Support Amanda's Pain Treatment for Severe Chronic Sciatica

Hello pals and family, thank you for taking the time to read this. x

After encouragement from friends, I've started this fundraiser to support pain treatment and recovery from a severe sciatica flare up which has left me struggling to walk every day and carry out day to day activities the way I used to. The recent worsening of pain has meant I have to at time use a cane to get out of bed and when out and about. It has negatively impacted my quality of life significantly.

Sciatica pain occurs when a slipped or herniated disc in your spine pushes on the nearby nerves down your back and leg. It causes daily pain and difficulty walking.

In 2021, I started to develop sciatica pain down my left leg which was affecting my ability to work. I struggled to walk and eventually had to stop my permanent job in 2023. I'm still working as a freelance video editor but only as much as my disabilities will allow me.

Chronic sciatica impacts almost every area of my life and is the most excruciating pain I've ever experienced.

In 2022, I went for my first MRI which showed a large herniated disc in my spine. I was sent for NHS physiotherapy for 4 months but there was no improvement in pain. I've been on every pain medication specifically for sciatica including nerve medication and high dose co-codamol but sadly none have worked and have barely touched the pain.

I went for another MRI in October 2024 last year as the pain had gotten worse. The MRI showed that my L3, L4, L5 and S1 discs were all affected with L5 worsened herniation pushing on my nerves.

For those who'd like to understand more about chronic sciatica pain and its impact, here's some information: https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sciatica/sciatica-symptoms

So why this fundraiser?

I'm currently on the NHS waiting list for a steroid spinal injection but I've been told the waiting time for this is 1.5 years minimum.

It is also 5 years on the waiting list for spinal surgery to remove the herniated bulge which I hope to go on after I receive the spinal injections.

I'm looking to fundraise for non-surgical treatment which will help my spinal pain management and recovery.

What will the funds be used for?

Funds breakdown:

• Chiropractor treatment including initial consultation and 6 sessions: £400
• Pilates sessions with local community practitioner: £50
• Beginner swimming lessons as I currently can't swim and would gain a lot of pain relief and physical health benefits from swimming: £50

Anything raised above the £500 goal will go to:

• Walking and pain relief aids for my day to day living.
• Beginning savings for private spinal injection treatment.
• A small donation to Medical Aid For Palestine will be made.

I hugely appreciate any and all donations and hope to update via GoFundMe on my recovery progress in the next few months. Thank you so much x