Discussion
So since July after slipping a disc (we think) I now have sciatic pain in lower s1, top of bum, hamstring area and behind knee.
Should get a scan in next month to see extent of damage. Physio saying same old stuff.
Just seem like not much can be done.
Anyone else been in this position and how was it fixed?
I've never slipped a disc but I feel your pain with the sciatica bit. I get episodes of it every now and then and it's a horrible pain. I can't describe it but it's one of those pains that makes me laugh whilst being in agony at the same time. The smallest wrong movement causes a massive stabbing pain and takes your breath away. Last time I couldn't get out of bed for pretty much a week.
Every time i've been to the doctors though, they say "it's just muscular" and "try to exercise and use your back as you would normally". At the time you think that's crazy but generally speaking, mine has just sorted itself out over time.
Plenty of ibuprofen, pain killers and gritting your teeth!
Every time i've been to the doctors though, they say "it's just muscular" and "try to exercise and use your back as you would normally". At the time you think that's crazy but generally speaking, mine has just sorted itself out over time.
Plenty of ibuprofen, pain killers and gritting your teeth!
I was 37 when I had the operation. That was 7 years ago. All has been mostly well but I have the early signs of the disc above the one operated on going a similar way (MRI scan last year). Core exercises definitely help with posture and therefore (for me) alleviate the pressure. I suffered from a 'dropped foot' after the operation (improved after 18 months) so I am keen to avoid going under the knife again if possible.
I'd do the same again in hindsight as the pain was worse than anything I've ever experienced and subsequent paralysis.
I'd do the same again in hindsight as the pain was worse than anything I've ever experienced and subsequent paralysis.
I've slipped a disc twice suffered from sciatica for a year after the last time. Took it very steady but after a year I started an exercise program with lots of gentle stretching and body weight exercises.
My back is really good now, I'm convinced it's due to exercise and reasonably good diet (weight lose), I do quite intense workouts now but all exercises are gentle on my back, so no squats etc. a lot of focus on core muscles.
My back is really good now, I'm convinced it's due to exercise and reasonably good diet (weight lose), I do quite intense workouts now but all exercises are gentle on my back, so no squats etc. a lot of focus on core muscles.
ked it for me, added to golfUpdate, had my mri showed s1 bulge. I was improving and pain resided, so stopped taking my naproxen to see if the pain would stay away. I was even going back to the gym.
Now had to start taking the drugs again as the pain slowly coming back in leg and bum again. Specialist said I can have the epidural steroid injection, but not sure what to do...
Now had to start taking the drugs again as the pain slowly coming back in leg and bum again. Specialist said I can have the epidural steroid injection, but not sure what to do...
I had three of these, though they weren't called epidurals. The were called Dorsal Root Ganglion injections and went like this. It's a day case job in theatre. They put in a bit of local anaesthetic at the injection site first. Then, a long needle goes in and the consultant watches it's progress on X-rays. When it's in the right place, a mixture of local (lidocaine) and steroid goes in. I've had worse procedures when awake.
Bathing the root of the sciatic nerve worked twice for me, reducing the pain by 60% percent for about four months each time. Procedure No.4 was done at three levels - 3 needles onscreen at once - and it did nothing.
I had an L5/S1 slip. I reckon the injections are worth a try if you can keep smiling at the time!
Bathing the root of the sciatic nerve worked twice for me, reducing the pain by 60% percent for about four months each time. Procedure No.4 was done at three levels - 3 needles onscreen at once - and it did nothing.
I had an L5/S1 slip. I reckon the injections are worth a try if you can keep smiling at the time!
That looks quite bad to me...
I've slipped two L4/L5 but after 3 years it's 90%-95% better. Only from stretching and strengthening. Doc tried injections, but they did nothing for me, and it wasn't worth doing surgery.
I'll echo the above statements - although they sound stupid at the time, do the exercises your physio prescribes religiously. I didn't to begin with, and the pain stayed. As soon as I started doing the exercise properly, reading up on more exercises and doing it all everyday, I saw massive improvements. It's not just back exercises you're looking for either. You probably need to look at hamstring tightness, general posture, hip positioning and all sorts.
I've slipped two L4/L5 but after 3 years it's 90%-95% better. Only from stretching and strengthening. Doc tried injections, but they did nothing for me, and it wasn't worth doing surgery.
I'll echo the above statements - although they sound stupid at the time, do the exercises your physio prescribes religiously. I didn't to begin with, and the pain stayed. As soon as I started doing the exercise properly, reading up on more exercises and doing it all everyday, I saw massive improvements. It's not just back exercises you're looking for either. You probably need to look at hamstring tightness, general posture, hip positioning and all sorts.
OllyMo said:
That looks quite bad to me...
I've slipped two L4/L5 but after 3 years it's 90%-95% better. Only from stretching and strengthening. Doc tried injections, but they did nothing for me, and it wasn't worth doing surgery.
I'll echo the above statements - although they sound stupid at the time, do the exercises your physio prescribes religiously. I didn't to begin with, and the pain stayed. As soon as I started doing the exercise properly, reading up on more exercises and doing it all everyday, I saw massive improvements. It's not just back exercises you're looking for either. You probably need to look at hamstring tightness, general posture, hip positioning and all sorts.
can you elaborate on why it wasnt worth surgery?I've slipped two L4/L5 but after 3 years it's 90%-95% better. Only from stretching and strengthening. Doc tried injections, but they did nothing for me, and it wasn't worth doing surgery.
I'll echo the above statements - although they sound stupid at the time, do the exercises your physio prescribes religiously. I didn't to begin with, and the pain stayed. As soon as I started doing the exercise properly, reading up on more exercises and doing it all everyday, I saw massive improvements. It's not just back exercises you're looking for either. You probably need to look at hamstring tightness, general posture, hip positioning and all sorts.
gaz1234 said:
Cheers. I hear they are painful.
Did you have surgery and I so is it worth it?
Hi, Did you have surgery and I so is it worth it?
I had a microdiscectomy that worked well initially. But my tendency to form scar tissue internally brought the pain back. Another microdiscectomy and laminotomy (shifting bone to make more room for the nerve) did the same, 3 months' improvement then pain back again.
They then declared failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and put in an electronic neurostimulator (internal T.E.N.S. machine), and Op No.4 was to get the electric stimulation in the right place.
I can't say the surgery was worth it in my case but FBSS is fairly rare. The machine means I'm not living on heavy duty painkillers any more but my mobility is poor.
Remember, this is just me - I was in my early to mid-50s at surgery time. My slip was also bigger than yours. It was about the size of a garden pea and had a narrow 'neck' where the disc material was pinched between the vertebrae. I'd discuss outcomes with your consultant.
All the best with it.
What are the early symptons for sciatica? I'm a regular runner, 4 miles 5 days a week with weekend rest and been lucky that until recently I've on had a couple of calf and hamstring strains in 20yrs.
I've now started doing some long distance driving a couple of days a week and noticed irritation down the back of my right leg and into the back of my knee. On occasion I've had pain in my ankle. As a result it has affected my running causing my hamstrings, IT bands and calves to tighten up and now stretching off is causing discomfort in my lower back/pelvis.
I also get discomfort in my hamstrings sat in an office chair for long periods even with some back support.
I've had to revise my cardio work by using a cross trainer which is fine but I want to get back into running regularly, however one run can bring it all back on a few hours later. What's odd is I can do 70-90 sit-ups without discomfort.
Physio helps to release the tightness but I dont think it is getting to the root cause of the problem. I'm not taking any medication (except capsaicin cream that can wake me up in the night as presumably my back ache reacts to it) as this I feel may mask the underlying problem.
Any advice?
I've now started doing some long distance driving a couple of days a week and noticed irritation down the back of my right leg and into the back of my knee. On occasion I've had pain in my ankle. As a result it has affected my running causing my hamstrings, IT bands and calves to tighten up and now stretching off is causing discomfort in my lower back/pelvis.
I also get discomfort in my hamstrings sat in an office chair for long periods even with some back support.
I've had to revise my cardio work by using a cross trainer which is fine but I want to get back into running regularly, however one run can bring it all back on a few hours later. What's odd is I can do 70-90 sit-ups without discomfort.
Physio helps to release the tightness but I dont think it is getting to the root cause of the problem. I'm not taking any medication (except capsaicin cream that can wake me up in the night as presumably my back ache reacts to it) as this I feel may mask the underlying problem.
Any advice?
Edited by Zingari on Tuesday 3rd March 23:49
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