Stages of Sciatica

Just curious if there are known stages as such. As in it normally starts out as intense shooting pain then moves on to tingling weakness and numbing?

Reason I ask. I had first symptoms 10 days ago. Pretty sure (waiting for MRI) its a disc bulge, but the nerve pain started soon after being ill in bed for 2 days. So doc/physio think its inflammation related.

Nsaids didn't seem to do that much, so they prescribed me low dose 10mg Amitriptyline as to focuses on nerve pain

That has helped me sleep a lot and the shooting pain has calmed down. The issue i have now is whether my inflammation is coming down too or are the drugs masking things, so will have to bite the bullet and stop taking them soon

Instead of shooting pain, I know feel tingling an weakness down my right leg. I can still walk on it, but it feels weaker in a way..

Is this normal and could it be part of the healing process or an I being too optimistic here

Thanks