u/Emotional_Flatworm85

I’m dealing with suspected L5/S1-related sciatica. A lot of my pain is in my heel, feet, and legs first, then my lower back follows. The strange part is that standing or walking actually feels better, especially if I’m wearing comfortable slides. But sitting or lying down can send the pain to 10/10.

Driving is one of the worst triggers. On longer drives I get this tightness, pain, and almost unexplainable urge to move my legs/feet, like I can’t keep them still or comfortable.

It also tends to get worse later in the day. Mornings are usually more manageable, then by evening my feet/legs start acting up hard.

Has anyone else had this pattern?

Can L5/S1 cause intense heel pain?

Why would walking/standing feel better than sitting or lying down?

Did PT help?

Did anyone need MRI, injections, PM&R, spine ortho, or neuro?

Any tips for driving, sleeping, or calming the heel/leg urge?

I’ve already been on it for my RLS and it’s helping me with some of those symptoms but my feet/ heels are killing me! Outer calves also. Idk what else to do while waiting for PT appointment and dr follow up.

Last visit at pain management ortho clinic, the dr gave tramadol but it’s not really helping other than reducing lower back pain a little. That day he offered me Gabapentin but I said I’m already taking for rls but I don’t tell him it’s 1200mg a day.

With that said what doses are you on and does it help?

Searched and couldn’t find much

Anyone here with type 2 diabetes using reta?

I’m currently up to 6 mg. I was previously on Victoza 1.8 mg before this. So far I don’t really have much in terms of side effects. Appetite is better controlled and food noise is lower, but weight loss has been slower than I expected.

I’m trying to keep calories under 1,800 most days and protein is decent. Working out is tough because I have lower back/sciatic issues, so right now I’m mostly limited to light walking when I can.

For other T2D people, especially men, what was your experience like?

Did weight loss start slow and pick up later?

Did glucose improve before the scale really moved?

What dose did you notice the biggest difference?

Any tips that actually helped besides the obvious “eat less and exercise”?

I’m dealing with L5/S1 type sciatic symptoms with lower back pain, leg/foot nerve pain, and RLS-like symptoms. Immediate care gave me meds including steroid pack, naproxen and muscle relaxer. I followed up with ortho and they said next step is PT, so I’m waiting for that appointment.

They gave me tramadol, which honestly doesn’t help much, but sometimes helps me sleep a little. I only have a few left, no refills, and my doctor said they won’t prescribe more. Ortho said if PT doesn’t help, next option may be a cortisone shot, but they want an MRI first. That part is freaking me out because I’m around 300 lbs and I don’t know how I’m supposed to lay flat and still that long in a tight MRI tube.

I’m looking for real experiences, not Google answers.

Why is it that mornings are usually not as painful, but around 5 or 6 PM my feet and legs start acting up, then my lower back follows?

Two Aleve seems to work better than meloxicam for me. Meloxicam does basically nothing, and muscle relaxers are hit or miss. Are there any non-narcotic options people have had success with besides steroids and muscle relaxers? I already did a steroid course and got another flare, and my doctor doesn’t want to keep using steroids because I have type 2 diabetes.

I just started sleeping with a pillow between my legs and it seems to help sometimes. But when the urge to move my legs hits, or the foot/leg pain gets bad, I have to move around. Does anyone else have sciatica plus RLS-like symptoms? Any advice for getting feet and legs comfortable, especially while driving?