Slipped Disc

[bad company]

I have had back trouble on and off for some years but now it is much worse. A few weeks ago I could hardly walk and spent most of my time horizontal on the sofa.

I had an MRI which confirmed the problem is at L5 S1 which is not uncommon. I had a facet joint injection on 21 June which helped but I'm still in pain. I can walk but slowly and not very far. I still can't sit for long and driving is agony.

Anybody had anything similar?

[bad company]

Thanks for the replies. I have made another appointment with the spine consultant tomorrow.

[bad company]

So I saw the consultant again today. He suggested 3 options:-

1:- Give it time, apparently there is a very good chance that all will be well in a couple of years.

2:- Surgery, a quick fix but not without risk and after 2 years the result is probably similar to if I had just waited.

3:- Another facet joint injection. The last one improved my situation but still not right.


I want for another injection which will hopefully be done on Tuesday.

[bad company]

So greetings from Ipswich hospital where I am in bed waiting for strength to return to me leg after another facet joint injection. Hopefully this will work.

[bad company]

Clio200pat said:

bad company said:

So greetings from Ipswich hospital where I am in bed waiting for strength to return to me leg after another facet joint injection. Hopefully this will work.

I hope that you get some relief from your injection, as someone who is going through a similar issue I really do feel your pain.

Can I ask, how long does it take to get relief from the steroid injection? I had one last Friday a for degenerate disc at L5/S1 with an annular tear, and I seem to be in quite a lot more discomfort since the injection. I'm hoping it's a case of it having to get worse for a bit before it feels better.

My problem is also L5/S1. I was horizontal on the couch or in bed unable to even tie my shoe laces until I had the first injection on 21 June. The injection worked in so far as that after I could walk albeit slowly but not ride my bike or play tennis etc. I have also been unable to drive for more than 20 minutes or so due to pain. The improvement after that injection came after 24 hours or so.

Today I had a second injection to try to improve the situation further. Too early to say if it's worked.

Good luck, it's a horrible situation.

[bad company]

Well the second facet joint injection has helped. I can now walk a fair distance albeit with a limp but I wouldn't even think about playing tennis or riding my bike which I did before I had the problem.

One bonus is that I can now drive my car for a reasonable distance / time. Before the second injection it got too painful after 20 minutes or so. Thankfully I have an automatic as I don't think my left leg would be too good with a clutch pedal yet.

[bad company]

fatboy b said:

Kinda puts my slipped disc in perspective. I've not had any disabling issues at all, other than occasional fk - that hurts if I bend down sometimes.

Be very very careful, that's how mine started. If I were you I would try to avoid lifting anything heavy and start doing regular 'core muscle' exercises. These help to protect the vulnerable area.

Probably worth seeing a physiotherapist or doing Pilates.

Good luck.

[bad company]

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.

[bad company]

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.

I put it off in 2006/7 due to the perceived risks. It's certainly not something to take lightly.

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.

That sums it up really. My spine specialist thinks it will improve given time, but . . . . .

[bad company]

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.