Discussion
dreamer75 said:
Can you pay privately for a pain management appointment with someone?
Yes, e.g. https://www.spirehealthcare.com/treatments/pain-ma...I'm now 15 months post revision microdiscectomy L4 L5. Early signs were very promising but the sciatic pain is now returning 
Up until March I was getting acupuncture and soft tissue work from my physio weekly but that's all stopped due to covid.
The pain is nothing like as bad as it has been but it's got me questioning whether management with physio long term is feasible. Before treatment stopped I was able to run 10k, ski all day, cycle etc with minimal pain but now walking the dogs 2 or 3 km leaves me suffering.
I'm trying to avoid using up my little remaining stash of tramadol but there are occasions where I need it just to get through the day.
Up until March I was getting acupuncture and soft tissue work from my physio weekly but that's all stopped due to covid.
The pain is nothing like as bad as it has been but it's got me questioning whether management with physio long term is feasible. Before treatment stopped I was able to run 10k, ski all day, cycle etc with minimal pain but now walking the dogs 2 or 3 km leaves me suffering.
I'm trying to avoid using up my little remaining stash of tramadol but there are occasions where I need it just to get through the day.
Welcome to the club.
Unfortunately I have also started using Tramadol again on a regular basis after using them quite sparingly over the last few months. Really missing physio, but if I’m honest I haven’t been stretching quite as often as I should.
Still Friday night should be fun. Tramadol and Alcohol
Unfortunately I have also started using Tramadol again on a regular basis after using them quite sparingly over the last few months. Really missing physio, but if I’m honest I haven’t been stretching quite as often as I should.
Still Friday night should be fun. Tramadol and Alcohol
Hi all,
Apologies if this is in the wrong place, I thought this may be a good thread to get some advice considering there’s a few sufferers here.
I’ve suffered with back pain for the last couple of years. It generally only occurs at night whilst lying down. After a couple hours of sleep, the discomfort wakes me and then I spend the rest of the night tossing and turning trying to alleviate the pain. The knock on effect is I generally only manage 3-4 hrs of sleep which can make me irritated some days.
I’ve tried 3 different mattresses, different pillows, different positions and nothing helps. In the morning, my back is ridiculously stiff and doesn’t loosen up til mid morning. If I stand still for several minutes, the dull ache begins again.
However, once up and about, I have no symptoms. I can play golf, lift boxes etc without any pain.
In the evening when sitting on the lounge with my legs straight, my right leg will begin to ache in a very hard to explain pain. As soon as I move it or bend it, it subsides. If I place a pillow under it, it also helps.
I’ve had an X-ray and the report came back with the description of LTSV. Apparently this is actually quite a common defect from birth. My doctor has been next to useless and prescribed me Naproxen and they didn’t help with any pain management.
Apologies if this is in the wrong place, I thought this may be a good thread to get some advice considering there’s a few sufferers here.
I’ve suffered with back pain for the last couple of years. It generally only occurs at night whilst lying down. After a couple hours of sleep, the discomfort wakes me and then I spend the rest of the night tossing and turning trying to alleviate the pain. The knock on effect is I generally only manage 3-4 hrs of sleep which can make me irritated some days.
I’ve tried 3 different mattresses, different pillows, different positions and nothing helps. In the morning, my back is ridiculously stiff and doesn’t loosen up til mid morning. If I stand still for several minutes, the dull ache begins again.
However, once up and about, I have no symptoms. I can play golf, lift boxes etc without any pain.
In the evening when sitting on the lounge with my legs straight, my right leg will begin to ache in a very hard to explain pain. As soon as I move it or bend it, it subsides. If I place a pillow under it, it also helps.
I’ve had an X-ray and the report came back with the description of LTSV. Apparently this is actually quite a common defect from birth. My doctor has been next to useless and prescribed me Naproxen and they didn’t help with any pain management.
Another wee update, I was referred by my physio for an assessment at the defence national rehabilitation center last month and had the appointment last week. A spinal surgeon, physiotherapist and occupational therapist all put me through my paces to see what level I'm currently at. They referred me for another MRI which I had today so I'm now waiting for the report to come back.
Symptoms on the right side are now ever present, 1km is pretty much the limit of my walking ability without stopping. The doc has now supplemented the paracetamol, naproxen and tramadol with pregablin.
The scan shows something weird around L4L5 but I'm no doctor so I'm just waiting now for them to look at it and give me a call.
How's everyone else doing?
