Sciatica...ow oW OW!

2 weeks ago.. I had a first-hand experience of sciatica. For the medically 'undoctrinated'.. Wikipedia defines it as: Sciatica (or sciatic neuritis) is a set of symptoms including pain that may be caused by general compression and/or irritation of one of five spinal nerve roots that give rise to each sciatic nerve or by compression or irritation of the left or right or both sciatic nerves. The pain is felt in the lower back, buttock, and/or various parts of the leg and foot. In addition to pain, which is sometimes severe, there may be numbness, muscular weakness, pins and needles or tingling and difficulty in moving or controlling the leg. Typically, the symptoms are only felt on one side of the body.

It was comparatively strenuous day.. having to work with several severely physically-disabled and hyperactive kids. I felt a tugging sensation when I stood up after squatting down to lock the clinic's glass door. As I made my way to the train station.. the dull pain escalated into a throbbing one.. and I had difficulties lifting my right leg. The usual 10 mins walk turned into what felt like an excruciatingly slow marathon.. as I had to literally drag my foot and limp.. since any hip flexion would cause a sharp shooting pain down my right leg!

Jimmy wanted to send me to A&E at the nearest hospital but I really can't imagine having to sit and wait there for a few hours? Thankfully, after taking some pain-killers, anti-inflammatory pills, rest and much prayers (Justin and Jared were rather worried).. I was 'almost' bouncing back to work!

I guess what made the whole thing worse.. were the unsympathetic and impatient stares from some of the commuters (and no one gave up their seat for me). This experience certainly made me emphatised more with those who have to face such challenges in their daily lives.. may they find the inner strength to overcome!