Husband’s pain

Don't be hard on yourself; it can be very stressful looking after a spouse with a disability or illness. It's normal to feel a little resentfulness, but important that it is not expressed to our loved one.

Can you find some ways to still do things that give you joy, even though you can't do them with your partner? For instance, my DH cannot ski any more, but certainly is accepting of me going with other family or friends.

I sympathise - with you and your husband.

My late partner had dreadful sciatica - surgery was never an option.

It's draining for both of you.

I bought, from Amazon, a couple of those heat-pads that you can 'velcro' on to the lower back - either heated up via microwaving, or chilled in the freezer for a while. They certainly helped, quite a lot in fact.

He also found a tens machine helped.

Are they going to offer him nerve-blocking injections?

I understand how you feel, having to watch someone suffer and be part of their care, is very isolating.

Have you tried any online support groups? It really helps to talk to other people in the same situation...

Sciatica is extremely painful and all consuming. I've suffered occasionally and I'm sure that posture has a lot to do with it. I usually get relief from pulling my stomach in as far back to my spine as is possible, and pull up my pelvic floor, remembering to breathe in the process. Failing that, acupuncture from the lively Chinaman in town.