Slipped disc experiences

Spook_ie

boxer.fan wrote: »

I started having lower back problems three years ago. Roughly every three months or so I would have a flare up usually caused by something simple, eg a sneeze or twist movement.

I consulted an acquaintance who is a chiropractor, they said I likely had a prolapsed disc and that there was little they could do for me & advised resting & spinal decompression exercises. Following the next flare up I went to my GP who sent me for an X-Ray. The X-Ray came back with no obvious issues so I was then sent for a Dexa scan to rule out osteoarthritis. The dexa scan came back clean also. The GP then referred me to a physiotherapist.

I found the physio a great help. She helped me stay pain free for almost nine months as well as helping me keep playing sports. I followed her plan of exercises / stretches three times daily. Eventually another flare up occurred and the physio tried her best to help but this time the pain did not subside. It was her opinion that I may have a Facet joint problem. She insisted that I go to my GP and demand a diagnosis.

I took the physio's advice, so the GP referred me to an Orthopaedic consultant. After his examination, the consultant's opinion was that I had a dislocated facet which was causing one of the small muscle groups to spasm constantly. He scheduled an MRI. The MRI results showed an S1 spondylolysis as well as L5-S1 disc herniation.

At this point the pain was quite severe and constant but was localized on one point of my lower back. The consultant performed a transforaminal facet epidural steroid injection. The injection was successful & I was completely pain free, I felt like I was just learning to walk again, I had forgotten what it was like to walk with a normal gait. After thirteen days the pain returned, this time with mild pain radiating down my right leg. The consultant then scheduled a Caudal ESI. The caudal injection relieved the pain in my lower back, however, the pain down my leg got worse as days went by.

I sit here now in what I would describe as agony, the darts of excruciating pain down my leg are sometimes unbearable not to mention a constant pins & needles sensation in achilles and foot. I am going for another MRI in a few days after which the Consultant is likely to schedule me for a discectomy. For the meantime my head is woozy with medication which really only relieves about 20% pain.

I was concerned about the risks involved with a discectomy but at this stage I just want the damn thing out, surely the after effects cannot be worse than this. One of the worst things is that people have no idea how disabling and painful this condition is. Most of the time I feel that they just think I have a very poor pain threshold which I know is not the case.

Anyways, I keep my chin up knowing that there are many others who suffer with terminal illness and other serious ailments. At least I have an opportunity to recover.

I've had two microdiskectomies, and it was the best decision I have ever made. I know there might be problems down the road but the 24hr a day pain I was in made the decision easy. Apart from the horrific pain, I had also started to loose sensation in my foot which was freaking me out a bit. So if you have surgery, the best of luck to you.

cursai

Boxer-fan. Best of luck. ive had a microdiscectomy, 2 Epidural steroids(neither worked). The microdiscectomy took away most of the pain.(i wont give a % because every day is different).
Going for a nerve block soon, dont expect it to work but ill take the nagging pain over being out of work.
i still have nerve pain in the left leg constantly, more of a nagging pain than anything else but its a long shot better than having to latch onto a mantlepiece or table for two minutes every time i stood up enduring intense pain.
PM me if you have any thoughts or questions/concerns.

megatron989

I was diagnosed with a "slipped disc" last year after having lower back pain. A week later it turned out it was blood cloths caused by cancer.
The cloths along with swollen lymph nodes in my lower back produced all the symptoms you would expect, however the cause was quite a shock!
I look at it as a good thing (the back pain) because cancer can be painless and I may not have gone to a doctor otherwise. In fact I'd put up with the pain for a while already.
7 months on and I'm finished my chemo, but the cloths are still causing me issues with my left leg. Needed a bilateral thrombectomy and 2 stents inserted into the main veins in my back, fun times. But I can now walk normally with no pain.
Moral of the story is make sure if you have back pain you don't do what I did and live with it. Getting my back seen saved my life, no mistake.
I know my story doesn't fit the thread but it could be a help to someone out their. We are all guilty of putting up with pain because we think we know the cause and are willing to power through or are keen to avoid the treatments we think we'll need. Ya never know...:)

konline

cursai wrote: »

Boxer-fan. Best of luck. ive had a microdiscectomy, 2 Epidural steroids(neither worked). The microdiscectomy took away most of the pain.(i wont give a % because every day is different).
Going for a nerve block soon, dont expect it to work but ill take the nagging pain over being out of work.
i still have nerve pain in the left leg constantly, more of a nagging pain than anything else but its a long shot better than having to latch onto a mantlepiece or table for two minutes every time i stood up enduring intense pain.
PM me if you have any thoughts or questions/concerns.

