Discussion
For the third time in as many years my back has gone twang in a big way. MRI has previously confirmed a bulging disc, and I have had some physio to try to resolve this, though it is early days.
This morning it has gone again and I am now pretty much immobilised.
Has anyone had experience of a back op to sort either the nerve or the vertebra to relieve the back and sciatic pain? Heard a few horror stories...
The physio exercises are to build core strength but so fat it has made it worse.
OUCH.
This morning it has gone again and I am now pretty much immobilised.
Has anyone had experience of a back op to sort either the nerve or the vertebra to relieve the back and sciatic pain? Heard a few horror stories...
The physio exercises are to build core strength but so fat it has made it worse.
OUCH.
I've been suffering with this as well!
Also worried about an operation. I've persevered with the exercises (helped by an absolutely gorgeous physiotherapist at our local hospital). It's taken nearly a year, but I'm nearly back to normal.
I sometimes have to watch what I'm doing, but mostly it's OK. I also had some anti-inflammatories for when it was really bad.
Also worried about an operation. I've persevered with the exercises (helped by an absolutely gorgeous physiotherapist at our local hospital). It's taken nearly a year, but I'm nearly back to normal.
I sometimes have to watch what I'm doing, but mostly it's OK. I also had some anti-inflammatories for when it was really bad.
I've heard good things about 'inversion tables' but never tried one myself.
The idea is to totally unload all strain and compression on the disc, and allow it to refill/reform itself. Appaaaarently, even laying down your muscles still pull and twist the spine/discs to a degree, but hanging upside down it becomes fully unloaded.
The idea is to totally unload all strain and compression on the disc, and allow it to refill/reform itself. Appaaaarently, even laying down your muscles still pull and twist the spine/discs to a degree, but hanging upside down it becomes fully unloaded.
Had a couple of lower back disks trimmed to the max 9 years ago.
Can't remember the exact figure, but something like 1 in 1000 are left paralysed and it's 50/50 whether surgery will be make any difference. Usually it's a last resort.
I was way past anything the physio would touch, laid up on morphine and numerous other drugs for 6 weeks. It became an emergency when feeling disappeared from toes to knee. Not pleasant.
Post surgery - was lucky, no pain and 3 months before I was back at work. 12 months of a PT to get strength back and continuous work on the core to support the back. It's not solved it 100% as still get pain on occasions (the centre bit leaks?) and apparently arthritis has set in there (mid 40s).
Surgeons only operate if it's the right thing to do - it can give you more problems than what you started with and there's the risk.
Just to add...I see an Osteopath for maintenance at least once a month - try it if the physio isn't working.
Can't remember the exact figure, but something like 1 in 1000 are left paralysed and it's 50/50 whether surgery will be make any difference. Usually it's a last resort.
I was way past anything the physio would touch, laid up on morphine and numerous other drugs for 6 weeks. It became an emergency when feeling disappeared from toes to knee. Not pleasant.
Post surgery - was lucky, no pain and 3 months before I was back at work. 12 months of a PT to get strength back and continuous work on the core to support the back. It's not solved it 100% as still get pain on occasions (the centre bit leaks?) and apparently arthritis has set in there (mid 40s).
Surgeons only operate if it's the right thing to do - it can give you more problems than what you started with and there's the risk.
Just to add...I see an Osteopath for maintenance at least once a month - try it if the physio isn't working.
I had a discectomy on L4/5 in 2010. <6 weeks before I could go back to work, drive etc., and I was pain free for my wedding that year 
I was in a similar state to you before the op - big spasms which left me stuck on the floor/sofa/wherever due to the pain. Diazapam etc. to try and get through them. After that op I never got those again.
Unfortunately the disc continued to degenerate to the point there was nothing left and it was bone on bone, so they fused it earlier this year, which hasn't been as stress free.
But the discectomy is a fairly common op these days as backs go - my dad had one donkeys years ago when I was a kid and has a MASSIVE scar with stick holes which looks like a row boat, whereas mine is tiny and no stitches even - just a little Y shape you can barely see.
The core exercises are probably a good idea but worth re-examining technique if it's making the pain worse, just to check you're doing them right?
I was in a similar state to you before the op - big spasms which left me stuck on the floor/sofa/wherever due to the pain. Diazapam etc. to try and get through them. After that op I never got those again.Unfortunately the disc continued to degenerate to the point there was nothing left and it was bone on bone, so they fused it earlier this year, which hasn't been as stress free.
