Slipped disc experiences

_Tombstone_ · 18-04-2015 4:27pm

fussyonion wrote: »

I sleep exactly like that first picture, but it's kinda hard to adjust your sleeping position when you're asleep.
But I get your point and when I have woken up during the night, I do get myself in the latter position and try to stay that way

I read a cushion between the knees is supposed to help maintain position.

juke · 18-04-2015 4:32pm

fussyonion wrote: »

I sleep exactly like that first picture,

I did too - it's so comfortable, dammit :rolleyes: Took a while, but it's becoming more like instinct now - 6 months later!

_Tombstone_ wrote: »

I read a cushion between the knees is supposed to help maintain position.

I do, definitely helps.

Jampip · 24-04-2015 11:50am

Stumbled arcoss this thread. Didn't realise the forum was here but was hoping I could get some help or advice as I'm really struggling.

Two months ago I was in a car accident. A man drove into the passenger side of my vehicle at a junction as I was driving past. He hadn't seen my car. The minute he struck me, I felt as if my back twisted. I went to the doctor that day who signed me off work for the rest of the week and said to come back to him as I'd probably feel worse the following week. He gave me Difene and sleeping pills (anxicalm). For the next two days, I went through periods of excruciating pain. I literally couldn't sit down for periods and remember one evening walking back and forwards across the kitchen because I couldn't sit still with the pain. I also couldn't sleep at night. My left lumbar area felt a lot harder than my right so I knew something was wrong so I attended a physio and she said she could tell I had a disk bulge.

I've been back to the doctor twice in the two months since and have had about 12 sessions of physio. The physio tapes my back in the effected area which really helps. An MRI showed a disk bulge with dessication at L4-L5 and the same at L5-S1. The bulge at L4-L5 is also effacing the thecal sac whatever that means. I spoke to my doctor but, to be honest, I'm not sure of his knowledge regarding same. He told me that I only had one disk bulge but the MRI says that I have a disk bulge at L4-L5 and L5-S1 so I thought that was two different areas? My physio is of the opinion that the MRI definitely states I have two disk bulges like I think. He thinks the doctor may have been trying to comfort me because he said doctors will often try to make people feel better by minimising the injury.

I'm still having trouble sleeping and have now been prescribed Zopiloc to help me. I was previously on Anxicalm but was waking up when it wore off during the night. I was prescribed Tylex at one stage but asked the doctor to take me off it as it made me feel light headed. He moved me up to 75mg of Difene instead of 50mg and put me on Lyrica.

The doctor said to continue with physio and we'd see how I get on. He said only 1% of people get surgery and we'd need to look at spinal injections if the physio didn't work.

I'm back at work and trying my best but its tough. I work in an office and regularly have to walk off to take a break from sitting. Earlier today I pulled my belt to tighten it in the toilet and my back just went. I've had to come home today. Until the accident, I had never had any medical issues. I used to run 10-15k three to four times a week and do numerous runs around the country. I already had 3 runs planned that I have missed since the incident. I've had to go and buy a mulcher so I can cut my lawn and not have to empty the lawnmower. I try to avoid lifting my 18 month old son but have to as it’s a necessity. I also feel down because my running helped me control my weight and, while I'm not near overweight, I have already put on over half a stone. I have a sweet tooth and running allowed me treats but I'll now have to cut those out. Missing out on chocolate is the least of my worries to be honest though.

I still get regular pangs of pain and I'm always aware its there. If I go outside to play with my kids, I can't run much and have to be careful how I bend etc. I played football for twenty minutes with my older son one evening just kicking the ball back and forth to him. The following days I was very sore and the physio said, while I was careful not to use my back, its my hip that would have carried the movement up to my back or something like that. It's horrifying to think that I can't even play football with my son. It's all getting me really down to be honest. Its also putting a lot of pressure on my wife. If we go anywhere, she has to drive because if I drive for more than twenty minutes or so, I can feel the pain. She's very understanding and comforting but its not fair on her. The other day she nearly hurt herself trying to move a heavy mattress while I wasn't there because she didn't want me trying to move it. We had to get a neighbour to help us. I'm becoming irritable because I'm annoyed at myself. I just wish I could go back to the day of the accident and drive a different way to work.