Hi, I am in the same position as you were. My two Epidural Steroid Injections didn't help as I had expected, still suffering with pain in my left leg. My pain is more when I sit and bend, I am fine while walking. My surgeon recommended for a microdiscectomy but I have to take a decision on it in a couple of weeks.
Can you please let me know how long we have to be in bed or how long it takes to drive or go for work?

Thank you.

wandatowell

Reg'stoy wrote: »

Just to warn people if you do need strong pain killers I take tylex when needed that you will become constipated so get some duphlac and senokot.

This just brought back horrible memories of me in agony (3 herniated discs), chomping down tylex which resulted in me having to spend 20 minutes sitting on the toilet erm.....pushing.

The tears a cried back then because of the pain and dread.


Senokot I salute you.

cursai

konline wrote: »

Hi, I am in the same position as you were. My two Epidural Steroid Injections didn't help as I had expected, still suffering with pain in my left leg. My pain is more when I sit and bend, I am fine while walking. My surgeon recommended for a microdiscectomy but I have to take a decision on it in a couple of weeks.
Can you please let me know how long we have to be in bed or how long it takes to drive or go for work?

Thank you.

Im no doctor Konline. Any advice or precautions should be given to you by your Consultant.
But, in my OWN experience, I was up and walking (as advised) the next day. It took about five minutes of painful shuffling and rolling to get off the bed every time i needed to. But i was told to start walking as soon as i was able. I stayed a further two nights and was driven home.
Again i was advised not to drive or six weeks and i didn't. Took a week or two to get any sort of comfort or flexibility back. about two months id say before id forgotten i had it done.
But it was worth it.
Bear in mind i had 2 levels operated on. You could also try physio, that helps a lot of people. I guess it all depends on the size of your herniation and level of pain.

Reg'stoy

Back from the Physio, who very pleased with my progress. Power is returning to my left foot and in particular my big toe. Still have pain in my left leg but again this is gradually reducing, I will be attempting to try a day without any painkillers as work won't allow me back until I'm off the stronger type (driving and operating machinery, H&S concerns).
Hopefully I won't now need to go under the knife which is a great relief.

Spook_ie

konline wrote: »

Hi, I am in the same position as you were. My two Epidural Steroid Injections didn't help as I had expected, still suffering with pain in my left leg. My pain is more when I sit and bend, I am fine while walking. My surgeon recommended for a microdiscectomy but I have to take a decision on it in a couple of weeks.
Can you please let me know how long we have to be in bed or how long it takes to drive or go for work?

Thank you.

I'll also throw in my 2 experiences of a microdiskectomy - 2009 & 2013 in the Mater Private. Admitted the night before surgery. Next morning was sent to interventional radiology for 'back markings' which was basically an injection of dye into the area of herniated disc/synovial cyst to be operated on. The morning after surgery the physio's came around and had me out of bed, the pain was still very bad and the neurosurgeon said that often the nerve can swell after being compressed and the pain can be intense. I was in for a total of 4 nights, but every neurosurgeon is different and I've heard that Martin Murphy/Michael Kelleher in the Santry Sports Clinic are doing uncomplicated microdiskectomies as either a day case or just one overnight stay.

I was not allowed to drive for one week and my surgeon said he preferred for me to be either standing or lying for the 1st four weeks post surgery (sitting puts a huge pressure on the spine) and not to lift anything heavier than a bag of sugar for the same period. I had my post op checkup at 4 weeks and I was about 90% better. My microdiskectomies were at l4/5 level

Sham Squire

My situation is similar to some of you but also a little different.

