anyone else suffered from a bulged/herniated disc?
15 September 2007, 07:24 PM
#1
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anyone else suffered from a bulged/herniated disc?
had the result from my mri scan and have been told (through a 3rd party) that i've got a bulge on one of my discs that is giving me the sciatic problems i'm getting.
i haven't spoken to the consultant myself yet and won't be able to until thursday (gotta love the NHS
) and was wondering if anyone could give me some pointers as to anything i could ask him to see if i can progress this any further as it seems it's hit a brick wall.
he's offered more physio if i want it, but i didn't feel this made any difference when i had it at the begining of the year.
just been googling and it's all a bit info overload at the moment, so any real life tips on dealing with this that have helped anyone?
all i've been told is to 'carry on normal life using pain relief options'
guess this means keep popping the painkillers.
ta
i haven't spoken to the consultant myself yet and won't be able to until thursday (gotta love the NHS
) and was wondering if anyone could give me some pointers as to anything i could ask him to see if i can progress this any further as it seems it's hit a brick wall.he's offered more physio if i want it, but i didn't feel this made any difference when i had it at the begining of the year.
just been googling and it's all a bit info overload at the moment, so any real life tips on dealing with this that have helped anyone?
all i've been told is to 'carry on normal life using pain relief options'
guess this means keep popping the painkillers.ta
15 September 2007, 10:37 PM
#2
Wife developed this in the latter stages of her second pregnancy. Still suffers with a bad/weak back from time to time, nearly 8 years on! She found that a chiropracter(sp) worked well. She just has to be wary of not doing too much out of the ordinary to aggrevate the problem.
16 September 2007, 09:57 AM
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Try to avoid the chiropractor if possible.
I was suffering sciatic pains down my left leg and I had my suspicions about a disc, I went to see a chiropractor and after 2 visits I was struggling to simply stand up.
I too was very frustrated with the NHS so I paid £80 to go to a BUPA hospital and see an orthapedic surgeon, £80 was his consultation fee. I walked into his office, he looked up at me standing there and instantly said "You've got a severe pro-lapsed disc in the lower lumbar region and you need to get into hospital". He then proceeded to call my GP, introduced himself as Dr Blah Blah, senior orthapedic consultant and explained my prognosis and suggested she ring my local hospital and get me admitted immediately.
That was the best £80 I ever spent, I was admitted to hospital that day, spent 2 weeks initially having MRI scans, seeing the consultant and a couple of physios. Turns out I had a severe prolapsed disc in the L4/L5 region, one third of the disc was out and it was pressing on the sciatic nerve which was causing some pretty nasty pain. I had surgery 2 months later on the NHS where they basically shaved off the one third of the disc that had come out.
It was quite a scary time as I was warned there's always a chance of paralysis when operating on the spine, I took some relief in the fact that the surgeon operating on me was renowned as one of the top spinal surgeons in the north-west.
I spent a total of 5 months off work, this was back in 2001, I still suffer back pain occasionaly as I'm sure I will for the rest of my life. I can do something as easy as bending down to pick up my keys and something will go and I'll be in agony for a couple of days.
My advice to you would be to push, push and push until you get what you want, I'm lucky as my mother-in-law is just that type of person and she rang the surgeons office every day until he agreed my condition was serious enought to move me to the top of the list.
When the time come for my operation I was in a wheelchair as I couldn't stand up or walk properly. The day after my operation I could stand up properly, the nurses couldn't beleive how tall I was (6ft 1) as I was curled up the day before.
Hope everything works out okay for you.
I was suffering sciatic pains down my left leg and I had my suspicions about a disc, I went to see a chiropractor and after 2 visits I was struggling to simply stand up.
I too was very frustrated with the NHS so I paid £80 to go to a BUPA hospital and see an orthapedic surgeon, £80 was his consultation fee. I walked into his office, he looked up at me standing there and instantly said "You've got a severe pro-lapsed disc in the lower lumbar region and you need to get into hospital". He then proceeded to call my GP, introduced himself as Dr Blah Blah, senior orthapedic consultant and explained my prognosis and suggested she ring my local hospital and get me admitted immediately.