How long can I expect to have this pain? I know there's no easy way of knowing but I'm really getting frustrated and I've lost a hobby that I really enjoyed and was getting my kids involved in. I used to be able to go running with them and now I can't. Sorry about the long post but I just want to rant.

boxer.fan · 24-04-2015 12:44pm

Jampip wrote: »

Stumbled arcoss this thread. Didn't realise the forum was here but was hoping I could get some help or advice as I'm really struggling.

Two months ago I was in a car accident. A man drove into the passenger side of my vehicle at a junction as I was driving past. He hadn't seen my car. The minute he struck me, I felt as if my back twisted. I went to the doctor that day who signed me off work for the rest of the week and said to come back to him as I'd probably feel worse the following week. He gave me Difene and sleeping pills (anxicalm). For the next two days, I went through periods of excruciating pain. I literally couldn't sit down for periods and remember one evening walking back and forwards across the kitchen because I couldn't sit still with the pain. I also couldn't sleep at night. My left lumbar area felt a lot harder than my right so I knew something was wrong so I attended a physio and she said she could tell I had a disk bulge.

I've been back to the doctor twice in the two months since and have had about 12 sessions of physio. The physio tapes my back in the effected area which really helps. An MRI showed a disk bulge with dessication at L4-L5 and the same at L5-S1. The bulge at L4-L5 is also effacing the thecal sac whatever that means. I spoke to my doctor but, to be honest, I'm not sure of his knowledge regarding same. He told me that I only had one disk bulge but the MRI says that I have a disk bulge at L4-L5 and L5-S1 so I thought that was two different areas? My physio is of the opinion that the MRI definitely states I have two disk bulges like I think. He thinks the doctor may have been trying to comfort me because he said doctors will often try to make people feel better by minimising the injury.

I'm still having trouble sleeping and have now been prescribed Zopiloc to help me. I was previously on Anxicalm but was waking up when it wore off during the night. I was prescribed Tylex at one stage but asked the doctor to take me off it as it made me feel light headed. He moved me up to 75mg of Difene instead of 50mg and put me on Lyrica.

The doctor said to continue with physio and we'd see how I get on. He said only 1% of people get surgery and we'd need to look at spinal injections if the physio didn't work.

I'm back at work and trying my best but its tough. I work in an office and regularly have to walk off to take a break from sitting. Earlier today I pulled my belt to tighten it in the toilet and my back just went. I've had to come home today. Until the accident, I had never had any medical issues. I used to run 10-15k three to four times a week and do numerous runs around the country. I already had 3 runs planned that I have missed since the incident. I've had to go and buy a mulcher so I can cut my lawn and not have to empty the lawnmower. I try to avoid lifting my 18 month old son but have to as it’s a necessity. I also feel down because my running helped me control my weight and, while I'm not near overweight, I have already put on over half a stone. I have a sweet tooth and running allowed me treats but I'll now have to cut those out. Missing out on chocolate is the least of my worries to be honest though.

I still get regular pangs of pain and I'm always aware its there. If I go outside to play with my kids, I can't run much and have to be careful how I bend etc. I played football for twenty minutes with my older son one evening just kicking the ball back and forth to him. The following days I was very sore and the physio said, while I was careful not to use my back, its my hip that would have carried the movement up to my back or something like that. It's horrifying to think that I can't even play football with my son. It's all getting me really down to be honest. Its also putting a lot of pressure on my wife. If we go anywhere, she has to drive because if I drive for more than twenty minutes or so, I can feel the pain. She's very understanding and comforting but its not fair on her. The other day she nearly hurt herself trying to move a heavy mattress while I wasn't there because she didn't want me trying to move it. We had to get a neighbour to help us. I'm becoming irritable because I'm annoyed at myself. I just wish I could go back to the day of the accident and drive a different way to work.

How long can I expect to have this pain? I know there's no easy way of knowing but I'm really getting frustrated and I've lost a hobby that I really enjoyed and was getting my kids involved in. I used to be able to go running with them and now I can't. Sorry about the long post but I just want to rant.

Unfortunately everything you have detailed is all too familiar for many of us with discs bulging and impinging on nerve roots.

It is important that you are attending a neurologist or orthopaedic spinal specialist if not doing so already.
You should expect to be in pain for quite a while, the lyrica will help, in my own experience, a combination of lyrica, paracetamol, palexia & difene have worked well together & reduce the pain by about 50%.
I have had three Epidural Steroid Injections now, however they have been unsuccessful, but I have read that they can be very successful in a lot cases.
I'm now waiting on a date for a microdiscectomy, I know there are risks with it but at this stage I just want it over with.

I understand and have experienced all the stuff you are going through with the wife & family, but they are there for you & will battle through it with you. They know you would do the same for them.

I keep reminding myself that there are folks out there with no hope of recovery or any better quality of life, in some way that helps me suck it up and move on.

Good luck & it's ok to rant

flexcon · 24-04-2015 12:50pm

Ok want to share an experience from my own father.

He was 50 and was two weeks from going to a surgeon to get hid two disc sorted.

He was in agony and could barely work. Self employed and driving about 8 hours a day.

He decided to not go ahead and instead try a special seat that is recommended for driving posture. If fact not just for driving but for any kinda of sitting. The Doctor agreed to wait another 2 months at his request.

After two months he walked into the doctors straight for the first time in a year to the amazement of the Doctor. He asked to see the seat and said " If only I could get everyone to use one of these"

2 years later he is currently bouncing on a trampoline with my youngest brother. no surgery, nothing!
Now bearing in mind he drive for 8 hours a day, the seat basically " put " it back in. Not sure on the details but thought Id share this anyway.

Genuine story here. No idea what the seat was called, or what type but cost about 250 euro at the time. Goes onto any seat from a car to a table seat.

Oh it was also his two lowest discs from memory if that makes sense?

cursai · 24-04-2015 2:03pm

flexcon wrote: »

Ok want to share an experience from my own father.

He was 50 and was two weeks from going to a surgeon to get hid two disc sorted.

He was in agony and could barely work. Self employed and driving about 8 hours a day.

He decided to not go ahead and instead try a special seat that is recommended for driving posture. If fact not just for driving but for any kinda of sitting. The Doctor agreed to wait another 2 months at his request.

After two months he walked into the doctors straight for the first time in a year to the amazement of the Doctor. He asked to see the seat and said " If only I could get everyone to use one of these"

2 years later he is currently bouncing on a trampoline with my youngest brother. no surgery, nothing!
Now bearing in mind he drive for 8 hours a day, the seat basically " put " it back in. Not sure on the details but thought Id share this anyway.

Genuine story here. No idea what the seat was called, or what type but cost about 250 euro at the time. Goes onto any seat from a car to a table seat.

Oh it was also his two lowest discs from memory if that makes sense?

Any photo or brand or any other info on the seat?

flexcon · 25-04-2015 11:02am

This is the closest photo I could get to it with link

Click HERE to see the seat.

Also searched more and some Irish site seems to sell them also www.physiotherapyworks.ie. not affiliated them in any way.

EDIT links not working for some reason. The chair is called a Orthorest Portable Seat, ideal for the car

http://www.physiotherapyworks.ie/buy_physiotherapy_products.aspx

Sonny678 · 27-04-2015 12:38am

Hi

I have a disc touching a nerve, I have tried medication, physio and it is still a massive problem. I’m thinking of going to an osteopath. Has anyone gone to osteopath and did it help? Any advice would be so grateful; it’s just so hard to get information. I’m so tired and sick of this condition, it is very painful and does effect one life allot.Any advice or info would be so grateful on any things people have tried to help with this problem

Thanx

Spook_ie · 27-04-2015 8:46am

Sonny678 wrote: »

Hi

I have a disc touching a nerve, I have tried medication, physio and it is still a massive problem. I’m thinking of going to an osteopath. Has anyone gone to osteopath and did it help? Any advice would be so grateful; it’s just so hard to get information. I’m so tired and sick of this condition, it is very painful and does effect one life allot.Any advice or info would be so grateful on any things people have tried to help with this problem

Thanx

I see you say you've tried physio, meds etc...have you seen a Neurosurgeon that specialises in disc problems ? there are a few good ones eg Paraic O'Neill, Michael Kelleher, Martin Murphy.

Maysa07 · 27-04-2015 12:30pm

Tobyglen wrote: »

I went through everything, Pilates, Physio 15+ times, Chiropractor 70+ times, Multiple epidurals and facet joint injections (useless & expensive).
Surgery- micro discectomy. 2 years in total lying in bed. I seen anesthesiologists, surgeons, I had multiple MRI scans. The journey was torture

What truly worked was swimming & walking, lots of it. I wish you the best because it's not an easy journey but I can't recommend swimming enough.