Symptoms on the right side are now ever present, 1km is pretty much the limit of my walking ability without stopping. The doc has now supplemented the paracetamol, naproxen and tramadol with pregablin.
The scan shows something weird around L4L5 but I'm no doctor so I'm just waiting now for them to look at it and give me a call.
How's everyone else doing?
1 km isn't a lot, even at my worst I could manage a lot more than that, though I was a keen hill walker. If your pain is manageable with meds and physio and you are willing to put the work in on your own, which is very important, then you may be able to avoid surgical intervention.
Good luck, stay positive, which can be hard if you are in constant pain and keep us updated. The mental side is every bit as important as the physical, trust me.
Good luck, stay positive, which can be hard if you are in constant pain and keep us updated. The mental side is every bit as important as the physical, trust me.
Ructions said:
1 km isn't a lot, even at my worst I could manage a lot more than that, though I was a keen hill walker. If your pain is manageable with meds and physio and you are willing to put the work in on your own, which is very important, then you may be able to avoid surgical intervention.
Good luck, stay positive, which can be hard if you are in constant pain and keep us updated. The mental side is every bit as important as the physical, trust me.
Sorry, I didn't properly explain. After 1km I need to stop, stretch off, maybe sit for 5 mins then I can continue. I can keep doing this till I've done 2 or 3 km total.Good luck, stay positive, which can be hard if you are in constant pain and keep us updated. The mental side is every bit as important as the physical, trust me.
I've always been very active too, its just really frustrating that I can't do the things I want to.
Another small update
My symptoms are pretty much unchanged over the last few months.
My meds have been changed and I'm now taking 400mg of pregabalin daily instead of using tramadol as and when.
Covid permitting I'm having nerve root injections in a couple of weeks. My consultant tells me that the risks are higher and chance of success lower due to the scar tissue in the area from the previous surgeries but he feels its worth a try.
My symptoms are pretty much unchanged over the last few months.
My meds have been changed and I'm now taking 400mg of pregabalin daily instead of using tramadol as and when.
Covid permitting I'm having nerve root injections in a couple of weeks. My consultant tells me that the risks are higher and chance of success lower due to the scar tissue in the area from the previous surgeries but he feels its worth a try.
DuncsGTi said:
Another small update
My symptoms are pretty much unchanged over the last few months.
My meds have been changed and I'm now taking 400mg of pregabalin daily instead of using tramadol as and when.
Covid permitting I'm having nerve root injections in a couple of weeks. My consultant tells me that the risks are higher and chance of success lower due to the scar tissue in the area from the previous surgeries but he feels its worth a try.
Jodi had root injections after her lower spine surgery had no effect. She found them to be very effective but only for about 5 months. My symptoms are pretty much unchanged over the last few months.
My meds have been changed and I'm now taking 400mg of pregabalin daily instead of using tramadol as and when.
Covid permitting I'm having nerve root injections in a couple of weeks. My consultant tells me that the risks are higher and chance of success lower due to the scar tissue in the area from the previous surgeries but he feels its worth a try.
She’s back where she was pain wise (post op) and her consultant is happy to do more but covid has meant it’ll be months wait.
Wish you the best of luck for a positive outcome.
pidsy said:
Jodi had root injections after her lower spine surgery had no effect. She found them to be very effective but only for about 5 months.
She’s back where she was pain wise (post op) and her consultant is happy to do more but covid has meant it’ll be months wait.
Wish you the best of luck for a positive outcome.
Thats great that they worked for her. She’s back where she was pain wise (post op) and her consultant is happy to do more but covid has meant it’ll be months wait.
Wish you the best of luck for a positive outcome.
I'm hoping for the same sort of time frame of relief. Best case it'll allow me to actually achieve something in the gym and strengthen the area before the injection wears off.
My consultant also wants me to attend a residential spinal rehab course at the defence national rehabilitation centre. I'm very fortunate to have access to such a world class facility so hopefully that'll be early next year
Hello everyone, sorry to hear there are more of us with serious back problems.
Nerve root injections did little for me, hopefully will be better for others.
The coronavirus effects have not helped the state of my back. My weekly Pilates classes stopped in April and with WFH I am getting less exercise from my daily routine.
Recently started an online Pilates class but too soon to see the benefits. A few Pilates instructors did not want me in their classes due to the spinal fusion. One of the classes I tried was not right for me, too much workout and not enough stretching and movement. The new class seems much better.
The cold weather is not helping though.
Nerve root injections did little for me, hopefully will be better for others.
The coronavirus effects have not helped the state of my back. My weekly Pilates classes stopped in April and with WFH I am getting less exercise from my daily routine.