That was the best £80 I ever spent, I was admitted to hospital that day, spent 2 weeks initially having MRI scans, seeing the consultant and a couple of physios. Turns out I had a severe prolapsed disc in the L4/L5 region, one third of the disc was out and it was pressing on the sciatic nerve which was causing some pretty nasty pain. I had surgery 2 months later on the NHS where they basically shaved off the one third of the disc that had come out.
It was quite a scary time as I was warned there's always a chance of paralysis when operating on the spine, I took some relief in the fact that the surgeon operating on me was renowned as one of the top spinal surgeons in the north-west.
I spent a total of 5 months off work, this was back in 2001, I still suffer back pain occasionaly as I'm sure I will for the rest of my life. I can do something as easy as bending down to pick up my keys and something will go and I'll be in agony for a couple of days.
My advice to you would be to push, push and push until you get what you want, I'm lucky as my mother-in-law is just that type of person and she rang the surgeons office every day until he agreed my condition was serious enought to move me to the top of the list.
When the time come for my operation I was in a wheelchair as I couldn't stand up or walk properly. The day after my operation I could stand up properly, the nurses couldn't beleive how tall I was (6ft 1) as I was curled up the day before.
Hope everything works out okay for you.
16 September 2007, 10:18 AM
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Some one dropped a 1 1/2 tonne Hi Ab on me 8 years ago, Smashed my safety helmet, popped 2 discs and fractured a vertabrae in my lower spine. Kept working the same day and froze up later. 1 Ambulance, 2 weeks in hospital and 5 months tied to a board (still walking around I might add). Took 2 years to be fully fit again, but now all I have to do avoid lifting anything over 50 kgs, before I get the odd twinge.
You don't mention your age??. I was 20, so still young and vigorous, may take a bit longer if you are older.
You don't mention your age??. I was 20, so still young and vigorous, may take a bit longer if you are older.
16 September 2007, 10:21 AM
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That's a good point, I was told by my consultant that from 30 onwards the disc fluid tends to harden up and are unlikely to come out. I was 28 when mine popped out.
16 September 2007, 06:06 PM
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Try to avoid the chiropractor if possible.
I was suffering sciatic pains down my left leg and I had my suspicions about a disc, I went to see a chiropractor and after 2 visits I was struggling to simply stand up.
I too was very frustrated with the NHS so I paid £80 to go to a BUPA hospital and see an orthapedic surgeon, £80 was his consultation fee. I walked into his office, he looked up at me standing there and instantly said "You've got a severe pro-lapsed disc in the lower lumbar region and you need to get into hospital". He then proceeded to call my GP, introduced himself as Dr Blah Blah, senior orthapedic consultant and explained my prognosis and suggested she ring my local hospital and get me admitted immediately.
That was the best £80 I ever spent, I was admitted to hospital that day, spent 2 weeks initially having MRI scans, seeing the consultant and a couple of physios. Turns out I had a severe prolapsed disc in the L4/L5 region, one third of the disc was out and it was pressing on the sciatic nerve which was causing some pretty nasty pain. I had surgery 2 months later on the NHS where they basically shaved off the one third of the disc that had come out.
It was quite a scary time as I was warned there's always a chance of paralysis when operating on the spine, I took some relief in the fact that the surgeon operating on me was renowned as one of the top spinal surgeons in the north-west.
I spent a total of 5 months off work, this was back in 2001, I still suffer back pain occasionaly as I'm sure I will for the rest of my life. I can do something as easy as bending down to pick up my keys and something will go and I'll be in agony for a couple of days.
My advice to you would be to push, push and push until you get what you want, I'm lucky as my mother-in-law is just that type of person and she rang the surgeons office every day until he agreed my condition was serious enought to move me to the top of the list.
When the time come for my operation I was in a wheelchair as I couldn't stand up or walk properly. The day after my operation I could stand up properly, the nurses couldn't beleive how tall I was (6ft 1) as I was curled up the day before.
Hope everything works out okay for you.
I was suffering sciatic pains down my left leg and I had my suspicions about a disc, I went to see a chiropractor and after 2 visits I was struggling to simply stand up.
I too was very frustrated with the NHS so I paid £80 to go to a BUPA hospital and see an orthapedic surgeon, £80 was his consultation fee. I walked into his office, he looked up at me standing there and instantly said "You've got a severe pro-lapsed disc in the lower lumbar region and you need to get into hospital". He then proceeded to call my GP, introduced himself as Dr Blah Blah, senior orthapedic consultant and explained my prognosis and suggested she ring my local hospital and get me admitted immediately.
That was the best £80 I ever spent, I was admitted to hospital that day, spent 2 weeks initially having MRI scans, seeing the consultant and a couple of physios. Turns out I had a severe prolapsed disc in the L4/L5 region, one third of the disc was out and it was pressing on the sciatic nerve which was causing some pretty nasty pain. I had surgery 2 months later on the NHS where they basically shaved off the one third of the disc that had come out.
It was quite a scary time as I was warned there's always a chance of paralysis when operating on the spine, I took some relief in the fact that the surgeon operating on me was renowned as one of the top spinal surgeons in the north-west.
I spent a total of 5 months off work, this was back in 2001, I still suffer back pain occasionaly as I'm sure I will for the rest of my life. I can do something as easy as bending down to pick up my keys and something will go and I'll be in agony for a couple of days.
My advice to you would be to push, push and push until you get what you want, I'm lucky as my mother-in-law is just that type of person and she rang the surgeons office every day until he agreed my condition was serious enought to move me to the top of the list.
When the time come for my operation I was in a wheelchair as I couldn't stand up or walk properly. The day after my operation I could stand up properly, the nurses couldn't beleive how tall I was (6ft 1) as I was curled up the day before.
Hope everything works out okay for you.
) to hear the op you had as i thought this was a non nhs sort of op (i've been looking into the treatment john terry had, same thing really, disc out, shave off the problem area and jobs a good 'un)i'm 31 now and have had sciatic problems for over a year now, done my back in first about 3 years ago, then again about a year later (playing golf both times
) went to an oesteopath after the 2nd time and i swear that's when the sciatic problems started.i'll see what thursday brings and if i'm not satisfied i'll look into the private route as it's something that's really begining to **** me off now. at the age i am it's no fun being a bloody cripple for the best part of every morning!
cheers for the advice guys
16 September 2007, 08:31 PM
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i had prolapsed disc back in 01. Sciatic pain down my left leg and within my hip. Tried therapy, tried epidural, eventually advised to have it removed - worst decision of my life. I am now in pain pretty much most of the time - when I'm not, if I lift my daughter I will be the next day or several more!
I can't run, jump from any height or lift a barbell over my head anymore.
I would advise try everything 3 times before you give in to any surgery.
Prosthetic discs are still a way off, and I'm first on the list!!
Paul
I can't run, jump from any height or lift a barbell over my head anymore.
I would advise try everything 3 times before you give in to any surgery.
Prosthetic discs are still a way off, and I'm first on the list!!
Paul
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16 September 2007, 09:18 PM
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sorry to hear that paul
seems a common trend of the left leg being affected
and like you i have most of my pain within the hip area, this is worse than the calf pain i get and really affects mobilty and without putting too fine a point on it, really ***** up the day
i was told a while back that removal of the disc (i think this is solid fusing of two vertebrae?) is to be avoided if possible. saying that there is a guy up our golf club that smashes the ball a mile and had fusing of his spine 2 years ago, guess it's down to the individual.
again, cheers for the advice
seems a common trend of the left leg being affected and like you i have most of my pain within the hip area, this is worse than the calf pain i get and really affects mobilty and without putting too fine a point on it, really ***** up the dayi was told a while back that removal of the disc (i think this is solid fusing of two vertebrae?) is to be avoided if possible. saying that there is a guy up our golf club that smashes the ball a mile and had fusing of his spine 2 years ago, guess it's down to the individual.