Exactly ! I went through pritty much the same.. My GP said i had to wait 11 weeks before she would send me to a Neurosurgeon..

Sonny678 · 27-04-2015 3:59pm

Spook_ie wrote: »

I see you say you've tried physio, meds etc...have you seen a Neurosurgeon that specialises in disc problems ? there are a few good ones eg Paraic O'Neill, Michael Kelleher, Martin Murphy.

. Thanx for the response. I would rather leave surgery as a last resort for the moment. Is there any other things can I do other then surgery. I am seriously considering of going to an oesteopath,as I know they work on lower back pain. I just dont know would it really help . Is there other things I could do that could help. Its very painful and those effect one life,I am so tired of it, its like havin a permanent bad tootache in your leg and back , if that makes any sense. I hav a big problem flexin my tigh, its just so hard to get info, thanx

boxer.fan · 27-04-2015 4:40pm

Sonny678 wrote: »

. Thanx for the response. I would rather leave surgery as a last resort for the moment. Is there any other things can I do other then surgery. I am seriously considering of going to an oesteopath,as I know they work on lower back pain. I just dont know would it really help . Is there other things I could do that could help. Its very painful and those effect one life,I am so tired of it, its like havin a permanent bad tootache in your leg and back , if that makes any sense. I hav a big problem flexin my tigh, its just so hard to get info, thanx

It is still advisable to see a specialist. They too will be considering surgery as a last resort only. Believe me I have been through the mill and surgery is the only option left for me.

Sonny678 · 27-04-2015 5:33pm

boxer.fan wrote: »

It is still advisable to see a specialist. They too will be considering surgery as a last resort only. Believe me I have been through the mill and surgery is the only option left for me.

Thanx for the response. I have been to a specialist and he is has given me an injection, which hasnt worked, he said he would give me another one. My physio is totally against the idea of surgery. Sorry to hear you have through the mill with it, its an awful condition. It can be very debilitating and tough to deal with. Do u mind me asking what things did u try before you went down the surgery route. Any advice would be so grateful. Its so hard to get good info about it. Im thinkin of going down the oesteopath route , coz a friends of friend had it she tryed everything and nothing help, and then went to an oseteopath and it completely cleared it up. This has given me hope, Just trying to find peoples experience of it and any other remedies. I find it an awful painful and pretty dreadful condtion . thanx

boxer.fan · 27-04-2015 6:54pm

Sonny678 wrote: »

Thanx for the response. I have been to a specialist and he is has given me an injection, which hasnt worked, he said he would give me another one. My physio is totally against the idea of surgery. Sorry to hear you have through the mill with it, its an awful condition. It can be very debilitating and tough to deal with. Do u mind me asking what things did u try before you went down the surgery route. Any advice would be so grateful. Its so hard to get good info about it. Im thinkin of going down the oesteopath route , coz a friends of friend had it she tryed everything and nothing help, and then went to an oseteopath and it completely cleared it up. This has given me hope, Just trying to find peoples experience of it and any other remedies. I find it an awful painful and pretty dreadful condtion . thanx

It started out as just a "put my back out" situation a few years back. A visit to the gp and a course of anti inflammatories with a weeks rest done the job & things went back to normal.

This repeated 3 or 4 times that year until the gp ordered an x-ray, nothing overly sinister reported there so then she ordered a dexa scan which ruled out osteo arthritis. Meanwhile I attended a well recommended chiropractor who suggested I may have a lumbar disc bulge and basically said there was nothing they could do.

The gp then suggested I undergo a physiotherapy programme. I found the physiotherapy coupled with supervised Pilates gave me excellent relief, but eventually it wasn't enough to keep it at bay for any length of time. The physiotherapist felt there may have been some damage to a facet joint and told me to demand a diagnosis from my gp.
I did as she said & the gp referred my to an orthopaedic & spinal specialist who ordered a mri instantly.

The mri showed both an l5-s1 disc herniation and also a spondylylisis (wear & tear on facet). The treatment programme began with a facet ESI, which worked for a week or so. Then a second ESI a few weeks later which took no effect.