Recently started an online Pilates class but too soon to see the benefits. A few Pilates instructors did not want me in their classes due to the spinal fusion. One of the classes I tried was not right for me, too much workout and not enough stretching and movement. The new class seems much better.
The cold weather is not helping though.
Scrump said:
The coronavirus effects have not helped the state of my back. My weekly Pilates classes stopped in April and with WFH I am getting less exercise from my daily routine.
I've had a similar experience which I put down to covid. Back in March my 3x weekly gym sessions and weekly massage and acupuncture with the physio stopped. The difference in me since then in massive. I'm reliant on tablets again much less capable of physical activity. I've got my fingers crossed for these injections but I'm all too aware that they might not work
I'm on urgent list for acdf, I have pre op in 2 weeks I have a few questions if anyone can help..
How long after pre op am i likely to get my operation? my local area say urgent list cat 2 is upto 4 month wait. I was put on it 3 weeks ago.
Havent met to discuss with surgeoun, but are there alternatives or different surgery proceduresto consider. ? He says c5, 6 and 7 are the issue.
Finally my work involves heavy lifting and manual handling daily and use of power tools are these likely to have caused or contributed to this ? im mid 30's never had trauma in cervical spine or injured it. I'm fit and healthy so has become a small shock to me.
How long after pre op am i likely to get my operation? my local area say urgent list cat 2 is upto 4 month wait. I was put on it 3 weeks ago.
Havent met to discuss with surgeoun, but are there alternatives or different surgery proceduresto consider. ? He says c5, 6 and 7 are the issue.
Finally my work involves heavy lifting and manual handling daily and use of power tools are these likely to have caused or contributed to this ? im mid 30's never had trauma in cervical spine or injured it. I'm fit and healthy so has become a small shock to me.
chriz1 said:
I'm on urgent list for acdf, I have pre op in 2 weeks I have a few questions if anyone can help..
How long after pre op am i likely to get my operation? my local area say urgent list cat 2 is upto 4 month wait. I was put on it 3 weeks ago.
Havent met to discuss with surgeoun, but are there alternatives or different surgery proceduresto consider. ? He says c5, 6 and 7 are the issue.
Finally my work involves heavy lifting and manual handling daily and use of power tools are these likely to have caused or contributed to this ? im mid 30's never had trauma in cervical spine or injured it. I'm fit and healthy so has become a small shock to me.
I'm not a neurosurgeon, but I do anaesthetise for one. In face we have 2 ACDFs this coming Friday I believe.How long after pre op am i likely to get my operation? my local area say urgent list cat 2 is upto 4 month wait. I was put on it 3 weeks ago.
Havent met to discuss with surgeoun, but are there alternatives or different surgery proceduresto consider. ? He says c5, 6 and 7 are the issue.
Finally my work involves heavy lifting and manual handling daily and use of power tools are these likely to have caused or contributed to this ? im mid 30's never had trauma in cervical spine or injured it. I'm fit and healthy so has become a small shock to me.
ACDFs are fairly routine (at least in my place of work), you'll have stiff neck afterwards, not particularly sore. Voice is a little soft and hoarse post-op for a few days as your voicebox is pushed out of the way for access to your neck (the incison is on the front RHS of your neck)
Each hospital is different regarding their current arrangements for surgery prioritisation. All our urgent cases re currently being collated and booked into a theatre according to capacity, clinical need and timeliness, and obviously the availability of critical care beds. So if your surgeon is saying that long I can only assume they are about right.
As for your work, it probably contributes to some degree although we see people from all backgrounds, manual work and otherwise
As gasman says above, you’ll have a sore throat for a few days, but other than that you won’t have any great discomfort. I had mine almost 5 years ago and it was pretty much a success, I get a little pain and discomfort in the cold and damp weather but other than that it’s fine.
My surgery was as a result of a car crash, I was rear ended, quite heavily. If I was in your shoes I would be looking to see what has caused the damage, I’m not an expert but I can’t see your job as being an issue, if anything I would expect damage lower down your spine given the heavy lifting.
Talk to your neurosurgeon and get his or even a second opinion as to what is causing the damage to your spine.
My surgery was as a result of a car crash, I was rear ended, quite heavily. If I was in your shoes I would be looking to see what has caused the damage, I’m not an expert but I can’t see your job as being an issue, if anything I would expect damage lower down your spine given the heavy lifting.
Talk to your neurosurgeon and get his or even a second opinion as to what is causing the damage to your spine.
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