Prolapsed disc

QuiteInterestin

After reading this thread, along with the other thread that was resurrected by Coach129, would be really interested in hearing from the OP and others who contributed to the thread with similar problems on how things worked out for ye!

Eoineo

QuiteInterestin wrote: »

After reading this thread, along with the other thread that was resurrected by Coach129, would be really interested in hearing from the OP and others who contributed to the thread with similar problems on how things worked out for ye!

Was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc along with 3 other bulging discs nearly 2 years ago now. I had nerve pain down my left leg and limited movement. Saw a private orthopaedic surgeon who recommended epidural injection of steroids for pain relief. Had 1 treatment this way nearly 18 months ago and I had no relief from the pain. The surgeon had suggested that if the epidurals didn't work I would have to consider spinal fusion and that the lack of relief from the epidural indicated that there was further degeneration of the spine.

At the same time I was referred to the private consultant I was also referred to a public neurosurgeon. Money ran out for the private treatment so I elected to continue on the public route.

Saw the public consultant 9 months ago and was referred for intensive specialist (public) physiotherapy. This has been very successful on relieving the nerve pain but exceedingly hard work. My mobility is much better and there is a marked improvement in my core strength.

Unfortunately this hasn't dealt with my lower back pain and I've now been referred to a rheumatologist to investigate my ongoing issues further.

coach129

That s great news about the NTPF, if i ever manage to get to my consultant to be referred to a neurosurgeon, in the meantime im taking Lyrica and pain killers but still in a fair bit of pain, anybody have any suggestions for meds for me?

sam34

coach129 wrote: »

That s great news about the NTPF, if i ever manage to get to my consultant to be referred to a neurosurgeon, in the meantime im taking Lyrica and pain killers but still in a fair bit of pain, anybody have any suggestions for meds for me?

Noone here is qualified to advise you on meds. Speak to your gp or pharmacist.

coach129

im wasnt looking for someone to advise me,i was asking for opinions/experiences,that ok sam?

sam34

coach129 wrote: »

im wasnt looking for someone to advise me,i was asking for opinions/experiences,that ok sam?

You asked for suggestions for meds- that's not within our remit here. If your pain isn't being controlled you need to go back to your gp, that's the only advice or suggestion that can be given here.

Billy7878

coach129 wrote: »

im wasnt looking for someone to advise me,i was asking for opinions/experiences,that ok sam?

ask your doc about diephene gel, a lot of them dont know about it but it is effective

Annuv

QuiteInterestin wrote: »

After reading this thread, along with the other thread that was resurrected by Coach129, would be really interested in hearing from the OP and others who contributed to the thread with similar problems on how things worked out for ye!

I am the OP and just wanted to give an update on my situation

So it's been a long road but 13 months after my herniated/prolapsed disc injury I am 95% back to normal. Months 2-6 were the worst months of my life , I had difficulty sleeping - got a max 3 hours disturbed sleep a night which was draining, I couldn't sit down at all because of the piercing pain in my leg that would result. I was often close to tears, despite being on difene and steriods for months. I was very fortunate that I have a job where I can work from home, otherwise I would have missed at least 6 months work

After two months I saw a neurosurgeon who recommended that I have a microdiscectomy but I felt that at that stage I had not given the injury enough time to heal, so in spite of the advice I got from nearly everyone who saw the state of me (physio, friends, family) I decided to wait it out.

In the following few months I questioned the decision many times, as the pain still kept coming, but over the summer I started noticing an improvement and the injury started to have less impact on my life. I found leisurely swimming front crawl helped my sciatica and since I love sports it also kept me sane!

These days, I get some stinging pain in the back/side of my quad on occassion but it is nothing compared to how it was, I am still being very careful but I have no trouble sitting down, driving, walking. I have not started running yet which will the biggest test but will try soon, I really miss sports and working out. I will never be able to risk back loading exercises like squats deadlifts, military presses etc again which saddens me a little, but I won't complain

All during the time that I had this injury I had zero back pain, just incredible sciatica running from my buttock to my ankle and a lot of lost mobility and reflex in my right leg. Each morning I would get up and walk for nearly an hour dragging my leg, by the time I got back to house the limp was lessened a lot.

I know I've gone on a bit about the pain, and I may come accross as whining, but I have included details about it so that others in the same position have an idea of where I was and can see that I have come though it, which will maybe give them some hope. I know that during the worst point of my pain I got some hope from similar posts

I cannot offer medical advice, but I can just reflect my own experiences. When you receive a back injury, don't rely on advice you get from internet
sites as being reliable. (I spent days on end looking for hope on the internet) There is a huge amount of misinformation out there, advice that can exasperate an injury. With back injuries, 'no pain no gain' is probably the worst bit of advice you'll ever receive, Also everyones back injury is different, so you can't apply other peoples experiences to your own situation (including mine which follows:))

From my experience the first important step in diagnosing a back injury is to get an MRI, without it there is considerable guess work involved and also you can do a lot worse than consulting with a professional who implements the findings of research by Stuart McGill, this is what helped me. Even do a search on this site for posts about McGill and you'll find some helpful information.