At this stage the pain had extended down my right leg into my toes, including pins & needles constantly. After a month I couldn't withstand the pain any longer so I was admitted & put in traction before receiving another final ESI.

At this stage I seem to have exhausted all possible treatments with only surgery remaining. As I said earlier, I just want it over with as my quality of life now is poor compared to when I was pain free.

NSAman · 27-04-2015 7:04pm

First put my back out years ago in a work accident with heavy weights. when swelling etc calmed down physio did a great job with traction and electronic stimulation of the muscles.

Over the years I have had intermittent bouts of problems with lower back pain usually a few times a year.

Two years ago, for no reason I spent a month in bed unable to move. Three disks out.

Physio again (ok I had put some weight on .. ok a lot) same traction and electronic stimulation plus exercises. Once it was safe I started these exercises, plus started back in a gym. In two years no problems. I sit all day in the job, so the core was not being used. Now I have lost the weight and the posture and the exercise has seen no issues in two years.

Spook_ie · 28-04-2015 9:02am

Sonny678 wrote: »

. Thanx for the response. I would rather leave surgery as a last resort for the moment. Is there any other things can I do other then surgery. I am seriously considering of going to an oesteopath,as I know they work on lower back pain. I just dont know would it really help . Is there other things I could do that could help. Its very painful and those effect one life,I am so tired of it, its like havin a permanent bad tootache in your leg and back , if that makes any sense. I hav a big problem flexin my tigh, its just so hard to get info, thanx

You're welcome, have a look at this, might give you a few a few hints http://www.sportssurgeryclinic.com/blog-research/blogs-infographics/how-we-treat-low-back-pain-by-neil-welch-lead-strength-and-conditioning-coach-at-ssc/514
hope that link works !

maggiepip · 30-04-2015 1:07pm

Sonny678 wrote: »

Thanx for the response. I have been to a specialist and he is has given me an injection, which hasnt worked, he said he would give me another one. My physio is totally against the idea of surgery. Sorry to hear you have through the mill with it, its an awful condition. It can be very debilitating and tough to deal with. Do u mind me asking what things did u try before you went down the surgery route. Any advice would be so grateful. Its so hard to get good info about it. Im thinkin of going down the oesteopath route , coz a friends of friend had it she tryed everything and nothing help, and then went to an oseteopath and it completely cleared it up. This has given me hope, Just trying to find peoples experience of it and any other remedies. I find it an awful painful and pretty dreadful condtion . thanx

Why is your physio so against surgery? Disk surgery/removal these days , while still serious surgery, is quite routine and very successful. I tried everything when my lumber disk moved to settle on a nerve. The pain was something I would not wish on my worst enemy. My GP put me on the usual anti inflammatorys and sent me to physio. Physio used that traction method and every single session made me worse. I was told I would get worse before I got better! After much money and pain I stopped the sessions, and I am actually very against any physio or any type of manipulation therapy without firstly having an mri to see exactly what is going on with your back. When I eventually got to a consultant and he read the mri he agreed traction physio would have made the disk worse.

I also tried a chiropractor and acupuncture, neither of which did anything. Gave in and had the surgery after a year of pain and it was the best decision ever. I did have pain afterwards but that was because my nerve had become extremely inflamed and the memory/pain cycle did take almost a year to totally go. However the pain after the surgery was miniscule in comparison to what it had been before. Now Ive been virtually pain free for 17 years!!
Im sure the operation is even more straightforward these days. My heart goes out to you because my memories of back then with my back fill me with horror, its an agonizing pain that nerve pain.

shamrock2004 · 19-06-2015 9:19am

I was struck down with horrible sciatica and back pain almost 3 years ago. Had it for over 2.5 years - everyday.

What an experience - physically and emotionally. There were days the pain reduced me to tears and I thought I would never get better. I was very depressed. I used to get what my physio would call "dips" - where the pain amplifies for no reason. The worst thing was the pain in my leg and ankle. I also had pins and needles, weakness. MRI showed a bad bulge at L4/L5. The nerve in my back was badly compressed. I tried everything and nothing worked - physio, yoga, acupuncture, chiropractor, cognitive behavioural therapy, €900 ergonomic chair.... etc. Saw a neurosurgeon who wanted to start treatment with injections but I read up and saw the results are terrible so I decided against it. What is now proven through scientific studies is that having disc degenration is like having grey hair. It's a normal ageing process. It has been shown that a large percentage of the population have disc bulges, disc herniations, other spinal structural "problems" etc and have no pain whatsoever.

