What Causes Severe Pain And Frequent Urination When Diagnosed With Sciatica?

Posted on Tue, 25 Apr 2017

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

Tue, 25 Apr 2017 Answered on

Mon, 22 May 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I had a fall in January of this with the result of Sciatica. I have been to several doctors, including a "pain clinic" which gave me ten shots of cortisone. I have had continuing pain and frequent bladder - to the point that I must urinate every hour or hour and a half. I am becoming dedhydrated and have lost much appetite. Have now lost weight from 160 to 140 (5 lbs this past week). Is this a common side effect of the cortisone and what can I do to stop it? (I am 6'2" and 88 years young - no other major health problems that I know of.
XXXX, e-mail at - YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. Dr. Gopal (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Could be traumatic disc prolapse or XXXXXXX compression.

Detailed Answer:
Hi , I am Dr Gopal Goel Orthopedic Surgeon.
In my Opinion,With History of fall and pain along sciatic nerve with increase in urinary frequency with weight loss could be explained by two aspects. 1 . You are having a traumatic Disc prolapse / Pressure on spinal cord ,which can explain both pain and increases urinary frequency. This does not explain the weight loss. Weight loss due to cortisone will occur if you had gained weight after steroid injections. 2. You may be having urinary infection but this does not explain sciatic pain.
I would suggest that you get MRI of L S SPINE and NCV of both legs for assessment of spinal cord. Also an Ultrasound of abdomen and urine culture and sensitivity to see any direct pathology in bladder or urine infection
Thanx for the question. Please feel.free.to ask any other question.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Gopal (48 hours later)

What is "traumatic Disc prolapse" could it be from the very, very, heavy pressure applied when I was given a total of five needles, each one standing individually, I believe, between my vertebrae with a total of ten injections of cortisone from one very large syringe? I also have chronic urinary tract infection due to kidney stones in my left pelvic kidney (for several years) which I control with ampicillin. I am told because of location the stones cannot be removed. The urinary frequency problem has increased very significantly since the extreme pressure on my spine from the injections.
What is "coed compression"?
I have an appointment with "Geriatic" doctors an XXXXXXX Clinic in XXXXXXX Fl this next week and will discuss all with them. Thanks for your help! XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Gopal (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Traumatic disc prolapse is due to major fall or injury

Detailed Answer:
Hi I am Dr Gopal Goel Orthopedic Surgeon.
Traumatic disc means disc prolapse due to injury like fall and not due to injections or message. cord compression is pressure on spinal cord causing symptoms of compression.
thanx for the question.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D