again, cheers for the advice
16 September 2007, 09:26 PM
#9
I get sciatica as a result of a bulging disc every now and again. Fortunately for me it tends to recede after a week or two and I'm usually pretty much back to normal. My advice insofar as it is possible keep to your daily routine and keep moving otherwise the back can seize and aggravate things. Some pointers here.
https://www.scoobynet.com/non-scooby...-sciatica.html
https://www.scoobynet.com/non-scooby...-sciatica.html
16 September 2007, 09:51 PM
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I get sciatica as a result of a bulging disc every now and again. Fortunately for me it tends to recede after a week or two and I'm usually pretty much back to normal. My advice insofar as it is possible keep to your daily routine and keep moving otherwise the back can seize and aggravate things. Some pointers here.
https://www.scoobynet.com/non-scooby...-sciatica.html
https://www.scoobynet.com/non-scooby...-sciatica.html
16 September 2007, 10:05 PM
#11
To be honest mate when the pain was at it's worst nothing seemed to work. I was taking lots of painkillers but they were ineffective. If you are really bad with pain request morphine or diamorphine, the doctor is usually reluctant to dispense this due to cost but it's probably the only thing that will ease the pain. I was very lucky in that the pain went of it's own accord, the physio's explanation was that the bulging disc was catching the sciatic nerve and causing the pain. With some bed rest and a little physio (when I was able to do it) I managed to get back to normal. Having said that normal still means no heavy lifting, jumping or taking risks with my back. Often it is the innocuous things that can set off the sciatica so it's always in the back of my mind. One thing that did really help me was walking quickly up steps, for some reason due to the angle of my body and the act of walking uphill it seemed to take the strain of the lumbar region. Anyway mate the best of luck and don't let it get you down, I know sometimes the world can seem a lonely place when you're suffering.
Maz
Maz
16 September 2007, 10:27 PM
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glad it worked out for you in the end, light at the end of the tunnel and all that
17 September 2007, 07:23 AM
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I continue to get prolapsed discs, I have degenerating discs in my lower back, you need to be careful what you do. I have a bunch of exercises to do (dont do them as often as I should though) which help to build up the muscles which support the lower back. Hope it gets sorted, but it seems to me that once you have a weakness you are going to keep it for life.....
17 September 2007, 09:52 AM
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they dont always fuse the inverts when the disc is removed - mine wasnt. a day after the op, I was forced out of bed to start walking. 5 days later back home. 12 weeks later back at work. Thats not saying it was a huge success, but before for long periods of the day I had a huge ache in my hips and left leg. Thats gone, but the area is so much weaker and prone to problems.
P
P
17 September 2007, 10:37 AM
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I've had the L4/L5 prolapse... 5 months at work in pain followed by 8 months at home in pain.... porlapsed in two places pushing against the spinal cord, and local consultants were unwilling to have a go at it!
I had physio.. chiro.. steriods.. epidural.. pain killers.. and all we're an abosulte pile of sh1te....
Ended up in chronic pain until a specialist eventually had a go with a micro-discectomy... 6 months later I was healed and now (6 years later) I'm back to normal.
Trouble is that the disc fuses and the adjacent disc's are now under increased pressure as they're taking the slack.. But as long as you avoid lifting mini's and drunk munters you'll be fine
They'll only operate as a last resource though....
I had physio.. chiro.. steriods.. epidural.. pain killers.. and all we're an abosulte pile of sh1te....
Ended up in chronic pain until a specialist eventually had a go with a micro-discectomy... 6 months later I was healed and now (6 years later) I'm back to normal.
Trouble is that the disc fuses and the adjacent disc's are now under increased pressure as they're taking the slack.. But as long as you avoid lifting mini's and drunk munters you'll be fine
They'll only operate as a last resource though....
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