Anyhow now I'm healthy and pain free again and can do whatever I want and I did it all naturally

Happy healing.

maggiepip · 19-06-2015 2:35pm

shamrock2004 wrote: »

I was struck down with horrible sciatica and back pain almost 3 years ago. Had it for over 2.5 years - everyday.

What an experience - physically and emotionally. There were days the pain reduced me to tears and I thought I would never get better. I was very depressed. I used to get what my physio would call "dips" - where the pain amplifies for no reason. The worst thing was the pain in my leg and ankle. I also had pins and needles, weakness. MRI showed a bad bulge at L4/L5. The nerve in my back was badly compressed. I tried everything and nothing worked - physio, yoga, acupuncture, chiropractor, cognitive behavioural therapy, €900 ergonomic chair.... etc. Saw a neurosurgeon who wanted to start treatment with injections but I read up and saw the results are terrible so I decided against it. What is now proven through scientific studies is that having disc degenration is like having grey hair. It's a normal ageing process. It has been shown that a large percentage of the population have disc bulges, disc herniations, other spinal structural "problems" etc and have no pain whatsoever.

Anyhow now I'm healthy and pain free again and can do whatever I want and I did it all naturally Happy healing.

Can I ask what those natural methods were?

shamrock2004 · 20-06-2015 12:20pm

maggiepip wrote: »

Can I ask what those natural methods were?

I completely changed my thinking. I stopped thinking of myself as injured. I stopped obsessing about my back. I started to really believe that the prolapsed disc was not the cause of my pain (maybe it was / maybe it wasnt - the scientific research shows millions of people have abnormal discs and have no pain). I stopped all my back exercises. I went back to exactly the way I was before I got the pain. I started sitting for longer periods. I stopped getting up and stretching every 20 minutes. I can now sit in positions I never would have dreamed of. I went back to doing whatever exercise I wanted - running, cycling etc.. i meditated regularly. I also went to psychotherapy to understand more about myself - maybe there was a psychological reason why my pain became chronic.

The pain completely disappeared. Over 2.5 years of chronic back pain and sciatica gone. It was a bold and brave move but it worked for me.

The MOST important point here is that I had gotten myself checked out by several doctors and all I had was a prolapsed disc - nothing else wrong with my back. In other words it's paramount that serious issues are ruled out by seeking medical advice.

vizbuk · 13-07-2015 9:24pm

Robroy36 wrote: »

Hi all,
Not looking for medical advice in this thread, just peoples personal experience with slipped discs.

Has anyone had multiple slipped disc episodes and make a full recovery without surgery? For example steroid injections, physio, oral medication and so on?

I've had disc degeneration L4/L5 and L5/S1 , and lumbar stenosis for most of my life(I'm 44 now). It got to the stage were I could not walk a few yards without my back locking up in spasm. Like most people I spent a small fortune on the merry go round of osteopaths, chiropractors, physios, epidurals, A&E, anti inflammatory meds etc. I even went to a clinic in London for anti biotics when I was diagnosed with MODIC changes (infection) in my lumbar vertebrae. I even graduated as a physical therapist and still struggled with my pain.

I finally made a breakthru a year ago when I stumbled across a solution (for me anyway) on the web. It involves a daily spinal decompressing/rocking/core strengthening routine.

The idea is to rehydrate my discs by decompressing them thereby taking the pressure off my facet joints which are inflammed because my disc has dried out and flattened. Also to turn off my over used erector spinae muscles and activate my abdominals and mulifidus muscles(which are usually weak in most painful low backs).

This thankfully has worked for me and might work for others. I will be glad to help if anyone is interested.

Hope this helps

Robroy36 · 15-07-2015 5:20pm

Just an update from the OP.

I underwent further steroid injections throughout February and March which reduced the severity of the flare up. February was pretty bad, barely able to walk some days. Significant pain through out the day. Physio was barely able to touch me until the beginning of March.

March saw a gradual improvement, by the end I was in the gym doing basic exercises and small amounts ( 30 min) on the stationary bike.

April was slow, I gradually increased the frequency and length but not the intensity of my swimming and bike sessions.