But the discectomy is a fairly common op these days as backs go - my dad had one donkeys years ago when I was a kid and has a MASSIVE scar with stick holes which looks like a row boat, whereas mine is tiny and no stitches even - just a little Y shape you can barely see.
The core exercises are probably a good idea but worth re-examining technique if it's making the pain worse, just to check you're doing them right?
Slobberchops said:
Very informative post, thanks. Certainly want to avoid that by the sound of it!
You want to avoid the nerve dying off, that's for sure! It was a toss up between disks out and cages being put in or a top-end discectomy. Higher risks and longer recovery with the cages and orthopedic surgeon felt he could sort it. Every case is individual and I had a 3 year old son who needed his Mum back on her feet!Maybe it is time to chat to the Consultant about surgery and whether it is the best option for you? If you've exhausted all the non-invasive treatments and it's severely affecting going about your daily life, then chances are surgery can improve things, but not necessarily cure.
wainy said:
Had microdisectomy 4 years ago. Was up and walking again same day, back at work after 4 weeks. Not a problem since. Need to ensure don't over do it and keep core strength up.
My wife had same done 3 years ago, worked a treat. She was back at work within 5 weeks. There are risks, but the relief was intense as it was a very tough 2.5 years prior to the op.She elected to have it done at James Cook under a highly recommended surgeon (can't remember his name but I can find out if you want)
I feel for you 
. 2 years ago I had two attacks of sciatica where a nerve gets trapped and permanently sends back 100% pain signals to the brain. This leaves you unable to move. It was devastating and if you dont face up to it can become permanent.
I was unbelievably lucky and both times it responded to getting mobile and taking the maximum continuos dose of Codeine and Sodium Diclofenac, for seveal weeks. As well as being fully mobile and able to do moderate sensible manual work I do not have chronic pain. More than I deserve after getting the second atack after helping to shift a bed.
I also investigated surgery and decided it was a last resort. I still do the excercises and have ramped them up to a level way beyond that I could do when I first recovered. I would persist with physio and avoid twisting and loading your spine at the same time.
I now aim off for it all the time, it's horrid but changing spark plugs, fine swap the gearbox, into the garage. You have to cut your coat...
Going cold turkey on the Codiene wasnt much fun either
. 2 years ago I had two attacks of sciatica where a nerve gets trapped and permanently sends back 100% pain signals to the brain. This leaves you unable to move. It was devastating and if you dont face up to it can become permanent. I was unbelievably lucky and both times it responded to getting mobile and taking the maximum continuos dose of Codeine and Sodium Diclofenac, for seveal weeks. As well as being fully mobile and able to do moderate sensible manual work I do not have chronic pain. More than I deserve after getting the second atack after helping to shift a bed.
I also investigated surgery and decided it was a last resort. I still do the excercises and have ramped them up to a level way beyond that I could do when I first recovered. I would persist with physio and avoid twisting and loading your spine at the same time.
I now aim off for it all the time, it's horrid but changing spark plugs, fine swap the gearbox, into the garage. You have to cut your coat...
Going cold turkey on the Codiene wasnt much fun either
Well, it is no better today but I was fed up of not driving the 911 so I took that out for an hour. Now lying in bed trying to get my back straightened out again! Not the best idea I ever had.
I'm trying to avoid painkillers this time as I ended up taking Cocodamol last time for a while and I am convinced it made my sleep patterns even worse when I stopped taking it. Felt like a zombie for ages.
I'm trying to avoid painkillers this time as I ended up taking Cocodamol last time for a while and I am convinced it made my sleep patterns even worse when I stopped taking it. Felt like a zombie for ages.
Slobberchops said:
Well, it is no better today but I was fed up of not driving the 911 so I took that out for an hour. Now lying in bed trying to get my back straightened out again! Not the best idea I ever had.
I'm trying to avoid painkillers this time as I ended up taking Cocodamol last time for a while and I am convinced it made my sleep patterns even worse when I stopped taking it. Felt like a zombie for ages.
I was advised not to drive, and I didnt for a month. The feeling of freedom when I got the humble everday Fiat out again was amazing, I can still remenber it now. Even getting up to the garage to check tyre pressures trickle chargers pump clutches to stop them siezing was off limits for a month. It was horrid and although it turned out well there was no guarnatee at the time. I'm trying to avoid painkillers this time as I ended up taking Cocodamol last time for a while and I am convinced it made my sleep patterns even worse when I stopped taking it. Felt like a zombie for ages.
