RE: Prolapsed disc - Ive just had Surgery
Just seen this older thread and am really happy I've found it as I have a prolapsed disc/discs and have done for 3 months now. Finally been seen by a consultant who has offered an MRI (a months wait) and Physio (10 weeks wait). I can't leave the house or put weight on my left leg as the pain is awful. I have a severe allergy to codedine so I am on no painkillers. The only thing offered by the consultant is an epidural (2 week wait) (had one for childbirth but anyone had one for their back?) so constant pain, sleeping upright on my sofa as I can't lay down for, oh an hour or so at a time, followed by moving to get comfy (HA). It is nice to see others out there with positive outcomes.
RE: Prolapsed disc - Ive just had Surgery
Hi Syron,
Glad you found my thread helpful, I remember being in your situation trawling the net for answers and being totally frustrated with what i found on the search engines.ie NOTHING MUCH.
My advice is still the same, surgery should be a last choice. tried everything recommended by my doctors, chiropracters, surgeon etc only when I felt I had exhausted all options and with no improvement after 18 monthsdid i opt for surgery which was recommended after my MRI scan showed my disc had prolapsed.
I know of a couple of friends who also have had disc problems who improved through physioand did not need surgery. I also know of two others who are suffering like I did and so difficult to offer advise as every situation/injury is different.
The thought of physio or traction still makes my blood run cold, I could never walk afterwards and usually ended up with a week in bed. (Seeing numerous practitioners both private and NHS)
In response to your question regarding epidurals, I have heard a number of people who have had these, however I was only offered one once when I had to call the emergency doctor after I had a form of spasm and couldnt move my lower half at all. Unfortunately for me as I had taken some Diazepam before he came he would not allow it, but i believe they give you some form of relief for a period of time.
Anway good luck with your recovery I hope you dont require the extreme measures that I took however in my situation it was the right descision for me, i had reached the end of my tether.
Fingers crossed that you get sorted without the need for surgery, in the meantime surely your doctor can recommend a painkiller that isnt codeine based??
Keep moving !
P.S. looking at the amount of hits this thread has had it looks like there's quite a few of us around......:(
Best regards
Hellsbells
3 years painfree 🙂
RE: Prolapsed disc - Ive just had Surgery
Hi all, I must say I can see light at the end of the tunnel after reading some of the possitive results from your back probs.
I was at home the other day and after never having had a back prob at all, I collapsed in agony in the loo of all places, my daughters helped me to bed but when my wie attempted to sit me up, I nearly screamed the roof down in pain.
Ambulance took me to Hospital and after much pain meds, I was able to get up and walk so they sent me home with adiagnosis of muscle spasm.
Later that night my inside knee and thigh went numb and I lost aprox 40% muscle strength to the samethigh (quad muscles). GP followed up with a ct scan and x-ray which confirmed degeneration in lumber region of vertebrae and prolapsed disc at L3-L4 level.
He reffered me to a nuerosurgeon for follow up prognosis and suggested treatment plan, I am yet to see him but I am very anxiuos about it all.
I can walk ok but pain on getting up or sitting down, especially from car seat, can't stand for more than 10 - 20 min due to pain build up around knee.
I wish you all great speed in your recoveries asmost of you sound like you are in a more severe condition than I am, none the less I am extremely worriedabout my future.
Regards to all, Marsh. 49 yo male.
Hi All,
I am a very newbie person! I will probably have to have a prolaps op on my lower back.First step is to have an updated M.R.I. scan then see a surgeon i am 58 years old so it will be a lot harder for me but i shall overcome all this as i am fed up with all this pain which i have had for at least 3years. By reading Hellsbells Threads i feel a lot better,thank you . Joy
Hi all,
Have been reading all the posts.
