Help with prolapsed disc pain

[Yeaa boiii]

Hi
I am new and a 48 year old woman.
I have had lower back pain for eight years and following years of physio and spinal injections, finally had an Mri scan in december 2008.
The results show a prolapsed disc at L4/L5. This is due to degeneration of the vertebrae and I can't have an operation as the disc would pop back out again if it were put back in.

My son had the same problem recently but was able to have the op as his was trauma induced and the bones were fine. They sliced part of the disc off and he is okay now. This is the op that won't work for me.

I take Tramadol and Diclofenac daily. When it is extremely bad I also take Co Codamol. However, the pain never goes completely, and the pills make me feel sick and lethargic.

I began with this problem when I carried my eight year old son. As I was told at the time that it was Sciatica and I just needed physio, I went on to have my youngest son who is now five. This was when the problem erupted badly.

Does anyone have any other ideas for pain relief or any ideas on how to build bone back up if that is possible? I would be really grateful.

Thanks
Julie

 

[Nancy W]

Hi Julie,

I am so sorry to hear that they say you cannot be treated surgically, have you asked for a 2nd opinion just to confirm this? I have come across (even my own) doctors who like to write off back patients and leave them suffering.

I have had the op you want and it didnt work first time and so had to have another op. The disc is ok, but only just. I now have epidural scarring, and so they say there is nothing that they can do now......
.....until i came across this website www.spinal-foundation.org

Its headed up by a guy called Martin Knight and he is able to do all sorts, including possibly removing my adhesions!!
Give them a call and explain your situation, he most probably can help you. They are based in Chester, and i have heard great things about them.
Their mantra is that no-one should have to live with long-term back problems.
I am getting referred there myself. I have been referred by my surgeon to some pain specialist, but that is going to take ages so i took action for myself!

I also tried acupuncture for the first time today, i have heard its fantastic for lower back pain/sciatica. It wasn't too horrendous and am booked in for some further treatments. Maybe its worth looking into that too.

As for strengthening bones, i only know that calcium is good. Maybe try a health food shop, they normally have that kind of stuff and are happy to advise you on whats good.

But do try to get a 2nd opinion from your doctors, even just to know for sure what you are facing.

I hope this is of some help to you honey, And am glad your son is ok.
I am only 30, had all this since i was 26 so completely understand your frustrations.

Love and best wishes,
Ali xx

 

[Animal Craze]

Hi Ali

I just wanted to say thank you for replying. My computer broke down just after I posted and then we went on holiday. It has just been mended so I am up and running again.
I see you are the only one to reply and I will certainly take a look at the link you sent.
We went to the Highlands and I am convinced now that sitting is one of the main factors in my pain becoming worse. The journey there and back and in between from Yorkshire caused me excrucialting pain which has taken days to subside. Now I am back to moderate pain.

Thank you
Julie

 

[xgtzbrih]

Hi Julie,

I find sitting for long periods uncomfortable as well, i find it take a few days for the pain to settle back down to moderate as well.
I went to the beach the other day and was sat on a concrete step, it was agony until yesterday, now its just back to being annoying!

I would certainly look into the spinal foundation, they have done all kinds of wondrous things the NHS doesn't.
I hope it helps and gives you hope, i was so upset when the NHS wrote me off but now i have hope and a smile on my face again

 

[????s??]

Hi Ali

I have been referred to the spinal surgery unit at Leeds General infirmary but am still waiting for an appointment.
I looked at the web site you suggested and it is very interesting.
It's funny the sitting thing, it certainly is one of the things that sets my pain off - well makes it worse, I should say as it is there all the time.
I have been given Zamadol which I take at bedtime. They are slow release and should still be in my system when i get up. They do work and I am able to get out of bed much better but the minute I begin to do the normal daily things like bending down to get my boy's clothes out of the drawer etc, I get hot burning pain in my back which immediately works its way down to my knee. Really bad sciatic pain. I can't even walk for a while then it gradually over about an hour subsides and the rest of the day I am in moderate pain.
It's a very weird scenario. I don't know whether I just loosen up or it's the painkillers that have finally kicked in that I take when i get up.
I suppose i could do without the pain killers to see what happens but I suppose its the thought that taking tham makes me feel better.

Hope you get on okay with your back and any treatment you will be having with work for you.

Julie

 

[DeeZzt]

I have had surgery at The Spinal Foundation and can confirm that 'it does what it says on the tin' and Mr. Knight is the most knowledgable and most considerate Consulatant I've ever met.

On the day of my procedure, I had my operation at 1pm, it finnished at 3pm, at 3.30pm I walked up and down the corridor and in the night I walked a further 1 mile up and down the corridor. At 10am the following morning I walked out of the hospital, caught a train home some 150 Miles and started walking rehabilitation the following day.
Ask the your Consultant at Leeds if their procedure will let you do the same as me?

Ali's right, research the discectomy and spinal decompression treatments on their web site, you will not find spine surgery as safe as this in any NHS or Private Hospital.

For the NHS Consultant to 'right you off' so early, is very sad, but not unusual.

Best wishes

SPINELF

 

[Ruin again]

Hi there,

Have you considered something like the Alexander Technique: this teaches you how to use your body differently, put less strain on your back during daily activities such as getting up from a chair, or bending over to pick up clothes.