Does Sciatica Cause Anxiety?

Posted on Sun, 2 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 2 Nov 2014 Answered on

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : hi, could sciatica problem cause
anxiety? before my anxiety started I had a very bad sciatica problem. I barley (couldn't)walked for 6 weeks that how much pain I had in my buttock. and I still feel it sometimes.
I cant think of anything else what could cause my anxiety. I had all kind of tests done. all negative.

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
clarifications

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for using health care magic for posting your query.

I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.

However I would require a couple of more details to help you in answering your query in a better justified way.

1) What medicines did you take for anxiety?
2. Any recreational drug or alcohol use?
3. Did you have an anxious personality beforehand?

Hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience.

Regards and wish you good health,

Dr. Srikanth Reddy MD

Neuro-Psychiatrist and Sexologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (33 minutes later)

I tried a few anxiety medication, but non of them are worked. now I take lorazepam
it helps a little with my mood,but not with my symptoms
no alcohol, drug been used. no smoking.
yes I had a mood swing, depression before that my sciatica . but a year ago it just started with tingles in legs arms and face, chest pain, heart palpitation. headache. I had a lot of test done, brain mri, blood test, thyroid etc.
ekg stress test.. nerve test. egg..
and my neuro says it is anxiety

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (28 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Anxiety it is

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the further clarifications.
From what you have stated it appears to be an anxiety disorder. Your sciatica is an independent diagnosis and it should be not be related to the anxiety diosrder and it has developed de no vo . One possibility is that you are definately stressed out with sciatica and the anxiety disorder can precipitate with stress.
Lorazepam is quite a superficial treatment for anxiety disorder and you will require the use of paroxetine or escitalopram for anxiety disorder to treat the symptoms from the root. Lorazepam may be useful initially but long term use of lorazepam is associated with the trouble of dependence.
Also use of cognitive behavioural therapy should also be useful in this regard. Its a psychotherapeutic approach where i there will weekly sessions by a psychologist who will be discussing your thoughts and the way it affect your feelings. You should discuss these two options with your psychiatrist.
Hope this helps, If you have any additional query, do let me know.
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar