Discussion
bad company said:
Johnny said:
I had a herniated L5/S1 disc for years.
Finally had Spinal Fusion in March 2013. Best thing I ever did.
Any questions, fire away.
I've been reading up on that. Hoping to avoid it though due to the risks and the cost.Finally had Spinal Fusion in March 2013. Best thing I ever did.
Any questions, fire away.
However in retrospect I wish I had done it then and not waited til 2013, it improved my life dramatically. Of course, it's very much a last resort and I'd tried everything else available numerous times before I went ahead.
Johnny said:
bad company said:
Johnny said:
I had a herniated L5/S1 disc for years.
Finally had Spinal Fusion in March 2013. Best thing I ever did.
Any questions, fire away.
I've been reading up on that. Hoping to avoid it though due to the risks and the cost.Finally had Spinal Fusion in March 2013. Best thing I ever did.
Any questions, fire away.
However in retrospect I wish I had done it then and not waited til 2013, it improved my life dramatically. Of course, it's very much a last resort and I'd tried everything else available numerous times before I went ahead.
Sheets Tabuer said:
After a day in meetings yesterday sat on my arse all day mine seems to have flared up with a vengeance, weirdly this time I have no leg pain but the pain between my vertebra makes my eyes water.
Bugger.
Not sure about that one. I got a lot of relief from 2 pain block injections but they only help sciatica which is obviously legs.Bugger.
Hi There,
I had L4-L5 fusion 2.5 years ago due to sciatica and back pain which several Drs have not been able to pinpoint the root cause.
Unfortunately 2 weeks ago the sciatica pain have come back. I am only 36, so I would say, don't do any surgery unless there is no other option, don't take the decision lightly, by any means get 2 or 3 different opinions.
Good luck, Back pain is terrible.
I had L4-L5 fusion 2.5 years ago due to sciatica and back pain which several Drs have not been able to pinpoint the root cause.
Unfortunately 2 weeks ago the sciatica pain have come back. I am only 36, so I would say, don't do any surgery unless there is no other option, don't take the decision lightly, by any means get 2 or 3 different opinions.
Good luck, Back pain is terrible.
I fell off the back of a lorry in 1988 and in an effort to save myself, twisted in mid-air then dropped to the ground. No discomfort for 2 days then it started. After 3 days, on my knees with body laid on the settee and unable to climb the stairs. Could not go for a pee so doc got me into hospital immediately.
Back then, put in traction with a corset around my waist, the bed tipped up at the foot and weights hanging from cords attached to the corset. Not nice at all. The pain was really bad and consultant diagnosed L5/S1 like you.
After 2 weeks sent home for 'bed rest'. Advised no surgery due to risk of nerve damage - wheelchair was mentioned. Told to come back in a month. Laid up with painkillers and sleeping tablets, really boring for 4 weeks and only just able to crawl to the bathroom.
Had to go in the car to the outpatients which caused a lot of pain. Passed out in hospital and readmitted for a long weekend. Registrar decided to operate on the Monday. Consultant went berserk in the ward telling the staff no operation due to the risks. Finally sent home for further bed rest. He issued a sick note for 6 months which my employer was not happy about.
6 months later went back to work to find my job had been taken by someone else.
Over the following couple of years I slowly returned to normal work but avoiding heavy lifting. The prolonged bed rest caused left leg muscle wastage of an inch on my thigh so did lots of exercises. Never had any real problems with pain but limited to what work I could do. Had several DHSS (as was called then) assessments for work and was rated 12% disabled. Later this was raised to 20% and a tribunal stated this was for life as they could not forsee any more improvement. The consultant said the problem would likely come back in later life around my 60s. In 2010 while simply fitting an alloy wheel back on to a Renault Scenic I knew I had done something. Within a few hours I was in absolute agony, knees on floor and chest on settee just like 22 years before. The local doc was hopeless so I managed my way through it and after a few days was back at work.
During all the intervening years the sciatica moved from the left leg to the right and back. Sometimes the numbness would travel down my leg and spread across my toes until I could hardly feel my foot. At present I manage the situation almost automatically. The way I get out of bed, how I bend at the sink having a wash, the way I pull my trousers on etc etc. So, currently I am reasonably okay but my story should serve as a warning to all that your back is a precious unit that needs to be looked after.
Good luck with your treatment.
Back then, put in traction with a corset around my waist, the bed tipped up at the foot and weights hanging from cords attached to the corset. Not nice at all. The pain was really bad and consultant diagnosed L5/S1 like you.
After 2 weeks sent home for 'bed rest'. Advised no surgery due to risk of nerve damage - wheelchair was mentioned. Told to come back in a month. Laid up with painkillers and sleeping tablets, really boring for 4 weeks and only just able to crawl to the bathroom.
Had to go in the car to the outpatients which caused a lot of pain. Passed out in hospital and readmitted for a long weekend. Registrar decided to operate on the Monday. Consultant went berserk in the ward telling the staff no operation due to the risks. Finally sent home for further bed rest. He issued a sick note for 6 months which my employer was not happy about.
6 months later went back to work to find my job had been taken by someone else.
Over the following couple of years I slowly returned to normal work but avoiding heavy lifting. The prolonged bed rest caused left leg muscle wastage of an inch on my thigh so did lots of exercises. Never had any real problems with pain but limited to what work I could do. Had several DHSS (as was called then) assessments for work and was rated 12% disabled. Later this was raised to 20% and a tribunal stated this was for life as they could not forsee any more improvement. The consultant said the problem would likely come back in later life around my 60s. In 2010 while simply fitting an alloy wheel back on to a Renault Scenic I knew I had done something. Within a few hours I was in absolute agony, knees on floor and chest on settee just like 22 years before. The local doc was hopeless so I managed my way through it and after a few days was back at work.
During all the intervening years the sciatica moved from the left leg to the right and back. Sometimes the numbness would travel down my leg and spread across my toes until I could hardly feel my foot. At present I manage the situation almost automatically. The way I get out of bed, how I bend at the sink having a wash, the way I pull my trousers on etc etc. So, currently I am reasonably okay but my story should serve as a warning to all that your back is a precious unit that needs to be looked after.
Good luck with your treatment.
Edited by N7GTX on Wednesday 28th September 16:28
Edited by N7GTX on Wednesday 28th September 16:30
N7GTX said:
I fell off the back of a lorry in 1988 and in an effort to save myself, twisted in mid-air then dropped to the ground. No discomfort for 2 days then it started. After 3 days, on my knees with body laid on the settee and unable to climb the stairs. Could not go for a pee so doc got me into hospital immediately.
Back then, put in traction with a corset around my waist, the bed tipped up at the foot and weights hanging from cords attached to the corset. Not nice at all. The pain was really bad and consultant diagnosed L5/S1 like you.
After 2 weeks sent home for 'bed rest'. Advised no surgery due to risk of nerve damage - wheelchair was mentioned. Told to come back in a month. Laid up with painkillers and sleeping tablets, really boring for 4 weeks and only just able to crawl to the bathroom.
Had to go in the car to the outpatients which caused a lot of pain. Passed out in hospital and readmitted for a long weekend. Registrar decided to operate on the Monday. Consultant went berserk in the ward telling the staff no operation due to the risks. Finally sent home for further bed rest. He issued a sick note for 6 months which my employer was not happy about.
6 months later went back to work to find my job had been taken by someone else.
Over the following couple of years I slowly returned to normal work but avoiding heavy lifting. The prolonged bed rest caused left leg muscle wastage of an inch on my thigh so did lots of exercises. Never had any real problems with pain but limited to what work I could do. Had several DHSS (as was called then) assessments for work and was rated 12% disabled. Later this was raised to 20% and a tribunal stated this was for life as they could not forsee any more improvement. The consultant said the problem would likely come back in later life around my 60s. In 2010 while simply fitting an alloy wheel back on to a Renault Scenic I knew I had done something. Within a few hours I was in absolute agony, knees on floor and chest on settee just like 22 years before. The local doc was hopeless so I managed my way through it and after a few days was back at work.
During all the intervening years the sciatica moved from the left leg to the right and back. Sometimes the numbness would travel down my leg and spread across my toes until I could hardly feel my foot. At present I manage the situation almost automatically. The way I get out of bed, how I bend at the sink having a wash, the way I pull my trousers on etc etc. So, currently I am reasonably okay but my story should serve as a warning to all that your back is a precious unit that needs to be looked after.
Good luck with your treatment.
Something similar but milder for me. I broke three vertebrae. I had a bit of pain at the time and then nothing for a year or so. Then lots of back pain. At hospital I was told that they'd started healing but not properly. I too was told I'd have problems in the 60s if I was lucky but probably 50s if I didn't keep flexible.Back then, put in traction with a corset around my waist, the bed tipped up at the foot and weights hanging from cords attached to the corset. Not nice at all. The pain was really bad and consultant diagnosed L5/S1 like you.
After 2 weeks sent home for 'bed rest'. Advised no surgery due to risk of nerve damage - wheelchair was mentioned. Told to come back in a month. Laid up with painkillers and sleeping tablets, really boring for 4 weeks and only just able to crawl to the bathroom.
Had to go in the car to the outpatients which caused a lot of pain. Passed out in hospital and readmitted for a long weekend. Registrar decided to operate on the Monday. Consultant went berserk in the ward telling the staff no operation due to the risks. Finally sent home for further bed rest. He issued a sick note for 6 months which my employer was not happy about.
6 months later went back to work to find my job had been taken by someone else.
Over the following couple of years I slowly returned to normal work but avoiding heavy lifting. The prolonged bed rest caused left leg muscle wastage of an inch on my thigh so did lots of exercises. Never had any real problems with pain but limited to what work I could do. Had several DHSS (as was called then) assessments for work and was rated 12% disabled. Later this was raised to 20% and a tribunal stated this was for life as they could not forsee any more improvement. The consultant said the problem would likely come back in later life around my 60s. In 2010 while simply fitting an alloy wheel back on to a Renault Scenic I knew I had done something. Within a few hours I was in absolute agony, knees on floor and chest on settee just like 22 years before. The local doc was hopeless so I managed my way through it and after a few days was back at work.
During all the intervening years the sciatica moved from the left leg to the right and back. Sometimes the numbness would travel down my leg and spread across my toes until I could hardly feel my foot. At present I manage the situation almost automatically. The way I get out of bed, how I bend at the sink having a wash, the way I pull my trousers on etc etc. So, currently I am reasonably okay but my story should serve as a warning to all that your back is a precious unit that needs to be looked after.
Good luck with your treatment.
Edited by N7GTX on Wednesday 28th September 16:28
Edited by N7GTX on Wednesday 28th September 16:30
The pain gradually eased.
Then L5 played up. I paid a chiropractor £350 to make it worse. I paid physios three times that for temporary relief, but that was over many years. One physio, when I mentioned my symptoms, refused to treat me until I'd seen a doctor and she said she doubted if she'd be allowed to treat me without a full briefing.
The doctor gave me amitriptaline for lower back pain and sent for MRI scans, that's plural, for the L5.
Lower back pain was cured within a week.
With regards the L5, my symptoms were similar: numb toes being the most worrying as it is a danger signal of paralysis if things progress. I also had tingling all down the right leg. The sciatica was the worst from my point of view. Sleepless nights were becoming common. I had the pain more often than not.
I was treated by an NHS physio and then put through half a dozen gym sessions at the hospital. There was slight improvement. I then got what was called 'half price' membership of a local gym, although as I could get a third of because of my age, it wasn't quite, but it was still quite useful.
The symptoms have improved dramatically. I wake up on occasion with pain - last Tuesday was the most recent time and as I was gently exercising I could hear gentle rain. I thought it sounded odd and I got up to discover the mains pipe had burst. Limited damage.
But all I am doing, I am told, is putting off major problems, but putting off is good. I'm told that fusion is an option, and the posts on here are reassuring. However, the tubes in which my leg nerves run are closing up and the prognosis is not good. I've been told that if I can't move my legs or I lose control of my bowels, I should go to hospital. Useful advice. So I'm a bit worried.
I go to the gym three days a week and just physio helps. I also do daily exercised at home for flexibility and core muscles strength.
Every doctor tells me I'm lucky. The broken vertebrae could have killed me or have made me a quadriplegic.
I can no longer ride a bicycle, and I've been told riding bikes since the age of 9, riding 200+ miles a week for 15 of the last 25 years has made it worse.
So there's a lot of it about. I found the NHS version of treatment far superior to the small fortune I'd paid out over the years.
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