My History and Diagnoses of Chronic Disc Lesion L5/S1

Clairnewbie · 2012-06-21T11:59:54Z

Hello, My name is Clair and I suffer with sciatica and have done so for 9 years. I will always remember that first bout of pain, and being totally confused with what was causing it. I had just become a new Mom, and was holding my son, when a sharp pain tore down my right leg and just lingered with the pain power switch on full. I remember crying out to my, then, partner as I stood up in a vain attempt to resolve what ever the cause was. As the pain just came and went I didn't see a Dr as I was being a New Mom and returning back to my job, and suffering with postnatal depression. it wasn't until a couple years later that I had another painful flare up which resulted in me seeking help from my Doctor. He referred me to physiotherapy, and following the set exercises, I stupidly thought, yeah, Job done and carried on with life. After my Daughter was born I had another flare up and again, after physio, the pain settled and I learnt to live with the dull ache that was now running down my left leg with a pins and needles senation each time I bent the leg. If the pain got particulary uncomfortable, I'd just grab a couple of paracetqmol and get on with a busy job and taking care of my family. When I had to do any type of physical task it took me ages.....like in 2010 when I moved house, it took me ages to get the motivation to pack and then it took weeks and moving day was absoulute torture, but I battled through. doing any really physical job took it out of me. About 6 weeks ago I had a niggly sore throat and made an appointment to see the Doc. Had to wait a week before I could see him but stilll agreed, as not one to really make a fuss. In that week I had the worse flare up in my 9 year history. Now a single Mom to a 9 yr old and a 4yr old that week was pure hell. I got out of bed and the pain would intensify down my left leg within 5 mins till the point I could not stand. Taking the kids to school was torture and when I finally got home I was howling with the pain. The only releif was crouched on all 4's in a ball on the floor. Eventually, after over dosing on nurofen plus, so I could get the max dose of codine in my system and still not getting any relief I phoned the out of hours doctors. They prescribed tramadol, but still taking the max dose of that still gave me no releif. Finally, the day came to see my own Doc and he prescribed me diazapam. within 24 hours the pain had eased and I was hsppy. (most prob a side effect of the meds lol). I also went for x-ray, results of which is chronic disc lesion L5/S1. A week later the pain started in my right leg. at this point I had altered feeling in my left leg, I couldn't feel my left foot from the two little toes outwards, my groin had started to go numb from my bum cheeks forward. So I went back to the docs. A different Doc saw me who reluctantly prescribed diazapam. Even this had no effect this time. But she did refer me for the MRI At last, my referral to physiotherapy came through, It had been 4 week of pure pain and I was very eager to tell them all my symtoms and leave with a set of exercises that would make me all better. This didn't go to plan, and I left with one exercise, a warning that if my "saddle" part of groin loss feeling or I lost control of bowel or bladder to go straight to A and E. Goodbye see you in 3 weeks!! I was angry, devistated and upset. I couldn't last another three weeks like this...I could barely walk!! I went on line and found some simple exercises and started doing them. My referral came through for MRI on the 14th June. Doing the exercises have really helped with the feeling of pain. I'm still having difficulty with loss of feeling in my grion, bum, back of both legs, and half of my feet. Also with stairs and general walking. I now can at least sit for longer than 10 mins in one position. I went for MRI and was told results would be 2 weeks. That was on Thursday. Three days later I go for my second physio, now with the new hope that exercises will help me so lets manipulate and get this sorted. Again, guess what? that didn't go to plan..... The MRI has shown that I have a large disc bulge that needs surgery to correct this as a matter of urgency I must consult my GP (as they did the referral for the MRI). He has sent an urgent referral to a consultant at Sandwell general. My intention with this feed is to tell a honest and frank account of the pre op appointments and of the op and post op care. I have read many horror stories on this feed from way back in 2008 and it has scared me a little. but I have no option but to have the op if I want my feeling back. So I thought I would help others while I'm doing it. So as things are today, I will keep doing my exercises to build up my core muscles. I willl carry on losing the weight (I've lost 23 lbs by changing my eating habits, as I'm not silly and understand that carrying weight doesn't really help me any with this condition) and I am waiting on my first appointment to meet the consultant ...

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CarolineN

(@carolinen)

Posts: 4760

Famed Member

Great news Clairnewbie - hope all continues well and you would do well to look at an Alkaline diet to reduce the risk to your bones softening, plus it will help you lose weight. Google it!

All the best

Posted : 10/12/2012 12:15 am

sakira15456

(@sakira15456)

Posts: 2

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Posted : 07/01/2013 6:13 pm

Flowers

(@flowers)

Posts: 119

Estimable Member

Hi ,
My heart is with you I will pray for you next Sunday when I go to church so that you heal quickly from the surgery and wish you all the best.

Posted : 23/01/2013 5:54 pm

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My History and Diagnoses of Chronic Disc Lesion L5/S1

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