Hi, new to this forum and this is my first post:
MRI shows the following:
Disc desiccation at L4-L5 and L5 S1 with loss of disc height and end plate change at the latter level. Mild to moderate facele-flaval degeneration is shown at lumbar region.
A broad based disc protutsion is shown at L4-L5 with a larger right paracental protuded componen narrowing the right lateral recess and impinging upon the descending right L5 nerve root.
A small broad based disc protrusion is shown at L5-S1 with a non compressive detached left paracental disc fragment migrating inferrioly posterior to the superior end late of the S1 vertabra.
The remaining spinal canal and intervertral foramina retain adequate calibre and there is no evidence of neural compression elsewhere in the lumbar spine.
The spinal cord terminates normally at T12-L1 and the conus returns normal signal.
I have been in agony with sciatica for several months, been prescribed:
Naproxen, Dicloflex, Tramadol, Amitriptyline, Gabapentin, Paracetamol, Omerprazole and Cyclizine - all of which I was taking at the same time for over 3 months.
I am now almost pain free, I havn't had any operation, and am finally due to see a neurosurgeon in 3 days.
I am off all meds and now left uncertain what to do - could this pain come back?
Will I be back where I started if I don't have any kind of surgery? Has anyone else managed to recover without surgery?
At last I had an MRI after 18 moths of agony (inc. nerve block/PT/osteopath/meds.) and am now diagnosed with a large herniated disc at L5/S1 (causing foot and ankle numbness and I have no ankle lift) and a prolapse at L4/L5 which gives me loads of pain especially when walking.
I'm due to see the Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon on Monday with a view to discectomy. I have spent the last few days reading everything possible about the op. and planning after care which will be tricky as I live alone, have an active spaniel who needs lots of walks and I care for my elderly Mother who lives 20 miles away.
I have had to give up work as a wood turner/craft woodworker as this entailed lots of lifting and standing especially for selling at Farmer's Markets. A kind friend stayed this weekend to give me a dog walking break & which I mostly spent on the sofa.
I have only been taking paracetamol as I use machinery and didn't want to be 'foggy'.
This morning I woke up to no pain! My left foot still won't 'push off' but otherwise I walked the hound a good couple of miles without any significant problems.
Like Unabletomove, I too am uncertain what to do - could this pain come back?
A really weird feeling,
BTW - I have cleaned, sorted & decorated the house throughout incase I didn't come through the op! ..............Rats!
Hi,
The simple thing is no-one knows. But as a fellow spine sufferer I would say a definitive
yes most probably it will come back but who knows when, and it may be less it may be worse, it may never happen.
I have avoided 3 operations now, each one more serious than the next. Each day is different. Adapt.
A few points to consider, do not confuse pain free with numb.
The spine and vertebrae move every day, they are not fixed, as they move so does nerves and cartilage and bone fragments and this can mean that what is fixed may change for the better or the worse.
But if you are both pain free now then I know that my consultant would not operate and risk you being in agony again! An operation should be the last resort and only when danger or extreme constant pain. Ring and have a long discussion and see what they say, they may just postpone the op and let someone in pain have your place.
Cascara, thank you so much for your fullsome and wise reply. As you say, all can change for better or for worse.
Today I'm back to all the old aches and pains, plus my other foot seems now to be a bit numb on top and last night I fell into a door frame because I couldn't sense where my feet were placed. (I have no push-off with other foot and numbness on the outer edge of the sole).
This now raises my next worry - as both L4/L5 and L5/S1 seem to be trapping nerves in both legs will it be one operation to do both at the same time or two separate operations?
If it is two ops, that would involve another total blitz of the house LOL
It could be one massive op but you would need to discuss this with the surgeon. I am so sorry to hear you are rough again. Have you investigated MISS as that may help you more than a normal discectomy.
Do you have one problem one side and another on the other?