I had my L5/S1 disectomy done Jan 07 due to equina cauda syndrome starting. My prolapse happened due to arthritis in my spine. After I had a MRI done urgently I was operated on within 3 weeks. I had no use of my left leg at all but upon waking up from the op, I could actually move my foot again which was great, however, although the surgery sorted out the prolapse, I am still in constant pain daily and it is driving me mad!!! I feel GP no use as all he says is 'what do you expect at your age with arthritis (age 43!). He has referred me to physio as I have never had any.
What do you think I can do to help myself though? I am also doing an aromatherapy course at the moment and this I feel is aggravating it although my tutor reckons my posture is ok. I am feeling really down with constant pain with it not only in my back but I have OA in my knees, one of which has very limited movement due to septic arthritis 7 years ago plus RA in my hands.:(
Hello,
I am new, feel like I have new friends as my old ones are a little fed up of my moaning. I have suffered with my back for years. On and off. I never took my major episodes with as much seriousness as they deserved. I have had three c,sections and therefore my core stability is quite weak, I however continued to run 3k a day, lift weights and behave like superwoman. I have now come to my knees. My L5S1 has prolapsed. I would like to post a word of warning. I was advised to try the epidural steroid injections. I had them two weeks ago. They were quite uncomfortable but I had little choice as back was so bad. (I had had a groin pain for around 3 years and thought I had a groin injury from running) The injections totally relaxed my muscles, which had in some way been holding my back and body together for the last ten years. Now suddenly on top of my back, I have my first ever sciatica which is horrible. Numb left foot and no reflex reaction in my foot. A numb left bottom and pain shooting down my leg. I have had a second MRI which has shown a worsening of the disk after the steroid injection. Has anyone else had that.
I am trying to avoid surgery, and have had a second opinion who has told me to try to wait. I am scared permanent damage is done to my nerve, does one leg ever recover? And what surgery to have, the di whatnot surgery only trims the disc and helps the nerve but does nothing for the prolapse, and the metal bracket whatever the procedure is called seems a problem as ones other discs compensate and thus cause future damage. So I am trying traction, tomorrow, have bought a bed to hang upside down on each day at home, and am hoping I will recover. When I will swim, and never run again and do pilates. I'm convinced that a strong core stability will mend me. I also feel that staying positive is essential (brave words from a woman crying at 4am this morning in pain) I am 47 and feel 147.
Hi,
I know just how you feel!!! this constant pain seems to age you doesn't it?
If you can hold off from surgery then try to do so as I thought that this was going to cure my back problem instead I am in worse pain than ever since having it (apart from the fact that it sorted out my leg and foot that I could not move etc), but saying that, I still get numbing and some pain still going down my leg - I have been told that because I had extensive nerve damage, that I would just have to wait and see if it recovered. You are right about having a strong core - in fact, I was talking to a back expert a couple of months ago and he said the same thing so I went and bought a 'flexi-bar' and a gym ball, but before I use them I wanted the advice from my GP who has referred me to physio as I have never had any for my back troubles - I only came away from hospital with 3 simple exercises to do!! My core muscles are nil as I had not long got over a hysterectomy that did not go to plan and took a year to sort out when my back went.
It is so frustrating too as I can never seem to plan for anything as some days I don't even want to get out of bed
Feeling very lost
Im a Paramedic, I originally injured my back 6 years ago and have suffered the effects ever since. I prolapsed L4 L5. My recent MRI scan has shown a 'minor disc prolapse' my consultant hasnt actually spoken to me or had any contact with me at the hospital, he has referred me straight back to my GP. I have severe back pain which is causing considerable distress. I have had no physio referral just more horrible pain killers. I now have radiating pain into my buttocks and down my legs and cannot sit down at all. My 'urgent' referral to the pain clinic has resulted in a three week wait to ring for an appointment only to be told that they will ring me 'in a few weeks' with an appointment 'in a few weeks' thus totalling approximatley 7 weeks before i can acutally speak to someone who may be able to alleviate my severe pain. Having presented to my GP on Friday, after my husband had to lift me out of the car and assist me into the surgery i was asked 'what do you expect me to do'
What can i do? I cannot go on like this any longer. I practice my core stability whenever i am physically able to. I cannot and am not allowed to work, my employer has stated clearly that I am not allowed to return to my job as he is unsure of the future damage lifiting may cause. My world has crumbling around me and i feel totally lost and confused.