I hope this helps someone and also that I'm not tempting fate by posting this

!RAY

Hi
I have a slipped L4 and the L5 is damaged. I had a microdiscectomy back in Dec 2010. The left side of my Left leg was numb before the OP and afterwards. I got on too my consultant and he sent me for another MRI. Just got the results the disk is bulging again. I have been working on my back muscles since and feel a lot stronger but now it looks like another microdiscectomy .Has anybody been through a second and how did it go . I felt everything was going so well , had plans to get back to my sport ect now just feel gutted.
Cheers
Ray:(

LegacyUser

Hi im a 25 years old and have the same problem as you. I first prolapsed my discs in early 2008 when I was sick with a chest infection and the doc gave me antibiotics that a had so kind of reaction to. Even though I was only taking the antibiotics for 3 days. I was stuck in bed for a week not being able to eat because I felt so ill and I lost 10kg it that short amount of time. When I was better I bent over and that’s when I did my back.
The docs said it was due to the rapid weight loss and the fact I lost most of my muscles mass from not being able to eat or move around the week before.

Since then I have been battling with what I can and cant do. I found to start off with my physio and
anti inflams helped get the swelling down. Once the swelling was down- walking , walking in the pool and doing the exercises the physio gave me helped me get moving a bit more.
I re prolapsed my discs in sep 2009 and had to get an injection in my spine to settle the swelling because the anti inflams didn’t cut it this time. So I had to start all over again.

I’m a lot better now, I’m no longer on medication for my back. The key is to take things slow. Suss out what you can and cant do. Don’t be in a rush to get back to “normal.

SlimCi

Hi, I have had disc problems for years at that same spot. Eventually the sciatica developed and I had nerve compression etc. I spent my honeymoon sleeping on the hard floor in Lake Garda and could easily get a divorce as I went up the aisle full of tranquilisers!! Anyway it got so bad I got dropped food where I was dragging foot and numbness in my calf. Went to see two top back consultants in Cork and both were recommending surgery, but was told I could be better, worse or no change after surgery. Didn't think it was worth the risk. I became pregnant with my first child and spent two weeks in hospital as I was having severe back trouble carrying the baby. Consultant recommended as I was having baby to get an epidural done. That was in 2004 and I haven't looked back, never had one twinge or pain since. I don't think its successful for everyone, but no harm giving it a try instead of surgery.

noah45

I am on week 3 with a bulging disc L5. Pain initially was excruiating and I could not move. Got difene injection, difene capsules, valium and solpadol, they relieved the pain but wore off.

Had a good day last week and walked for 5 min, thenback pain struck again and remained bad until today along with sciatica every now and then.

I have had 2 sessions of PT since sat and it hurt don't know if its working or I'm healing naturally. Today is a good day again as in I can walk around house without pain. Certain simple movements cause me pain and the sciatica strikes unannounced.

I can't drive yet and haven't been in work which I miss. Its an active job where I'd be bending and twisting etc. Doc and physio advice against going back yet.

I am bored and fed up. I am finding the pain exhausting and the fact that I cannot do things very frustrating.

I never knew how bad back pain could be and I suppose I didn't have sympathy for those who did. By God have my views changed.

MASTER...of the bra

.

Aqua A

Hello All!

Im looking for some help.
My bf is suffering with three prolapsed discs - L3/4, L4/5 and L5/S1.
He is now 5 weeks off works, laid up in bed almost 95% of the time.
The doctor has advised he should be doing his normal routine as much as possible but
he is only able to manage a short walk of about 20mins max on a daily basis.
He is on a whole lot of major painkillers, anti inflammatories, sleeping tablets.
I am starting to get extremely worries that there has been little or no improvement.
The doc has no starting suggestin surgery. Im wondering has anyone ever underwent surgery for prolapsed disc? if so, how did it go?
The bf wants to hang on for another while to see if it will 'sort itself out'.
I am beginning to think it wont...he has muscle spasms, in terrbile pain constantly, and very feeling in his right foot.
We have been advised once the pain eases to head for the physio but the pain just doesnt ease.
If anyone has any experience of this I would be very grateful to hear what you did.

Many thanks

amtc

I first hurt my back in 2004 and was out of work for some time - no referred pain - just discs bulging at L4/5 and L5/S1. Did physio and was out of work for some time

Recurred in 2008 but not as severely

Now back again. But this time pain down right leg and pins and needles. Nothing lifts the pain. Beaumont reckon I should have the discs out as they are across my nerve. The pain is dire, I can't sleep, sit. Limping really badly, makes me sick so can't eat either. Parents against surgery but at this stage I feel I need it.

I'm 39 by the way

Spook_ie

I assume you have seen a neurosurgeon.......my OH had a microdiscetomy done L4/L5 and the neurosurgeon removed just the portion of the disc that was sitting on the nerve (she was 46), first 3 weeks after surgery was rough, but my goodness she is great now. It sounds like you are in as much pain as my OH was, and she doesnt regret the surgery for one moment - she was only in hospital for 3 days.