I've had a prolapsed/herniated/bulging disc (L4/5) for about 9 years now. Got it diagnosed fairly quickly with an MRI scan and a visit to a specialist in the beginning. Basically said there was nothing he would recommend other than pain management and exercise/physio. Took the advice and did everything I was supposed to do. Over the past 8 years my back would "go" once or twice a year and i'd be stuck in bed in absolute agony for a week or so before I would recover.

Fast forward to last august and I had a bad relapse. The normal feeling that I was having an "episode" and I did the usual things (a little pain killers, take to the bed for a week) and I seemed to recover but this time once I was up and about again it went again. I was pretty upset and thought it was just bad luck to have another episode so close to the first. But then the same thing happened again. I have now been in this position since last august (2014). Non stop.

I haven't been properly pain free since then and the closest I've come is a couple of days walking around being tender and stiff before going into full blown episode again. I went to my GP and ended up getting another MRI and going to see Prof. Kane in Tallaght hospital on a recomendation. He basically said the same thing as the first specialist 8 years ago. Nothing he could recommend but exercise, pain management and physio (that was January) but here I am in April and i'm still the same. I'm in pain as I write this having had the back "go" on me last thursday week ago and just as I was beginning to be up and about again last Monday it went again. I'm going out of my mind with depression and general hopelessness. I feel that i'm going to be crippled in pain forever more. I have an application for disability allowance filled out and ready to post.
I was very active before this (played football, surfed, swam, walked everywhere, played guitar in bands) and now I'm restricted to bed, chair or light walking around and even then I'm back in the bed within a few days. I'm only 39.

maggiepip

Sham Squire wrote: »

My situation is similar to some of you but also a little different.

I've had a prolapsed/herniated/bulging disc (L4/5) for about 9 years now. Got it diagnosed fairly quickly with an MRI scan and a visit to a specialist in the beginning. Basically said there was nothing he would recommend other than pain management and exercise/physio. Took the advice and did everything I was supposed to do. Over the past 8 years my back would "go" once or twice a year and i'd be stuck in bed in absolute agony for a week or so before I would recover.

Fast forward to last august and I had a bad relapse. The normal feeling that I was having an "episode" and I did the usual things (a little pain killers, take to the bed for a week) and I seemed to recover but this time once I was up and about again it went again. I was pretty upset and thought it was just bad luck to have another episode so close to the first. But then the same thing happened again. I have now been in this position since last august (2014). Non stop.

I haven't been properly pain free since then and the closest I've come is a couple of days walking around being tender and stiff before going into full blown episode again. I went to my GP and ended up getting another MRI and going to see Prof. Kane in Tallaght hospital on a recomendation. He basically said the same thing as the first specialist 8 years ago. Nothing he could recommend but exercise, pain management and physio (that was January) but here I am in April and i'm still the same. I'm in pain as I write this having had the back "go" on me last thursday week ago and just as I was beginning to be up and about again last Monday it went again. I'm going out of my mind with depression and general hopelessness. I feel that i'm going to be crippled in pain forever more. I have an application for disability allowance filled out and ready to post.
I was very active before this (played football, surfed, swam, walked everywhere, played guitar in bands) and now I'm restricted to bed, chair or light walking around and even then I'm back in the bed within a few days. I'm only 39.

Thats dreadful, why are they not considering surgery? I had a disk removed 17 years ago now, went through hell for a year before surgery, and actually took me a year after surgery to be totally pain free, but since then I've been more or less fine, touch wood. I'd ask for reasons they aren't offering to operate.

chatjunkie

Maybe see another surgeon for a second opinion anyway. I had much the same issues from August 2013. Had the usual physio followed by a few steroid injections and then eventually a double fusion in December 2013. All was great afterwards for a few months and then I developed a complication which required further surgery in January 2015. Am flying now again. Walking loads at a fast pace and minimal pain. Definitely have my life back :-)

Spook_ie

Sham Squire wrote: »

My situation is similar to some of you but also a little different.