By May I was lifting very low weights as part of my core exercises, about 10kg. Doing pilates, swimming and core exercises. Also up to about 60-90 minutes on the road bike by the end of the month, once a week.

June I continued May's program and by the end of the month I was doing 3-4 hour spins on a Sunday. I visited the consultant for a checkup and he said the nerve activity was normal and to continue with rehabilitation work.

Last week the physio told me I had recovered fully, but that it would be very unusual if I did not have occasional flare ups for the remainder of my life. I will be in state of constant rehabilitation to a certain degree. He said I could return to racing my bike next year which is encouraging.

All in all, from the first tweek at the end of July last year it has been a 12 month journey. Outside of my bad back normal life has rumbled on unabated, which I feel was an important part of my recovery. I never let the back pain get me down, even when I collapsed in pain or was taking 20 plus pills a day to function at a fraction of what I had been used to. I avoided heavy opiates and never did anything my physios did not say was ok. Overall I listened to my body and if I felt a twinge I would avoid the gym for the day. I might never return to the level of sport I was once at but I have a good quality of life now and a much greater appreciation of my health than I had a year ago.

shamrock2004 · 12-08-2015 9:16pm

That's great news

The mind is everything in rehabilitating from this incredibly painful state. You've achieved something fantastic by healing naturally. It is possible.

goz83 · 30-08-2015 2:13am

I just noticed this thread after creating one. Some very interesting stiries indeed. I'm in constant pain with my L4/5 herniation and the worst bit is the constant change in sensation. One minute by back is cold and numb, the next its hot and tingly. Some days I have relatively good movement and it wouldn't look like I have a back problem, while other days I struggle to get out of bed. My sleep is hugely affected and I am kept awake all hours. I too have lost a big hobbie, which is cars....specifically manual transmission petrol, jap cars. Back pain is so soul destroying and i admit I have considered the worst solution in my lower moments to end the agony. Nobody understands it, unless they are going through it. Pain meds did nothing for me. I was using everything from diazepam and tylex to morphine and got no meaning relief. I am waiting more than a year for pain clinic appointment and surgery. I am now looking into getting it done privately and was hoping to get a price range. I need a microdicectomy.

boxer.fan · 30-08-2015 12:09pm

goz83 wrote: »

I just noticed this thread after creating one. Some very interesting stiries indeed. I'm in constant pain with my L4/5 herniation and the worst bit is the constant change in sensation. One minute by back is cold and numb, the next its hot and tingly. Some days I have relatively good movement and it wouldn't look like I have a back problem, while other days I struggle to get out of bed. My sleep is hugely affected and I am kept awake all hours. I too have lost a big hobbie, which is cars....specifically manual transmission petrol, jap cars. Back pain is so soul destroying and i admit I have considered the worst solution in my lower moments to end the agony. Nobody understands it, unless they are going through it. Pain meds did nothing for me. I was using everything from diazepam and tylex to morphine and got no meaning relief. I am waiting more than a year for pain clinic appointment and surgery. I am now looking into getting it done privately and was hoping to get a price range. I need a microdicectomy.

If going private is an option for you, I would go for it without delay. I know of someone who ended up with permanent nerve damage due to having to wait too long for the op.

goz83 · 01-09-2015 1:38am

boxer.fan wrote: »

If going private is an option for you, I would go for it without delay. I know of someone who ended up with permanent nerve damage due to having to wait too long for the op.

That's worrying. My Doctors boss rang me the day they got my MRI results and warned me about cauda equine syndrome. My Doctor was off that day, so I figured it was quite urgent if the big man was calling me. This seems to make no difference when on the public waiting list.

livemusic4life · 08-09-2015 11:14am

goz83 wrote: »

That's worrying. My Doctors boss rang me the day they got my MRI results and warned me about cauda equine syndrome. My Doctor was off that day, so I figured it was quite urgent if the big man was calling me. This seems to make no difference when on the public waiting list.

i do hope that he gave you the warning about any severe numbness in your legs, or loss of continence. Cauda Equina syndrome if it flares up should be dealt with in accident and emergency. don't even wait for your gp or anything, go straight to hospital. it can be very serious. They'd much rather a false alarm than you having the permanent nerve damage that i had after waiting a day to be checked.

Slipped disc experiences

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