I also tried to come off the medication early, the doc said, look just get mobile dont worry about side effects or dependency, trust me you will be fine. She was spot on. Took 6 weeks gradually improving all the time.
Worked for me.
COming off the pain killers is all do-able if you're aware of it - nobody warned me and I cold turkeyed Tramadol after the recent surgery. Ended up going back on it and weaning off slowly (with water soluble tablets) once I realised WHY I felt like my skin was crawling, i was hot/cold shiver/sweat and my body was cramping !
I had 2 within the last 12 months. search for my thread here. i would not recommend it, i have had 2 ops, 2 nerve root block and in a weeks time i am having my second caudal epidural. lots of phisio have not really helped.
Have it as a last resource only, try the caudal epidural it might work on you.
Have it as a last resource only, try the caudal epidural it might work on you.
dreamer75 said:
I had a discectomy on L4/5 in 2010. <6 weeks before I could go back to work, drive etc., and I was pain free for my wedding that year I was in a similar state to you before the op - big spasms which left me stuck on the floor/sofa/wherever due to the pain. Diazapam etc. to try and get through them. After that op I never got those again.
Unfortunately the disc continued to degenerate to the point there was nothing left and it was bone on bone, so they fused it earlier this year, which hasn't been as stress free.
But the discectomy is a fairly common op these days as backs go - my dad had one donkeys years ago when I was a kid and has a MASSIVE scar with stick holes which looks like a row boat, whereas mine is tiny and no stitches even - just a little Y shape you can barely see.
The core exercises are probably a good idea but worth re-examining technique if it's making the pain worse, just to check you're doing them right?
Almost exactly the same as my story. Had an initial discectomy and then 7 years later a spinal fusion (3 years ago now). I was in a similar state to you before the op - big spasms which left me stuck on the floor/sofa/wherever due to the pain. Diazapam etc. to try and get through them. After that op I never got those again.Unfortunately the disc continued to degenerate to the point there was nothing left and it was bone on bone, so they fused it earlier this year, which hasn't been as stress free.
But the discectomy is a fairly common op these days as backs go - my dad had one donkeys years ago when I was a kid and has a MASSIVE scar with stick holes which looks like a row boat, whereas mine is tiny and no stitches even - just a little Y shape you can barely see.
The core exercises are probably a good idea but worth re-examining technique if it's making the pain worse, just to check you're doing them right?
The fusion was the most painful thing i have ever experienced, i think due to the surgeon either clipping or disturbing a nerve. I had agonising pain down one leg for weeks after.
Having said that I have been pain free ever since the fusion and apart from a slight reduction in flexibility I have no adverse side effects.
Given the pain i was in before the op, I'd still have the same op again.
The osteopath I see uses an inversion table,works wonders for me.
Had physio etc in the past never get the same results the osteopath does.
I saw a consultant some time back to review results of my mri scan.Not at surgery stage yet according to him but I did get the go ahead for caudal epidural injections into my spine.
When my discs (2 slipped discs 1 inpinging on S1) moved I would get evil sciatica.Down both legs,numbness,pins and needles all the way to my feet plus limpibg and being unable to stand for more than a few minutes.
The injections have really worked for me,they dont cure disc pain as I have felt a movement a few weeks ago.However following that movement I didnt get the evil sciatica,just a slight tingle at the base of my spine for a couple of days.
Re surgery,just about anyone I have discussed surgery with say it really is last resort and best avoided if possible.
Had physio etc in the past never get the same results the osteopath does.
I saw a consultant some time back to review results of my mri scan.Not at surgery stage yet according to him but I did get the go ahead for caudal epidural injections into my spine.
When my discs (2 slipped discs 1 inpinging on S1) moved I would get evil sciatica.Down both legs,numbness,pins and needles all the way to my feet plus limpibg and being unable to stand for more than a few minutes.
The injections have really worked for me,they dont cure disc pain as I have felt a movement a few weeks ago.However following that movement I didnt get the evil sciatica,just a slight tingle at the base of my spine for a couple of days.
Re surgery,just about anyone I have discussed surgery with say it really is last resort and best avoided if possible.
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