i see you are from the north west .if i was you i would contact the spinal foundtion in congleton.google it
i had prolapsed my l4/5 3 years ago and had surgery (open discectomy ) 2 years ago .i was still in pain after the op and still am .i paid £200 for a second opinion off martin knight at the spinal foundation.i should be having a second surgery later in the year as keyhole surgery .i wish i had gone to see mr knight before my original op as his methods are much more advanced compared to what you are offered on the nhs.he has been doing what the nhs consider to be experimental and new for nearly 20 years.
i really think it is worth seeing him .£200 pound and his procedure where you are not even given genral anesthetic could really sort you out.
i am in contact with many of his patients who are now living a normal life again.
col
Nico88 - see my other posts
I can only give you my advice from my own recent experience.
I had severe back pain which was replaced by crippling sciatica for about 1 year.
My osteopath told me that I had a prolapsed disc and it had to come out otherwise I would NEVER recover.
I had my operation last Sunday and I went through hell this week. The inital pain was immeasurable, I couldn't move, couldn't go to the bathroom - but within 24 hours the torture of physio began. I regretted everything at first and wished to God that I had never had the operation.
The hospital sent me home on the Tuesday. I was in pain, couldn't hardly walk, was so tired I wanted to cry. I spent most of this week sleeping and doing my routine physio exercises. It has been the worst week of my life. No sitting for more than 1/2 hour, no bathing, no showers, cannot bend or twist, takes 10 minutes to get out of bed, constant dizzyness and always pain.
However, every day I have noticed an improvement in myself. I have rested, avoided too much sitting, done my best to wash and make myself appear clean and dignified, walked around the house, climbed the stairs, and religiously done my physio 3 times per day.
This Morning (Saturday - day 7) I have not had to take any painkillers yet and I was able to reach down far enough to put on my shoes. I went 300 yards down the road to the local shop to buy a paper. Ok it was slow, but I am a million times better than I was 7 days ago. I am definitely on the mend.
I HAVE NO SCIATICA ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!!
The only genuine pain is from the staples when I sit back on something, and perhaps a small pain from the discs themselves but my muscles are most definitely recovering very quickly.
I am sure that my recovery is down to 2 important factors - and I suggest anyone contemplating this operation should bear this in mind:
1. Follow the rules laid down by the hospital and the physiotherapists and rest as much as possible. Do exactly as they say and then prepare yourself for a few days of hell. I mean real hell - take what pain you have at the moment and times it by ten, and consider not being able to pass water, not be able to empty bowels, being unable roll over in bed, being on a drip and oxygen for 2/3 days. But remember in 3/4 days you will start to feel better.
2. Be very fit and strong to begin with. It was only the last 4/5 months where I was unable to do any form of exercise, but prior to this I had built up some strong core muscles over a period of 20 years or so. The irony is that the punishment I had given my body over 20 years was the reason why I was in hospital, but it was this that also finally saved me from what could have been a very long and difficult recovery.
So, if you are fit, strong and you have good back & stomach muscles, lots of patience and determination to succeed then have the operation. If you are otherwise unwell and not necessarily a fit/strong person then do expect your period of recovery and your period in hell to be a good deal longer than the doctors will lead you to believe.
Good luck Nico, you gotta be very positive minded. I too just had 2 ops, on march 16th and then a redo op on march 25th, for L5S1 microdisectomy and a window cut in L3 to allow nerves to decompress as had total numbness to right leg, little toes of right foot and by time got hospital for MRI my butt and genitals numb also (very worried and very scared) had emerg op same night as scan as surgon said if left any longer could have lasting probs. Well its almost 2 weeks post op now numbess starting to subsibe, bowels have started to work almost by themselves (with a little help from movicol) but still on cafiter until outpatences on21st april, as keep going into retention when removed but I have been getting feelings of passing water for last couple of days so i think it will be ok if you know what I mean. Sorry to go on but this first site I have found that has been filled with very similar ops, it just makes me feel that I am not alone, I mean I have a wonderful caring wife but I cant burden her with the termoil that I had post op in hospital bed wondering if I would ever be good dad to my 3 young daughters again as almost felt at time I was not to be normal ever!