I've had a prolapsed/herniated/bulging disc (L4/5) for about 9 years now. Got it diagnosed fairly quickly with an MRI scan and a visit to a specialist in the beginning. Basically said there was nothing he would recommend other than pain management and exercise/physio. Took the advice and did everything I was supposed to do. Over the past 8 years my back would "go" once or twice a year and i'd be stuck in bed in absolute agony for a week or so before I would recover.

Fast forward to last august and I had a bad relapse. The normal feeling that I was having an "episode" and I did the usual things (a little pain killers, take to the bed for a week) and I seemed to recover but this time once I was up and about again it went again. I was pretty upset and thought it was just bad luck to have another episode so close to the first. But then the same thing happened again. I have now been in this position since last august (2014). Non stop.

I haven't been properly pain free since then and the closest I've come is a couple of days walking around being tender and stiff before going into full blown episode again. I went to my GP and ended up getting another MRI and going to see Prof. Kane in Tallaght hospital on a recomendation. He basically said the same thing as the first specialist 8 years ago. Nothing he could recommend but exercise, pain management and physio (that was January) but here I am in April and i'm still the same. I'm in pain as I write this having had the back "go" on me last thursday week ago and just as I was beginning to be up and about again last Monday it went again. I'm going out of my mind with depression and general hopelessness. I feel that i'm going to be crippled in pain forever more. I have an application for disability allowance filled out and ready to post.
I was very active before this (played football, surfed, swam, walked everywhere, played guitar in bands) and now I'm restricted to bed, chair or light walking around and even then I'm back in the bed within a few days. I'm only 39.

I'm with chatjunkie on this one - I would get a second opinion from a neurosurgeon who deals with herniated discs, there are a few good ones in the Mater Private & Santry sports clinic amongst others, in this day and age no one should be in that amount of pain. I've had 2 microdiskectomies (l4/5) & they gave me my life back.

livemusic4life

Sham Squire wrote: »

My situation is similar to some of you but also a little different.

I've had a prolapsed/herniated/bulging disc (L4/5) for about 9 years now. Got it diagnosed fairly quickly with an MRI scan and a visit to a specialist in the beginning. Basically said there was nothing he would recommend other than pain management and exercise/physio. Took the advice and did everything I was supposed to do. Over the past 8 years my back would "go" once or twice a year and i'd be stuck in bed in absolute agony for a week or so before I would recover.

Fast forward to last august and I had a bad relapse. The normal feeling that I was having an "episode" and I did the usual things (a little pain killers, take to the bed for a week) and I seemed to recover but this time once I was up and about again it went again. I was pretty upset and thought it was just bad luck to have another episode so close to the first. But then the same thing happened again. I have now been in this position since last august (2014). Non stop.

I haven't been properly pain free since then and the closest I've come is a couple of days walking around being tender and stiff before going into full blown episode again. I went to my GP and ended up getting another MRI and going to see Prof. Kane in Tallaght hospital on a recomendation. He basically said the same thing as the first specialist 8 years ago. Nothing he could recommend but exercise, pain management and physio (that was January) but here I am in April and i'm still the same. I'm in pain as I write this having had the back "go" on me last thursday week ago and just as I was beginning to be up and about again last Monday it went again. I'm going out of my mind with depression and general hopelessness. I feel that i'm going to be crippled in pain forever more. I have an application for disability allowance filled out and ready to post.
I was very active before this (played football, surfed, swam, walked everywhere, played guitar in bands) and now I'm restricted to bed, chair or light walking around and even then I'm back in the bed within a few days. I'm only 39.

Have you gone down the pain management route? maybe some nerve blocks or having the nerves burned would help you. Pain management really saved my sanity - what is left of it after 4.5 years.

cursai

Sham Squire wrote: »

My situation is similar to some of you but also a little different.

I've had a prolapsed/herniated/bulging disc (L4/5) for about 9 years now. Got it diagnosed fairly quickly with an MRI scan and a visit to a specialist in the beginning. Basically said there was nothing he would recommend other than pain management and exercise/physio. Took the advice and did everything I was supposed to do. Over the past 8 years my back would "go" once or twice a year and i'd be stuck in bed in absolute agony for a week or so before I would recover.

Fast forward to last august and I had a bad relapse. The normal feeling that I was having an "episode" and I did the usual things (a little pain killers, take to the bed for a week) and I seemed to recover but this time once I was up and about again it went again. I was pretty upset and thought it was just bad luck to have another episode so close to the first. But then the same thing happened again. I have now been in this position since last august (2014). Non stop.

I haven't been properly pain free since then and the closest I've come is a couple of days walking around being tender and stiff before going into full blown episode again. I went to my GP and ended up getting another MRI and going to see Prof. Kane in Tallaght hospital on a recomendation. He basically said the same thing as the first specialist 8 years ago. Nothing he could recommend but exercise, pain management and physio (that was January) but here I am in April and i'm still the same. I'm in pain as I write this having had the back "go" on me last thursday week ago and just as I was beginning to be up and about again last Monday it went again. I'm going out of my mind with depression and general hopelessness. I feel that i'm going to be crippled in pain forever more. I have an application for disability allowance filled out and ready to post.
I was very active before this (played football, surfed, swam, walked everywhere, played guitar in bands) and now I'm restricted to bed, chair or light walking around and even then I'm back in the bed within a few days. I'm only 39.

You've gotten some sound advice there Sham. I'm currently about to start the pain management route. Scheduled for a nerve block on the 6th April.
Also go see another consultant. Maybe Padraig O Neill in the Mater. A very frank man. Be conscious of any depression taking over and keep on pushing on.
Remind yourself that there are people suffering with worse illness. Even worse neurological ones like MS which don't have cures. DOn't know if thats what you want to hear but its what i do.

Sham Squire

Thanks so much for all the replies and advice. I am taking it all on board. It's much appreciated. I will take some action in the coming days. I've had a physio/accupuncturist recommended to me and I will look into the names mentioned for a second opinion.
I do realise that there are people worse off and I am grateful for the things I've got (a healthy daughter and a very supportive family) but it's hard not to get down when you're dealing with constant pain and discomfort as I'm sure you all know from experience. Even the replies here have helped. Thanks again.

Maysa07

I had surgery on the 17th of February for a bulging dick that was touching the nerves (sciatica) on a scale of the 10 the pain was 10 and i'm 40. After the surgeon looked at my MRI scan he said sterile injections would be only a short term solution and that surgery would be required. And now almost two months post op i am feeling great! i actually have my life back again!

Not sure if slipped disk is the same as bulging dick OP but if you need any info about my experience that you think might help ask away.

Pat

_Tombstone_

Maysa07 wrote: »

Not sure if slipped disk is the same as bulging dick OP but if you need any info about my experience that you think might help ask away.

Pat

Same thing.

konline

Maysa07 wrote:

I had surgery on the17th of February for a bulging dick that was touching the nerves (sciatica) on a scale of the 10 the pain was 10 and i'm 40. After the surgeon looked at my MRI scan he said sterile injections would be only a short term solution and that surgery would be required. And now almost two months post op i am feeling great! i actually have my life back again!

Great to hear that. Can you please share your post surgery experience? Thanks.

Maysa07

konline wrote: »

Great to hear that. Can you please share your post surgery experience? Thanks.

It's being good, I still get a little reminder every now and then. I get a sharp pain in my lower buttocks sometimes but i'm still in my two month recovery, post surgery. I met my surgeon a few weeks back who said he was very pleased with the results and insisted i swim as much as i can, to build up my core muscles around my back , i currently swim an hour a week and do stretching exercises. so fare so good..

Maysa07

_Tombstone_ wrote: »

Same thing.

I have heard so many different terms in the last year from people you meet but all in all i guess its the same..

Sham Squire

Maysa07 wrote: »

And now almost two months post op i am feeling great! i actually have my life back again!

Not sure if slipped disk is the same as bulging dick OP but if you need any info about my experience that you think might help ask away.

Pat

Very encouraging. Thanks Pat. Look forward to being able to say the same thing.

boxer.fan

Has anyone ever been put in traction as a method of treatment for a disc herniation?

Maysa07

boxer.fan wrote: »

Has anyone ever been put in traction as a method of treatment for a disc herniation?

Yes, a good few times at physio sessions. Did nothing for me to be honest... but could be great for others.

boxer.fan

Maysa07 wrote: »

Yes, a good few times at physio sessions. Did nothing for me to be honest... but could be great for others.

My consultant has suggested putting me in traction tomorrow before committing to do a discectomy. I have my doubts

Tobyglen

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.

cursai

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.

True. Everyone/and their spine is different. But walking and swimming seem to be very helpful habits.

Sham Squire

Important to check with an expert (physio,physical therapist,specialist,whoever) before doing anything. I put my back out swimming and was advised that breast stroke (my favourite for relaxing around the pool as opposed to a workout) had done it and was a complete no no with my condition. The way you kick your legs in breast stroke puts pressure/shocks the lower back. I was advised to stick to front or back stroke only.

As an addition to my previous posts I am finally going to see a physical therapist tomorrow. He comes very highly recommended and having spoken with him over the phone I am hopeful. Apparently he has had a number of patients with my condition and sounded confident that one way or another we would get it sorted. Everything is crossed at this stage
I'll post an update once I've seen him. Keep me in your prayers (or whatever your having yourself).

fussyonion

I had a slipped disc about 7 years ago and how it happened was bizarre.

I was walking into a shop..wasn't carrying anything, no handbag or shopping..just walking. I took another step and suddenly my back went.
The pain was indescribable.

I called my other half who collected me and brought me home.
As the day went on, the pain got worse.

I ended up using crutches to get around; every step was slow and excruciating.
Standing was painful; sitting was near-on impossible.
I was in AGONY.
I was prescribed Valium and Difene, short-term, which helped, and it healed in a few weeks.

The downside is that I have lower back pain every day now.
I invested in a really good mattress (next step is to bin my reclining sofa; a nightmare for my back) and if the pain is really bad, I do a little exercise my physio once told me to do.

You take a tennis ball and stand against a wall.
Place the ball between your lower back and the wall, and using the wall, rock yourself from side to side, using the ball as a massage tool.
It will hurt at first, but after about 20 seconds, the pain should ease and the ball will massage your back.

Luckily, my pain is generally only bad in the morning but I can't bend down very often; i.e unpacking groceries from the trolley onto the conveyor belt, picking up heavy objects, etc.

As the day goes on, the pain fades, but if it gets unbearable, I'll take a Difene.

juke

fussyonion wrote: »

The downside is that I have lower back pain every day now.
I invested in a really good mattress (next step is to bin my reclining sofa; a nightmare for my back) and if the pain is really bad, I do a little exercise my physio once told me to do.

You take a tennis ball and stand against a wall.
Place the ball between your lower back and the wall, and using the wall, rock yourself from side to side, using the ball as a massage tool.
It will hurt at first, but after about 20 seconds, the pain should ease and the ball will massage your back.

Luckily, my pain is generally only bad in the morning but I can't bend down very often; i.e unpacking groceries from the trolley onto the conveyor belt, picking up heavy objects, etc.

As the day goes on, the pain fades, but if it gets unbearable, I'll take a Difene.

This resonated with me. I used to wake up daily with an aching lower back - it would gradually improve by mid morning. A random article on my facebook feed made me look at my sleeping position. It basically said to sleep on your side, legs parallel to relieve lower back pain.
Haven't found the article since, but basically instead of sleeping like this it said try this:

I noticed an improvement overnight, and now rarely get back ache.

Something to consider, if all else has failed

fussyonion

juke wrote: »

This resonated with me. I used to wake up daily with an aching lower back - it would gradually improve by mid morning. A random article on my facebook feed made me look at my sleeping position. It basically said to sleep on your side, legs parallel to relieve lower back pain.
Haven't found the article since, but basically instead of sleeping like this it said try this:

I noticed an improvement overnight, and now rarely get back ache.

Something to consider, if all else has failed

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