to the site.

are you on any anti-inflammatory, donnag, like a nsaid or pred, besides
rituxan?  if you are on anti-inflammatories, and have been for awhile, it
sounds like they might not be strong enough to help the sciatica issue.

merry christmas, to you, donnag!  i wish you a warm, lovely and loving
holiday season.

kate

Hi Gang,

Sorry I haven't been around much, but am still nursing this pain in my
back that shoots down my leg and causes a burning pain in the buttocks
and upper thigh, while leaving the lower leg rather numb.

The lyrica does seem to be helping with the burning pain better than the
vicodin, so am thankful for that, as that burning pain feeling is really
miserable.

In any case, got the results back from my MRI and while I really don't
understand much about back stuff, it doesn't seem like there is anything
that shows up that would explain the shooting pain down my left leg.

Will print the MRI results so that maybe some of you who are more
experienced with back issues might be able to shed a little light on
things for me or make suggestions or maybe I just have to suck it up and
realize that I guess I pulled something in the ole back!

MRI  Report =

Curvature of spine is relatively well maintained.  There is some
dehydration of the L4-L5 disc material

L5-S1 disc demonstrates a foraminal disc bulge into the right L5 neural
foramen along the anterior inferior aspect
Foraminal disc bulges are also seen in the left L4, L3, & L2 neural
foramen along the anteior inferior aspect without obvious compromise of
the exiting nerve roots

Impression:

Disc bulges into right L5 and left L2, L3, and L4 foramina along the
anterior inferior aspect without obvious compromise of the exiting neve
roots.

So, what do ya all think?

I am doing  P. T.   and doctor has talked about sending me for a round
of epidural steroid injections, but I'm not sure that that would help
given there isn't really any major findings on the MRI !!?

Still waiting for the rituxan to kick in.  It seems to have helped a
tiny bit, but no where near as well as the enbrel did.  I'm trying to
remain optimistic, but at times it does get a bit frustrating.

Prayers for all of you dear friends that you will each find your magic
bullet and be relieved of the majority of your pain.   Prayers also that
each of you have a most blessed and safe holiday season!!!

I know I have a great deal to be thankful for and each of you is
included in my giving thanks!!!

Hugs,

Donna G.
.
.
.
ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we call
them FRIENDS......

Donna G.

I agree with Rosie, it sounds like you got slipping disks or such. Well
bulging disks. So that isn't nothing.

I am sorry to hear you are still dealing with this back issue. I feel for
you.

I am glad the lyrica takes away the really bad burning pain. That is a plus.

I hope the PT works and maybe the shots would work for it.

You take care and know you are always thought about and prayed for.