But I think I have got over that stage now and its down to me to do the best I can.Good luck everybody.Simon.
Bodily functions
Simon, I can associate with the feelings you have had wondering if everything will return to normal.
It took 2/3 days after leaving hospital before I was fully controlling my bladder, and at least a week before I could empty my bowels. On both counts I was extremely relieved to find that I was fully in control of these finctions. I was too scared to even consider whether or not I had any sexual fuctions working - and I simply didn't try. Thankfully I have since found out that everything is working here too, although the sensitivity did not fully return until a few days ago. I have a young wife so the relief here again was massive.
I hope everything works out well for you, and I wish you a full recovery!
Hello Nico, Thanks for reply its good to hear your doing well, last couple of days i been having spasms in lower back muscles been to see docs and he give lots of diazepam which helps a lot as it ually comes on at 3 am in morning and like i just had electric shock to back as it makes you flick up in air on bed, its just a case of timing when to take the tablet as it lasts about 7 hrs so if i stay up til midnight it will get me through night, i have just got to say my local gp doc is brilliant every time i see him he fully explains what he thinks is happening and most times he google image finds diagrammes and drawings of everything in the body to do with my condition and keeps reminding me that i was a very lucky man to still be walking i realy cant praise the man enough, which for me is a bit rare as until op on back i def had a white coat syndrome with any docs or hospitals for example last year had blood presure check for well patences at local and every time they took it it got higher, so had to go home with one on arm for 3 days and nights to keep checks and after 1st day it was normal so they have diagnosed me as slightly hypertensive, good news is since op i have have lost 1 and half stone i weight and blood pressure is now ok when ever its taken but i think its also due to fact i had taken about 5 times a day when i was in romford hospital, again i must thank all staff at that hospital they were fab loverly people very under staffed due to the NHS system but as soon as can drive again my first thing will be to visit sahara ward and give the staff a very big thankyou as even night staff when i could not sleep for worry told me jokes and quotes from things like monty python films it realy did help i do think laughter is best cure for anything.
Nico thankyou for advise i will keep you updated if you dont mid that is, like said before its good to share experience of similar ops,as it makes me feel that little less alone whilst recovering.Simon.
Hi ,
I am a new person looking for some advice. I had a microdiscectomy just over 6 weeks ago and everything was going great, my leg wasa little stiff in the mornings but then it would be fine. This week however i have had 5 days where i have not done my physio exersises or any walking as i have been laid up in bed with Sinusitis, now i have got really bad pain in my buttock when i am stood up & cannot walk very far without having to sit down. My physio wasn't very concerned & thinks that something might have seized & just to carry on with the exercises..... Has anyone had this experience and can you offer any advice?? It was L5/S1 that was affected (my previous pain was always down my leg)
Thanks
prolapsed disc
Hello I Just want a little advice really, about three weeks ago I went to have some chiropractic treatment on my back due to pain ect..I was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc, the treatment I have been having is helping but I am still in a lot of pain with numbness in my left arm and leg and sorness in my lower back, This is making me feel really depressed as I have been off sick from work for neally three weeks now as I just dont feel well enough, aswell as the pain and numbness in my arm and leg I have been feeling extremely nauseated and spaced out, I am not getting a lot of support from family they are only concerned about the amout of time im having off from work, I was thinking about asking my doctor for another sick note as he said he would give me one as he doesnt think it is advisable for me to be working at the moment, this puts me in a difficult situation at home,.....should I be having time off sick? and how much time do other people with the same problem have off? I know everybody is different with the pain they experiance.. I need some advice please! :mad::dft004: